Living with type 2 diabetes often brings about emotional struggles, with depression being a common companion in this journey. A clinical trial has explored an intriguing avenue for addressing these challenges by investigating the effects of Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) extract on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in individuals managing type 2 diabetes and facing symptoms of depression. Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, has garnered attention for its potential benefits in managing diabetes and promoting mental well-being. This botanical extract showcases anti-diabetic properties and demonstrates promising anti-depressant and anxiety-reducing effects.
Clinical trial
The clinical trial, conducted as a double-blind trial, engaged 60 willing participants aged 20 to 65, all suffering from type 2 diabetes and experiencing symptoms of depression. These volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (receiving 700 mg/day of M. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract) and the control group (receiving 700 mg/day of toasted flour).
Several aspects of their health were scrutinized at the beginning and end of the 12-week trial, including dietary habits, physical activity, blood sugar levels (FBS), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), depression levels using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), anxiety via the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and sleep quality evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Findings
Out of the initial 60 participants, 44 concluded the full 12-week trial. The trial's results showcased intriguing differences between those in the intervention group and those in the control group:
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Depression and Anxiety: Notably, the intervention group experienced significant reductions in the severity of both depression and anxiety when compared to the control group. The change in depression and anxiety scores exhibited statistical significance
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Blood Sugar, Inflammation, and Other Health Markers: Surprisingly, there were no substantial variations observed in blood sugar levels (FBS), inflammation markers (hs-CRP), physical measurements, sleep quality, or blood pressure between the two groups.
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Impact on Intervention Group: Remarkably, individuals who received M. officinalis extract displayed a substantial decrease in the severity of depression and anxiety by the end of the trial, compared to their baseline conditions.
Conclusion
This trial hints at promising outcomes regarding the use of M. officinalis extract in mitigating symptoms of depression and anxiety among individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, further investigation is imperative to fully comprehend its mechanisms and long-term impacts.