ABSTRACT
In a joint Vietnam-Sweden prospective double-blind two-center study, the herbal remedy of Curcuma longa (turmeric) - in a dosage of 6 g daily as suggested in the Vietnamese pharmacopoeia - was compared with an equal amount of placebo in 118 patients, suffering from duodenal ulcer. The patients in the two groups were well matched prior to treatment. Clinical assessments were carried out weekly, while laboratory investigations were carried out before beginning of the treatment and after four and eight weeks: Only patients, having one duodenal ulcer with a minimum diameter of 5 mm verified by endoscopy (Uong Bi General Hospital, UBGH) and/or radiography (UBGH and Viet Due University Hospital, VDUH) not more than 4 days prior the study were included in the study. No treatment with H(2)-receptor antagonists, anticholinergics or other drugs used in the treatment of ulcer disease during the preceding week were allowed. Follow-up endoscopy and/or radiography were performed after 28 ± 4 days and 56 ± 4 days. Turmeric was not superior to placebo in healing duodenal ulcer either after four or eight weeks of treatment. After eight weeks the ulcer-healing rate of turmeric was 27% while placebo had healed 29%. Both drugs were well tolerated.
ABSTRACT
Herbal remedies are widely used in Vietnam alongside modern drugs. We assessed the diuretic effect of four traditional Vietnamese herbal remedies from Zea mays, Imperata cylindrica, Plantago major and Orthosiphon stamineus, all claimed to produce an increase of diuresis. No influence was recorded for the 12- and 24-h urine output or on the sodium excretion for any of the drugs when tested under standardized conditions in a placebo controlled double-blind crossover model. The present study indicates the need for critical review of the present recommendations regarding therapy with plant materials in countries relying on empiric traditions.
