Efficacy of combination of Viola odorata, Rosa damascena and Coriandrum sativum in prevention of migraine attacks: a randomized, double blind, placebo- controlled clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundMigraine is the second most common type of headache after tension headaches. In Iranian traditional medicine several herbal drugs are used for the treatment of headache. Including, a product of Iranian traditional medicine, a combination of Viola odorata L. flowers, Rosa damascena L. flowers and Coriandrum sativum L. fruits.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of a combination of Viola odorata flowers, Rosa damascene flowers and Coriandrum sativum fruits on severity, duration and frequency of migraine headaches.MethodsThis randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 88 patients who had migraine and visited Besat Neurology Clinic No. 4 at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, from September 2016 to march 2017. Patients were randomly divided into the intervention (n=44) or placebo group (n=44). The intervention group received a product of Iranian traditional medicine, a combination of Viola odorata L. flowers, Rosa damascena L. flowers and Coriandrum sativum L. fruits in 500 mg capsules three times a day and propranolol 20mg tablet twice a day, and the control group received placebo capsules (500mg) three times a day and propranolol 20mg tablet twice a day for four weeks. Patients were asked to report the frequency, duration and severity of their headaches in designed forms at home. Then at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks of treatment, patients were followed for clinical efficacy.ResultsIn terms of duration, frequency and severity of headaches between the two groups of herbal medicine and placebo, the behavior of the two protocols was changed over time (p<0.001). During the 4 weeks, the time and drug interactions, were significant (p <0.001). In other words, the pattern of changes to the two protocols over time, was different. Also, at the end of the 4th week, there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001).ConclusionThe study findings suggest that the Iranian traditional product combination of Viola odorata flowers, Rosa damascena flowers and Coriandrum sativum fruits may be effective in improving headaches in patients with migraine.Clinical trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT: www.irct.ir) with registered NO. IRCT 2016110830776N1.FundingThe authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

A mini review of neuropharmacological effects of Rosa damascena Herrm.

“…According to the results, the capsules alleviated Pharmaceutical Sciences (Indexed in ISI and Scopus) https://ps.tbzmed.ac.ir headache in patients with migraine. 47 In another clinical trial, ethanolic extract (400 mg capsules) of R. damascena had analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduced postoperative pain. 48 The effects of R. damascena on pain relief have been presented in Table 5.…”

Medicinal Exploitation of <i>Coriandrum sativum</i> L.

“…Apart from the leaves of C. sativum, the fruits may also have considerable effects on the migraine attacks (Kasmaei et al, 2016). The fruits of C. sativum in combination with the extracts of flowers of Viola odorata (commonly called wood violet or sweet violet belonging to Violaceae family) and Rosa damascena (commonly called damask rose, a hybrid variety) have a crucial role in controlling the pain in migraine patients (Kamali et al, 2018). From the available literature, it may be observed that, only very few studies have been conducted on the effects of extracts of C. sativum in the migraine patients and all the studies have reported positive effects on the control and management of migraine by the extracts of leaves, stem and fruits of C. sativum.…”