Search

Background: Treatments for acute bronchitis is usually a supportive care to relieve upper respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Plantago major syrup (PMS) on cough severity in acute bronchitis. Methods: Patients (20-75 years-old) referred to the clinic of infectious diseases in Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran with a complaint of cough and the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS) ≥5 entered the study. The patients randomly received PMS or placebo 30 ml/day for 10 days. Patients were visited before treatment and on days 5 and 10 after treatment. The primary outcome was BSS score and secondary outcome was the life quality that was measured by means of the Persian version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) at the first visit and on the 10th day. Results: Of the 121 patients diagnosed with acute bronchitis, 80 eligible patients (42.87±11.75 years-old) were randomly divided into PMS and placebo groups. The BSS score in the PMS group after 10 days was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (P=0.001). Frequency of cough (P=0.001), sputum production (P=0.005), and chest wall pain (P=0.008) were significantly lower in the PMS group than in the placebo group. In terms of quality of life, all items, including psychological, physical, and social domains, as well as total scores, were altered significantly in the PMS group compared to placebo. During monitoring of side effects, no significant adverse effects were stated in either group. Conclusion: The study indicates the palliative effects of PMS in relieving the symptoms of acute bronchitis and improving quality of life.

Background: Cassia fistula was used traditionally as laxative in pregnant women. Nevertheless, its fetal and maternal effects in pregnancy have not been studied yet. Methods: Oral (Lethal Dose, 50%) LD50 was determined in mice. In addition, a control group, pregnant rats in other 5 experimental groups (n=12) received orally C. fistula aqueous extract (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg), tween80 (10%) and distilled water during pregnancy up to the delivery (21-23 days). Some serum indices were evaluated in maternal blood samples after delivery. Histopathologic and histomorphometric evaluations were performed on the selected slices of newborn rats. Results: Anthraquinone‎ content of the aqueous extract was 0.34% w/w. Oral LD50 was obtained more than 5000mg/kg. No abortions and newborn anomalies were observed in groups. The height and weight of the offspring were significantly reduced by the administration of 500, and 2000 mg/kg of extract compared to control. There was no significant change in maternal blood urea and creatinine. Higher concentration (2000mg/kg) led to ALT elevation. ALS levels decreased dose-dependency in treatment groups comparing to control. Histopathological findings showed significant lung vascular congestion, and hypertrophy of heart in group tween80, and significant hepatic parenchymal inflammation in tween80 and 2000mg/kg and 1000mg/kg groups. In all tissues of all groups, malpighian body area and bowman’s capsule space significantly increased compared to the control group. Conclusion: It seems C. fistula extract is safe in pregnancy. Because of confounding role of tween80 in histopathological finding, more research is necessary.