Efficacy of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum L. in the treatment of mild to moderate major depressive disorder: a randomized double blind clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a constant dose of aqueous extract of Echium amoenum. Thirty-five patients with mild to moderate major depressive disorder who had a score  18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 375mg of aqueous extract of Echinum amoenum. Patients were followed for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, in week 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. In the week 4 and 6, drug was superior to placebo. This difference was significant at the fourth week (p =0.018) and marginally non-significant at the sixth week. The extract of Echium amoenum did not cause more adverse effects than placebo during the study. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of Echium amoenum can be considered as an effective and safe treatment for major depressive disorder. However further studies in warranted.