The Effect of Herbal Extracts Containing Punica granatum, Mentha spicata, and Honey on Weight and Cachexia Indices in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as a gradual decline in kidney function. CKD could be manifested by nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Cachexia results from systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in CKD patients. Some drugs used for cachexia have adverse effects like increased risk of death due to edema, thromboembolism, and sarcopenia with long-term uses. Nowadays, Appetizer Barij Essence Syrup®, which contains the extract of Punica granatum, Mentha spicata, and honey, has been used to enhance appetite. In this paper, we studied the effect of this syrup on weight, anthropometric markers, and cachexia in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Fifty-four patients were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. The 5ml syrup was administered 3 times a day before meals to the patients in the intervention group for two months. Biomarkers like serum triglycerides and albumin levels, as well as muscle mass, appetite score, and actual weight were recorded at the beginning and the end of the intervention.

The appetite score, serum albumin, and average muscle mass increased significantly in the intervention group after two months. Also, serum triglyceride levels decreased significantly in this group.

Using Appetizer Barij Essence Syrup® in peritoneal dialysis patients with cachexia improved the appetite, as well as cachexia indices, like serum albumin and muscle mass. However, the impact of these interventions on these indices must be evaluated over a longer period so, long-term studies may yield more reliable results.