Curcumin and Fennel Essential Oil Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients still require effective treatment. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin and the antispasmodic and carminative effect of fennel suggests that combination of these nutraceutical compounds would be useful in functional bowel disorders including IBS. We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of curcumin and fennel essential oil (CU-FEO) in IBS symptoms relief.


METHODS
121 patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of IBS defined by an Irritable Bowel Syndrome- symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) 100-300 and abdominal pain score 30-70 on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), were randomly assigned to CU-FEO or placebo (2 capsules b.d. for 30 days). Primary endpoint was the mean decrease of IBS-SSS at the end of the treatment corrected for the mean baseline score (relative decrease). The impact of the treatment on quality of life was assessed through IBS-QoL questionnaire.


RESULTS
CU-FEO was safe, well-tolerated and induced symptom relief in patients with IBS; a significant decrease in the mean relative IBS-SSS was observed after 30 days of treatment (50.05 +/- 28.85% vs 26.12 +/- 30.62%, P<0.001). This result matched the reduction of abdominal pain and all the other symptoms of IBS-SSS. The percentage of symptom-free patients was significantly higher in the CU-FEO than in the placebo group (25.9% vs. 6.8%, P = 0.005). All domains of IBS-QoL improved consistently.


CONCLUSIONS
CU-FEO significantly improved symptoms and quality of life in IBS patients over 30 days.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University Medical School, Bari, Italy. piero.portincasa@uniba.it.
Piero
P
Portincasa
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University Medical School, Bari, Italy.
Leonilde
L
Bonfrate
Gastroenterology Operative Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
Maria Lia Lia
ML
Scribano
Gastroenterology Operative Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
Anna
A
Kohn
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Nicola
N
Caporaso
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna-Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy.
Davide
D
Festi
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Maria Chiara
MC
Campanale
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Teresa
T
Di Rienzo
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Maria
M
Guarino
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna-Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy.
Martina
M
Taddia
Department of Clinical Research, Alfa Wassermann SpA, Bologna, Italy.
Maria Vittoria
MV
Fogli
Department of Clinical Research, Alfa Wassermann SpA, Bologna, Italy.
Maria
M
Grimaldi
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Antonio
A
Gasbarrini
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D030001:Foeniculum / Q000737:chemistry; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D003474:Curcumin