A Placebo-Controlled, Pseudo-Randomized, Crossover Trial of Botanical Agents for Gulf War Illness: Reishi Mushroom ( Ganoderma lucidum ), Stinging Nettle ( Urtica dioica ), and Epimedium ( Epimedium sagittatum ).

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  • Author(s): Younger J;Younger J; Donovan EK; Donovan EK; Hodgin KS; Hodgin KS; Ness TJ; Ness TJ
  • Source:
    International journal of environmental research and public health [Int J Environ Res Public Health] 2021 Apr 01; Vol. 18 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Apr 01.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101238455 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1660-4601 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 16604601 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Basel : MDPI, c2004-
    • Subject Terms:
      Agaricales* ; Epimedium* ; Persian Gulf Syndrome* ; Reishi* ; Urtica dioica*; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Male
    • Abstract:
      This report is third in a three-part clinical trial series screening potential treatments for Gulf War Illness (GWI). The goal of the project was to rapidly identify agents to prioritize for further efficacy research. We used a placebo-controlled, pseudo-randomized, crossover design to test the effects of reishi mushroom ( Ganoderma lucidum ), stinging nettle ( Uritca dioica ), and epimedium ( Epimedium sagittatum ) in 29 men with GWI. Participants completed 30 days of symptom reports for baseline, then a botanical line consisting of 30 days of placebo, followed by 30 days each of lower-dose and higher-dose botanical. After completing a botanical line, participants were randomized to complete the protocol with another botanical, until they completed three botanical trials. GWI symptom severity, pain, and fatigue were contrasted between the four conditions (baseline, placebo, lower-dose, higher dose) using linear mixed models. GWI symptom severity was unchanged from placebo in the reishi lower-dose condition ( p = 0.603), and was higher in the higher-dose condition ( p = 0.012). Symptom severity was not decreased from placebo with lower-dose stinging nettle ( p = 0.604), but was significantly decreased with higher-dose stinging nettle ( p = 0.048). Epimedium showed no significant decreases of GWI symptoms in the lower ( p = 0.936) or higher ( p = 0.183) dose conditions. Stinging nettle, especially at higher daily dosages, may help reduce the symptoms of GWI. Epimedium does not appear to beneficially affect GWI symptom severity, and reishi may exaggerate symptoms in some GWI sufferers. These results are in a small sample and are preliminary. Further research is required to determine if stinging nettle is indeed helpful for the treatment of GWI, and what dosage is optimal. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02909686).
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    • Grant Information:
      UL1 TR003096 United States TR NCATS NIH HHS
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: epimedium; reishi; stinging nettle
    • Molecular Sequence:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02909686
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20210430 Date Completed: 20210519 Latest Revision: 20210519
    • Publication Date:
      20231215
    • Accession Number:
      PMC8037868
    • Accession Number:
      10.3390/ijerph18073671
    • Accession Number:
      33915962