The combination of hawthorn extract and camphor significantly increases blood pressure: A meta-analysis and systematic review

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#adult #blood-pressure #camphor #cognition #crataegus

The combination of hawthorn extract and camphor significantly increases blood pressure: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Csupor et al., 2019 | Phytomedicine | Meta Analysis

Citation

Csupor Dezső, Viczián Réka, ... Tóth Barbara. The combination of hawthorn extract and camphor significantly increases blood pressure: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Phytomedicine. 2019-Oct;63:152984. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152984

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor (Korodin Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen®) has been used in the therapy of hypotension for decades. Although its efficacy was evaluated in clinical trials, these studies have not been critically assessed in meta-analyses. PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of a fix combination of camphor and hawthorn extract (Korodin®) on blood pressure and cognition compared to placebo, in a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). STUDY DESIGN: The meta-analysis was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines, using the PICO format, and it was registered in the PROSPERO register. METHODS: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies. Placebo-controlled clinical studies involving adult patients receiving a fix combination of hawthorn extract and camphor were included. No language or publication year restrictions were applied. RESULTS: Four randomized trials including a total of 221 patients were pooled for statistical analysis. According to the present meta-analysis, the fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor significantly increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo (p-values: 0.017 and 0.049, respectively) and had a beneficial, but not statistically significant effect on the cognitive performance in the connect-the-numbers test (p-value: 0.071). CONCLUSION: Korodin® is an effective and presumably safe complementary therapy for the treatment of hypotension. Its blood pressure increasing effect is confirmed; however, the evidence supporting its use is very limited. The optimum dose and duration of treatment is still unclear. The comprehensive evaluation of efficacy and safety is required in further, high-quality clinical studies, involving larger patient populations and comparable endpoints.

Key Findings

Four randomized trials including a total of 221 patients were pooled for statistical analysis. According to the present meta-analysis, the fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor significantly increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo (p-values: 0.017 and 0.049, respectively) and had a beneficial, but not statistically significant effect on the cognitive performance in the connect-the-numbers test (p-value: 0.071).

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 221
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure
  • Camphor
  • Cognition
  • Crataegus
  • Humans
  • Hypotension
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: hawthorn

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09