Despite the progressive nature of PD, both the immediate-release and sustained-release carbidopa/levodopa formulations maintained a similar level of control in PD after 5 years compared with baseline. Additionally, the low incidence of motor fluctuations or dyskinesia was not significantly different between the treatment groups and may be partly attributed to the relatively low doses of levodopa used throughout the 5-year study.

Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC for the treatment of urinary tract stones. Methods. Data were collected from online databases, the Philippine National Library, and unpublished clinical trials. We obtained permission from authors of unpublished clinical trials but with existing patent applications. Studies were selected based on the criteria: randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the efficacy of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC for the treatment of urinary tract stones given alone or in combination with a non-pharmacological/pharmacological intervention in comparison to a pharmacological/non-pharmacological intervention for urinary tract stones with participants aged 15 to 65 years in an ambulatory setting. Results. Our search methods yielded a total of 20 studies. Four studies met our inclusion criteria. Patients who took sambong had a reduction in stone size by radiographic evidence 23.45 times more than those who took the placebo (p=0.001). Also, patients taking sambong were 38.04 times more likely to pass stones compared to those patients taking a placebo (p=0.0004). Patients taking sambong were 7.48 times more likely to have reduction or disappearance of signs and symptoms compared to the placebo group (p=0.008). Conclusions. Sambong treatment is effective in treating patients with urolithiasis by radiographic evidence of a decrease in size and/or number of stones, the passage of stone/s and/or disappearance or reduction of signs and symptoms with no serious adverse events.