Effectiveness of Biebersteinia multifida Root on Quality of Life and Heart Function in Patient With Systolic Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Biebersteinia multifida on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with systolic heart failure (HF). Materials and Methods: This parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment was conducted from November 2018 to May 2020. A total of 60 patients aged 40-75 years with systolic HF were allocated into two groups of intervention (B. multifida) and placebo. All subjects received the B. multifida and placebo capsules twice daily for 60 days. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to determine the primary outcomes improving QoL. The secondary results were improved heart function by echocardiography and serum biochemical markers. Results: There was no significant difference between the study groups before treatment in terms of demographic data and results (P > 0.05). Following therapy, the primary outcomes were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the 6MWT was improved in the intervention group. Moreover, the left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI) in the intervention group was significantly higher than the placebo group (P = 0.034). Conclusions: B. multifida root extract, as a supplemental drug, can improve myocardial function and modestly increase the QoL in patients with systolic HF.