Effect of Pistacia atlantica on the Elimination of Helicobacter pylori and Improvement of Gastric Reflux in Patients with Chronic Cough: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Pistacia atlantica (P. atlantica) has been associated with beneficial medical effects on gastrointestinal complications. Objective: It was intended to assess the effects of P. atlantica in elimination of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and amelioration of gastric reflux and chronic cough. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 100 subjects with H. pylori infection who had the symptoms of gastric reflux and chronic cough were recruited and classified into two intervention and placebo groups, continuing 50 subjects each. The intervention group was administered two 500 mg doses of P. atlantica extract each day. The H. pylori antigen load in stool samples was evaluated using ELISA. The severity of cough and gastric re flux was also determined. Results: The subjects in two groups were age and sex matched and the baseline measurements were similar on the day 0. Nonetheless, it was observed that on the day 14, there was a significant reduction of H. pylori antigen load in the intervention group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.00021). Furthermore, the intensity of chronic cough was reduced significantly in the intervention group (P = 0.0014). The gastric reflux was improved in the intervention group at the end of the study. Conclusion: P. atlantica extract was beneficial in controlling H. pylori infection. It also improved the complications of the infection, like gastric reflux and chronic cough. Hence, it is highly recommended to value natural products, along with traditional antibiotics, in ameliorating H. pylori infection.