Effectiveness Not Established

Ruta Graveolens

for Anxiety

Ruta graveolens is an herbal remedy made from the herb rue. It has historically been used in homeopathy and has anti-inflammatory properties. This herb was tested in patients with cancer for its effects on anxiety and depression.

Research Evidence Summaries

Freyer, G., You, B., Villet, S., Tartas, S., Fournel-Federico, C., Trillet-Lenoir, V., . . . Falandry, C. (2014). Open-label uncontrolled pilot study to evaluate complementary therapy with Ruta graveolens 9c in patients with advanced cancer. Homeopathy, 103, 232–238. 

Study Purpose

To investigate if Ruta graveolens 9c can improve quality of life and reduce tumor progression in patients with advanced disease.

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Ruta graveloens is a medicinal plant that has been historically used to treat various inflammatory conditions Ruta graveloens was given at a 9c dilution in 1 ml ampules. The extract was taken orally twice daily for eight weeks. Patients continued treatment until there was tumor or clinical progression. Study data were obtained on day 1 and at weeks 8, 16, 28, 40, and 52. Examination and tumor markers were evaluated every four weeks.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 31
  • MEAN AGE = 64.3 years (range = 44-87)
  • MALES: 33%, FEMALES: 77%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Various tumor types, breast cancer most predominant; 64.5% had progressive disease
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Most had performance status lower than 1. At baseline, 70% had clinically relevant anxiety scores and 63% had relevant depression scores

Setting

  • SITE: Single site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Not specified  
  • LOCATION: France

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: End-of-life care
  • APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

Study Design

  • Quasi-experimental, open label

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • EORTC QLQ-C30
  • Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 
  • Tumor markers and imagery 
  • NCI CTCAE version 4

Results

Quality of life improved by week 8 (p < 0.001) and week 16 (p = 0.035). There were no significant changes in anxiety or depression scores. Mean duration of treatment was 3.3 months and median progression free survival was 1.9 months. Ninety percent had at least one adverse event, with an average of nine events per patient. Most comment symptoms were abdominal pain, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and headaches. None of the events were considered to be related to the study treatment.

Conclusions

Treatment with Ruta graveolens 9c did not have a demonstrable effect on anxiety or depression.

Limitations

  • Small sample (less than 100)
  • Risk of bias (no control group)
  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no random assignment) 
  • Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results
  • Other limitations/explanation: It is not stated whether any patients were receiving antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications or other interventions that could have impacted quality of life and symptoms

Nursing Implications

Ruta graveolens did not have an effect on anxiety or depression in this study.

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