Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorder.

Abstract

Silexan, a novel lavender oil preparation for oral use, has been authorized in Germany for the treatment of states of restlessness during anxious mood. An open-label, exploratory trial was performed to assess the potential of the medicinal product in the treatment of restlessness caused by anxiety as related to several disorders. Outcome measures included the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), von Zerssen's Depression Scale (D-S), the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), and a sleep diary. 50 male and female patients with neurasthenia (ICD-10 F48.0), post-traumatic stress disorder (PSD; F43.1), or somatization disorder (F45.0, F45.1) were included to receive 1 × 80 mg/day Silexan over 6 weeks; 47 could be analyzed for efficacy as full analysis set. At baseline, patients suffered from restlessness (96%), depressed mood (98%), sleep disturbances (92%), or anxiety (72%). Of those, resp. 62%, resp. 57%, resp.51%, resp. 62% showed improvements during treatment (p < 0.001). For all patients, mean D-S score decreased by 32.7% and SCL-90-R Global Severity Index by 36.4% as compared to baseline, (p < 0.001), while the SF-36 Mental Health Score increased by 48.2% (p < 0.001). Waking-up frequency (p = 0.002), Waking-up duration (p < 0.001) and morning tiredness (p = 0.005) were reduced, while efficiency of sleep (p = 0.018) and mood (p = 0.03) improved. Patients suffering from neurasthenia or PSD showed comparable improvements with most outcomes. The results in this trial justify to further investigate Silexan in disorders with accompanying restlessness caused by sub-threshold anxiety. Adverse reactions, predominantly gastrointestinal complaints, were judged as mild or moderate.

• Authors: B Uehleke, S Schaper, A Dienel, S Schlaefke, R Stange
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 19 Issue 8-9 Pg. 665-71 (Jun 15 2012) ISSN: 1618-095X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 22475718 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Oils, Volatile
• Plant Oils
• lavender oil

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Aged
• Anxiety (drug therapy)
• Depression (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Lavandula
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurasthenia (drug therapy, psychology)
• Oils, Volatile (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Plant Oils (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Psychomotor Agitation (drug therapy)
• Sleep Wake Disorders (drug therapy)
• Somatoform Disorders (drug therapy, psychology)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (drug therapy, psychology)
• Treatment Outcome