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Background: Sertraline is an anxiolytic drug that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic membrane and is used to treat patients suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Various types of scale are available for assessment of Anxiety. Objectives: This study is aimed at assessing and comparing the outcome of ZSRAS & HAM-A in patients of GAD taking Sertraline Oral Tablets. Primary: To determine efficacy of Sertraline tablet as anxiolytic effect for treatment of GAD using ZSRAS as a tool for measuring anxiety level. Secondary: to evaluate whether ZSRAS score can be used in place of HAM-A as screening tool as well as efficacy tool for anxiety research. Materials and methods: This study was carried out on 52 patients (46% Male, 54% Female) having with moderate to severe GAD (HAM-A ≥ 18) without any other psychiatric disorder as per DSM- IV-TR. Patients were put on Sertraline tablet 50 mg in the morning for daily for 63 days (9 weeks). ZSRAS and HAM-A scoring were performed on day 1 (randomization visit) and day 63 (end of the study visit). ZSRAS total scores (raw scores) were converted to Anxiety Index for comparison with HAM-A scores. Anxiety index scores of screening were compared with HAM-A total scores for assessing sensitivity and specificity of ZSRAS in differentiating severe level of anxiety from moderate anxiety. ZSRAS was compared with HAM-A as efficacy assessment tool by Spearmen’s Rho test. Efficacy of Sertraline was assessed by comparing the ZSRAS scores of randomization visit and end of the study visit by wilcoxon paired signed rank test. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of ZSRAS compared with HAM-A was calculated to 60% and 93%, respectively, indicating good differentiating capacity of ZSRAS for various anxiety levels. A significant decrease was observed in the total ZSRAS score from randomization visit to end of the study visit. The correlation co-efficient of ZSARS and HAM-A were found to be 0.736 by spearman’s rho. The observed decrease in ZSRAS score was found to be significant at P < 0.001 by wilcoxon paired sign ranked test indicating potent anxiolytic efficacy of Sertraline. Conclusions: Sertraline have good efficacy in treatment of GAD. The ZSRAS scale can be used in place of HAM-A as screening tool and efficacy assessment tool in anxiety research.

Plant and their products are used from ancient time to mankind and human welfare. In old days when pharmaceutical field was not properly developed then plants were major source to cure and prevent illness. Herbal markets are globally increased due to safe drug delivery with fewer side effect compared to synthetic drugs. Cost of herbal drugs is much less than prescription medications. Research, testing, and marketing add considerably to the cost of prescription medicines. Herbs tend to be inexpensive compared to drugs. Berberis aristata, also known asIndian barberry, "chutro" ortree turmeric, is a shrub belonging to the familyBerberidaceaeand the genusBerberis. The plant of Berberis genus contains barberine, oxyberberine, berbamine, aromoline, karachine, palmatine, oxyacanthine and taxilamine. From different research Berberis aristata have found to be different pharmacological activities like Anti-depressant activity, Immunomodulatory activity, Antidiabetic effects, Activity against cardiovascular diseases, Antidiarrhoeal activity, Antioxidants, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Antipyretic activity etc. Keywords: Berberis aristata, Darhaldi, Kashmal, Barberine, Oxyberberin