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Review article: complementary and alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease
1Department of Gastroenterology, University College London Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. louise.langmead@uclh.nhs.uk
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|January 21, 2006
Summary
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increasingly use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including herbal therapies. However, scientific evidence for CAM efficacy and safety in IBD is limited, and some therapies pose significant risks.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses diverse therapies beyond conventional Western medicine.
- Patient use of CAM, especially herbal remedies, is rising among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- There is a notable deficit in rigorous scientific data, including controlled trials, regarding CAM's efficacy and safety in IBD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- To highlight the increasing use of CAM among IBD patients and the associated risks.
- To underscore the need for further research and regulatory oversight.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on CAM use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Analysis of evidence for specific therapies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, aloe vera, wheat grass, Boswellia serrata, bovine colostrum, and acupuncture.
- Assessment of reported adverse events and drug interactions associated with CAM therapies.
Main Results:
- Limited controlled evidence supports the efficacy of several CAM therapies, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, aloe vera, wheat grass, Boswellia serrata, and bovine colostrum, for ulcerative colitis.
- Small studies suggest potential benefits of acupuncture for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety of natural therapies, with documented cases of severe liver and kidney damage, and potential for dangerous interactions with conventional medications.
Conclusions:
- Despite widespread use, robust scientific validation for most CAM therapies in IBD is lacking.
- The safety of CAM is not guaranteed, and significant adverse events and drug interactions are possible.
- Further controlled clinical trials and enhanced regulatory measures are essential to evaluate CAM efficacy and ensure patient safety in IBD.
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