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Research: LANGHORST and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 213
Abstract
LANGHORST and COLLEAGUES, Department for Integrative Gastroenterology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany jost.langhorst@gmx.de compared the efficacy of the two treatments in maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Background
The herbal treatment with myrrh, dry extract of chamomile flowers and coffee charcoal has anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrhoeal potential and might benefit patients with UC. Aminosalicylates are used as standard treatment for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis (UC).
Methodology
The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy study over a 12-month period in patients with UC. Primary endpoint was non-inferiority of the herbal preparation as defined by mean Clinical Colitis Activity Index (CAI-Rachmilewitz). Secondary endpoints were relapse rates, safety profile, relapse-free times, endoscopic activity and faecal biomarkers.
Results
A total of 96 patients (51 female) with inactive UC were included. Mean CAI demonstrated no significant difference between the two treatment groups in the intention-to-treat (P = 0.121) or per-protocol (P = 0.251) analysis. Relapse rates in total were 22/49 patients (45%) in the mesalazine treatment group and 25/47 patients (53%) in the herbal treatment group (P = 0.540). Safety profile and tolerability were good and no significant differences were shown in relapse-free time, endoscopy and faecal biomarkers.
Conclusion
The herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile extract and coffee charcoal is well tolerated and shows a good safety profile. The authors found first evidence for a potential efficacy non-inferior to the gold standard therapy mesalazine, which merits further study of its clinical usefulness in maintenance therapy of patients with ulcerative colitis.
References
Langhorst J, Varnhagen I, Schneider SB, Albrecht U, Rueffer A, Stange R, Michalsen A and Dobos GJ. Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis - a double-blind, double-dummy study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 38(5): 490-500. Sep 2013.
