The Effect of Phloroglucinol in Patients With Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Abstract

Background/AimsWe aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of phloroglucinol in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). MethodsSeventy-two patients with IBS-D who met Rome III criteria were 1:1 randomized in a parallel, double-blind design to receive phloroglucinol or placebo for 2 weeks. Patients were followed for 1 week after the end of treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders, defined as those who answered "moderate or more of improvement" to the subject global assessment for at least 1 week of the 2-week treatment period. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of these patients during the 3-week period including 1 week of follow-up, IBS symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort, diarrhea, urgency, mucus in stool, bloating, and passage of gas), stool frequency and consistency, and IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL). ResultsThe proportion of responders during 2-week treatment period tended to be higher in the phloroglucinol group than in the placebo group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (55.6% vs 30.6%, P = 0.056). The proportion of responders during the 3-week period was significantly higher in the phloroglucinol group than in the placebo group (61.6% vs 30.6%, P = 0.013). Individual symptom scores, IBS-QOL, stool frequency and consistency tended to improve in the phloroglucinol group, but there were no statistical significances compared to those of the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported in both groups. ConclusionsPhloroglucinol could be a safe and beneficial option for the management of overall IBS symptoms in patients with IBS-D. Further large scaled studies are warranted. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020;26:117-127)

Structural Diversity of Complex Phloroglucinol Derivatives from Eucalyptus Species

“…Thus, the genus Eucalyptus has the potential to be used in agricultural, industrial, and medical areas. Moreover, many in vivo and clinical trials research have been performed on the efficacy of phloroglucinol derivatives [56,57] . However, additional studies are still needed for a better understanding of the mechanism of action of the aforementioned activities of phloroglucinol derivatives, and their metabolism.…”

Effectiveness of oral phloroglucinol as a premedication for unsedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

“…In terms of safety, phloroglucinol is believed to be free from anti-cholinergic adverse effects that would limit its routine clinical utility [ 21 ]. In this current study, oral phloroglucinol exhibited a good safety profile as there was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between oral phloroglucinol and the placebo.…”

Assessing the post-treatment therapeutic effect of pinaverium in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

“… Treatment Post-treatment References Follow-up duration Date collected at Did the therapeutic effects last? Diet Low FODMAP diet 1 wk wk 1 ≥ 1 wk 29 Probiotics S. cerevisiae 3 wk Every wk 1–2 wk 30 L. plantarum 12 mo mo 12 ≥ 12 mo 31 Antibiotics Rifaximin 10 wk a Every wk ≥ 10 wk 13 10 wk Every wk ≥ 10 wk 4 3 mo Every wk ≥ 3 mo 32 Antispasmodics Phloroglucinol 1 wk wk 1 ≥ 1 wk 33 Otilonium 10 wk wk 3, 6, 10 ≥ 10 wk 15 pinaverium 57 wk dy 1, 2, 3, wk 4, 9, 17, 25 ,33, 45, 57 between 9 and 17 wk Current study Peppermint oil …”