Medicinal Plant Extracts as Adjuncts to Standard Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Infective Cardiac Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: In children with infectious heart disease, the adjunctive use of medicinal plant extracts may improve clinical recovery.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of medicinal plant extracts as adjuncts to standard therapy in improving clinical and cardiac outcomes in pediatric patients with infective cardiac dysfunction.

Methodology: This prospective comparative observational study was conducted from June 2023 to May 2024. Standard treatment alone (n = 93) and standard therapy with supplementary medicinal plant extracts (n = 93) were the two groups into which pediatric patients (≤18 years) with infective cardiac dysfunction were assigned. Echocardiographic information, clinical characteristics, lab results, and treatment specifics were documented. Plant extracts such as Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Allium sativum, and Terminalia arjuna were given orally as part of adjunctive treatment. Clinical improvement, fever resolution, heart failure symptom improvement, changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hospitalization, and the need for escalation of cardiac assistance were among the outcomes evaluated. Chi-square and t-tests were used to assess the data; a p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results: Among 186 patients, clinical improvement was observed in 78 patients (83.87%) receiving adjunctive therapy compared to 60 patients (64.52%) with standard therapy alone (p = 0.006). Fever resolved in 69 patients (74.19%) vs. 50 patients (53.76%) (p = 0.011), and heart failure symptoms improved in 66 patients (70.97%) vs. 48 patients (51.61%) (p = 0.014). LVEF improvement ≥10% occurred in 61 patients (65.59%) vs. 38 patients (40.86%) (p = 0.003). Mean hospital stay was shorter (7.48 vs. 9.12 days, p = 0.020), and fewer patients required escalation of cardiac support (9.68% vs. 19.35%, p = 0.033).

Conclusion: Adjunctive medicinal plant extracts may enhance clinical and cardiac outcomes in pediatric infective cardiac dysfunction.