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Medicinal plants are an important source for treatment of diseases in many countries. Today, controlling the quality of the products of medicinal plants is an important task. Customer health may be in danger due to the fraud and misconduct by the sales associates in the sales centers. Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is an important medicinal plant used for treatment of several diseases. In Iran, the species of Dracocephalum, Hymencrater, Nepeta and Stachys are mistakenly sold under the name of Badranjboye that have different pharmaceutical properties. For avoiding this mistake, this investigation was performed with the following aims: 1) Checking for the cheating and identifying the Badranjboye in the Iran's market of medicinal plants, 2) Providing the molecular barcode for the medicinal species of Melissa. For this purpose, Market-sold plant samples (leaves) and original reference plant species were compared by morphology, odor as well as Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast DNA ((psbA–trnH) and (trnL–trnF)) sequences. Various molecular analyses, such as sequencing, determination of genetic distance, and construction of phylogenetic tree were performed. These reports have shown that internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast DNA (psbA–trnH) sequences are an efficient molecular marker to produce barcode gap and differentiating Melissa officinalis from other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a traditional Persian herbal formula containing Melissa officinalis, Pimpinella anisum, and Rosa damascena (MPR) on anxiety and depression in IBS patients with symptoms of constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C)., Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in Afzalipour Hospital via block randomization method. A total of 96 IBS-C patients (based on Rome IV criteria), aged 18-60 years, were included in this study. Participants received capsules containing either 500 mg of herbal formula or placebo (cornstarch) twice a day for four weeks Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale., Results: Forty-three patients in the intervention group and 45 patients in the control group completed this study. Except for the education level, there were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean levels of anxiety and depression, and total IBS symptom severity score showed no significant differences between the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). After four weeks of treatment, the anxiety score considerably improvement in the treatment group (Cohen's d = -1.19, 95 % confidence intervals [CIs] -4.49 to 2.13), as did the depression score (Cohen's d = -1.93, 95 % CIs -4.32 to 2.79)., Conclusion: MPR considerably improved anxiety and depression in patients with IBS-C compared to the placebo without serious side effects., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Melissa officinalis belongs to plant Lamiaceae family and is native to Iran as well as other countries. The aim of this study was to identify chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of the M. officinalis essential oil (EO). Another aim of this paper was to assess antimicrobial activity of M. officinalis EO on growth of clinical and commercial strains causing infection. Materials and Methods: Chemical compositions of the M. officinalis EO were analyzed using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant potential was assessed using ß-carotene/linoleic acid inhibition and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl methods. The total phenol content was analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antimicrobial activities of the M. officinalis EO were assessed using disk diffusion agar, well diffusion agar, micro-well dilution, agar dilution and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Results: Major compositions of the M. officinalis EO included geranyl acetate (27.9 %), citral (14.2%), Z-citral (9.8%) citronellal (8.4%) and citronellol (7.6%). The total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of the M. officinalis EO included 51 ±0.50 mg GAE/g and 98 ±0.45 µg/ml, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the M. officinalis EO ranged 0.5-4 mg/ml, while the MBC ranged 1-8 mg/ml. A significant correlation was seen between the inhibition zone diameters (IZD) and concentration of the EO. The smallest IZD was reported for various concentrations of the M. officinalis EO on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions: In general, results showed that the M. officinalis EO included greater inhibitory effects on commercial bacterial strains causing infections, compared to those of clinical bacterial strains. The M. officinalis EO have the greatest effect on gram-positive bacteria. This compound is an effective free radical scavenger rich in phenolic compounds. Further studies are necessary to investigate toxicity of the M. officinalis EO due to its safety for human use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder that has not been well managed thus far. There are numerous medicaments for treatment of insomnia, but they have undesirable side effects that make herbal medicine a more viable option. Objectives: The effectiveness of a combination of Melissa officinalis L. (dry powder) and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse (freeze-dried aqueous extract) on insomnia was evaluated. Design and Setting: Insomniacs who met the entry criteria participated in a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial at the Persian Medicine (PM) clinic in Tehran. Interventions: The subjects received either 1000 mg of M. officinalis plus 400 mg N. menthoides or a placebo nightly for four weeks in accordance with prescriptions from the pharmaceutical manuscripts on PM and the results of previous studies. Outcome measures: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sleep diary, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used for assessment of insomnia. Results: Comparison of the treatment and placebo groups showed a significant decrease in the mean difference of ISI (4.97 ± 4.69 vs. 1.60 ± 3.70; p =; 0.002) and total PSQI (4.14 ± 3.69 vs. 1.42 ± 2.81; p = 0.001) scores in the treatment group. A significant increase was also observed in total sleep time of treatment group (p < 0.001) based on the sleep diary. Conclusions: A combination of M. officinalis and N. menthoides Boiss. & Buhse could be an alternative sleep improvement therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is more common in diabetic patients, with a 1.5-fold increased risk of death.Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) have anti-diabetic and anti-depression activities. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of M. officinalis extract on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes with depressive symptoms., Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 60 volunteer patients (age range 20-65 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus with symptoms of depression were randomized into the intervention (received 700 mg/day hydroalcoholic extract; n = 30) or control group (received 700 mg/day toasted flour; n = 30). Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices, FBS (Fasting blood sugar), hs-CRP(High-sensitivity C-reactiveprotein), depression, anxiety, and sleep quality were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Depression and anxiety were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively; sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)., Results: Sixty participants received M. officinalis extract or placebo, of which 44 patients completed the 12-week double-blind clinical trial. After 12-week the mean change of depression and anxiety scores were statistically significant between the two groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively), but no significant differences were observed in FBS, hs-CRP, anthropometric indices, sleep quality, and blood pressure.In the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in depression and anxiety severity(p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) at the end of the study compared to the baseline., Trial Registration: All protocols in this study were followed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration (1989 revision). Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Iran University of Medical Sciences Ethics committee (IR.IUMS.FMD.REC 1396.9413468004; research.iums.ac.ir). The study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201709239472N16); Registration date: 09/10/2017., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Ethnopharmacological relevance In Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM), Melissa officinalis L. is commonly regarded as an effective therapy for heart palpitations. Objective Heart palpitation is a common complaint that is often benign and associated with a marked distress that makes the condition difficult to treat. Herbal medicines provide an alternative to conventional drugs for treating various kinds of diseases. This study was done as a double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dried extract of M. officinalis on adults suffering from benign palpitations. Materials and methods Eligible volunteers were randomly assigned as outpatients to a 14 day treatment with 500 mg twice a day of lyophilized aqueous extract of M. officinalis leaves (or placebo). Participants in the tests, physicians and researchers were blind to group assignments. Both primary and secondary outcomes were patient-reported. Primary outcomes were obtained from two measures: mean frequency of palpitation episodes per week, derived from patients׳ diaries, and mean intensity of palpitation estimated through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in a self-report questionnaire. Psychiatric symptoms (somatization, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression) were evaluated as secondary outcomes by General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), before and after intervention. Results Fifty-five volunteers out of 71 recruited study subjects completed the trial. Results showed that 14-day of treatment with lyophilized aqueous extract of M. officinalis leaves reduced frequency of palpitation episodes and significantly reduced the number of anxious patients in comparison to the placebo ( P =0.0001, P =0.004 resp.). Also, M. officinalis extract showed no indication of any serious side effects. Conclusion Lyophilized aqueous extract of M. officinalis leaves may be a proper and safe herbal drug for the treatment of benign palpitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compositions of the essential oils of leaf, flower and stem of Melissa officinalis L. were analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-seven volatile components in the leaf oil, twenty-eight components in the flower oil, and thirty five components in the stem oil were identified. The main constituents of the leaf oil were: β-caryophyllene oxide (27.8%), geranial (21.3%), neral (12.9%), β-caryophyllene (8.0%) and geranyl acetate (5.6%); while the major components of the flower oil were: geranial (27.4%), neral (18.0%), β-caryophyllene (15.6%), β-caryophyllene oxide (7.5%) and E-cadina-1(6),4-diene (7.1%). The main constituents of the stem oil were: n-hexadecanoic acid (47.4%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (14.9%), dodecanoic acid (4.6%), β-caryophyllene (4.2%) and geraniol (2.2%). Oils of the leaf and flower were almost completely composed of mono- and sesquiterpenoids, while oil of the stem is mainly consisted of the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as well as some normal saturated hydrocarbons along with minor quantities of volatile terpenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Balm Mint is an aromatic and medicinal plant. [•] Lemon balm is beneficial for a wide variety of human disorders. [•] Lemon balm has therapeutic properties. [•] EO producers and consumers could employ this phenomenon benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iranian and other traditional medicines, an antidepressant effect has been indicated for Melissa officinalis (Lamiaceae). However, studies showing its antidepressant effect is lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine whether the aqueous extract and essential oil from leaves of Melissa officinalis have an antidepressant-like activity in mice. Materials and Methods: The effect of subchronic administration of different doses of the aqueous extract (25, 75, 150, 300 mg/kg or water; n=9-10) and the essential oil (10, 25, 75, 150, 300 mg/kg or almond oil; n=9-10) on immobility, climbing, and swimming behaviors were evaluated in the forced swimming test. Fluoxetine (20mg/kg) and imipramine (15 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs. Additionally, the effect of both plant preparations on spontaneous activity was examined. Results: All doses of the aqueous extract, used in this study, produced a significant reduction in immobility along with an increase in climbing behavior which is similar to those which have been observed with imipramine. Essential oil caused a dose-dependent reduction in immobility and an increase in climbing at all studied doses, compared to control group. Only the highest dose (300mg/kg) of essential oil showed a significant increase in swimming behavior. The aqueous extract, but not the essential oil, decreased spontaneous activity in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that the Melissa officinalis possess an antidepressant-like activity similar to imipramine which may have a potential clinical value for treatment of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In European Traditional Medicine and Iranian Traditional Medicine, Melissa officinalis L. is commonly regarded as an anti-anxiety agent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Melissa officinalis leaf extract on anxiety among patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries. In this randomized clinical trial (RCT), 80 candidates for orthopedic surgery were selected by purposeful sampling in an urban area of Iran. These patients were assigned to intervention and control groups using minimization methods. The intervention group consumed 500 mg capsules containing Melissa officinalis leaf extract at 4 pm and 10 pm on the day before the surgery. In the control group, the patients consumed a 500 mg capsule containing starch as a placebo at hours similar to those in the intervention group. Data gathering tools were a demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI questionnaires were completed before the intervention and again at 8:00 am on the next day before the surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18. According to the results, no significant difference was found between the two groups before the intervention (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.67). But there was a significant difference between the two groups on the next day before the surgery, and the mean anxiety level was lower in the intervention group (Mann-Whitney test, P < 0.05). Results of the present study showed that Melissa officinalis extract could reduce anxiety among patients before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression has rapidly progressed worldwide, and the need for an efficient treatment with low side effect has risen. Melissa officinalis L and Lavandula angustifolia Mill have been traditionally used in Asia for the treatment of depression. Many textbooks of traditional Persian medicine refer to these herbs for the treatment of depression while there are no adequate clinical trials to support this claim. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of M. officinalis and L. angustifolia compared to fluoxetine for the treatment of mild to moderate depression in an 8-week randomized, double-blind clinical trial., Methods: Forty-five adult outpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) for major depression, were randomly assigned to 3 groups to daily receive either M. officinalis (2 g) or L. angustifolia (2 g) or fluoxetine (20 mg) and were assessed in weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8 by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) including 17 items., Results: Our study showed that M. officinalis and L. angustifolia effect similar to fluoxetine in mild to moderate depression. (F = 0.131, df = 2,42, p = 0.877)., Conclusion: Due to some restrictions in this study including absence of placebo group, large-scale trials are needed to investigate the anti-depressant effect of these two herbs with more details., Trial Registration: IRCT2014061718126N1 . Registration date: 2015-06-04-"Retrospectively registered".

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in recent decades, patients experience high levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Since the calming effect of Melissa officinalis (MO) has been known, this study aimed to determine the effects of MO supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances in patients with chronic stable angina (CSA)., Methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 80 patients with CSA were divided randomly into two groups (taking 3 g MO supplement or placebo daily for 8 weeks). The shortened 21-item version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) test and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were done before and after the intervention., Results: At the end of the study, the intervention group receiving MO capsules had a significant reduction in scores of depression, anxiety, stress, and total sleep disturbance, compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The results showed that 8-week supplementation with 3 g MO can decrease depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with CSA., (Copyright © 2018 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)