A mixed herbal extract as an adjunctive therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Background Methylphenidate improves clinical symptoms and brain activity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients through the attention-regulation network's dopamine system. Additionally, water-soluble extracts (HX106) of four plants ( Gastrodia elata Blume, Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, and Dimocarpus longan Lour) improve cognitive function. We hypothesized that the combination of HX106 and methylphenidate would improve ADHD symptoms and brain activity of the attention network more effectively than the combination of placebo and methylphenidate. Methods Twenty-seven patients with ADHD were administered a herbal mixture and methylphenidate ( n =13), or placebo and methylphenidate ( n =14) during a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Changes in ADHD symptoms (K-ARS scores), as well as brain activity and functional connectivity, were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks later. Results The HX106 group showed a greater improvement in total attention (16.8%) and inattention (17.2%) scores than the placebo group. The HX106 group showed increased brain activity within the left precuneus compared to the placebo group. The HX106 group also showed increased functional connectivity from the precuneus seed to the left middle temporal gyrus compared with the placebo group. In all participants, the changes in K-ARS scores were negatively correlated with changes in brain activity in the left middle temporal gyrus. Conclusions HX106 enhanced the effect of methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms and increased brain activity in the attention-regulation network. Therefore, HX106 may be an effective adjunctive therapy for patients with ADHD.

The effect of Rosa canina L. and a polyherbal formulation syrup in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

“…The sample size was determined according to the previous study [ 21 ] using two-mean comparison formula. By considering type I error (0.05) and type II (0.2) and the mean change (SD) of the clinical scale of ADHD score in treatment and placebo groups ( −2.8 ±1.5 and −1.2 ±2.5, respectively) and the attrition rate of 15%, the sample size was calculated 30 subjects in each group (a total of 90 patients).…”

Potential Targets and Action Mechanism of Gastrodin in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Bioinformatics and Network Pharmacology Analysis

“…Considering the clear curative effect, multiple targets, and other advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a long history, Chinese herbs and their main active ingredients have gradually become the major resources of new drugs, represented by artemisinin from Artemisia annua [ 13 , 14 ]. Gastrodia elata Blume ( G. elata ) is a high-frequency herb used in the TCM prescription for ADHD treatment [ 15 ]. Gastrodin, chemically known as 4-hydroxymethylphenyl β -D-glucopyranoside, is the key characteristic medicinal component of G. elata [ 16 ].…”