Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Volume 21, Issue 2, May 2015, Pages 105–111

Efficacy of the Malva sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract for functional constipation: A placebo-controlled trial

• Mahin Elsagh^a, ,
• Mohammad Reza Fartookzadeh^b, ,
• Mohammad Kamalinejad^c, ,
• Majid Anushiravani^d, ,
• Awat Feizi^e, ,
• Farshad Amini Behbahani^a, ,
• Rahmatollah Rafiei^f, ,
• Akbar Arjmandpour^f, ,
• Peyman Adibi^{g, ,}

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.02.003

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of Malva sylvestris L. flowers extract for treatment of FC.

Method

Adults with FC were allocated to receive the M. sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract syrup (MSL, 1 g extract/day) or placebo for four weeks. Frequency of constipation symptoms and stool forms were assessed every week. Self-reported improvement was assessed after treatment.

Results

Compared with placebo, more increase was observed in defecation frequency (F = 18.8, P < 0.001) and more decrease was observed in frequency of all constipation symptoms by MSL (F = 16.5 to 25.3, all P values <0.001). Also, the MSL group experienced more reduction in frequency of hard stool forms (45.4% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.001) and reported more improvement in all symptoms (all P values <0.01) than placebo.

Conclusion

The M. sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract is efficacious and safe for the treatment of FC in adult patients. Investigating the mechanisms of action is warranted. IRCT2014031617032N1.

Keywords

• Constipation;
• Herbal medicine;
• Traditional medicine;
• Malva;
• Malvaceae

Corresponding author. Gastroenterology Section, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hakim Nezami Avenue, Isfahan, Iran. Tel.: +98 912 313 9303; fax: +98 313 668 7818.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.