Supplement
Luo Bu Ma is a plant from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and its flavonoid-rich leaf extract is studied for effects on the nervous system and blood vessels. In trials of one standardized extract, people's sleep improved: they fell asleep and stayed asleep more easily in a small study, and sleep disturbance scores were better over six weeks in a larger trial. The evidence is limited, though: just two human trials, both using the same product.
Sources: PMID 22421379
- Updated
- How we grade
- 9 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 2
- Outcomes
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 0032
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure One uncontrolled Chinese clinical study (n=60) found Apocynum venetum leaf extract significantly reduced systolic blood pressure from 171 to 148 mmHg and diastolic from 98 to 89 mmHg over 8 weeks (P<0.01). Multiple animal studies in spontaneously hypertensive, renal hypertensive, and NaCl-fed hypertensive rats demonstrate consistent blood pressure reduction. Mechanistic studies show the extract inhibits angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction via nitric oxide release and superoxide scavenging. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | 60 people | ||
Studies that measured blood pressure
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| Cholesterol and Lipid Levels One uncontrolled Chinese clinical study (n=40 hyperlipidemic patients) found Apocynum venetum leaf extract significantly increased HDL-C from 47.5 to 63.9 mg/dL (P<0.01). The review literature reports lipid-lowering as a traditional use, but no controlled human trials have been conducted for this outcome. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2 studies | 40 people | ||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety and Stress A large RCT (n=370 completers) found 50 mg/day Venetron for 6 weeks significantly reduced perceived stress and showed marginal significance for anxiety reduction vs placebo. A small crossover RCT (n=17) found reduced mental stress with 50 mg/day for 8 days. In animal models, the extract showed anxiolytic activity in the elevated plus maze mediated primarily through the GABAergic system, with kaempferol identified as an active anxiolytic compound. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | 387 people | ||
Studies that measured anxiety and stress | ||||||
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study (n=17) found 50 mg/day Venetron for 8 days significantly improved sleep initiation and maintenance scores. A larger RCT (n=370 completers) found 50 mg/day for 6 weeks significantly improved sleep disturbance scores compared to placebo in adults with self-reported anxiety. Both studies used the standardized Venetron extract. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 387 people | ||
Studies that measured sleep quality | ||||||
| Depression and Mood In rodent models, Apocynum venetum leaf flavonoid extract (50-100 mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests, comparable to imipramine and fluoxetine. Mechanisms involve increased hippocampal noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations, inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and upregulation of BDNF. No human clinical trials have specifically assessed antidepressant effects. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured depression and mood
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Key findings
- Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)
- Anxiety and StressImproves (the measure goes down)
- Sleep QualityImproves (the measure goes up)
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- Grade C
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Studies cited
9 studies from PubMed
- Apocynum venetum leaf extract reverses depressive-like behaviors in chronically stressed rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis
- Antidepressant-like effect of flavonoids extracted from Apocynum venetum leaves on brain monoamine levels and dopaminergic system
- Apocynum venetum leaf extract, an antihypertensive herb, inhibits rat aortic contraction induced by angiotensin II: a nitric oxide and superoxide connection
- Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Apocynum venetum L. (Luobuma): A review
- Kaempferol from the leaves of Apocynum venetum possesses anxiolytic activities in the elevated plus maze test in mice
- Anti-anxiety effects of Apocynum venetum L. in the elevated plus maze test
- Antidepressant effects of apocynum venetum leaves in a forced swimming test
- Effects of aqueous extracts of Apocynum venetum leaves on spontaneously hypertensive, renal hypertensive and NaCl-fed-hypertensive rats
- Observations on the anti-aging, antihypertensive and antihyperlipemic effect of Apocynum venetum leaf extract