Skip to main content
. 2018 Sep 22;7(10):298. doi: 10.3390/jcm7100298

Table 1.

Studies included in the systematic review (arranged alphabetically by first author’s last name).

Author, Year Study Design Country Sample Size Curcumin Dose and Formulation Study Duration Diagnosis of IBS Conclusions
Alt, 2017 [26] Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial Germany 99
  • -

    IQP-CL-101 softgel (contains 330 mg proprietary blend of curcuminoids and essential oils, 70 mg fish oil, 15 mg peppermint oil and 8 mg caraway oil as well as 263 μg thiamine, 39 μg folic acid and 625 μg vitamin D3)

 8 weeks Rome III Significant improvement in IBS symptoms, compared to placebo (p < 0.001). Improvements seen as early as 4 weeks into treatment. No serious adverse events reported.
Bundy, 2004 [24] Partially blinded, randomized, two-dose trial United Kingdom 207
  • -

    72 mg (1 tablet) of a standardized turmeric extract daily (Cynara™ Turmeric, Lichtwer Pharma (UK) Ltd., Marlow, UK)

  • -

    144 mg (2 tablets) of curcumin

 8 weeks Rome II Significantly reduced IBS symptomatology in both treatment groups after 8 weeks (p < 0.001). No serious adverse events reported.
Brinkhaus, 2005 [25] Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial Germany 106
  • -

    Curcuma xanthorriza 60 mg daily

  • -

    Fumaria officinalis 1500 mg daily

 18 weeks Extensive clinical examination ruling out organic causes Both herb-based monotherapy did not significantly improve IBS symptoms compared to placebo.
Lauche, 2016 [27] Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial Germany 32
  • -

    5 g of Ayurvedic powder mixture (curry (Murraya koenigii)), pomegranate (Punica granatum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa rhizome pulvis) in a 6:3:1 ratio) dissolved in 100 mL of warm water

 4 weeks Rome III No significant difference between Ayurvedic preparation and placebo for IBS symptom severity (p = 0.26).
Portincasa, 2016 [28] Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial Italy 121
  • -

    Two capsules of CU-FEO (Curcuma longa 42 mg and Foeniculum vulgare 17.5 mg)

 30 days Rome III Significant improvement in IBS symptoms (p < 0.001) and quality of life. No serious adverse events reported.