[Efficacy and safety of Padma 28 in peripheral arterial occlusive disease].
BACKGROUND
The multicompound herbal drug Padma 28 is based on a formula from Tibetan Medicine and has been used in Switzerland for over 30 years in the symptomatic treatment of circulatory disorders including intermittent claudication.


OBJECTIVE
What is the current evidence regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of this drug in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease(PAOD)?


METHODS
Electronic databases were searched (each from inception to fall 2005) as well as the reference lists of the relevant articles.


RESULTS
14 articles were found including 6 published studies, 1 un-published study, 6 double publications and 1 meta-analysis. Six studies analyzed maximum walking distance, 5 of these showed a significant increase. The pooled data of the meta-analysis confirmed a significant and clinically relevant increase of the maximum walking distance by more than 100 m in about 1 out of 5 patients. Serious adverse events were not related to verum, non-serious adverse events were equally frequent as under placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence available shows that the multi-target therapy with Padma 28 provides statistically significant and clinically relevant relief from PAOD-related symptoms, i.e. an increased walking distance.
Melzer
Jörg
J
Institut für Naturheilkunde, Departement Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich, Schweiz. joerg.melzer@usz.ch
Brignoli
Reto
R
Saller
Reinhard
R
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000188:drug therapy; D038861:Medicine, Tibetan Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010936:Plant Extracts; C066069:Padma 28