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Preliminary clinical evaluation of capsules containing standard hydroalcoholic extract of Myrtus communis L. in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer' disease: a randomized, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial

Kamali M, Ansari M, Nooraee P, Tajadini H, Kamali H, Dehesh T, Ashrafzadeh A, Sharififar F

BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2026

25 participants

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Myrtus communis L. extract, known for its antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties, to enhance cognitive function and mitigate disease progression in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Fifty elderly patients with mild to moderate AD residing in a Kerman nursing home were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted between November 2019 to February 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 25), receiving M. communis L. capsules (500 mg each capsule), or a control group (n = 25), receiving placebo capsules. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and after four weeks using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scales. Statistical analyses, performed using SPSS version 22, considered a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: All fifty patients completed the four-week trial. Baseline characteristics-including sex, mean age, and education level-were well-matched between the intervention and control groups. After four weeks of treatment, the intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in cognitive function, as evidenced by significantly higher MMSE scores compared to the placebo group (23.4 ± 0.25 vs. 19.6 ± 0.25; p < 0.0001). Concurrently, the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in dementia severity, indicated by lower CDR scores compared to the…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 25 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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