Back to Journals » Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management » Volume 4 » Issue 1

Treating oligohydramnios with extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza: A randomized control trial

Authors Chu H, Shen M

Published 8 February 2008 Volume 2008:4(1) Pages 287—290

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S2527



Hong-nü Chu, Mei-juan Shen

Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, 310016, Hangzhou, China

Objective: To determine whether purified herbal extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza can improve the amniotic fluid volume in pre-term oligohydramnios by improving uteroplacental circulation.

Methods: Forty-three pregnant women with oligohydramnios received a daily intravenous dose of 30 mL of salvia extract mixed with 5% glucose 500 mL. A control group of 41 women received daily 5% glucose 500 mL only. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was assessed at least twice a week by ultrasonographists who were blinded to the treatment. Both women and fetuses were monitored closely. The change in AFI was calculated and compared by paired t test within and between groups. The revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel group randomized trials were used.

Results: After a mean of 7.2 ± 2.7 days’ therapy, ranging from 3 to 18 days, the AFI increased significantly from a mean of 4.9 ± 2.3 cm to a mean of 7.12 ± 2.36 cm, by a mean of AFI 0.18 ± 0.06 cm/day (paired t = 3.62, p < 0.005). In the control group, the AFI increased from a mean of 5.1 ± 2.4 cm to a mean of 5.5 ± 3.1 cm after a mean of 6.1 ± 3.3 days’ treatment, ranging from 4 to 15 days. The effect of salvia treatment on AFI in the salvia group was significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.001). No side effects were observed in treated patients.

Conclusion: Salvia miltiorrhiza is an effective Chinese medicine for the treatment of oligohydramnios.

Keywords: Salvia miltiorrhiza, therapy, oligohydramnios, amniotic fluid index

Creative Commons License © 2008 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.