[Clinical study of a new preparation from plantago seeds and senna pods]

The lack of fiber in the western diet may contribute to the development of several diseases including gastrointestinal disorders; the clinical effects of a new substance (AGIOLAX) made from plantago seeds and senna pods were studied. 100 patients of both sexes, aged from 40 to 60 years (30 with diabetes mellitus, 40 with obesity and 30 with hyperlipidemia) were treated; everyone complained a slowness, of different degree, of normal intestinal transit time or chronic constipation. The experiment was carried out without the use of a control group. Aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of the product. In addition to the clinical evaluation of the symptoms, laboratory tests were performed. The patients were treated for 3 months with a daily dose of 2 teaspoons every evening. In the majority of the subjects a good clinical response was obtained; 88% of the patients presented a normalization of the gastrointestinal transit time; only 12% of them did not respond satisfactorily to the substance. Further the drug was well tolerated by 86% of the patients. In conclusion the authors report a good efficacy and tolerability of the product; thus they recommend its use in those disorders characterized by slow intestinal transit time and/or constipation.