Title:The Effectiveness of a Poly-herbal Formulation from Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Author(s): Nazila Ebrahimi, Ebrahim Fallahzadeh Abarghooee, Afsaneh Vazin, Ramin Ansari and Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas*
Affiliation:
- Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of
Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz,
Iran
Keywords:
GERD, traditional medicine, pistacia, clinical trial, complementary medicine, mastic pill.
Abstract:
Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) leads to increased contact of the
acidic refluxate with the esophageal mucosa. Nearly 10- 20 % of the world's population is affected
by GERD. Due to the complications associated with GERD, as well as complications of long-term
treatment with current medications, and global demand toward Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM), this study evaluated the efficacy of a poly-herbal formulation known as Mastic
pill (Habb-e-Mastaki) from traditional Persian medicine (TPM), previously reformulated and
standardized, in a double-blinded randomized clinical trial.
Method: 34 patients in the drug group received 4 capsules of Mastic pill plus Omeprazole capsule
20 mg daily. 34 patients in the placebo group received the same dosing of Omeprazole and placebo.
The medication was given to patients for a total duration of 4 weeks. All patients were requested
to fill out the modified GERD-HRQL questionnaire at the beginning and every two weeks for a
total duration of six weeks.
Result: Reflux, and heartburn severity score as well as disruption of personal life score significantly
reduced in both groups, but it was more remarkable in the drug group (P-value = 0.0001). Dysphagia,
early satiation, and nausea significantly reduced in the drug group while the placebo group
showed no improvement. Our results suggest that constipation, bloating, belching, and odynophagia
did not significantly improve in none of the groups.
Conclusion: This study showed that Habb-e-Mastaki is effective against GERD. Further detailed
in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at discovering the mechanism of action of this formulation and
clinical studies involving a larger population will be necessary to explain and confirm the results
obtained in the present study.
