title: Efficacy of the Punica granatum peels aqueous extract for symptom management in ulcerative colitis patients. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of the Punica granatum peel extract on symptoms of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with UC were randomized to receive an aqueous extract of the P. granatum peel (6 g of dry peel/day) or placebo for four weeks complementary to standard medications. Symptoms were assessed using the Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index (LCAI) at baseline, week 4, and week 10 (follow-up). Clinical response was defined by ≥ 3 point decrease in LCAI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LCAI score was similarly reduced in both the P. granatum (-1.68 ± 3.85, P = 0.019) and placebo groups (-1.39 ± 2.41, P = 0.002). Clinical response was higher with P. granatum compared with placebo at week 4 (41.4% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.055), but not at week 10 (48.3% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.441).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The P. granatum peel extract seems effective in complementary management of UC. Further studies in a larger sample of patients are warranted. IRCT2014040617156N1.
authors.affiliation: School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: makamali100@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammadali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamali
authors.affiliation: Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: h_tavakoli@med.mui.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
authors.affiliation: School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mkhodadoost@lmo.ir.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khodadoost
authors.affiliation: Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: daghagh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daghaghzadeh
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mkamalinejad@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinejad
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: latifgachkar@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Latif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gachkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: jmansourian@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mansourian
authors.affiliation: Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: adibi@med.mui.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Payman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adibi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Herbal medicine; Punicaceae; Ulcerative colitis