Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology; Department of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology; Department of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Department of Biology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Future Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5 Herbal and Traditional Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Faculty of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
6 Neurology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology; Department of Neurology, Shafa Hospital, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder that impairs physical, psychological and cognitive functioning, often reducing quality of life (QoL). Complementary therapies, including medicinal plants, have been suggested to improve well-being. Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, but its potential effects on QoL in MS patients remain largely unexplored in controlled clinical trials. Therefore, this trial was conducted.
Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that carried out on 96 MS patients in Kerman between 2023 and 2024. This study is part of a clinical trial registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20161108030776N5). Patients were randomly assigned using four-blocks and a 1:1 ratio generated by R software to receive either C. asiatica (500 mg) or placebo twice daily for two months. QOL was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the MSQOL-54 questionnaire. Statistical analysis included two-way ANOVA (p<0.05).
Results: Baseline features were well-matched among the groups. Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant effect of both treatment group (F=17.23, p<0.001) and baseline QOL (F=79.26, p<0.001) on post-intervention QOL. A significant interaction between these variables was also observed (F=4.01, p=0.023). Subgroup analyses showed that C. asiatica significantly improved QOL in participants with moderate (p<0.001) and high (p=0.024) baseline QOL, but not in those with low baseline QOL (p=0.650). MS type did not have a significant effect on the results (p=0.120).
Conclusion: C. asiatica significantly improved QOL in MS patients with moderate to high baseline QOL. These findings support its potential as complementary therapy and warrant further research.
Keywords
- Persian Traditional Medicine
- quality of life
- Centella asiatica
- Multiple sclerosis
- Complementary therapies
Main Subjects
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