Efficacy of bio-optimized extracts of turmeric and essential fennel oil on the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of herbal products to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disease that frequently affects the quality of life (QoL), is still under evaluation. This open pilot study assessed the efficacy of bio-optimized extracts of turmeric and essential fennel oil (Enterofytol®) in IBS patients.MethodsA total of 211 patients (14% diarrhea-predominant, IBS-D; 24% constipation-predominant, IBS-C; 62% mixed, IBS-M) were enrolled by general practitioners and completed questionnaires measuring symptom severity and QoL before and after Enterofytol®, two capsules b.i.d. for one month, followed by two capsules q.d. for another month.ResultsIBS severity index and QoL were inversely related. A significant reduction in the severity index and an improvement in QoL were evident following treatment in all IBS subgroups. IBS-D patients showed the worst clinical picture at entry, with the highest IBS severity index and the lowest QoL score, compared with IBS-C and IBS-M subtypes. IBS-D patients, however, also showed the most pronounced response to therapy, considering both scores. The improvement in the IBS severity index was independent of age and sex.ConclusionsResults from this “real-life” study show that the combination of turmeric and essential fennel oil over two months improves both symptoms and QoL in IBS patients, irrespectively of age, sex, initial severity of symptoms and IBS-subtypes, suggesting a potential role for the natural treatment of IBS.

Supplementation Effect of a Combination of Olive (Olea europea L.) Leaf and Fruit Extracts in the Clinical Management of Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome

“…The conduct of RCTs in general practice is unusual and by far more difficult than in clinical settings. Therefore, the recourse to observational studies as this one involving hundreds of patients is still of interest in assessing the potential effect of supplementation with herbal products in real-life medical practice [73][74][75]. The absence of randomization and control cannot preclude the positive role of potential confounders, including older age, natural compound instead of synthetic drug, changes in lifestyle habits over the study period in patients openly treated with a natural product that could be perceived as intrinsically healthy and beneficial.…”

The Effect of a Fennel Extract on the STAT Signaling and Intestinal Barrier Function

“…Additionally, a combination of F. vulgare and turmeric oils has been shown to increase quality of life in IBS patients, highlighting the wide-ranging benefits of F. vulgare on the body, particularly in the gastrointestinal system. [10] Other herbal therapy studies have shown far reaching effects in the context of IBD, with data suggesting herbal remedies are able to mediate damage to barrier function, immune response, and even restore gut microbiota. [11] This study specifically investigates the use of F. vulgare in mediating mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease.…”

Potent In Vitro Activity of Citrus aurantium Essential Oil and Vitis vinifera Hydrolate Against Gut Yeast Isolates from Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients—The Right Mix for Potential Therapeutic Use

“…The latter encompass Chinese medicine, homeopathy and phytotherapy [14,15]. Several studies have recently evaluated the efficacy of natural products, such as essential oils (EOs), in the treatment of IBS symptoms [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Some of the EOs studied derive from aromatic plants of the Mediterranean area, such as Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum, Mentha × piperita and Citrus aurantium.…”