The effect of extracts from Schollkraut and Curcuma on upper abdominal pain due to dysfunction of the biliary system: Results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Background: Right upper abdominal pain may often be caused by biliary dyski nesia. Choleretica and cholekinetica are widely used for medical treatment of complaints due to biliary dyskinesia despite of a lack of randomized cli nical trials which may prove their efficacy and potency. Patients and Methods: The present prospective multicenter pilot study analy zes the effects of Cholagogum F Nattermann(R) (dried extracts from Schollkr aut and Curcuma) in comparison with placebo in patients with dumpy or colic ky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant due to biliary dyskinesia. Ch olagogum was given in 39 patients and placebo in 37 patients for 3 weeks, r espectively. Results: The reduction of dumpy and colicky pain was more rapid during the first treatment week in patients who received Cholagogum F when compared to those who received placebo. The reduction of other complaints (feeling of being filled up, food intolerance, nausea, vomiting, meteorism) (secondary variables) was similar in patients who received Cholagogum F versus placebo during the whole treatment period. The were no side-effects in patients wh o received Cholagogum. Conclusions: The study presents the first solid indication that extracts fr om Schollkraut/Curcuma (Cholagogum F Nattermann (R) which have widely been used in daily practice for many decades have beneficial effects on pain due to biliary dyskinesia.