Abstract
Background: Complementary and alternative medicines are increasingly used for the treatment of asthma worldwide. A five-herb herbal formula (CUF) has been found to be effective and safe in an animal model of asthma and in a preliminary clinical study. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CUF in children suffering from asthma. Design: A randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled, parallel study. Interventions: Subjects received CUF or placebo for 6 months. Efficacy variables included changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), and steroidal consumption. Results: A total of 100 asthmatic children were enrolled and assigned to two treatment groups. The first group received CUF 6 capsules (3 g/day) and the second group received placebo. There was a statistically significant difference in mean spirometric indexes in CUF group at baseline and follow-up visits. In the CUF group, the activity domain showed significant improvement (p = 0.045). FEV% was significantly improved in the CUF group (p strated. It improved the pulmonary functions of the children, namely, FEV1 and FVC. However, further research on a larger scale is warranted.
Highlights
Asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood and its prevalence is increasing worldwide [1,2]
The only significant difference between the two groups was in the body weight, which was heavier in the CUF group
Patients usually have reduced forced expiratory volume in one second as well as reduced airflow. This randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial compared the effects of 6 months of treatment with the encapsulated herbal mixture CUF on lung function, asthma control, Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), and cough related health status
Summary
Asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood and its prevalence is increasing worldwide [1,2]. Childhood asthma accounts for a significant number for hospitalizations, school absenteeism as well as interference in other daily activities [4]. It has been associated with poor school performance, low self-image of patients, and disruption of family life [5,6]. FEV% was significantly improved in the CUF group (p < 0.05) compared with the Placebo group. The requirement for steroids decreased after treatment in both groups, and no significant difference was noted between the two study groups. Conclusion: A beneficial role for CUF therapy in pediatric asthma is demonstrated It improved the pulmonary functions of the children, namely, FEV1 and FVC.
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