The chances of recovering from a stroke have been boosted by a drug made from celery seed, according to new research.
Patients who received the drug had less severe neurological symptoms and better mental abilities than their counterparts who received a placebo.
co-author dr. Baixue Jia, from the China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, said: “This is the first study to show the benefit of using a drug that protects the brain from damage caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain tissue. .
“The drug was given to patients with acute ischemic stroke who were also treated to restore blood flow to the brain.”
Butyl phthalide is one of the chemical compounds in celery – responsible for its aroma and flavor.
It has previously been shown in experiments on mice to protect the brain and protect against stroke damage.
A drug made from butylphthalide, derived from celery, may increase a person’s chance of fully recovering from a stroke (File Photo)
In China, butylphthalide is approved for the treatment of ischemic stroke caused by vascular occlusion.
It is given as an injection or pill – but is not currently approved in the US or UK.
Dr. Jia and colleagues examined the results after 90 days in 1,216 stroke victims.
They were initially treated with anticoagulants or mechanical removal therapy.
The participants were treated at one of 59 medical centers in China between 2018 and 2022.
Subjects who had minimal stroke symptoms (defined as 0-3 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, or NIHSS) or severe stroke symptoms (defined as >26 on the NIHSS) at initial assessment were excluded from this study.
Participants were randomized to receive either butylphthalide or a placebo-like placebo by daily intravenous injection for the first 14 days, followed by oral capsules for 76 days.
Patients were randomized to the butylphthalide treatment group (607 adults) or placebo group (609 adults).
Neither the patients nor the study team knew which participants were assigned to which treatment.
Living near “food swamps” — areas with lots of fast-food chains and convenience stores — increases the risk of stroke
Researchers found that the risk can increase by 13 percent for someone over 50.
Participants in the butylphthalide group were 70 percent more likely to have a favorable outcome. Secondary events, such as recurrent stroke and cerebral hemorrhage, were not significantly different.
Dr. Jia said, “Patients who received butylphthalide had less severe neurological symptoms and better life status 90 days after stroke than those who received the placebo.
“If the results are confirmed in other studies, it could lead to more options for treating strokes caused by blood clots.”
Animal studies suggest several possible mechanisms for butylphthalide’s success.
Dr Jia said: “The next step should be to study the exact mechanisms of butylphthalide in humans.”
Stroke affects around 100,000 Britons each year. There are 1.3 million survivors in Britain.
Professor Daniel Lackland, a neurologist at the Medical University of South Carolina who was not involved in the study, said: “Although these are interesting results, this is only a relatively small study in a fairly select population in China .
Butylphthalide, a drug originally made from celery seed, is not ready to use for standard stroke treatment; However, these results warrant further consideration of the study.
“The drug used in this study is not the same as celery seed or celery seed extract supplements.
“Stroke survivors should always consult their neurologist or healthcare provider about post-stroke nutrition.”
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
