The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of famous herbal formula extract and probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and to determine whether these two experimental items affect intestinal permeability and the composition of intestinal microbiota.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of structural abnormality, has a prevalence of approximately 15% in western populations1,2. Patients with IBS can be classified by their predominant bowel habits: diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS), constipation-predominant IBS, or IBS with alternating bowel movements3. Although smooth-muscle relaxants, bulking agents, and anti-diarrheal agents are commonly used as conventional IBS treatments, many IBS patients turn to alternative treatments because of the lack of therapeutic advantages of these treatments4. Therefore, the development of a new therapy is necessary for IBS patients. Gwakhyangjeonggisan (GJS; Kkako-shoki-san in Kampo Medicine; Huoxiang-zhengqi-san in Traditional Chinese Medicine), which was recorded originally in the famous ancient herbal formula literature "Formularies of the Bureau of people's Welfare Pharmacies", consists of 13 common crude herbs. GJS contains the chemical ingredients naringin, hesperidin, thymol, honokiol and magnolol5. GJS has been shown to protect intestinal barrier function6, contract the colonic muscle7, and regulate infectious diarrhea8 in vivo. In traditional Korean medicine, this herbal formula has long been used for relieving abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting as an over-the-counter or prescribed medicine9-11. However, there have been no clinical trials to investigate the efficacy of GJS in IBS. Probiotics are defined as viable microorganisms, which confer potential health benefits on the host when taken in proper amounts12. They are easily available, do not require a prescription, and are administered extensively for the relief of abdominal symptoms13. According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis study, probiotics caused a modest improvement in the overall IBS symptoms14. The rationale for using probiotics for IBS is based on the assumption that they modify the composition of the intestinal microflora15 and regulate intestinal permeability by modulating the epithelial tight junctions16. Duolac7S (DUO), a probiotic mixture, contains 7 bacterial species including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. Each of these bacterial species is reportedly beneficial for IBS17. DUO has been approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration for restoring the ecological balance of intestinal microflora and improving intestinal symptoms18. Although DUO has been widely used as an over-the-counter product for IBS-related symptoms, no clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of DUO on IBS. Recently, several herbal formulas and probiotics have been simultaneously administered to IBS patients for relieving abdominal symptoms19. In addition to lack of clinical evidence for the use of GJS or DUO, the efficacy of their combined treatment for IBS has not been elucidated. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of administration of GJS, DUO, or a combination therapy as a frequently used treatment for IBS. In the current trial, we identified the safety and efficacy of GJS, DUO, or a combination therapy on D-IBS by evaluating IBS symptoms and quality of life. To investigate their mechanisms in humans, intestinal permeability and composition of intestinal microbiota were assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
48
The herbal extract granule, Gwakhyangjeonggisan granule, consists of 11 herbs. Ingredients: Agastachis, Perillae Folium, Angelicae Radix, Arecae Pericarpium, Hoelen, Magnoliae officinalis Cortex, Atractylis Rhizoma, Aurantii nobilis Percarpium, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Platycodi Radix, Glychrrhizae Radix. Dosage and frequency: 1 pack (3g), 3 packs per day (2 hours after morning, afternoon and evening meal) The probiotics, Duolac7S, consist of 7 bacteria. Ingredients: Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, B. lactis, B. longum, Streptococcus thermophilus. Dosage and frequency: 1 capsule (5✕1,000,000,000 bacteria/capsule \[7✕100,000,000 viable cells/strain\]), 2 capsules per day (2 hours after morning and evening meal)
The herbal extract granule, Gwakhyangjeonggisan granule, consists of 11 herbs. Ingredients: Agastachis, Perillae Folium, Angelicae Radix, Arecae Pericarpium, Hoelen, Magnoliae officinalis Cortex, Atractylis Rhizoma, Aurantii nobilis Percarpium, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Platycodi Radix, Glychrrhizae Radix. Dosage and frequency: 1 pack (3g), 3 packs per day (2 hours after morning, afternoon and evening meal). Duolac7S placebo has the same form, color and flavor as experimental intervention (Duolac7S). The dosage, frequency and duration is also the same as experimental intervention (Duolac7S).
Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong
Seoul, Gangdong-gu, South Korea
Adequate relief (AR) of IBS pain & discomfort
As the participants answer the question "in the past seven days have you had adequate relief of your irritable bowel syndrome pain and discomfort?" in the form of "Yes" or "No", the effect can be assessed.
Time frame: Weekly (during run-period [2 wks], administarion period [8 wks] and follow-up period [2 wks])
Proportion of responders
The proportion of responders who answer "Yes" to more than half of AR questions in each period (\>50%)
Time frame: Once in each period (run-period [2 wks], administarion period [8 wks] and follow-up period [2 wks])
Daily assessment of bowel function scores
1. The patients should write diaries of stool's frequency, consistency and ease of passage 2. Frequency (number of defecation in a day) 3. Consistency (judged by Bristol scale) 4. Ease of passage
Time frame: Daily (during run-period [2 wks], administarion period [8 wks] and follow-up period [2 wks])
Daily assessment of severity of individual symptoms related to defecation
Abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating, flatulence, urgency, mucus in stool and overall symptom would be evaluated through visual analog scale (100mm)
Time frame: Daily (during run-period [2 wks], administarion period [8 wks] and follow-up period [2 wks])
Changes on population of intestinal microbes
1. To investigate the changes of intestinal microbes before and after experiment, feces should be collected. 2. The feces will be analyzed by the method of DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis - PCR of DNA).
Time frame: Two times in administration period (0 and 8 wks)
Intestinal permeability test
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The Gwakhyangjeonggisan placebo has the same form, color and flavor as experimental intervention (Gwakhyangjeonggisan). The dosage, frequency and duration is also the same as experimental intervention (Gwakhyangjeonggisan). The probiotics, Duolac7S, consist of 7 bacteria. Ingredients: Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, B. lactis, B. longum, Streptococcus thermophilus. Dosage and frequency: 1 capsule (5✕1,000,000,000 bacteria/capsule \[7✕100,000,000 viable cells/strain\]), 2 capsules per day (2 hours after morning and evening meal)
The Gwakhyangjeonggisan placebo has the same form, color and flavor as experimental intervention (Gwakhyangjeonggisan). The dosage, frequency and duration is also the same as experimental intervention (Gwakhyangjeonggisan). Duolac7S placebo has the same form, color and flavor as experimental intervention (Duolac7S). The dosage, frequency and duration is also the same as experimental intervention (Duolac7S).
In order to evaluate intesinal permeability, the urine should be collected after orally administration of lactulose and mannitol.
Time frame: Two times in administration period (0 and 8 wks)