- 1Department
of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany;
Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine
(ARCCIM), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
- 2Department
of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Traditional Indian Medicine-Ayurveda, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany.
- 3Department
of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- 4Karl and Veronica Carstens-Foundation, Essen, Germany.
- 5Department
of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Integrative Gastroenterology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Electronic address: j.langhorst@kliniken-essen-mitte.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Herbal
medicines have been used widely for the treatment of irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate
efficacy and safety of an Ayurvedic herbal
compound preparation made from: Murraya koenigii (curry), Punica
granatum (pomegranate) and Curcuma longa (turmeric), compared to a
placebo in patients with diarrhoea predominant IBS.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
This
trial was conducted as a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial
with randomised sequence of verum and placebo for each patient. Verum
and placebo were provided as ground powders and delivered in sealed
containers. Patients and outcome assessors were blinded. Patients were
advised to ingest the decoction twice daily for 4 weeks. The primary
outcome measure was IBS symptom intensity; secondary outcomes included:
quality of life, anxiety and depression, compliance and safety.
RESULTS:
32
IBS patients were included in the trial (19 females, mean age
50.3±11.9years). Eleven people dropped out during the trial resulting in
37 complete verum and 35 complete placebo phases. No group differences
were found between verum and placebo for IBS symptom intensity
(difference 24.10; 95% CI: -17.12; 65.32, p=0.26). The same was true for
secondary outcomes. Compliance was satisfactory to good and the
preparation appeared to be safe, but one third of the patients
registered at least one minor adverse event that might be related to the
study interventions.
CONCLUSION:
An Ayurvedic herbal
preparation made from Murraya koenigii, Punica granatum and Curcuma
longa appeared to be no more effective in improving diarrhoea
predominant irritable bowel symptoms than placebo.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Ayurveda; Diarrhoea; Herbal therapy; Irritable bowel syndrome; Randomised controlled trial