Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, MBA(C), Column Editor Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalisL.)

Brendler, Thomas; Gruenwald, Joerg; Kligler, Benjamin; Keifer, David W.; Abrams, Tracee Rae; Woods, Jen; Boon, Heather; Kirkwood, Catherine DeFranco; Basch, Ethan; Lafferty, Hope J.; Ulbricht, Catherine; Hackman, Dana

doi:10.1080/j157v05n04_08

Cited by 52 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…(ii) Individuals are using increasingly large amounts of herbal products as “weight-loss adjuvant interventions” in addition to the standard HWLPs. For example, Valeriana officinalis (valerian), Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) have long been used to improve sleep, anxiety, or mood disturbances [ 117 – 119 ]; these herbal products can interact with a range of neurotransmitter systems, having the potential to induce adverse psychiatric and cognitive effects [ 112 , 113 , 118 , 120 – 124 ] and to interact with psychiatric medications [ 118 , 125 – 127 ]. Even though extracts of these herbs have never been shown to improve obesity or metabolism, they are often sold on the Internet with the purpose of calming stress-induced hunger and eating behaviours related to nervousness [ 19 , 128 – 130 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Bersani

Coviello

Imperatori

et al. 2015

BioMed Research International

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Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Bersani

Coviello

Imperatori

et al. 2015

BioMed Research International

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“…Experimental research conducted in recent years has demonstrated the effectiveness of M. officinalis in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease [ 5 ]. It also possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], has antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effects [ 9 ] and displays antitumoral activity [ 10 , 11 ]. Hassanzadeh et al [ 12 ] and López et al [ 13 ] report the neuroprotective properties of M. ofﬁcinalis .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of Melissa officinalis in Suppressing Ventricular Arrhythmias following Ischemia-Reperfusion of the Heart: A Comparison with Amiodarone

Joukar

Zarisfi²,

Sepehri³

et al. 2014

Med Princ Pract

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Objective: We aimed to assess the influence of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), a well-known herbal drug with numerous applications in traditional and modern medicine, on cardiac conduction and susceptibility to lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into a control group (CTL), an M. officinalis group that received the aqueous extract of M. officinalis L. intraperitoneally (i.p.) at dosages of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/ml/kg, respectively, and an amiodarone group (Amio group) that received 30 mg/ml/kg i.p. of amiodarone. Heart ischemia/reperfusion was induced by the ligation and release of the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in the basal heart rate and blood pressure. PR, corrected QT (QTc) and QRS intervals increased in the M. officinalis and Amio groups. PR and QTc were statistically significant only in the Amio group and QRS was significant only in the group receiving 400 mg of M. officinalis (M400 group) in comparison with the CTL group. During the reperfusion period, the decrease in ventricular fibrillations was statistically significant in all groups (except the M400 group) when compared with the CTL group. The score of arrhythmia severity also decreased, but was statistically significant only in the Amio group (p < 0.05 vs. CTL group). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that M. ofﬁcinalis extract has a mild protective effect against reperfusion-induced lethal ventricular arrhythmias in rats.

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Lemon balm extract causes potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in insulin‐resistant obese mice

Weidner

Wowro

Freiwald

et al. 2013

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

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Over the last decades polyetiological metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes have emerged as a global epidemic. Efficient strategies for prevention and treatment include dietary intervention and the development of validated nutraceuticals. Safe extracts of edible plants provide a resource of structurally diverse molecules that can effectively interfere with multifactorial diseases. In this study, we describe the application of ethanolic lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves extract for the treatment of insulin-resistance and dyslipidemia in mice. We show that lemon balm extract (LBE) activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which have key roles in the regulation of whole body glucose and lipid metabolism. Application of LBE (0.6 mg/mL) to human primary adipocytes resulted in specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor target gene expression. LBE treatment of insulin-resistant highfat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice (200 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks considerably reduced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, plasma triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acids and LDL/VLDL cholesterol levels. Taken together, ethanolic lemon balm extract can potentially be used to prevent or concomitantly treat type 2 diabetes and associated disorders such as dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Keywords:Diabetes / Dyslipidemia / Functional Food / Melissa officinalis / Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article at the publisher's web-site Metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes are the result of life style changes over the last decades [1], which require tailored approaches for more efficient intervention. A key component of such endeavours consists of the development of dietary interventions including complementation with functional food or nutraceuticals to combat metabolic disorders.

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Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, MBA(C), Column Editor Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalisL.)

Abstract: An evidence-based systematic review including written and statistical analysis of scientific analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetic/dynamics, interactions, adverse effect, toxicology, and dosing.

Cited by 52 publications

References 63 publications

Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Efficacy of <b><i>Melissa officinalis</i></b> in Suppressing Ventricular Arrhythmias following Ischemia-Reperfusion of the Heart: A Comparison with Amiodarone

Lemon balm extract causes potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in insulin‐resistant obese mice

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