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Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure

M H Pittler, R Guo, E Ernst

    The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
    |February 7, 2008
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hawthorn extract significantly improves symptoms and physiological outcomes for chronic heart failure patients when used alongside conventional treatments. This herbal remedy offers benefits with minimal side effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Herbal Medicine

    Background:

    • Hawthorn extract is recognized for its potential in managing chronic heart failure.
    • German Commission E approved hawthorn leaf and flower extracts for heart failure (NYHA stage II).

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hawthorn extract versus placebo in treating chronic heart failure.
    • Assessed benefits and harms through double-blind, randomized clinical trials.

    Main Methods:

    • Conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED).
    • Included randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using hawthorn leaf and flower extract monopreparations.
    • Performed independent study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment by two reviewers.

    Main Results:

    • Meta-analysis of 10 trials (855 patients) showed hawthorn extract improved maximal workload and exercise tolerance.
    • Hawthorn treatment led to a beneficial decrease in the pressure-heart rate product, an indicator of cardiac oxygen consumption.
    • Significant improvements were observed in symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue compared to placebo.
    • Adverse events were infrequent, mild, and transient, including nausea and dizziness.

    Conclusions:

    • Hawthorn extract demonstrates significant benefits in symptom management and physiological outcomes for chronic heart failure.
    • It is effective as an adjunctive therapy to conventional treatments for heart failure.
    • The study supports the use of hawthorn extract for improving quality of life in heart failure patients.
    Abstract

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