The effect of oral capsule of Ocimum basilicum leaf extract on sleep quality and insomnia severity in menopausal women: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

One of the complications of menopause is sleep disorders, which affect women's health. Ocimum basilicum contains compounds that may affect sleep. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an oral capsule of O. basilicum leaf extract on sleep quality and the severity of insomnia in menopausal women. This triple-blind, randomized clinical trial study was performed on 60 Iranian menopausal women aged 40 to 65 years. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (each capsule containing 250 mg of O. basilicum extract and 250 mg Avicel) per day for 1 month and placebo. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality and Insomnia Intensity Index were used to assess sleep quality and severity of insomnia before, 2 weeks after and 1 month after the intervention. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline variables between the intervention and placebo groups (p > .05). The total sleep quality scores in the two groups of intervention and placebo were 6.2 ± 0.3 versus 9.3 ± 0.3 (p < .001) and 3.7 ± 0.3 versus 9.1 ± 0.3 (p = .015) 2 weeks and 1 month after the intervention, respectively. The total insomnia severity scores in the two groups of intervention and placebo were 9.0 ± 0.3 versus 12.1 ± 0.3 (p < .001) and 5.6 ± 0.5 versus 11.0 ± 0.5 (p < .001) 2 weeks and 1 month after the intervention, respectively. Consumption of O. basilicum capsules improved sleep quality and insomnia in menopausal women. This study was approved (code IR.MUMS.NURSE. REC.1398.070) by the Ethic committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, with the No. IRCT20200104046001N1 in January 2020.

A randomized double-blind active-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of topical basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil in knee osteoarthritis

“…In a triple-blind randomized clinical trial, the impact of the oral capsule containing basil leaf extract on severity of insomnia and sleep quality in menopausal women was examined. The findings of this study indicated that the consumption of basil capsules resulted in improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia in menopausal women (Karimi et al, 2023). Another trial investigated the effects of the oral capsule of basil leaf extract on depression in menopausal women, revealing a decrease in depression scores among those who consumed the basil leaf extract capsules (Karimi et al, 2021).…”

“…The findings of this study indicated that the consumption of basil capsules resulted in improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia in menopausal women (Karimi et al, 2023). Another trial investigated the effects of the oral capsule of basil leaf extract on depression in menopausal women, revealing a decrease in depression scores among those who consumed the basil leaf extract capsules (Karimi et al, 2021). Additionally, a pilot clinical trial examined the potential of basil leaves as an adjunct therapy for stage 1 and 2 hypertension.…”

Effect of acupuncture combined with Ningshen mixture on climacteric insomnia: A randomized controlled trial

“…Climacteric insomnia is a disease that occurs mostly in middleaged and elderly women, and also occurs in some male group. [13][14][15] Its main symptoms include poor sleep quality, unreal sleep, daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep at night, shallow sleep, and many dreams, which greatly reduces the quality of life of patients. [16][17][18] Therefore, climacteric insomnia has aroused great attention in clinic.…”