Herbal Evaluation Of Artemisia Annua For Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Summary

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, and changes in bowel movements, significantly affecting quality of life. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also have SIBO, and there is growing recognition of how important it is to address this condition. Artemisia annua has shown potential in managing SIBO based on early reports and studies suggesting it can fight bacteria like \*E. coli\* and \*Klebsiella\*, which are linked to a type of SIBO that produces hydrogen gas.

This study aims to test if Artemisia annua is safe and well-tolerated for adults with hydrogen-type SIBO. Over five weeks, participants will take either 5 grams of dried Artemisia annua leaves or a placebo. Researchers will monitor safety through blood tests, vital signs, and adverse events, and they will assess symptom changes using questionnaires and breath tests.

The trial will include up to 32 participants from the Portland, Oregon area. Participants will be randomly assigned to treatment groups, and neither they, the researchers, nor the test administrators will know who is receiving the herb or the placebo. Results will be analyzed using standard statistical methods.

This study addresses the lack of research on herbal treatments for SIBO. If successful, the findings could lead to larger studies and help expand treatment options for people with SIBO.

Conditions

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome (SIBO)

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Artemisia Annua Leaf

The intervention is Artecinua™ which is an organic Artemisia annua dried leaf powder in a vegan / kosher/ halal capsule. Artemisia annua L is classified as a 'generally regarded as safe' (GRAS) herb. Participants will be instructed to wean up to a full 5g dose by the following schedule. 1. gram (3 caps) 1st day, 2. grams (6 caps) 3/am, 3/pm, for the 3rd day, 3. grams (9 caps) 3/am 3/noon 3/pm for the 5th day, 4. grams (12 caps) 4/am, 4/noon, 4/pm for the 7th day, 5. grams (15 caps) 5/am, 5/noon, 5/pm for rest of intervention period (4 weeks) Containers of ArtecinuaTM will be kept in a secured cabinet before being administered, under climate-controlled conditions, and checked weekly to ensure consistent ambient temperature. The justification of the 5g a day dosing is based on empiric experience and is in line with recommended dosages by the pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China and has been previously used in clinical trials

OTHER

placebo

We have chosen dried-leaf alfalfa of equal weight and dosing to the interventional product (5 grams, 15 caps, 5/am, 5/noon, 5/pm for the 4 weeks of the intervention period plus an additional 1 week dose escalation period to match the dosing of the Artemisia product). We have chosen this as a comparator in consultation with SIBO and herbal medicine content experts as alfalfa matches the texture and color of Artemisia annua and, in the doses used, will provide no meaningful amounts of FODMAPs or antimicrobial phytochemicals. The alfalfa will be sourced from Bulk Apotherapy, LCC, and encapsulated at the same facility as the Artemisia capsules. Containers of placebo capsules will be kept in a secured cabinet before being administered, under climate-controlled conditions, and checked weekly to ensure consistent ambient temperature.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• atelier temenos

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• National University of Natural Medicine

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-01

Primary Completion

2026-01-31

Completion

2026-01-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations