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Background: Curcumin is the active principle of Curcuma longa, one of the widely used components in the traditional system of medicine in India. Despite its efficacy in experimental studies aiming at neuronal disorders like depression, curcu-min's poor water solubility challenges the production of therapeutic formulations. This study investigates the antidepressant-like activity of novel water-soluble curcumin formulations, dispensed in three different concentrations. Further, the study comparatively evaluates St. John's wort (SJW), another herbal preparation., Methods: These compounds were evaluated in the forced swimming test in mice, and the corresponding changes in the neurotransmitter levels were measured., Results: Three water-soluble curcumin formulations, C-5, C-20 and C-50 (50-200 mg/kg p.o.) decreased the immobility period, and increased serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain tissues. A subeffective dose (50 mg/kg) of these formulations enhanced the antidepressant-like effect of classical antidepressants with varied mechanisms of action. In addition, an SJW dose of 25 mg/kg showed a significant antidepressant-like effect in all the behavioral studies and also significantly increased brain neurotransmitter levels, especially that of serotonin. The effects produced by C-5 were comparable with those of SJW and fluoxetine, respectively., Conclusion: In all these observations, the water-soluble formulations showed a significant antidepressant-like effect, including enhancement of neurotransmitter levels as compared to the similar dose of a conventional curcumin preparation. Thus, these formulations may be used as a novel treatment option in the management of mental depression., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Unlabelled: This paper explores the potentiality of Bach flower remedies as a means of pain relief through a retrospective case-study analysis to establish how clients suffering with painful conditions responded to the therapy., Results: Of 384 subjects, 41 suffered pain. Of these, 46% felt treatment had relieved their pain; in 49% the physical outcome was unknown. About 88% of all subjects reported an improvement in their emotional outlook., Discussion: The role of placebo and its influence on the study's key features: focus shift from physical pain to emotional outlook, and the importance of the client-practitioner relationship and belief in the therapy., Conclusion: The use of Bach flower remedies has brought about positive emotional changes in the majority of clients in this study. Whilst it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion as to significance of the therapeutic value of these remedies in relation to pain above that of a placebo, the results are encouraging. In particular, relief of negative emotions and promotion of positive thought including how clients opened up about, and dealt with, emotional issues. The indication is that potential for Bach flower remedies as a therapeutic agent in the relief of pain does exist and is worthy of further qualitative and quantitative investigation through robust, purpose-designed studies to replicate and progress the results shown here.

Background: ML-1 standardized mistletoe extracts have been recommended for increasing the health-related quality of life in cancer patients., Patients and Methods: The EORTC questionnaire QLQ-C30((V2)) was given to a randomly chosen subgroup of 399 patients of a prospective, randomized, open, multi-center trial. A total of 200 patients from this trial were randomized for ML-1 treatment (1 ng/kg body weight ML-1 was injected subcutaneously twice weekly over a 60-week period. Treatment cycles of 12 weeks were followed by a break of 4 weeks (between weeks 12-16, 28-32, and 44-48)). The remaining 199 patients formed the control group., Results: Patients completed questionnaires before the start of their treatments at week 0 and continued until week 156. The compliance rate was high: 3611 questionnaires were available, which equals a median of nine longitudinal measurements per patient between weeks 0 and 156. Analysis did not indicate any improvement in the quality of life for either group. A significant decrease in quality of life, however, was seen in patients undergoing radiotherapy. In these patients, the global state of health was reduced and four symptom scales were significantly worse., Conclusion: Our results demonstrated no improvement in the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients when treated with ML-1 extract.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND AND ISSSUES: Ginkgo biloba-extracts are often used in therapy of patients with dementia. In this study, benefit and structure of Ginkgo biloba-extract EGb 761 in treatment of patients with dementia was examined., Patients and Methods: For the assessment of quality of life of care-taking relatives and patients as well as treatment costs were documented. The study was conducted as a non-randomised, two-armed cohort study with an open design for 683 slightly or moderately demented patients, aged between 65 and 80 years. Society's perspective was taken. Barthel-Index and MMST were also documented. Because of significant differences at inclusion of both cohorts, a matched-pairs-analysis and multiple regression analysis conducted., Results: According to PLC a significant improvement in quality-of-life of care-taking relatives (p < 0.001) and patients (positive mood p = 0.018, negative mood p < 0.001) was only observed in the Ginkgo-cohort. Also Barthel-Index indicated an improvement in the Ginkgo-cohort (p < or = 0,001). MMST-scores increased significantly only in the Ginkgo-cohort (p < 0.001). Average total cost per patient amounted to 3.614,75 euro in the standard-cohort, whereas these costs per patient in the Ginkgo-cohort amounted to 3.031,78 euro (p = 0.067). Results were confirmed by matched-pairs-analysis., Results: Ginkgo treatment has a valid place in caretaking structure of health services. Gingko attributes to a higher quality of life for both care-takers and patients, the progression of disease is slowed down and treatment costs are lower.

Objective: Perimenopausal women may be following a trend toward using herbal remedies for their symptoms. Herbal use can affect medical decision making because herbal side effects can mimic medical conditions and herbs can interact with pharmacotherapeutics. Yet, health care providers may not be asking patients about their use of herbals. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of herbal use in a sample of perimenopausal women and to explore disclosure of use to their clinicians., Design: Descriptive survey of herbal use utilizing responses from a questionnaire., Setting: Health food grocery, located in the southeastern United States., Participants: A convenience sample of 40 women, ages 40 to 65 years., Main Outcome Measures: Menopause symptoms, perceived efficacy of hormone or herbal therapy, herbs used, sources of information about herbs, and discussion with health care providers about herbal use., Results: Two thirds of the women had used herbs for perimenopausal symptoms. Herb users had experienced more menopausal symptoms than nonusers and had more side effects from hormone therapy. Herb users relied on information about herbs from alternative health care providers, whereas nonusers relied on popular media and peers. Overall, less than half were asked by their health care providers about herbal use. Furthermore, nearly half expressed dissatisfaction with the information given by providers about herbs. Although black cohosh was the most frequently used herb, ginseng and gingko were perceived to be the most effective., Conclusion: Providers need to become informed about herbal therapy for perimenopausal symptoms to tailor care to the needs, preferences, and philosophies of their patients.

Information on the use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies is sometimes difficult to obtain from consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Internet as a research tool in CAM to obtain information from these consumers about the use of psychotropic herbs and drugs. A survey on psychotropic herb and drug usage was posted on 138 mental-health newsgroups on the Internet. After 38 days, 72 (71%) of the 102 respondents reported usage of psychotropic medication and 68 (67%) reported usage of psychotropic herbs during the preceding 12 months. The Internet is a potential tool to reach consumers of CAM for research purposes. The study design requires modification, and the findings need cautious interpretation for further research using the Internet as a venue.

Nutritional supplements remain a popular choice for patients seeking relief or prevention from a wide range of physical and mental disorders. Review of available literature finds support for some therapeutic uses, but flaws in study design (e.g., small sample sizes) and methodology (e.g., inadequate blinding and a lack of placebo control) limit the possibility of making strong recommendations. Quality-control issues also raise concerns about the safety of supplement use (see previous list). In addition, potential interactions with prescription drugs are another consideration (Table 1). By becoming more knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of nutritional supplements, psychiatrists can assist patients in making informed choices and avoiding unnecessary harm.