Original Research PaperThe use of Benincasa hispida for the treatment of uninvestigated dyspepsia: Preliminary results of a non-randomised open label pilot clinical trial

BackgroundDyspepsia is becoming a common health problem for which an individual seeks medical help. The approach to the management of dyspepsia is complex with high treatment costs and possible adverse effects.MethodsA prospective pilot study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the fruit juice of Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida) on twenty dyspeptic subjects, who were followed up for 45 days. Measures of retrosternal pain, post-prandial fullness, bloating, sour belching, nausea, vomiting and changes in bowel habits were taken at three times periods (baseline, 30 days and 45 days).ResultsStatistically significant improvements were seen in several parameters, including pain (p < 0.001), retrosternal burning (p < 0.001), nausea (p < 0.001), belching (p < 0.001) and bowel habits (p < 0.05), which are considered as the classical symptoms of dyspepsia. Bloating, though not a common symptom also improved (p < 0.001) over time.ConclusionThe trial drug is an effective remedy for uninvestigated dyspepsia. Randomised controlled trials are further needed to confirm the pharmaco-dynamics of the trial drug for anti-ulcer, acid suppression, H2 receptor antagonistic, anti-cholinergic properties.