The Effect of Bunium persicum on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Inflammatory Mediators in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition characterized by abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and varying degrees of anxiety or depression. IBS have high prevalence and it mainly occurs between the ages of 15-65 years. Medical cost for IBS is a heavy burden for individuals; also, the side effects of the drugs encouraged the scientists to evaluate other IBS treatment methods such as herbal remedy. Evidence suggests that herbal remedies containing antispasmodic and antioxidant agents may improve gastrointestinal symptoms. 51 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were recruited after standardized diagnostic work-up into a double-blind, placebo-controlled and were randomly assigned to each group (Bunium persicum powder or placebo). Duration of intervention was 5 weeks. The main outcome variables were the changes in total abdominal pain, tenesmus, and feeling of inadequate defecation and C-reactive protein levels. Gender was not significantly different between intervention and control groups. Abdominal pain, tenesmus, and feel inadequate defecation were not changed either in the intervention group and control groups. Moreover, consumption of Bunium persicum powder had no effect on serum level of CRP in intervention group compared with the control group. The results of this randomized, double blind, study indicate that Bunium persicum as an herbal remedy had no significant effect on symptoms and inflammatory marker of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.