Efficacy of jing Si herbal tea in functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Chin-Hung Liu; Fang-Cen Tu; Ming-Wun Wong; Jui-Sheng Hung; Chih-Hsun Yi; Tso-Tsai Liu; Wei-Yi Lei; Chien-Lin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2024.09.008

Efficacy of jing Si herbal tea in functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Sep 9:S0929-6646(24)00428-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.09.008. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chin-Hung Liu¹, Fang-Cen Tu², Ming-Wun Wong³, Jui-Sheng Hung⁴, Chih-Hsun Yi⁴, Tso-Tsai Liu⁴, Wei-Yi Lei⁴, Chien-Lin Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; The Vegetarian Research Center, School of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
² Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; The Vegetarian Research Center, School of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
³ Department of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. Electronic address: harry.clchen@msa.hinet.net.

PMID: 39256061
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.09.008

Abstract

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is prevalent worldwide and is associated with gastrointestinal inflammation, mucosal anomalies, and shifts in microbiota metabolites like short chain fatty acids. This study assesses the efficacy of Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT) in alleviating FD symptoms, psychological distress, and influencing metabolites.

Methods: Adults with FD based on Rome IV criteria were included. Participants underwent physical and psychological evaluations, pre-treatment blood sampling, and were randomly assigned to JSHT or placebo groups for four weeks. Post-treatment, evaluations and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for gut metabolites were done. Successful response was defined by a 50% symptom reduction. Symptom intensity, sleep, depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using questionnaires.

Results: 26 patients (median age 55.5 years, range 22-77 years, 60.6% female) were studied. Both JSHT and placebo groups were similar at baseline. JSHT showed a higher response rate (69.2%) than placebo (23.1%, P = 0.018). JSHT recipients experienced notable reduction in upper gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety (P = 0.005; P = 0.037). Increased serum butyrate was observed in improved patients (P = 0.01), whereas no major changes were detected in the placebo group.

Conclusion: Four weeks of JSHT treatment ameliorated FD symptoms and anxiety, potentially linked to increased serum butyrate. This study suggests that JSHT has potential therapeutic role in patients with FD.

Keywords: Butyrate; Functional dyspepsia; Jing Si herbal tea.