Efficacy of Plantago major seed in management of ulcerative colitis symptoms: A randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial

Atiyeh Baghizadeh; Ali Davati; Ali Jafari Heidarloo; Fatemeh Emadi; Jale Aliasl

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101444

Efficacy of Plantago major seed in management of ulcerative colitis symptoms: A randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 Aug:44:101444. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101444. Epub 2021 Jul 10.

Authors

Atiyeh Baghizadeh¹, Ali Davati², Ali Jafari Heidarloo³, Fatemeh Emadi⁴, Jale Aliasl⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: dr_ab1363@yahoo.com.
² Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: a_davati@yahoo.com.
³ Imam Khomeini Hospital, Gastroenterology Subdivision of Internal Medicine Department, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: Jafari.a@umsu.ac.ir.
⁴ Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: fatemeh12emadi@yahoo.com.
⁵ Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: jaliasl@yahoo.com.

PMID: 34265576
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101444

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the effect of Plantago major (P. major) seed on ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms.

Methods: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 61 subjects received 3600 mg/day roasted P. major seed in intervention group (n = 31) and roasted wheat flour in control group (n = 30), for 8 weeks, as a complementary to standard medications. Variables were assessed using the Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index (LCAI) at baseline, week 4, and week 8.

Results: 51 patients completed the trial (n = 28 in Plantago and n = 23 in placebo groups). Abdominal tenderness (p = 0.011), gastroesophageal reflux and gastric pain (p = 0.049 for both), were significantly less severe in P. major group. Visible blood in stool (p = 0.001), distension (p = 0.001), and anal pain (p = 0.051), decreased significantly in P. major group, although no significant difference was observed between the two groups: (p = 0.224), (p = 0.283), and (p = 0.455) respectively.

Conclusion: P. major seems to be effective in complementary management of UC.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Persian medicine; Plantago major; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
Double-Blind Method
Flour
Humans
Plantago*
Seeds
Treatment Outcome
Triticum