title: American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers.
abstract: Scutellaria lateriflora, a traditional herbal remedy for stress and anxiety, was tested on human volunteers for its effects on mood. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study, 43 healthy participants were randomised to a sequence of three times daily S. lateriflora (350 mg) or placebo, each over two weeks. In this relatively non-anxious population (81% were mildly anxious or less, i.e. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores ≤ 15), there was no significant difference between skullcap and placebo with BAI (p = 0.191). However, there was a significant group effect (p = 0.049), suggesting a carryover effect of skullcap. For Total Mood Disturbance measured by the Profile of Mood States, there was a highly significant (p = <0.001) decrease from pre-test scores with skullcap but not placebo (p = 0.072). The limitations of carryover effect, generally low anxiety scores and differences in anxiety levels between groups at baseline (p = 0.022), may have reduced the chances of statistical significance in this study. However, as S. lateriflora significantly enhanced global mood without a reduction in energy or cognition, further study assessing its putative anxiolytic effects in notably anxious subjects with co-morbid depression is warranted.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: Ihab
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tewfik
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Towell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031363:Scutellaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: American skullcap; Scutellaria lateriflora; anxiety; clinical trial; mood states; phytotherapy