Efficacy and acceptability of pomegranate effervescent granules in patients suffering from acid peptic disorders

CONTEXT: Acid peptic disorders. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and acceptability of pomegranate effervescent granules (PEGs) in dyspeptic patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a single-arm, open-labeled prospective multicentric clinical study, done at 3 centers: Vishwanand Kendra, Pune; Bharati Ayurved Hospital, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, and M. A. Podar Medical Ayurved Hospital, Mumbai. The co-ordinating site was Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The granules, prepared from peel extract of pomegranate, were made available in sachets of 2.5 g with dose of, 1 sachet dissolved in 200 ml (1 cup) of water, twice a day after meals for 28 days. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores to assess symptoms of acid peptic disorders at day 0, 15, and 29 along with the taste of formulation were the main study outcomes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Parametric data, presented as mean ± standard deviation, were analyzed using paired t-test, while nonparametric data presented as median (range) was analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The median GSRS score reduced from 14 on day 0-10 and then 5 on day 15 and day 29, respectively, with statistical significance. The formulation was found to taste good by ~80% of patients, while ~20% reported it to be palatable and none found it to be bad in taste. CONCLUSION: PEGs proved to be palatable, patient-friendly, safe, and efficacious in resolving symptoms of dyspepsia in acid peptic disorders. CTRI Registration: The trial was registered retrospectively in the Clinical Registry of India [CTRI/2017/07/008999].