Effect of Kokum (Garcinia Indica) Rind Extract With Honey on Chronic Gastritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Objectives: Chronic gastritis is a chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa associated with various degrees of damages to superficial and glandular epithelia. Garcinia species are evergreen tropical shrubs, cultured in North-Eastern India and Southeast Asia. In Indian traditional medicine, the kokum fruit rinds are used to treat various inflammatory diseases such as gastric ulcers and bowel complaints caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. The objective of this study was to assess effects of kokum rind extract with honey on symptoms and life quality of individuals with chronic gastritis as well as their effects on gastric myoelectrical activity. Materials and Methods: 60 chronic gastritis patients were randomly gategorized into two groups. Experimental group (n = 30) received 10 g of kokum rind extract with 18 g of honey twice a day and control group (n = 30) received 200 ml of warm water twice a day for three weeks. Electrogastrogram, Izumo scale questionnaire and gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire were used at the baseline and on Day 21. Data analysis was carried out using R Statistical Software v.3.6.0. Results: Significant decreases in gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in experimental group verified by gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire (p < 0.0001), compared to control group (p = 0.2879). Izumo scale questionnaire for quality of life assessment showed significant improvements with p < 0.0001 in experimental group. The mean decreases in dominant frequency of electrogastrogram were higher in experimental group (p < 0.0001), compared to control group (p = 0.1511), which suggested improvements in gastric myoelectric activity. Conclusions: Kokum rind with honey is a cost-effective treatment to decrease symptoms of chronic gastritis, which can be considered as a safe home remedy.