The Tibetan herbal formula Padma Digestin in functional dyspepsia: an open-label study.

Background: The etiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) is multi-factorial. Its prevalence is high and it considerably impairs the patients' quality of life. The treatment options are limited.

Preliminary data of a HAMD-17 validated symptom scale derived from the ICD-10 to diagnose depression in outpatients.

Background: In outpatient settings diagnostic classification of depressive symptoms is mostly descriptive based on ICD-10. Depending on clinical experience and consultation time, diagnosis can be verified by validated scales. However, physicians working in primary care are familiar with ICD-10 criteria.

Phytodolor® in musculoskeletal disorders: re-analysis and meta-analysis.

Background: Treatment of rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders (MD) is multi-disciplinary and includes herbal analgesics. Although already reviewed, no quantitative evaluation of efficacy and safety of the herbal combination Phytodolor® (STW1) is available.

Methods: We searched in databases and contacted authors and the manufacturer to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining STW1 in patients with MD.

A hypericum extract in the treatment of depressive symptoms in outpatients: an open study.

Background: Extracts of Hypericum perforatum have demonstrated in randomized trials (RCTs) to be effective in mild to moderate depressive episodes. However, as their use in daily practice may differ from that in RCTs we have conducted a study to achieve a better estimate of the range and frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and the efficacy.

Patients And Methods: In an observational study in Germany, adult outpatients with depressive syndrome were treated with an extract of St.

An updated systematic review with meta-analysis for the clinical evidence of silymarin.

Background: The potential benefit of silymarin (special extract from the fruits of Silybum marianum) in the treatment of liver diseases remains a controversial issue.

Methods: For this systematic review electronic databases identified 65 papers for the search terms silymarin, silibinin, silicristin or milk thistle and clinical trial. Only 19 complied with the criteria'double-' or 'single-blind'.

Iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex in iron deficiency anemia / review and meta-analysis.

Iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex (IPC) is an iron preparation with non-ionic iron and polymaltose in a stable complex. The usefulness of IPC in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has recently been a topic of much debate. By reviewing the published literature an overview is provided of the existing comparative evidence vs.

An updated systematic review of the pharmacology of silymarin.

Background: Recent years have seen an explosion of scientific papers that deal with drugs from the fruits of milk thistle and its active substances silymarin (standardized mixture of flavonolignanes), thus justifying an updated systematic review.

Methods: Electronic databases identified silymarin, silibinin, silicristin or milk thistle as descriptors in >700 papers (34% published in last 5 years; 92% dealt with animal pharmacological). Only papers adequately reporting on experimental conditions, dosing, variables tested and statistics were analysed.

Systematic review of clinical data with BNO-101 (Sinupret) in the treatment of sinusitis.

Background: The herbal formula BNO-101 (containing Gentianae radix, Primulae flos, Rumicis herba, Sambuci flos and Verbenae herba; ratio 1:3:3:3:3) has been widely employed as a 'mucoactive' agent in Germany for 70 years for the symptoms of respiratory infections. This paper reviews the clinical evidence of BNO-101 in sinusitis.

Methods: The systematic search identified 22 studies with BNO-101.

Treating intermittent claudication with Tibetan medicine Padma 28: does it work?

Herbal drugs are being increasingly used in medical practice, often without appropriate scrutiny of their safety and efficacy. The medicinal product Padma 28 is a fixed combination with Tibetan origin, used in Europe since the 1960s for the symptomatic treatment of circulatory disorders, including those of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). We have conducted an analysis of all available data on this herbal drug from published literature as well as from original data we obtained from contacting the authors of published papers, reports and the manufacturer.

[Efficacy and safety of Padma 28 in peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

Background: The multicompound herbal drug Padma 28 is based on a formula from Tibetan Medicine and has been used in Switzerland for over 30 years in the symptomatic treatment of circulatory disorders including intermittent claudication.

Objective: What is the current evidence regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of this drug in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease(PAOD)?

Materials And Methods: Electronic databases were searched (each from inception to fall 2005) as well as the reference lists of the relevant articles.

Results: 14 articles were found including 6 published studies, 1 un-published study, 6 double publications and 1 meta-analysis.