Effect of Herbal Medicine Achillea Millefolium on Plasma Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Preliminary Study

Increased plasma nitric oxide concentration has been supposed as one of the possible mechanisms of bleeding tendency in patients who suffer chronic kidney disease. Nitric oxide-scavenging properties have been reported with some Achillea species. This study was designed to find any possible effect of Achillea millefolium on plasma nitric oxide concentration in these patients. Thirty-one chronic kidney disease patients were included in this randomized controlled trial, of whom16 received 1.5 g of powdered A millefolium flower 3 days a week for 2 months, and 15 received placebo for the same period. Plasma samples were collected before and after the study period to estimate the effect of A millefolium on plasma nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite and nitrate). Although not statistically significant, plasma nitrite and nitrate concentrations decreased after 2 month's administration of A millefolium (0.82 ± 0.51 µmol/L to 0.63 ± 0.42 µmol/L and 50.55 ± 17.92 µmol/L to 44.09 ± 17.49 µmole/L, respectively). These concentrations were slightly increased in the placebo group after the study period. Countercurrent to the placebo group, plasma nitric oxide metabolites were marginally decreased after A millefolium administration in chronic kidney disease patients. Higher doses or longer duration of plant administration may make these changes more significant.