Page 25 - วารสารกรมการแพทย์แผนไทยฯ ปีที่ 5 ฉบับที่ 1

Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 No. 1 January - April 2007 ÚÛ

Abstract
A Study of the Efficacy of Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth. Extract Compared with Diclofenac
for the Alleviation of Low Back Pain
§
†
‡
Yuthapong Srimongkol*, Paijit Warachit , Pranee Chavalittumrong , Busarawan Sriwanthana ,
‡
#
§
Radjai Pairour , Chuntida Inthep , Boonyanee Suphaphon , Prapai Wongsinkongman ‡
*Sa Kaeo Provincial Public Health Office, Sa Kaeo Province 27000
† Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000
‡ Medicinal Plant Research Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health
§ National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health
# Wang Namyen Hospital, Sa Kaeo Province 27210
A clinical study was carried out to compare the efficacy and side effects between the 50 per cent ethanol
extract of Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac for the treat-
ment of two groups of patients with low back pain. A group of 37 patients received a 200 mg-capsule of D.
scandens extract orally three times a day for seven days and the other group of 33 patients received the 25 mg
Diclofenac tablet orally three times a day for seven days. The results show only the finding of a significant
decrease in white blood cell count within the normal range on day 7 among patients in the D. scandens-treated
group, while there was not even the slightest change in the Diclofenac-treated group; patients in both groups
experienced no side effects from the treatment. With regard the efficacy of treatment, the levels of pain, as
measured by the Visual Analog Scale, in both groups were significantly lower on days 3 and 7 as compared
with pretreatment baseline levels, and the results of pain alleviation were not different significantly between
the two treatment groups. The study concluded that the benefit of treatment of patients with low back pain
with the 50 per cent ethanol extract of D. scandens at a dose of 600 mg/day and with diclofenac at a dose of 75
mg/day for seven days were comparable.
Key words: Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth, Diclofenac, low back pain