Does a natural remedy with the combination of the herbal extracts Hypericum and Rosavin represent an alternative to numerous pharmaceutical or chemical products in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders? Scientific studies now seem to back this up. private lecturer dr Thomas Kuehn
Klaus Linde from the Technical University in Munich recently found in a meta-analysis that Hypericum is more effective than placebo and similarly effective to standard antidepressants for mild to moderate depression.
A. Szegedi from Berlin has now shown that Hypericum also helps with moderate to severe depression just as well as conventional medication and is better tolerated. (BMJ 2005; 330:503; Epub 2005 Feb 11) In a double-blind, randomized, prospective study, Szegedi examined 251 patients between the ages of 18 and 70 with acute moderate to severe depression (score >=22 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale) without psychotic components.
In the study, 125 sick patients received 300 mg hypericum extract three times a day and 126 patients received 20 mg paroxetine. The treatment was scheduled for 6 weeks. In patients who did not respond to treatment, the dose was increased to 1800 mg Hypericum or 40 mg paroxetine per day.
The scientists defined a response to the therapy as a decrease in the Hamilton scale point value by at least 50% of the initial value, a remission of the depression meant a value of <= 10 points on the scale after a treatment period of 6 weeks.
Hypericum, the equally effective alternative to paroxetine, but better tolerated
After 6 weeks of therapy, it was shown that both Hypericum and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine were effective: the values on the Hamilton scale fell by an average of 14,4 points in the Hypericum group and by 11,4 points in the paroxetine group XNUMX points, which is a significant advantage.
The herbal preparation performed as well, if not better than the chemical agent: 86 of 122 patients (71%) in the Hypericum group and 73 of 122 patients (60%) in the paroxetine group responded significantly to therapy. The scientists observed remission in 61 of 122 Hypericum patients (50%) and in 43 of 122 paroxetine patients (35%).
Hypericum was better tolerated by patients than paroxetine: 69 of 125 patients in the Hypericum group (55%) and 96 of 126 patients in the paroxetine group (76%) reported 172 (Hypericum) and 269 (paroxetine) adverse events, respectively. The patients complained most frequently about gastrointestinal complaints and central nervous disorders.
In patients taking higher doses of Hypericum or paroxetine, depression improved markedly after the dose increase. The patients did not suffer more often from side effects.
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Rhodiola Rosea from the traditional medicine of Eastern Europe and Asia - the plant for stimulating the nervous system
The rosavin extract from the Rhodiola Rosea plant has been shown to increase resistance to a number of chemical, biological and physical stress sensors and was therefore assigned to the so-called adaptogens by Russian scientists. In the traditional medicine of Eastern Europe and Asia, this plant is popular because it is known to induce the following changes:
1. Stimulation of the nervous system
2. Relief from depression
3. Increase in professional performance
4. Improve sleep quality
5. Elimination of states of exhaustion
6. Prevention of altitude sickness
Active components of the plant used in traditional medicine
Rhodiola species contain a number of antioxidant compounds including p-tyrosol, organic acids such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids (catechins and proanthocyanidins).
The following compounds are attributed to the stimulating and adaptogenic properties of the extract rosavin of the plant Rhodiola Rosea:
1. p-Tyrosol
2. Salidroside (synonymous: Rhodioside and Rhodosine)
3. Rhodioniside
4. Rhodiline
5. Rosin
6. Rosavin
7. Rosarine
8. Rosiridine
Extracts are currently being standardized with the extract component rosavin.
Studies have shown that after oral administration, p-tyrosol is readily absorbed in a dose-dependent manner.
However, no pharmacokinetic types are available for the other adaptogenic compounds contained in Rhodiola Rosea. (Alternative Medicine Review, vol 7.5)
The mechanisms of action
The protective effects, i.e. the adaptogenic properties, on the cardiopulmonary system and the central nervous effects of Rhodiola Rosea were primarily attributed to its ability to reduce the concentration and activity of biogenic monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine and affecting norepinephrine. It is further believed that the changes in monoamine levels are due to inhibition of enzymes responsible for breaking down monoamines and facilitating neurotransmitter transport in the brain.
Besides these key effects, rosavin as an extract of the Rhodiola rosea plant has been reported to be able to prevent catecholamine release and the subsequent increase in cyclic AMP in the myocardium as well as the acute stress-induced decrease in adrenal catecholamines. The adaptogenic activity of Rhodiola may also result from an induction of the biosynthesis of opioid peptides and an activation of central and peripheral opioid receptors.
Clinical indications
Chronic stress: In endurance tests, the swimming time of rats increased by 135-159% after oral administration of rosavin. When rosavin-treated rats were exposed to specific stress for 4 hours, the expected increase in beta-endorphin was significantly lower or undetectable. From this, the scientists concluded that the characteristic, stress-induced disturbances flow along the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis Rhodiola Supplementation reduce or completely prevent it. According to assumptions, the extract of this plant is a very useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of primarily debilitating conditions (decrease in professional performance, sleep disorders, irritability, hypertension, loss of appetite, headaches and exhaustion), which subsequently lead to severe mental or physical stress, influenza effects, other virus infections, depression, anxiety disorders, burnout syndrome or other diseases. The supplementation had a positive effect on physicians' states of exhaustion and mental performance in the first two weeks of night shifts.
Students who received a standardized extract of the plant Rhodiola Rosea showed significant improvements in physical fitness, psychomotor function, mental performance and general well-being. Test subjects who received the rhodiola extract orally also reported the following changes:
1. Statistically significant decrease in mental fatigue
2. Improvement in sleep patterns
3. Reduced need for sleep
4. Greater tuning stability
5. Higher motivation for your own
Study
The mean exam scores of students who received rhodiola extract were 3,47 versus 3,20 for placebo.
Dosage Recommendations
The dosage depends on the standardization of the extract. The following daily doses are recommended for long-term therapy:
* 360-600mg Rhodiola Extract when standardized to 1% Rosavin
* 180-300 mg when standardized to 2% rosavin
* 50-100 mg when standardized to 3% rosavin
The duration of application of Rhodiola Rosea ranged from one day (acute therapy) to several months.
What experiences have people with depression had with a natural remedy that contains the two herbal extracts?
More and more people who suffer from anxiety disorders and depression are now putting their trust in phytopharmacy (phytopharmacy deals with the processing of the dried - possibly also fresh - plant parts to the finished drug) and naturopathic customers in order to gain more quality of life. Here you can read individual testimonials from people who are taking an herbal supplement to treat the disease.
Conclusion
The supplementation of a preparation in the combination of the extracts Hypericum and Rosavin show a significant improvement in the treatment of the clinical picture of depression, burnout syndrome and anxiety disorders. Rhodiola Rosea shows an adaptogenic effect. Adaptogens cause increased mental alertness, attention and decision-making ability. Stress-related impairments of brain activities are reduced and stressful situations, whether at work or in private life, are better coped with. Rhodiola Rosea has antioxidant ingredients that protect the brain cells from the influence of free radicals. Free radicals are aggressive molecules that can destroy brain cells. In studies on moderate to severe depression, hypericum extract showed a significant improvement in the clinical picture of depression. It has significantly fewer side effects than SSRIs.