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Is Chios mastic gum effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia? A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial.

  • 2010-02
  • Journal of ethnopharmacology 127(2)
    • Konstantinos J Dabos
    • Ekaterini Sfika
    • Lisa J Vlatta
    • Despoina Frantzi
    • Georgios I Amygdalos
    • Georgios Giannikopoulos

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
148 patients fulfilling Rome II criteria for functional dyspepsia
Methods
Randomly assigned to receive Chios mastic gum 350 mg three times daily or placebo for 3 weeks; assessed using Hong Kong index of dyspepsia
Duration
3 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

Herbal remedies are increasingly popular for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Chios mastic gum is a resinous exudate from the stem of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia. It is a traditional natural remedy used throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Chios mastic gum in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Methods

One hundred and forty eight patients fulfilling Rome II criteria for functional dyspepsia were randomly assigned to receive either Chios mastic gum 350 mg three times daily or placebo. After 3 weeks of treatment the change from baseline in the severity of symptoms of functional dyspepsia was assessed using the Hong Kong index of dyspepsia. Patients' global assessment of efficacy was also evaluated.

Results

The symptom score after treatment was significantly lower in the Chios mastic gum than in the placebo group ((14.78+/-1.78) vs (19.96+/-1.83)) (p<0.05). There was a marked improvement of symptoms in 40% of patients receiving placebo and in 77% of patients receiving Chios mastic gum (p<0.02). Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: stomach pain in general, stomach pain when anxious, dull ache in the upper abdomen and heartburn (<0.05 for all four symptoms).

Conclusion

Chios mastic gum significantly improves symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia compared to placebo.

Research Insights

  • Mastic→Improved Functional Dyspepsia Symptom Score

    The symptom score after treatment was significantly lower in the Chios mastic gum than in the placebo group ((14.78+/-1.78) vs (19.96+/-1.83)) (p<0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
  • Mastic→Improved Global Assessment of Efficacy

    There was a marked improvement of symptoms in 40% of patients receiving placebo and in 77% of patients receiving Chios mastic gum (p<0.02).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
  • Mastic→Reduced Abdominal Dull Ache

    Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: ... dull ache in the upper abdomen ... (p<0.05 for all four symptoms).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
  • Mastic→Reduced Anxiety-Related Abdominal Pain

    Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: ... stomach pain when anxious, ... (p<0.05 for all four symptoms).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
  • Mastic→Reduced Heartburn

    Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: ... heartburn (<0.05 for all four symptoms).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
  • Mastic→Reduced Stomach Pain

    Individual symptoms that showed significant improvement with Chios mastic gum were: stomach pain in general, ... (p<0.05 for all four symptoms).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    350 mg three times daily
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