Background:Visceral hypersensitivity (VH) is an overreaction of the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract to various stimuli and is characterized by hyperalgesia and/or allodynia. VH contributes
to the etiology of many GI dysfunctions, particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although
the exact mechanisms underlying VH are yet to be found, inflammation and oxidative
stress, psychosocial factors, and sensorimotor alterations may play significant roles in it.Objective:In this review, we provide an overview of VH and its pathophysiological function in
GI disorders. Adverse effects of synthetic drugs may make herbal agents a good candidate for
pain management. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss the efficacy of herbal agents in the
management of VH with a focus on their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials.Methods:Data were extracted from clinical and animal studies published in English between
2004 and June, 2020, which were collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and
Cochrane Library.Results:Overall, Radix, Melissia, Glycyrrhizae, Mentha, and Liquorice were the most efficient
herbals for VH management in IBS and dyspepsia, predominantly through modulation of the
mRNA expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) and suppression of 5-
hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) or the serotonin receptors.Conclusion:Considering the positive effects of herbal formulations in VH management, further
research on novel herbal and/or herbal/chemical preparations is warranted.