The Possible Therapeutic Effects of Some Medicinal Plants for Chronic Cough in Children

Abstract

The use of plants or their isolated bioactive components for the prevention and treatment of various disorders has been developed. Here, we aim to identify effective medicinal plants for relief of cough and respiratory symptoms in children. The data of this review article were obtained from published articles in scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, until December 2019. The keywords, including “Zataria multiflora Boiss.” OR “Portulaca oleracea L.” OR “Ferula assa-foetida L.” OR “Nigella sativa L.” AND “respiratory symptoms” OR “airway inflammation” OR “smooth muscle relaxant effects,” were searched individually or combined. The mentioned medicinal plants decreased total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, and eosinophils counts of blood and lung lavage in animal model-induced respiratory disorders. These plants also have protective effects on serum immunoglobulin, antibody titer, eosinophil count, and proinflammatory cytokines. Evidence from the studies indicated that the abovementioned medicinal plants have smooth muscle relaxant properties (bronchodilator effects) via stimulation of β-adrenoceptor or inhibition of muscarinic receptors (in vitro) and also improved the pulmonary function test in clinical settings. These medicinal plants are safe and easy to use. Based on the anti-inflammatory, anti-antispasmodic, and immunomodulatory effects, the clinical benefit may be assumed, therefore considering a place for these medicinal plants in relieve of chronic cough and symptoms of children’s allergy, asthma, and common cold.

Effects of Nigella sativa, Camellia sinensis, and Allium sativum as Food Additives on Metabolic Disorders, a Literature Review

“…A wide range of pharmacological effects such as modulation of immune system activity, suppression of inflammatory reactions, inhibition of oxidative stress, prevention of cancer cell proliferation, and death of germs have been attributed to N. sativa and its constituents ( Adiban Fard et al, 2015 ; Mokhtari-Zaer et al, 2020 ). In addition, N. sativa has been demonstrated to cure disorders such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and asthma ( Namazi et al, 2018 ; Mortazavi Moghaddam et al, 2020 ). The effects of N. sativa in patients with metabolic syndrome illustrated that black seeds of N. sativa could improve body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose.…”

Effects of Herbs and Derived Natural Products on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Toxicity: A Literature Review

“…The major advantage of herbal drugs (active natural compounds derived from herbs) is the lower side effects compared to chemically synthesized drugs [19]. Phytomedicine, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects, was used for the treatment of various diseases [20][21][22]. The effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the main component of Nigella sativa seeds, on LPS-induced lung injury in rats significantly improved lung pathological changes and the levels of cytokines (TGF-β1, INF-γ, PGE2, and IL-4) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to the LPS-treated group [23].…”

The effect of Zataria multiflora on respiratory allergic and immunologic disorders, experimental and clinical evidence: A comprehensive review

“…In Iran, about 1,800 plant species are used as medicine to treat a wide array of complicated diseases such as respiratory tract disorders (Adhami, Mesgarpour, & Farsam, 2007). Among these species, Z. multiflora is widely used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of cough, oral cavity infection, chest problems, dyspepsia, and other problems of the respiratory system (Hashemi et al, 2017; Mortazavi Moghaddam, Kianmehr, & Khazdair, 2020).…”