title: The effect of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: Herbal remedies, particularly peppermint, have been reported to be helpful in controlling symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study on 90 outpatients with IBS. Subjects took one capsule of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil (Colpermin) or placebo three times daily for 8 weeks. We visited patients after the first, fourth, and eighth weeks and evaluated their symptoms and quality of life. The number of subjects free from abdominal pain or discomfort changed from 0 at week 0 to 14 at week 8 in the Colpermin group and from 0 to 6 in controls (P < 0.001). The severity of abdominal pain was also reduced significantly in the Colpermin group as compared to controls. Furthermore, Colpermin significantly improved the quality of life. There was no significant adverse reaction. Colpermin is effective and safe as a therapeutic agent in patients with IBS suffering from abdominal pain or discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N Kargar St, 14117 Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merat
authors.forename: Shadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.forename: Pardise
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mostajabi
authors.forename: Anahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghorbani
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malekzadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D036142:Mentha piperita; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils; C015424:peppermint oil