Natural anti-inflammatory products and leukotriene inhibitors as complementary therapy for bronchial asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a combination of Boswellia serrata, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Tumeric root (Curcuma longa) as natural leukotriene inhibitor, antiinflammatory and antioxidant products respectively in controlling bronchial asthma.


METHODS
The study comprised 63 patients with bronchial asthma that are further subdivided into two groups .Group 1 receiving oral capsule (combined herb) in a soft-gelatin capsule 3 times daily for 4weeks and group 2 receiving placebo. Plasma leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4))(,) nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured and pulmonary function was also assessed in all patients enrolled in the study.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant decrease in the plasma levels of LTC(4), (MDA), and NO in target therapy group when compared with placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
The used extract contained Boswellia serrata, Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza has a pronounced effect in the management of bronchial asthma.
Houssen
Maha E
ME
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Beni Sueif, Beni Sueif 62514, Egypt. mahahoussen@yahoo.com
Ragab
Amany
A
Mesbah
Abeer
A
El-Samanoudy
Ayman Z
AZ
Othman
Gamal
G
Moustafa
Amal F
AF
Badria
Farid A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017997:Leukotriene C4 / Q000097:blood; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017997:Leukotriene C4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde