Efficacy of Boswellia serrata L. and Cyperus scariosus L. plus pelvic floor muscle training in stress incontinence in women of reproductive age

• In this RCT, Boswellia serrata & Cyperus scariosus plus PFMT showed 60% improvement in SUI.
• The control group (PFMT alone) showed 37% improvement in SUI.
• The probable action of herbs is due to antidepressive, anxiolytic & sedative effects.
• Proposed mechanism of action of herbs might be due to SNRIs pathway.
• Boswellia resin probably had effects on the CNS via TRPV3 channels in the brain.

IntroductionTo determine the efficacy of combining of Boswellia serrata L. resin and the root of Cyperus scariosus L. plus PFMT in reproductive age women with stress urinary incontinence.MethodsA prospective, single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted. The patients were randomized to receive orally either combination of equal quantity of B. serrata and C. scariosus (2g) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) respectively twice daily for 8 weeks in addition to pelvic floor muscle training in both groups. The outcome was one hour pad test. The results were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric test.ResultsThe improvement in the test and control group was 60% and 37% respectively. Between the group comparison was statistically significant (P = 0.035). The intra group comparison of one hour pad test was statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.001). No adverse effects were noted.ConclusionThe test group was more effective than control group in women with SUI.

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