The Efficacy of Cichorium intybus L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. in Improvement of Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Due to the lack of favorable response to synthetic drugs, the tendency to use traditional medicine to treat inflammatory bowel disease has risen. We aimed to assess the effect of Cichorium intybus L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., and Foeniculum vulgare L. on the control of recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate UC. Patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Patients in both groups were treated with a standard dose of oral mesalazine (3 g daily) for eight weeks. In addition, the intervention group was given a mixture of 200 mg C. intybus, 350 mg T. foenum-graecum, and 1.5 mg F. vulgare (three times a day). The disease activity was evaluated before and 60 days after the intervention using a simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI). The baseline mean SCCAI score was similar in both groups. Although the SCCAI score significantly reduced in both groups 60 days after the initial assessment, this reduction was significantly higher in the group receiving the herbal combination than in the control group. The intervention-related side effects, such as bloating and dyspepsia, were well tolerated. The use of C. intybus, T. foenum-graecum, and F. vulgare can effectively control UC symptoms and thus, can be used as an effective and safe medication for treating UC.

Keywords

• Ulcerative colitis
• Complementary medicine
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Cichorium intybus
• Trigonella foenum-graecum
• Foeniculum vulgare