Celery Seed–Derived Drug May Improve Stroke Outcomes

08/03/2023

Butylphthalide, a medication derived from celery seed, may improve outcomes after an acute ischemic stroke when given in addition to thrombolysis or endovascular treatment, a new report suggests ( International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2023: Abstract 90. Published February 2, 2023).

Patients treated with butylphthalide had fewer severe neurologic symptoms and better function 90 days after the stroke compared with those receiving placebo.

Previous studies have shown that the drug has cerebroprotective effects in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Jia and colleagues evaluated whether treatment with butylphthalide could improve 90-day outcomes for adults with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), endovascular treatment, or both.

Along with an initial revascularization intervention chosen by their physician, participants were randomly selected to receive either butylphthalide or a placebo daily for 90 days. The drug was administered through daily intravenous injections for the first 14 days, after which patients received oral capsules for 76 days.

Overall, participants in the butylphthalide group were 70% more likely to have a favorable 90-day outcome, as compared with the placebo group. Favorable outcomes occurred in 344 patients (56.7%) in the butylphthalide group, as compared with 268 patients (44%) in the placebo group (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.35 – 2.14; P < .001).

In addition, butylphthalide improved function equally well for the patients who initially received tPA, those who received endovascular treatment, and those who received both tPA and endovascular treatment.

SOURCE: Medscape