Effect of Ajwa dates adjuvant therapy on improvement of clinical symptoms and serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in schizophrenia patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a role in the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia symptoms, through the effects of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β. Ajwa dates are one of the non-pharmacological modalities that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, clinical trials are still limited in exploring the role of Ajwa dates as an adjuvant in the management of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Ajwa dates adjuvant therapy on the improvement of clinical symptoms and serum IL-1β levels in schizophrenia patients. As well as determining the correlation between clinical symptoms and serum IL-1β levels. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study with random group selection using a single blind method. The number of subjects was 60, divided into a treatment group that received risperidone 4-6 mg/day plus 7 Ajwa dates/day for 8 weeks and a control group that only received risperidone. Improvement of clinical symptoms was assessed using the PANSS score, and serum IL-1β levels were measured in the first week (baseline) and week 8, with enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: The better improvement in clinical symptoms was observed in the treatment group. A significant decrease in serum IL-1β levels was observed in both groups after 8 weeks of therapy, but the treatment group showed a greater decrease compared to the control group. A significant correlation was found between the improvement of positive symptoms and general psychopathology symptoms with a decrease in serum IL-1β levels in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Ajwa dates have an adjuvant effect on improving clinical symptoms and reducing serum IL-1β levels through their anti-inflammatory properties in schizophrenia patients receiving risperidone therapy.

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