Assessment of the Efficacy of a Highly Standardized Ginger and Perilla Nutraceutical (Dispepril®) in Improving Gastric and Intestinal Symptoms in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by chronic or recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Typical symptoms include postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain, epigastric burning, upper abdominal bloating, belching, nausea, and heartburn. FD is associated with impaired quality of life and significant healthcare burden.

Current management strategies include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), eradication of Helicobacter pylori when present, and prokinetic therapies. However, treatment efficacy is often limited, and long-term pharmacological therapy may be associated with adverse effects.

Dispepril® is a food supplement containing a highly standardized extract of Zingiber officinale titrated in gingerols and shogaols together with a patented bi-fractionated extract of Perilla frutescens. Ginger has been reported to normalize gastric emptying and improve dyspeptic symptoms, while perilla may exert prokinetic and anti-dyspeptic effects through actions on gastrointestinal motility.

This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy of Dispepril® in adults diagnosed with functional dyspepsia according to Rome IV criteria. Approximately 400 participants will be enrolled and randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio into one of three treatment groups:

Dispepril® alone (two gastro-protected tablets daily for 14 days); Half-dose PPI once daily plus Dispepril® (two tablets daily for 14 days); Full-dose PPI once daily for 14 days.

The primary objective is to evaluate the non-inferiority of Dispepril® compared with PPI therapy in reducing postprandial distress symptoms. Efficacy will be assessed using the validated Leuven Postprandial Distress Scale (LPDS) at baseline and after 14 days of treatment.

Secondary objectives include evaluation of the synergistic activity of Dispepril® combined with half-dose PPI, assessment of treatment effects on individual LPDS gastrointestinal symptom items, treatment tolerability, therapeutic adherence, and adverse events.

The total duration of participation for each subject will be 14 days, with assessments performed at baseline (Day 0) and at the end of treatment (Day 14).

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female participants aged 18 to 65 years
• Diagnosis of functional dyspepsia according to Rome IV criteria
• Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent
• Ability to follow study product administration instructions
• Ability to attend scheduled study visits

Exclusion criteria

• Gastrectomy
• Cancer
• Use of NSAIDs, cholagogues, or tricyclic antidepressants within 30 days prior to enrollment
• Helicobacter pylori positivity
• Alcoholism or other substance abuse
• Hepatic disease
• Renal disease
• History of hypersensitivity to formulation active ingredients or excipients
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Participation in another clinical trial or completion of another clinical trial within 1 month prior to enrollment
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent