Evaluation of Colchicum autumnalis (Rhazes) as a natural treatment for low back pain

Researchers at different universities in Iran examined the effects of Rhazes tablet — an herbal medicine made from Colchicum autumnalis –– on lower back pain (LBP). They reported their findings in an article published in the International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine.

• LBP is one of the most common symptoms of some of the most costly chronic diseases.
• Persian medicine recommends the use of herbal remedies based on C. autumnalis — such as Rhazes tablet — to treat LBP.
• To determine if Rhazes tablet can relieve LBP, the researchers recruited 50 patients aged 19 to 59 years who had been suffering from chronic LBP for more than 12 weeks.
• They divided the patients into two groups, namely the intervention group (n=26) and the control group (n=24).
• The former received Rhazes tablet + ibuprofen (400 mg), while the latter received placebo + Ibuprofen (400 mg).
• On the first week, the patients received only one tablet, then two tablets from week 2 to week 4 and three tablets from week 5 to week 8.
• The researchers measured pain severity using VAS and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire on weeks 0, 4 and 8.
• Results showed that, compared with the control group, the intervention group experienced a significant reduction in LBP.
• Taking the Rhazes tablet for eight weeks also reduced pain severity in patients suffering from severe pain.
• From 50 percent on the first visit, pain severity decreased to 15.4 percent on the third visit.
• In contrast, pain severity increased from 20 percent to 25 percent in the control group.
• In addition, on week 5, one of the patients developed severe diarrhea, which only decreased in severity after the dosage for Rhazes tablet was reduced.
• Meanwhile, a man experienced increased libido on week 4 of treatment.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that Rhazes tablet can be used to reduce pain in patients with low back pain.

Journal Reference:

Malek VG, Parvari S, Rouhani Y, Jafari F, Rahimi R, Abbassian A. EFFICACY OF A TRADITIONAL HERBAL FORMULA BASED ON COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE L. (RHAZES TABLET) IN LOW BACK PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine. 2019;10(1):27-33