Background Fenugreek seeds have shown antinociceptive effect in animal studies. This double-blind placebo controlled trial was designed to study the effect of fenugreek transdermal patch 10% (FDP) for management of inguinal hernia (IH) post-operative pain. Methods Standardized extract of fenugreek seeds was used for FDP formulation. Ninety patients treated with 10% FDP, diclofenac dermal patch 1% (DP) and placebo twice daily after IH surgery. The pain intensity score was evaluated using a visual analogue score (VAS) up to 48 h after operation. Morphine consumption and diclofenac suppository demand were evaluated too. Results The pain score was significantly reduced in FDP group in comparison with the placebo group. This effect was also significantly different from DP up to 6 h after surgery (p<0.05). Morphine consumption and diclofenc suppository demand were significantly decreased in FDP group (p<0.05). Conclusion In all, results of the present study indicated that FDP decreases pain score and demand for morphine in post-surgery patients in comparison to diclofenac patch, and this preparation could be a suit option as a natural antinociceptive agent for pain management.
Keywords: antinociceptive; double-blind placebo controlled trial; fenugreek; inguinal hernia; transdermal patch.