Efficacy of Jollab in the Treatment of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Alimohamad Madahian (MD)¹ , Behnaz Majidi (MSc)², Zahra Kamiab (PhD)³ , Gholamreza Bazmandegan (PhD)¹, Mohammadreza Mirzabeigi (PhD)¹ , Rauf shamsi (MSc)³, Mohsen Taghypour (MSc)⁴, Seyed Mahdi Pourtorabi (MD)^2*

¹ Department of community Medicine, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

² Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

³ Department of Community Medicine, Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib Hospital, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

⁴ Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

Received: 05.04.2023 Accepted: 15.06.2023

Abstract

Background and Aims: One of the most common psychiatric problems is depression. The utilization of traditional medicine, such as Jollab, as a complementary medicine in conjunction with modern medicine is likely to result in a more effective treatment of depression with fewer adverse effects. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Jollab, as a Persian medicine in the depression treatment.

Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 50 patients with mild to moderate depression. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, including treatment and placebo groups. The participants received experimental drug (Jollab) or placebo 15 ml three times a day, after meals for one month. After this period, Beck Depression Questionnaire II (BDI II) was completed by two groups, as well as before this period. Post-collection data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test.

Results: Regarding Beck Depression Inventory, the values of both groups were similar before the experiment (p-value=0.320). BDI II score significantly decreased in treament group after treatment (p-value < 0.001), and the score difference between the placebo and treatment groups were statistically significant (p-value< 0.001) at the end of experiment.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present research work, the Jollab treatment showed more effectiveness than the placebo. As a result, Jollab may be used as a pharmaceutical supplement to treat depression. However, more research is still needed in this subject. Furthermore, since medicinal plants are less expensive for both patients and medical personnel, this treatment strategy may be a viable option.

►Please cite this article as follows:

Madahian AM, Majidi B, Kamiab Z, Bazmandegan Gh, Mirzabeigi M, shamsi R, Taghypour M, Pourtorabi SM. Efficacy of Jollab in the Treatment of Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. Pistachio and Health Journal. 2023;6(1-2):61-68.