Abstracts

Extracts of individual herbs are increasingly studied in vitro and in vivo for their anti-convulsant properties. However, in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, herbs are often prescribed in combination for the management of seizures. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review to assess the scientific evidence supporting the use of herbal formulas for the treatment of epilepsy. A literature search was carried out in March 2005 using PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, AltHealth from its inception to date. In addition, the Chinese Medicine Database, Korean Medical Database, and Korean Drug Research Information Center were retrieved, and the bibliographies of initially identified articles were also checked. The keywords used in the search were: ([ldquo]Epilepsy[rdquo] OR [ldquo]fit[rdquo] OR [ldquo]seizure[rdquo] OR [ldquo]anticonvulsant[rdquo] OR [ldquo]antiepileptic[rdquo]) AND ([ldquo]plant[rdquo] OR [ldquo]phyto*[rdquo] [ldquo]herb*[rdquo] OR [ldquo]Chinese medicine[rdquo] OR [ldquo]Korean Medicine[rdquo] OR [ldquo]Ayurvedic medicine[rdquo] OR [ldquo]Kampo[rdquo]). Any clinical studies, including case studies, reporting the results of treating epilepsy with herbal formulas were included for the systematic review after identification from two authors, who also extracted the data using a predefined form. All authors then reviewed the findings. The studies were categorized based on the combinations of herbs that herbal formulas reported. A total of 71 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. There were three randomized controlled trials, 5 non-randomized controlled trials, 6 case control studies, and 57 observational studies including case reports. Rarely was the same herbal formula used in more than one study. Over 135 individual herbs were used singly or in various combinations in these investigations. Despite the significant number of published studies using herbal formulas for the treatment of epilepsy, evidence to support their use in patients with this disorder is lacking. Further research incorporating methodological rigor and consistent herbal formulas is warranted.