Effect of Melissa Officinalis on Depression in affected Individuals

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the hydrolyzed extract from Melissa officinalis in patients with depression who are taking escitalopram. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental using pre-test and post-test phases, assessed ۷۸ patients in ۲۰۲۳. The participants were divided into two groups of ۳۹. In the control group, escitalopram (۱۰mg daily, single tablet) was prescribed for ۳۰ days, while in the intervention group, escitalopram (۱۰mg daily, single tablet) and Melissa officinalis hydrochloride capsules (۵۰۰mg daily, single tablet) were prescribed for ۳۰ days. Depression was measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. For data analysis, chi-square tests, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests with a significance level of ۰.۰۵ were employed, using SPSS version ۲۶. Findings: Regarding demographic factors, 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 the severity of depression, as measured by the Beck and Hamilton scales in the pre-test (p=۰.۵۳۳, p=۰.۵۷۰). The severity of depression decreased significantly (p<۰.۰۰۱) in both groups in the post-test, but the severity of depression on both scales decreased significantly (p<۰.۰۰۱) in the intervention group after the intervention. Conclusion: The extract of Melissa officinalis is effective in reducing symptoms of depression when used in combination with the medication escitalopram.

کلیدواژه ها:

Depression ، Dracocephalum Kotschyi ، Escitalopram