The Combination of Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. and Rhus coriaria L. as Complementary Medicine to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Surgical Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Study

Zarrin  Sarhadynejad; Mohadeseh  Nasehi; Amirreza  Salehi; Amirhosein  Ebahimifar; Yunes  Jahani; Zohreh  Sarhadinejad

doi:10.18502/tim.v11i1.21238

Zarrin Sarhadynejad Herbal and Traditional Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mohadeseh Nasehi Pastor Educational Hospital, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
Amirreza Salehi Pastor Educational Hospital, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
Amirhosein Ebahimifar Pastor Educational Hospital, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
Yunes Jahani Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Zohreh Sarhadinejad Noncommunicable Disease Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v11i1.21238

Keywords: Traditional Persian Medicine; Herbal medicine; Traditional medicine; Cumin; Sumac

Abstract

Unwanted side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain a significant clinical challenge for surgical patients. Research on antiemetic strategies is therefore critical for the development of novel pharmacological agents and more effective treatment modalities. The present study was designed to formulate and evaluate the efficacy of a herbal preparation containing extracts of Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. and Rhus coriaria L. in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting among patients admitted to the Department of Surgery at Pastor Hospital, Bam, Iran. Following the formulation, a double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 120 patients. Eligible participants who provided informed consent were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups received pretreatment consisting of 500 mg capsules, containing either the ethanolic extract or corn starch as a placebo, respectively, administered twice daily for 24 hours before surgery. Postoperatively, once patients regained consciousness, the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting were assessed at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Postoperative vomiting scores were significantly lower in the intervention group (0.43 ± 0.23) compared to the control group (0.72 ± 0.55) (p < 0.001). The administration of an herbal preparation containing extracts of B. persicum and R. coriaria as an adjunctive (complementary) therapy demonstrated effectiveness in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting among patients.