The Effect of Deracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss or Melisa Officinalis on Depression in Patients with Depression

Materials & Methods This study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test phases with ۳۹ patients in ۲۰۲۳. In the control group, escitalopram (۱۰ mg daily, single tablet) was prescribed for ۳۰ days, and in the intervention group escitalopram (۱۰ mg daily, single tablet)  and melissa officinalis hydrochloride capsules (۵۰۰ mg daily, single tablet) were prescribed for ۳۰ days. Depression was measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. For the analysis of the data, chi-square test, paired t-tests and independent t-tests with significance of ۰.۰۵, SPSS version ۲۶ were used. Findings Seventy-eight participants were divided into two groups of ۳۹. Regarding demographic variables, there was no statistically significant difference in treatment rates between the intervention and control groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in severity of depression as measured by the Beck and Hamilton scales  in pre-test (p=۰.۵۳۳, p=۰.۵۷۰). The severity of depression on the depression scale decreased significantly (p<۰.۰۰۱) in both groups in post-test, but the severity of depression on both scales decreased significantly (p<۰.۰۰۱) in the intervention group after intervention. Conclusion Melisa Officinalis extract may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression when used in combination with the medicine escitalopram. However, to confirm this finding and to establish lemon balm as a new treatment option, larger, longer term clinical studies are needed to investigate the potential side effects and the exact mechanism of action of the product.

کلیدواژه ها:

Depression ، Deracocephalum kotschyi ، Escitalopram۳