Effect of Rowachol on biliary lipid secretion and serum lipids in normal volunteers.

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of Rowachol (200 mg tid), an essential oil preparation, on biliary lipid secretion and serum lipids was measured in six healthy male volunteers before and after four weeks of treatment. Biliary cholesterol and phospholipid secretion increased significantly from 113±36 (SD) ,umol/h to 155±52 ,umol/h (p<0.05) and from 409±145 ,umol/h to 587±185 ,umol/h (p<O.05), respectively. Bile acid secretion increased from 1519±662 ,mol/h to 2287±1175,umol/h (p>0-05 and >0.10). This marked increase in biliary lipid secretion was not followed by a change in molar composition of biliary lipids and lithogenicity of bile. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides declined from 4.9 mmol/l to 4-1 mmol/l (p<0O05) and from 1-2 mmol/l to 0.9 mmol/l (p<0O05) respectively. The ratio of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol increased from 0.22 to 0-31 (p<005). Although it has been shown previously that Rowachol could dissolve cholesterol gall stones the present results indicate that Rowachol alone has only weak litholytic properties, at least in normal volunteers, but might have several advantages when combined with chenodeoxycholic or ursodeoxycholic acid.

Is the addition of choleretic agents in multiple double-pigtail biliary stents effective for difficult common bile duct stones in elderly patients? A prospective, multicenter study

“…It enhances the solubility of cholesterol as well as that of both calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate, making it a potent choleretic agent. 17,24,25 Previous reports for terpene were targeted for gallstones. 17,18,24,25 Galandi et al 26 stated that UDCA, terpene, and/or antibiotics to prevent clogging of biliary stents in patients with malignant biliary strictures cannot be recommended in systematic review.…”

“…UDCA is a hydrophilic dihydroxy bile acid that can dissolve gallstones, and a terpene preparation has been shown to enhance the solubility of cholesterol, calcium carbonate, and calcium phosphate, making it a potent choleretic agent. [16][17][18] Our study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of multiple biliary stenting with or without UDCA and a terpene preparation for the treatment of difficult CBD stones in elderly patients with a high risk of surgical complications or who refused an operation because of comorbid cardiopulmonary and/or cerebrovascular diseases.…”

Effects of Rowachol on prevention of postcholecystectomy pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial

“…It enhances the solubility of cholesterol, calcium carbonate, and calcium phosphate, which makes it a potent choleretic agent. 17,18,31 Terpene preparations are known to be effective in resolving biliary stones. 19 Thus, Rowachol treatment for patients with postcholecystectomy pain might be beneficial.…”

“…Rowachol is a terpene mixture that enhances the solubility of cholesterol, calcium carbonate, and calcium phosphate, which makes it a potent choleretic agent. [16][17][18][19] As a result, terpene preparations are effective in resolving biliary stones. 19 However, the preventive effect of Rowachol as a choleretic drug for the patients with PCP is unclear.…”

Preliminary experimental research on the mechanism of liver bile secretion stimulated by peppermint oil

“…Since the 1950s it has been confirmed that menthol and menthone have choleretic and litholytic activities. The compound drug Rowachol (GMBH & Co., Bergisch Gladbach, Germany), composed of six kinds of monoterpenes, including menthol, menthone and cineole, has been verified to have choleretic and litholytic effects and is still used in the clinic today 2–5 . Danshu capsules, containing extract of PO, have the same clinical efficacy in the treatment of cholecystitis, cholelithiasis as well as smooth muscle relaxant effects 6,7 .…”