The impact of Elaeagnus angustifolia fruit extract capsule on postpartum afterpains in multiparous women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: One common issue experienced by women after vaginal delivery is the occurrence of postpartum afterpains. These pains are primarily caused by the release of prostaglandins. While chemical medications are usually used to manage and lessen these pains, concerns about their side effects have sparked an increased interest in herbal remedies. Among medicinal plants, the fruit of Elaeagnus angustifolia (Senjed) contains flavonoids and alkaloids that can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis pathways, thus reducing the intensity of postpartum afterpains. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the impact of oral capsules containing E. angustifolia fruit extract on the severity of afterpains in multiparous women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This triple-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2024 with 102 multiparous women. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: E. angustifolia extract capsules, placebo capsules, or a control group. Starting two hours after vaginal delivery and continuing for 24 h, participants in the intervention and placebo groups received one 500-mg capsule every six hours. Afterpains intensity was assessed using the validated and reliable Pain-O-Meter tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 27). A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences observed among the three groups (intervention, placebo, and control) for mean pain intensity score, emotional pain quality score, physical pain quality score, or total pain quality score (p > 0.05), confirming baseline homogeneity. One hour following the fourth dose, the mean pain intensity score was 2.03 ± 1.73 in the placebo group, 0.10 ± 1.66 in the intervention group, and 1.79 ± 1.09 in the control group. A statistically significant difference between groups was observed (p = 0.004). Similarly, one hour after the fourth dose, the mean total pain quality scores were 2.62 ± 3.05 for the placebo group, 1.09 ± 2.31 for the intervention group, and 2.03 ± 1.62 for the control group, showing a significant difference between groups (p = 0.003) CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, oral capsules containing E. angustifolia fruit extract effectively reduce the severity and quality of postpartum afterpains. Therefore, this herbal supplement may serve as a safe, affordable, and accessible option for alleviating afterpains in multiparous women, potentially reducing the need for chemical medications and their associated adverse effects.