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| Herbal treatment for Cardiovascular Disease |
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Page 2 of 2 Tauchert et al investigated whether long-term therapy with Crataegus extract WS 1442 was efficacious as add-on therapy to pre-existing diuretic treatment in patients with heart failure with a more advanced stage of the disease (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III), whether effects were dose dependent, and whether the treatment was safe and well tolerated(4). A total of 209 patients were randomized to treatment with 1800 mg of WS 1442, 900 mg of WS 1442, or with placebo for 16 weeks. Both efficacy and tolerability were rated best for the 1800 mg of WS 1442 group. With the 1800 mg of WS 1442 per day, maximal tolerated workload during bicycle exercise showed a statistically significant increase in comparison with both placebo and 900 mg of WS 1442. Typical heart failure symptoms as rated by the patients were significantly reduced to a greater extent by WS 1442 than by placebo. In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, Hawthorn extract was evaluated for treating chronic heart failure (5). After analysing eight trials, including 632 patients with chronic heart failure, Pittler et al concluded that the results suggest that there is a significant benefit from hawthorn extract as an adjunctive treatment for chronic heart failure. A randomized, crossover trial with 8 healthy volunteers was performed to determine the effect of hawthorn on digoxin pharmacokinetic parameters (6). Tankanow concluded that following 3 weeks of concomitant therapy, hawthorn did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic parameters for digoxin. This suggests that both hawthorn and digoxin, in the doses and dosage form studied(digoxin 0.25 mg with Crataegus special extract WS 1442 450 mg twice daily), may be coadministered safely. Other trials on hawthorn consistently demonstrate its ability to improve exercise tolerance and symptoms of mild to moderate heart failure. Preliminary evidence indicates that it improves left ventricular performance, as measured by ejection fraction(7). Truly a great herb for the treatment of the cardiovascular system.
References
(2)Walker AF, Marakis G, Morris AP, Robinson PA. ‘Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension.’ Phytother Res Feb 2002; 16(1):48-54 (3) Walker AF, Marakis G, Simpson E, Hope JL, Robinson PA, Hassanein M, Simpson HC.’ Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial.’Br J Gen Pract Jun 2006; 56(527):437-43 (4) Tauchert M. ‘Efficacy and safety of crataegus extract WS 1442 in comparison with placebo in patients with chronic stable New York Heart Association class-III heart failure’ Am Heart J May 2002; 143(5):910-5 (5) Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. ‘Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials.’ Am J Med Jun 2003; 114(8):665-74 (6)Tankanow R, Tamer HR, Streetman DS, Smith SG, Welton JL, Annesley T, Aaronson KD, Bleske BE. ‘Interaction study between digoxin and a preparation of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha).’J Clin Pharmacol Jun 2003; 43(6):637-42 (7) Fong HH, Bauman JL. ‘Hawthorn’ J Cardiovasc Nurs Jul 2002; 16(4):1-8 |
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