Background and Aim: Glycyrrhiza glabra has a wide variety of therapeutic effects especially on
gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects have also been reported. This
study was preformed to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (D-reglis tablet) on the pain and
defecation of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Materials and Methods: In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 90 patients with IBS referred to
gastrointestinal clinic of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected into case and
control groups. Patients in the case group received nortriptyline plus D-reglis (6 tablets in three divided doses
for 8 weeks) and patients in the control group received nortriptyline and placebo. During the trial, patients
were evaluated for pain severity (based on VAS grade) and defecation condition (with a questionnaire). Data
were analyzed by means of SPSS, using relevant statistical tests at the significant level of P<0.05.
Results: Although the pain severity showed a decreasing trend in both the case and control groups during the
8 weeks of trial (P0.05).
Compared to the control group, patients in the case group spent less time having normal stool (P=0.02) and
more time (P=0.02) having hard stool.
Conclusion: It seems that Glycyrrhiza glabra has no significant effect on the pain of IBS patients; however,
it may improve the diarrhea or exacerbate the constipation in these patients