Evaluation of Efficacy of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide in People With Subthreshold Depression

Guangzhou Psychiatric Hospital

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Depressive Symptoms; Subthreshold Depression; Anxious Symptoms

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide; Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04032795

Guangzhou Brain LBP

Details and patient eligibility

About

Lycium barbarum, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is a commonly used herb in the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia . Its main active ingredient, lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), is reported to have neuroprotective effects. Animal studies suggested that LBP has neuroprotective effect on optic ganglion cells. In animal models of depression, LBP can improve depressive symptom by improving synaptic plasticity. However, its clinical effect remains to be studied. We will conduct a 6-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-con-trolled trial in people with subthreshold depression.The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the efficacy of LBP in people with subthreshold depression.

Enrollment: 172 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. 15-25 scores in the Beck Depression Rating Scale (BDI- II)
2. There is no contraindication of taking LBP.

Exclusion criteria

1. Current treatment for a mental health problem from a mental health professional
2. Current and lifetime history of psychiatric disorders (e.g major depressive disorder, as ascertained by CIDI
3. Systemic disease requiring regular medication.
4. There are suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, suicide behavior and attempted suicide.
5. Dislike of or allergy to goji berry
6. Hormone or Endocrine therapeutic drugs are being taken.
7. Long-term use of lycium chinensis in recent three months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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172 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP)

Experimental group

Description:

Experimental group takes LBP tablet (300mg/day) for 6 weeks

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo control group takes placebo 6 weeks. The placebos are the same with the LBP tablets in appearance and taste.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo