Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
2740158 
Journal Article 
Pharmacological activity of an herbal extract: controlled clinical study 
Borgia, M; Sepe, N; Borgia, R; Ori-Bellometti, M 
1981 
Yes 
Current Therapeutic Research
ISSN: 0011-393X 
IPA/81/453086 
Ther 
Sec 2 
525-536 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A controlled clinical study was performed in 24 normal adult women to test the activity of an herbal extract (Amaro Medicanale Giuliani, containing rhubarb, gentian, boldo, and cascara) on salivary secretions; therapeutic activity was evaluated in a double-blind, double controlled trial (test preparation versus 2 pairs of its components and versus placebo) in 80 patients with mild GI tract disturbances. In the first study, salivary secretion was measured at 0-time and during 120 min after 6 different treatments administered according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design replied 4 times. The test preparation and its components induced a significant increase in salivary secretion over 30 min; like the active control (4% citric acid solution) and unlike placebo or placebo plus alcohol, no differences were observed at later measurements. In the second study, the efficacy of the test preparation as it affected loss of appetite, dyspepsia, constipation, and non-target symptoms was significantly better when compared with placebo and with the 2 different pairs of components. It was concluded that the test preparation appears to be an effective treatment for milder GI tract disturbances.