Effects of evening primrose oil on treating painful diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial
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Ayub Gholami
und
Mehrali Rahimi
Abstract
Objectives
Diabetic neuropathy results in chronic pain. Traditional treatments often offer limited relief, prompting the exploration of alternative therapies like Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of EPO in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.
Methods
In this interventional clinical trial, Patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A, consisted of 24 patients, received 1,000 mg of EPO soft gel capsules every 12 h. Group B, consisted of 21 patients, received 1,000 mg of EPO soft gel capsules daily. Group C, also with 21 patients, was divided so that half of the patients received placebo capsules daily and the other half every 12 h. After 4 weeks, patients returned, and questionnaires were completed. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS version 25.
Results
Groups A and B showed significant reductions in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, with Group A achieving the most improvement (mean pre-test: 5.96; post-test: 4.63). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant differences in post-intervention scores (p<0.001) for VAS and Neuropathy total symptom score-6 (NTSS-6), indicating effective interventions. Treatment A was more effective than Treatment B for reducing pain (VAS mean difference= −0.52; p=0.044) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) scores (mean difference= −9.56; p<0.001).
Conclusions
EPO could serve as a valuable alternative therapy for managing painful diabetic neuropathy with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. Further research is warranted to validate these results and explore EPO treatment long-term efficacy and safety.
Acknowledgments
Authors thank Dr. Sadeghi and Dr. Masoud Karimloo for statistical consultation. We would like to thank the support of the head and also the help of the staff and nurses of the Research Clinic of Endocrine Glands at Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences for their contribution.
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Research ethics: The ethical approval for this study was obtained from ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, under the ethics code [IR.IAU.PS.REC.1401.102]. This trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent revisions (as revised in 2013).
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.
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Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Reviews
- Exploring the therapeutic promise of fisetin: molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects in lung cancer
- “Understanding and treating baras (vitiligo) in unani medicine: historical perspectives, pathophysiology, and therapeutic approaches”
- The role of complementary medicine in the holistic, patient-centered recovery from anorexia nervosa – a narrative review
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- Research Articles
- Neuroprotective effects of dietary inclusions of alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) and bastard melegueta (Aframomum danielli) seeds on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats
- Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats
- Isojamaicin, one of the isoflavonoids from Millettia griffoniana Baill (Fabaceae) has anticancer effect on human prostate cancer cells
- Screening the Larvicidal effect of Dawa-e-Hilteet using Instar larvae
- Induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, activation of mitochondrial ATPase and cytochrome c release by the methanol extract of Funtumia elastica stem bark
- Effect of cytidine-5′-diphosphocholine alone, caffeine or their combination on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in an experimentally-induced Parkinson’s disease
- An in vitro investigation on the physicochemical properties of different quercetin formulations
- Prevalence and profile of New Zealand osteopaths treating people experiencing headaches and migraines
- Barriers and enablers to evidence implementation in Australian complementary medicine practice: a cross-sectional study
- Impact of olive oil consumption on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing open heart surgery: a randomized clinical trial
- A Comparative evaluation of locally delivered licorice gel and tetracycline gel as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy in the treatment of controlled type −2 diabetic patients with periodontitis stage II and grade B – A split mouth randomized clinical trial
- Comparing I LOVE U and field massages on weight and gastrointestinal function among NICU-admitted preterm infants: a clinical trial
- Effects of evening primrose oil on treating painful diabetic neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial
- A qualitative study examining older adult usage of complementary and alternative medications and natural health products for cognitive and mental health improvement
