Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis

J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9. doi: 10.1089/acm.2004.10.667.

Abstract

Objectives: Does artichoke leaf extract (ALE) ameliorate symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering concomitant dyspepsia?

Methods: A subset analysis of a previous dose-ranging, open, postal study, in adults suffering dyspepsia. Two hundred and eight (208) adults were identified post hoc as suffering with IBS. IBS incidence, self-reported usual bowel pattern, and the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) were compared before and after a 2-month intervention period.

Results: There was a significant fall in IBS incidence of 26.4% (p < 0.001) after treatment. A significant shift in self-reported usual bowel pattern away from "alternating constipation/diarrhea" toward "normal" (p < 0.001) was observed. NDI total symptom score significantly decreased by 41% (p < 0.001) after treatment. Similarly, there was a significant 20% improvement in the NDI total quality-of-life (QOL) score in the subset after treatment.

Conclusion: This report supports previous findings that ALE ameliorates symptoms of IBS, plus improves health-related QOL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / administration & dosage*
  • Cynara scolymus*
  • Dyspepsia / drug therapy*
  • Dyspepsia / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Quality of Life*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cholagogues and Choleretics
  • Plant Extracts