Effect of Dill (Anethum graveolens) on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in compared with mefenamic acid: A randomized, double-blind trial

Abstract

Background:
Dysmenorrhea has negative effects on women's life. Due to side-effects of chemical drugs, there is growing trend toward herbal medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Dill compared to mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods:
This double-blind, randomized, clinical trial study was conducted on 75 single female students between 18 and 28 years old educating in Nursing and Midwifery School and Paramedical Faculty of Qom University of Medical Sciences of Iran in 2011. They were allocated randomly into one of the three groups: In Dill group, they took 1000 mg of Dill powder q12h for 5 days from 2 days before the beginning of menstruation for two cycles. Other groups received 250 mg mefenamic acid or 500 mg starch capsule as placebo, respectively. Dysmenorrhea severity was determined by a verbal multidimensional scoring system and a visual analog scale (VAS). Students with mild dysmenorrhea were excluded. Data were analyzed by SPSS using the descriptive statistic, paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results:
There were no significant differences between three groups for demographic or descriptive variables. Comprising the VAS showed that the participants of Dill and mefenamic acid groups had lower significant pain in the 1st and the 2nd months after treatment, whereas in the placebo group this was only significant in the 2nd month (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Dill was as effective as mefenamic acid in reducing the pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea. Further studies regarding side-effects of Dill and its interactivity are recommended.

Full text

Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
| April 2014 | 326
Effect of Dill (
Anethum graveolens
) on the severity
of primary dysmenorrhea in compared with
mefenamic acid: A randomized, double-blind trial
Reza Heidarifar1, Nahid Mehran2, Akram Heidari3, Hoda Ahmari Tehran3, Mohammad Koohbor1,
Mostafa Kazemian Mansourabad4
1Student Research Committee, 2Traditional Medicine Research Center, 3Research Center for Medicine and Religion, Qom University of
Medical Sciences, 4Department of Basic Sciences, Qom University, Qom, Iran
pain.[6,7] According to hypotheses, the women with
dysmenorrhea have more activity of cyclooxygenase
and prostanoid synthase enzymes. This provides the
base of the use of nonsteroidal anti-inammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase enzymein
treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.[4,8] However,
NSAIDs have dierent side-eects. For example, various
gastrointestinal adverse eects such as nausea, diarrhea,
dyspepsia, and also fatigue are reported with taking
mefenamic acid.[9,10] Moreover, in some conditions such
as gastrointestinal ulcers and bronchial hypersensitivity
to aspirin, taking them is contraindicated.[10] On the other
hand, according to the results of some studies, 20-25%
of women do not respond to current medicine.[11,12]
These problems lead to withdrawing of the chemical
treatment and or using the gastric drugs. Consequently,
they increasingly appeal to other treatments such as
herbal medicine. The suppressive eects of some herbal
drugs such as Dang-Qui-Shao-Yao-san, chamomile tea,
Feonicurum vulgare, etc. on uterine contractions and their
pain–relief eects on dysmenorrhea have been reported
in some studies.[13-16]
INTRODUCTION
Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is one of the
most common gynecological problems[1] that involves
about 50-70% of women during their reproductive
life.[2] Its prevalence rate varies between 50% and
90% in dierent societies and in Iran was reported as
many as 74-86.1%.[3] Primary dysmenorrhea is known
as menstrual pain without pelvic disease, whereas
secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with various
pelvic causes.
Primary dysmenorrhea usually occurs during 1-2 years
aer the menarche.[4] Although the etiology of primary
dysmenorrhea is not completely known, it is introduced
that prostaglandins (PGs) originating in secretory
endometrium causes myometrial contractions.[5] The
excessive or imbalanced prostanoids of endometer
increases the dysrhythmic uterine contractions and
basic muscle tone and active pressure that these
conditions decrease the uterine blood flow and
increase the sensitivity of peripheral nerves and cause
Background: Dysmenorrhea has negative effects on women’s life. Due to side-effects of chemical drugs, there is growing trend
toward herbal medicine. e aim of this study was to assess the effect of Dill compared to mefenamic acid on primar y dysmenorrhea.
Materials and Methods: is double-blind, randomized, clinical trial study was conducted on 75 single female students between 18
and 28 years old educating in Nursing and Midwifery School and Paramedical Faculty of Qom University of Medical Sciences of Iran
in 2011. ey were allocated randomly into one of the three groups: In Dill group, they took 1000 mg of Dill powder q12h for 5 days
from 2 days before the beginning of menstruation for two cycles. Other groups received 250 mg mefenamic acid or 500 mg starch
capsule as placebo, respectively. Dysmenorrhea severity was determined by a verbal multidimensional scoring system and a visual
analog scale (VAS). Students with mild dysmenorrhea were excluded. Data were analyzed by SPSS using the descriptive statistic,
paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: ere were no significant
differences between three groups for demographic or descriptive variables. Comprising the VAS showed that the participants of Dill
and mefenamic acid groups had lower significant pain in the 1st and the 2nd months after treatment, whereas in the placebo group this
was only significant in the 2nd month (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dill was as effective as mefenamic acid in reducing the pain severity in
primary dysmenorrhea. Further studies regarding side-effects of Dill and its interactivity are recommended.
Key words: Dill (Anethum graveolens), dysmenorrhea, mefenamic acid, pain, placebo
Address for correspondence: Mr. Nahid Mehran, Saheli Street, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. E-mail: nmehran@muq.ac.ir
Received: 08-08-2013; Revised: 16-01-2014; Accepted: 30-04-2014
Original article
How to cite this article: Heidarifar R, Mehran N, Heidari A, Ahmari Tehran H, Koohbor M, Mansourabad M K. Effect of Dill (Anethum graveolens) on the
severity of primary dysmenorrhea in compared with mefenamic acid: A randomized, double-blind trial . J Res Med Sci 2014;19:326-30.

Heidarifar, et al.: Dill in primary dysmenorrhea
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences | April 2014 |
327
Anethum graveolens (Dill), from Apiaceae family, is a traditional
herb that has various medical indications worldwide.[17] It
is cultivated in the most areas of the world and also widely
in Khozestan, Khorasan, and Eastern Azerbaan provinces
of Iran.[18] It is a 1 year plant with 30-100 cm length. Its fruit
essence consists of carveol, d-Carvone, d-hydrocarveol,
dihydrocarvone, limonene, carvacrol thymol, etc.[19] its
seeds have 3-3.5% essential oil and are used for treatment
of stomach illnesses, food digestion, stopping hiccup,
owing of milk in nursing mothers, relieving of pain and as
anticonvulsant and antivomiting.[18] We found no controlled
research of eect of Dill in primary dysmenorrhea. The aim
of this study was to investigate the eect of Dill seeds on
pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea and to compare it
with mefenamic acid and placebo.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Aer initial approving by the vice chancellor for research of
Qom University of Medical Sciences, complete explanations
were given to the participants and informed consent form
was taken. This double-blind, randomized study was
conducted among 75 female students between 18 and
28 years old. Entry criteria were being single and educating
in Nursing and Midwifery School and Paramedical Faculty
of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2011 (Qom
city is almost situated in the center of Iran with about
150 km2 distance from Tehran [metropolis of Iran]). In
the beginning of the study, a complete history was taken
and the secondary dysmenorrhea was ruled out. Patients
with the history of pelvic or organic disorders, any known
gastrointestinal or urogenital or hematological or other
systems disorders, irregularity of menstrual cycles, taking
any drug, and previous sensitivity to NSAIDs or Dill and
or mild dysmenorrheal were not included.
The participants were allocated randomly into one of the
following groups: In the rst group, the patients were treated
by Dill capsules containing 500 mg of powder of Dill seed
in which two capsules orally q12h (totally 1000 mg q12h)
and in the second group by 250 mg mefenamic acid capsule
orally q12h and in the third group by starch as placebo
(the same company) 500 mg q12h, since 2 days before
the beginning of their menstruation for 5 days. All of the
capsules were made by Boo Ali Research Center of Qom
city and were completely similar in shape. In regarding
the blinding process, the researchers and the participants
were uninformed of allocating manner of each group and a
third one that did not involve in analyzing and interpreting,
etc., allocated the participants in groups and alloed a code
number to everyone. The capsules were been delivered to
the subjects 1-week before beginning the menstruation
bleeding and during the study. The researchers were
following the participants throughout the study in view
of regular taking the capsules. The subjects were followed
for two cycles (2 months) and were asked to answer to the
questionnaires at the end of every cycle.
The participants filled a two part questionnaire at the
beginning of study, including demographic characteristics
in the rst part (such as age, height, weight, etc.) and
menstrual characteristics in the second part (such as
menarche age, duration of menses, interval of cycles, etc.).[11]
The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed by a verbal
multidimensional scoring (VMS) system and by a visual
analog scale (VAS). VMS that has been used in various
previous studies[11,20] has four grades:
Grade 0: Menstruation with no inuence on daily activities
or use of analgesics
Grade 1: Menstruation with mild pain but rare inuence
on daily activities or use of analgesics
Grade 2: Menstruation with moderate pain with inuence
on daily activities and perpetuity need to
analgesics,
Grade 3: Menstruation with severe pain with signicant
limitations on daily activities and ineective use of
analgesics and vegetative symptoms as headache,
nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and diarrhea.[11,20]
According to the 10-point VAS, mild dysmenorrhea was
dened as score of 0-3, moderate as score of 4-7 and severe
as score of 8-10.[21] Women with mild dysmenorrhea (score
of 0-3) were excluded from this study.[11] They also answered
to the questionnaires at the end of the rst and the 2nd
months of treatment. These questionnaires had questions
about changes of the menstrual cycle due to taking capsules
or special events, etc.
Of 75 participants of this study, ve of them did not continue
the study due to fearing of its side-eects; therefore we
evaluated 70 students [Figure 1]. Data are presented as
Figure 1: Patients progress through the trial: Consolidated standards of reporting
trials owchart

Heidarifar, et al.: Dill in primary dysmenorrhea
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
| April 2014 | 328
mean ± standard deviation and frequencies. Severity of
pain was compared within groups with paired-samples
t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test and between groups
with Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS 18
soware (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, U.S.A.). P < 0.05 was
considered to be statistically signicant.
Ethical considerations
The vice chancellor of Qom University of Medical Sciences
approved the study. At beginning, complete information
about this study was given to the participants then informed
consents of randomized-controlled trial studies were taken
from them. Students were ensured of being secret their
answers. This research project is registered in IRCT with
No. 201110205543N2.
RESULTS
Of 75 participants of this study, ve of them did not continue
the study; therefore nally, seventy students were analyzed:
23 students in Dill group, 23 in the placebo group and 24 in
mefenamic acid group.
The mean age of the participants was 21.32 ± 2.3 years
(ranging between 19 and 23 years). Characteristics of
students are shown in Table 1. There was no signicant
difference between three groups for demographic or
descriptive variables. Comparison of pain severity in the
three groups before and aer treatment showed that before
treatment, 2.9% of participants of Group 1 (Dill) and 7.1% of
Group 2 (mefenamic acid) were complaint of menstruation
with severe pain with significant limitations on daily
activities that was not responding to analgesics, but aer
treatment, this rate reached to 1.4% and 0%, respectively in
this two groups [Table 2].
In comparison of VAS, before and aer treatment, paired-
sample t-test showed that in Group 1 (Dill), the subjects
had lower signicant pain in the 1st and the 2nd months aer
treatment than before it (P < 0.0001). In Group 2 (mefenamic
acid), also Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that also
participants had lower signicant pain in the rst (P = 0.001)
and the 2nd months (P < 0.0001) than before treatment. In
Group 3 (placebo) paired-sample t-test showed that this
dierence was nonsignicant in the 1st month (P = 0.05),
but it was signicant in the 2nd month than before treating
(P = 0.001). In comparison of eect of Dill and mefenamic
acid on decreasing the severity of primary dysmenorrhea,
Mann–Whitney test showed no signicant dierence in the
1st and 2nd months aer treatment (P > 0.05) [Table 3].
In assessing the side-eects, in Dill group, two students
reported menstrual changes as increasing in amount
and duration of bleeding and one student reported
gastrointestinal discomfort. In mefenamic acid group,
menstrual changes and gastrointestinal discomfort were
reported in one and two students, respectively. In placebo
group, each of the mentioned side-eects was only observed
in one student. These dierences between three groups were
statistically nonsignicant (P = 0.621).
DISCUSSION
In this double-blind randomized study, it was demonstrated
that Dill can be as eective as mefenamic acid in decreasing
the pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea. The results are
in agreement with the results of Mohammadinia et al.[22]
Furthermore, Our ndings are similar to those of Gharib
Naseri et al. that investigated the eects of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and
8 mg/kg of Dill fruit hydroalcoholic extract (DFHE) on
virgin rat uterus contractions induced by KCl (60 mM)
and oxytocin (10 mU/m1).[19] In their study, in the presence
of calcium, DFHE increased contractions, but in the
absence of calcium, the contractions induced by oxytocin
was weaker than KCL. Furthermore, Garib Naseri and
Table 1: Characteristics of the participants
Variables Dill
(n = 23)
Mefenamic
acid (n = 24)
Placebo
(n = 23)
P value
Age (years) 20.95±1.82 22.04±3.07 20.95±1.60 0.650*
Height (cm) 161.13±5.31 163.54±5.18 158.60±8.88 0.121*
Weight (kg) 54.56±7.77 55.75±5.76 55.60±10.53 0.758*
Body mass
index (kg/m2)
20.99±2.65 20.83±1.89 22.01±3.19 0.512*
Menarche
age (years)
13.60±1.49 13.16±1.49 13.86±1.32 0.253*
Duration of
menses (days)
6.86±1.42 6.45±2.12 7.30±.76 0.084*
Menstrual
interval (days)
25.95±4.60 27.45±4.88 28.78±4.01 0.590*
*Kruskal-Wallis test
Table 2: Severity of dysmenorrhea assessed by VMS in three groups of study before and after treatment
Grading Dill Mefenamic acid Placebo
Before
treatment
First
cycle n (%)
Second
cycle n (%)
Before
treatment
First
cycle n (%)
Second
cycle n (%)
Before
treatment
First
cycle n (%)
Second
cycle n (%)
Grade 0 0 (0) 5 (7.1) 4 (5.7) 0 (0) 7 (10) 7 (10) 0 (0) 10 (14.3) 10 (14.3)
Grade 1 13 (18.6) 10 (14.3) 10 (14.3) 2 (2.9) 7 (10 ) 7 (10) 11 (15.7) 9 (12.9) 10 (14.3)
Grade 2 8 (11. 4) 7 (10) 8 (11. 4) 17 (24.13) 10 (14.3) 10 (14.3) 3 (4.3) 4 (5.7) 3 (4.3)
Grade 3 2 (2.9) 1 (1.4) 1 (1.4) 5 ( 7.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
VMS = Verbal multidimensional scoring

Heidarifar, et al.: Dill in primary dysmenorrhea
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences | April 2014 |
329
Heidari explored the eects of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg DFHE
on rat ileum contractions and found that DFHE has dose-
dependently spasmolytic eect on the KCl-, acetylcholine
and BaCl2-induced contractions of ileum.[23] Also, our study
results are in agreement with those of Iravani that found that
branches of thyme such as Dill can decrease the severity of
dysmenorrhea due to having tannin.[24]
One of the main mechanisms of dysmenorrhea is increasing
the production of PGs (mainly PGF2α) in the endometrium
that resulted in myometrial contractions and primary
dysmenorrhea.[5,11] Anti-PGs such as NSAIDs can inhibit
cyclooxygenase two and therefore PGs synthesis and relieve
primary dysmenorrhea pain.[11,25] According to the conducted
studies, Dill seeds have two main compounds include tannin
and anethol that have sedative eects while increase the uterus
contractions during and aer child-bearing.[26-28] Anethol that
is the main compound of essential oils of many herbal plants
is used in the curing of anxiety, gastrointestinal comforts, and
dierent pains.[28] Anethol in low dose, causes vasospasm
through opening the voltage-dependent calcium channels but
in high dose, relaxes the blood vessels.[29] Gharib Naseri et al.
believe that the relaxant eect of Dill on uterus contractions
is due to closing the voltage-dependent calcium channels
and also, indirectly, due to calcium-releasing disorders from
intracellular pool.[19] it is suggested that α- and B-adrenoceptors,
opioid receptors and no production are not involved in this
inhibitory eect of DFHE on contractions.[23] However, our
ndings do not support those of some studies.[26,30,31] Ishikawa
et al. and Mahdavian et al. found that aqueous extract of Dill
fruit decreases postpartum hemorrhage through increasing
the uterus contractions.[26,30] Furthermore, Mansouri et al. found
that the extract of Dill fruit induces the labor pains.[31] one
possible explanation for these discrepancy is that the current
study is done on nonpregnant uterus. Another possibility is
that the compositions of seed and fruit of Dill are dierent.
Hence, the accurate determination of the mechanisms needs
to separate the constituent elements.
In view of side-eects, menstrual changes as increasing in
amount and duration of bleeding and gastrointestinal discomfort
were nonsignicantly reported in Dill group. Mohammadinia
et al. also in comparing the eect of Anethum gravolens with
mefenamic acid consumption on treatment of primary
dysmenorrhea in students of Iranshahr reported nausea and
dizziness in 6 students that were taken Dill.[22]
Mahdavian et al. (2001) in an investigation of eectiveness
of oral Dill extracts on postpartum hemorrhage reported
no side-eects in Dill recipients.[26]
We did not explore in this study the interactivity of Dill
capsules with other drugs especially with NSAIDs and
also its eects on other signs and symptoms of primary
dysmenorrhea, so further research is recommended to
assess them. Furthermore, because of all the participants
were single, we did no pelvic examination for rule out
organic pelvic disease and secondary dysmenorrhea. Hence,
we were contented only to their history (age of beginning
dysmenorrhea, history of lack of related disease, etc.).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This project was funded by Qom University of Medical Sciences
(Iran). The authors hereby acknowledge the research deputy of
Table 3: Severity of dysmenorrhea assessed by the VAS before and after treatment
Time Dill (n = 23) (%) Mefenamic acid (n = 24) (%) Placebo (n = 23) (%) P valuea
Before treatment
Moderate 20 (28.6) 17 (24.2) 23 (32.9) <0.0001
Sever 3 (4.3) 7 (10) 0 (0)
Means±SD 6.30±1.42 4.91±0.73 6.79±1.35
After 1 month
Mild 7 (9.9) 0 (0) 9 (12.9) 0.039
Moderate 15 (21.6) 22 (31.4) 14 (20)
Sever 1 (1.4) 2 (2.8) 0 (0)
Means±SD 4.30±2.20 4.17±1.74 5.45±1.41
After 2 months
Mild 7 (10) 3 (4.3) 11 (15.7) 0.030
Moderate 16 (22.9) 20 (28.5) 12 (17.1)
Sever 0 (0) 1 (1.4) 0 (0)
Means±SD 4.13±1.76 3.78±1.4 5.08±1.44
Rate of satisfaction 9 (12.9) 6 (8.6) 6 (8.6)
P valueb
Before and after 1 month <0.0001 0.001 0.05
Before and after 2 months <0.0001 <0.0001 0.001
After 1 and 2 months 0.622 0.024 0.281
aKruskal-Wallis test; bPaired sample test or Wilcoxon signed ranks test; VMS = Verbal multidimensional scoring; SD = Standard deviation

Heidarifar, et al.: Dill in primary dysmenorrhea
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
| April 2014 | 330
Qom University of Medical Sciences and all who helped us in this
research, especially all the students who participated in this study.
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Source of Support: This study is funded by Vice Chancellor for Education
& Research of Qom (No: 90211), University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran,
Conict of Interest: None declared.