Efficacy of cineole in patients suffering from acute bronchitis: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial

Abstract

ObjectiveCineole has mucolytic, bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the exacerbation rate in patients suffering from COPD, as well as ameliorates symptoms in patients suffering from asthma and rhinosinusitis. Based on these effects, we therefore postulated the hypothesis that patients with acute bronchitis would also benefit from therapy with Cineole.MethodsAs part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center-study, a total of 242 patients with confirmed acute bronchitis was randomly selected to participate. Over a period of 10 days, all patients were administered 3 x 200 mg of Cineole, or a respective placebo, per day. The primary outcome measure was a Bronchitis Sum Score, which summarises the relevant symptoms of acute bronchitis.ResultsAfter 4 days of treatment it was notable, that the patient group treated with Cineole, showed significantly more improvements of the bronchitis-sum-score than those of the placebo group (p = 0.0383). The statistical significant difference of the individual outcome measures was especially underlined by the frequency of cough fits by p = 0.0001 after 4 days.ConclusionsThe effects of Cineole in the treatment of acute bronchitis were clearly measurable and could be proven after a treatment period of merely 4 days. This study corroborates the fact that Cineole actively and significantly reduces cough frequency after four days. Therefore it has been shown to have a great socioeconomic impact.Trial registrationISRCTN: ISRCTN37784439

Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Monoterpene 1.8-cineole: Current Evidence for Co-medication in Inflammatory Airway Diseases

“…However, there are still various side eff ects of the locally applied glucocorticoids [ 13 , 18 , 19 ] . Actually, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centerstudy in patients with acute bronchitis 1,8-cineole signifi cantly improved the Bronchitis Sum Score and particularly cough frequency at day 4 [ 20 ] . Apart from proving effi cacy in the treatment of bronchitis and sinusitis [ 4 -6 , 21 ] , 1,8-cineole as concomitant therapy has also demonstrated an ability to reduce exacerbations in COPD as well to improve lung function and health condition in asthma in randomized controlled clinical trials [ 22 -25 ] .…”

New Perspectives for Mucolytic, Anti-inflammatory and Adjunctive Therapy with 1,8-Cineole in COPD and Asthma: Review on the New Therapeutic Approach

“…A randomized study in acute bronchitis (n = 242) with 1,8-cineole over 10 days showed significant improvements after 4 days of the bronchitis severity-sum score compared to placebo [15]. Concomitant therapy with 1,8-cineole (two capsules of 100 mg three times daily) was also studied in a placebo-controlled study (n = 242) in COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) II-III) with a primary outcome of reduction of exacerbations, and a secondary outcome of changes in lung function, respiratory symptoms and quality of life scores during 6 months [16].…”

Common Cold – an Umbrella Term for Acute Infections of Nose, Throat, Larynx and Bronchi

“…It is also evident that acute bronchitis symptoms usually occur after an upper respiratory tract infection [35]. Only 50 % of patients with acute bronchitis produce purulent sputum that represents detritus containing tracheobronchial epithelial and inflammatory cells [36] as well as mucus. As the cough is often not 'wet' but 'dry', mucolytic agents are not always helpful.…”