The effect of medicinal syrup made from silkworm cocoon on mixed anxiety-depression disorder: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Silkworm cocoon produced by silkworms with the scientific name of Bombyx mori L. is a well-known medicinal agent mainly composed of proteins. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of syrup made from this natural agent on mild to moderate depression. Design: The study was designed as a triple blind randomized clinical trial (RCT). Sixty patients with mixed anxiety–depressive disorder (MADD) were randomized to receive either intervention (silk syrup plus sertraline) or control (placebo syrup + sertraline) for a period of 12 weeks. Depression and anxiety were assessed by using the Beck depression and anxiety inventories at weeks 0, 6 and 12. Results: Fifty-four patients completed the trial in two groups of intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 24) and entered final analysis. According to the results of this study, the mean of anxiety and depression in weeks 6 and week 12 in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Silk syrup can be beneficial for management of anxiety and depression in mild to moderate MADD. Thus, it is suggested as an adjuvant treatment to increase efficacy of conventional drugs in MADD patients.