Curcumin and Fennel Essential Oil Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Authors

  • Piero Portincasa Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University Medical School, Bari, Italy
  • Leonilde Bonfrate Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University Medical School, Bari, Italy
  • Maria Scribano Gastroenterology Operative Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
  • Anna Kohn Gastroenterology Operative Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
  • Nicola Caporaso Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
  • Davide Festi Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna-Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy
  • Maria Chiara Campanale Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • Teresa Di Rienzo Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • Maria Guarino Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
  • Martina Taddia Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna-Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy
  • Maria Vittoria Fogli Department of Clinical Research, Alfa Wassermann SpA, Bologna; Italy
  • Maria Grimaldi Department of Clinical Research, Alfa Wassermann SpA, Bologna; Italy
  • Antonio Gasbarrini Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.252.ccm

Keywords:

abdominal pain, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, randomized placebo, controlled study

Abstract

Background & Aims: 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.

Conclusion: CU-FEO significantly improved symptoms and quality of life in IBS patients over 30 days.

Abbreviations: AEs: adverse events; CU-FEO: Curcumin-Fennel Essential Oil; GI: gastrointestinal; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-D: irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea; IBS-C: irritable bowel syndrome-constipation; IBS-SSS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome – symptom severity score; NF-kB: nuclear factor-κB; QoL: quality of life; UC: ulcerative colitis; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.

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Published

2016-06-01

How to Cite

1.
Portincasa P, Bonfrate L, Scribano M, Kohn A, Caporaso N, Festi D, Campanale MC, Di Rienzo T, Guarino M, Taddia M, Fogli MV, Grimaldi M, Gasbarrini A. Curcumin and Fennel Essential Oil Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. JGLD [Internet]. 2016 Jun. 1 [cited 2025 Jul. 15];25(2):151-7. Available from: https://jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/1100

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2: June 2016

Section

Original Article