Efficacy of the Malva sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract for functional constipation: A placebo-controlled trial

Mahin Elsagh; Mohammad Reza Fartookzadeh; Mohammad Kamalinejad; Majid Anushiravani; Awat Feizi; Farshad Amini Behbahani; Rahmatollah Rafiei; Akbar Arjmandpour; Peyman Adibi

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.02.003

Efficacy of the Malva sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract for functional constipation: A placebo-controlled trial

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015 May;21(2):105-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.02.003. Epub 2015 Mar 7.

Authors

Mahin Elsagh¹, Mohammad Reza Fartookzadeh², Mohammad Kamalinejad³, Majid Anushiravani⁴, Awat Feizi⁵, Farshad Amini Behbahani⁶, Rahmatollah Rafiei⁷, Akbar Arjmandpour⁸, Peyman Adibi⁹

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Gastroenterology Section, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25801702
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.02.003

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Malva sylvestris L. flowers extract for treatment of FC.

Method: Adults with FC were allocated to receive the M. sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract syrup (MSL, 1 g extract/day) or placebo for four weeks. Frequency of constipation symptoms and stool forms were assessed every week. Self-reported improvement was assessed after treatment.

Results: Compared with placebo, more increase was observed in defecation frequency (F = 18.8, P < 0.001) and more decrease was observed in frequency of all constipation symptoms by MSL (F = 16.5 to 25.3, all P values <0.001). Also, the MSL group experienced more reduction in frequency of hard stool forms (45.4% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.001) and reported more improvement in all symptoms (all P values <0.01) than placebo.

Conclusion: The M. sylvestris L. flowers aqueous extract is efficacious and safe for the treatment of FC in adult patients. Investigating the mechanisms of action is warranted. IRCT2014031617032N1.

Keywords: Constipation; Herbal medicine; Malva; Malvaceae; Traditional medicine.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Constipation / drug therapy*
Defecation / drug effects
Female
Flowers / chemistry*
Humans
Male
Malva / chemistry*
Middle Aged
Placebos
Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*

Substances

Placebos
Plant Extracts

Associated data

IRCT/IRCT2014031617032N1