Evaluating the effect of black myrobalan on cognitive, positive, and negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

Schizophrenia, as a chronic and disabling mental disorder, causes a wide range of symptoms, including cognitive impairments, positive, negative, and mood symptoms. There are no effective treatments for cognitive symptoms. Black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula Retz.), a medicinal plant of the Combretaceae family, exerts antioxidant, antiacetylcholinesterase, and anti‐inflammatory effects. These effects can lessen the symptoms of schizophrenia. So, this study was conducted to evaluate black myrobalan's impact on cognitive impairments and negative/positive symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in which participants were divided into treatment and placebo groups. They received six 500 mg capsules of black myrobalan or placebo in two divided doses for 4 weeks. Patients' cognitive impairments, positive, negative, depression/anxiety, and excitement/activity symptoms were assessed using the Screen for Cognitive Impairments in Psychiatry (SCIP) and the relevant subscales of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) pretreatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Cognitive impairments (SCIP) (p value .004), negative symptoms (PANSS subscale) (p value .017), and excitement/activity (PANSS subscale) (p value .003) were significantly improved in the black myrobalan group compared with the control group after 4 weeks. No serious adverse effects were reported. Black myrobalan could improve cognitive impairments, negative and excitement/activity symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients.

Effect of psycho-educational program on social functioning and self-stigma among schizophrenic patients

“…Regarding posttest and the follow up test, the same figure indicates that, the percentage of subjects who have low social functioning is decreased to (2% and 0% respectively), while the percentage of subjects who have high social functioning is increased to (44%). Tables (2) shows highly statistically significant differences between pre, post, and follow up with P-value (0.0001*) regarding the total social functioning score, which was increased to (153.7±24.8) at the post-test. While, at the follow up, it was (151.1±19.8).…”

“…The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recognized that schizophrenia is characterized by five-dimensional psychotic symptoms. These symptoms are organized by category as positive symptoms, negative symptoms, cognitive deficits, mood issues, and signs of disorganization [2] . In addition, impaired social functioning is one of the detrimental symptoms and a key component of schizophrenia [3] .…”

The Untold Health Benefits of Herbal Black Salt (Kala Namak): A Scientific Overview

“…This suggests that Terminalia chebula in black salt could be a valuable ingredient in improving joint health and well-being. Besides, a study found that Terminalia chebula had significant cognitive benefits for patients with chronic schizophrenia [38]. This research suggests that the antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase, and antiinflammatory properties of Terminalia chebula may offer potential natural treatment options for cognitive and behavioral symptoms related to psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia.…”

Lupus and the Nervous System: A Neuroimmunoloigcal Update on Pathogenesis and Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Focus on Neuropsychiatric SLE

“…However, it is not more prevalent in SLE in comparison with the rest of autoimmune conditions [35]. Studies have also detected a positive linkage between SLE and the danger of being affected by schizophrenia [36,37].…”