Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
-
Hina Rehman
,
Wajeeha Begum
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the efficacy of Rheum emodi in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea.
Methods: A randomized, single-blind, standard controlled trial compared efficacy of R. emodi against mefenamic acid on diagnosed subjects of primary dysmenorrhoea for three consecutive cycles. Experimental group (n=30) received capsules of R. emodi powder two times a day, two days before the expected date of menstruation, and continued first three days of menstruation, while control group (n=15) participants received mefenamic acid capsules three times a day on the same protocol. The primary outcome measures were reduced in severity and duration of pain, assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbal multidimensional scoring system (VMSS), and secondary outcome measures were overall improvement of dysmenorrhoea and improved in quality of life (QOL). Statistical analysis was done by repeated measures analysis of variance and Chi-square/Fisher Exact test.
Results: The menstrual pain was significantly decreased in both groups after three-cycle intervention. Significant changes were observed in VAS (p<0.001) and VMSS (p<0.001) in the experimental group. There is a significant (p<0.001) reduction in duration of pain in both the groups. Associated symptoms and QOL were markedly improved after treatment (p<0.001).
Conclusions: It has been clear from the above result that R. emodi is an effective herb in alleviating symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea. It can serve as an alternative treatment without any apparent side effects. These results deserve further investigations.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to institutes’ Director Prof. Mansoor Ahmed Siddiqui for providing the facilities to carry out research.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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©2015 by De Gruyter
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Review
- An emphasis on molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects and glucocorticoid resistance
- Preclinical Studies
- Endothelium nitric oxide-independent vasorelaxant effects of the aqueous extract from Stephania abyssinica on the isolated rat thoracic aorta
- Evidence of attenuation of intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury following pre-treatment with methanolic extracts from Chromolena odorata in rats
- Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice
- The Miaoyao Fanggan Sachets regulate humoral immunity and cellular immunity in mice
- Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana in Wistar albino rats
- Clinical Studies
- Tolerability of the combination of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in patients with cancer-associated anorexia
- Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
- Integrating traditional medical practice with primary healthcare system in Eritrea
- Factors affecting the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Japanese university students
- Short Communication
- Complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes (CALMIND) – a prospective study
- Online Only: Congress Abstracts
- 2014 IN-CAM Research Symposium: The Next Wave of Complementary and Integrative Medicine and Health Care Research
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Review
- An emphasis on molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects and glucocorticoid resistance
- Preclinical Studies
- Endothelium nitric oxide-independent vasorelaxant effects of the aqueous extract from Stephania abyssinica on the isolated rat thoracic aorta
- Evidence of attenuation of intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury following pre-treatment with methanolic extracts from Chromolena odorata in rats
- Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice
- The Miaoyao Fanggan Sachets regulate humoral immunity and cellular immunity in mice
- Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana in Wistar albino rats
- Clinical Studies
- Tolerability of the combination of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in patients with cancer-associated anorexia
- Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
- Integrating traditional medical practice with primary healthcare system in Eritrea
- Factors affecting the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Japanese university students
- Short Communication
- Complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes (CALMIND) – a prospective study
- Online Only: Congress Abstracts
- 2014 IN-CAM Research Symposium: The Next Wave of Complementary and Integrative Medicine and Health Care Research
