A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal <i>Sophora</i> flower formula in patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids: A preliminary study

Abstract

Dried flowers and buds of Sophora japonica (Huaihua) are used in China, Japan and Korea for treating haematemesis and bleeding haemorrhoids. This study compared the clinical safety and efficacy of a Sophora flower formula with a placebo for the conservative treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids. The study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. The clinical effective rate, symptom score and the incidence of important clinical events were used as observation indices to evaluate the effect of the Sophora flower formula. The results showed that after 7 days of treatment, improvement was observed in 87.0% of the patients' major symptoms in the Sophora flower formula group compared with 81.8% of those in the placebo group. After 14 days, 78.2% patients in the Sophora flower formula group were asymptomatic, whereas 40.9% of those in the placebo group exhibited residual symptoms. However, the difference between both groups was not statistically significant. As the bowel habits of the patients improved and as the patients took sitz baths, their symptoms improved drastically, regardless of the use of the Sophora flower formula. These findings indicate that the traditional Chinese Sophora flower formula is clinically safe; however, its effects on haemorrhoids need to be studied in a larger sample size and with different dosages. The present study results may be a potential clinical reference for physicians prescribing medications for patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids.

Effect of Kangfuxin Solution Fumigation Bath on Postoperative Patients with Hemorrhoid PPH and Influence on the Postoperative Complications

“…The results of this study showed that the overall effective rate of patients in the observation group was higher than that of the control group. The ultrasonic fumigation bath treatment with Kangfuxin liquid fumigates the wound in the form of atomization and vaporization, and the full immersion of the drug can make the meridian of the surgical site unblocked, open the skin pores, and smooth the flow of Qi and blood, so as to achieve the effect of activating blood and swelling, relieving pain and hemorrhage [ 19 ]. The results of this study also showed that the time required for wound healing and hospitalization in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, which was closely related to the efficacy of the Kangfuxin solution in effectively improving local blood circulation and promoting edema reduction and wound healing [ 20 ].…”

Impact of Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd’s Purse) Herbal Tea Preparations on Symptoms and Severity of Hemorrhoidal Disease: A Prospective Randomized Study

“…The medicinal herbs used in the treatment of hemorrhoids are administered in different forms, including oral capsules or creams/ointments. 9,10,14,17,19,23 Herbal tea represents one of the most common forms of use of medicinal herbs. Capsella bursa-pastoris was used in both capsule and drop form in previous human studies.…”

United States Pharmacopeia comprehensive safety review of Styphnolobium japonicum flower and flower bud

“…Experimental rodent studies indicate that S. japonicum flower ethanol extract and its flavonoids may reduce blood glucose levels, but no case reports of hypoglycemia associated with the intake of S. japonicum flower or flower bud were identified in the literature search. Hypoglycemia was not apparent in a clinical study in participants given 1.5 g/day of a S. japonicum flower formula comprising S. japonicum , C. platycladi , S. tenuifolia , and C. aurantium in a 1:1:1:1 ratio (herbal formula was ground into a fine powder and vacuum dried) for 14 days (Man et al, 2013); however, this study did not assess blood glucose or insulin levels.…”

“…The authors concluded that the herbal formula, which provided 1.5 g/day of S. japonicum flower, is clinically safe. However, it did not demonstrate efficacy in alleviating hemorrhoid‐related symptoms, such as pain, itchiness, and swelling (Man et al, 2013).…”