Positive Health Online

Abstract

JAFARI-DEHKORDI and COLLEAGUES, 1. a Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine , School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran; 2. b Department of Traditional pharmacy, Faculty of Traditional Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran; 3. c Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility , Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran; 4. d Department of Histology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran conducted a trial to compare quince fruit with vitamin B6 in pregnancy women.

Background

This trial was performed to compare quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruit with vitamin B6 on 76 pregnant women with a gestational age of 6-14 weeks and mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting (NVP) (40 in the quince and 36 in the B6 group).

Methodology

The 'Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis' (PUQE-24) scale was used to examine the severity of NVP. The quince syrup (1 tablespoon/TDS) or vitamin B6 tablets (20 mg/TDS) were used as intervention for 1 week. The mean (±SD) age was 27.5 (±5.2) years.

Results

The score of the PUQE was decreased from 9.5 (± 2) at baseline to 5.2 (±2.3) on the 7th day and 5.3 (±2.6) on the 14th day (p < .001) in the quince group. In the other group, the scores were 8.4 (±1.8), 7.3 (±2.4) and 7.7 (±3.8), respectively (p = .001). The change in symptoms were more marked in the quince group (p < .001). Quince syrup seems to be a suitable treatment for NVP. Impact statement. What is already known on this subject: Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting (NVP) is one of the most common problems during gestation. Treatment is mainly symptomatic, ranging from dietary changes and oral pharmacological treatment to hospitalization in severe forms. In early pregnancy, the use of chemical drugs is avoided, so there is an increasing tendency to use alternative therapies. According to the literature review in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM), the quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga) can be useful in NVP. Quince has a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antidepressant effects. ITM literature suggests some therapeutic effects of the quince fruit on important organs like brain, heart, liver and stomach.

Conclusion

What the results of this study add: The results of this study demonstrated the significant efficacy of quince in comparison with vitamin B6. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: This fruit is also safe to be administered in pregnant women suffering from NVP.

References

Jafari-Dehkordi E1, Hashem-Dabaghian F1, Aliasl F2, Aliasl J1, Taghavi-Shirazi M1, Sadeghpour O1, Sohrabvand F3, Minaei B4, Ghods R1. Comparison of quince with vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomised clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol. 37(8):1048-1052. Nov 2017. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1322046. Epub Jun 20 2017.