Treating oligohydramnios with extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza: A randomized control trial

To determine whether purified herbal extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza can improve the amniotic fluid volume in pre-term oligohydramnios by improving uteroplacental circulation.

Forty-three pregnant women with oligohydramnios received a daily intravenous dose of 30 mL of salvia extract mixed with 5% glucose 500 mL. A control group of 41 women received daily 5% glucose 500 mL only. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was assessed at least twice a week by ultrasonographists who were blinded to the treatment. Both women and fetuses were monitored closely. The change in AFIwas calculated and compared by paired t test within and between groups. The revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel group randomized trials were used.

After a mean of 7.2 +/- 2.7 days' therapy, ranging from 3 to 18 days, the AFIincreased significantly from a mean of 4.9 +/- 2.3 cm to a mean of 7.12 +/- 2.36 cm, by a mean of AFI0.18 +/- 0.06 cm/day (paired t = 3.62, p < 0.005). In the control group, the AFIincreased from a mean of 5.1 +/- 2.4 cm to a mean of 5.5 +/- 3.1 cm after a mean of 6.1 +/- 3.3 days' treatment, ranging from 4 to 15 days. The effect of salvia treatment on AFIin the salvia group was significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.001). No side effects were observed in treated patients.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an effective Chinese medicine for the treatment of oligohydramnios.