Effect of Oral Combined Berberine and Curcumin Pharmacological Therapy on IBS

The Adjuvant Synergistic Therapeutic Effect of Oral Berberine and Curcumin Alleviates Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Results From a Real-life Setting Clinical Intervention Study

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent, chronic functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, characterized by recurrent abdominal discomfort (pain) associated with altered bowel movements. IBS has a considerable negative impact on people's quality of life (QoL). There is currently no specific treatment available for IBS; most of the therapeutic management is symptomatic. Reported evidence suggest that BBR and CUR can alleviate symptoms of IBS through their multiple pharmacological effects including preventing stress-induced intestinal inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity, reducing bowel motility, and regulating intestinal permeability, gut microme and gut-brain axis.

Aim of the study:

The present clinical study aimed to assess the synergestic therapeutic effect of a combined supplement of standardised extract of BBR and CUR (Enterophytol® PLUS, 200 mg BBR, 49 mg CUR) in the management of IBS.

Method : This was an in real-life setting pragmatic, observational, retrospective, non-controlled and non-randomized clinical trial involving 146 patients with IBS, enrolled in General Practitioner clinics and Pharmacies in Belgium from Aug 2020 to May 2022. The supplement was used as two tablets daily for 2-months, alongside routine IBS care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Self-completion of simplified form of the Rome IV IBS diagnostic criteria
• Had IBS symptoms that appeared before the age of 50
• Used Enterophytol® PLUS as complementary therapy as two tablets a day for 2-months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those with involuntary weight loss
• Family history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, celiac disease, rectal discharge, nocturnal symptoms, fever, and abnormalities on clinical examination (abdominal mass, signs of anaemia).