Effects of Phyllanthus niruri on the severity of the common cold in children

Abstract

Background Common cold is a self􀀵limited disease, however it poses a significant burden on productivity and community health. Unfortunately, there has been no standard medication for childhood common cold, whereas some herbs \\lith immune􀀵 modulating properties, such as Phyllanthus niruri extract (PNE), might be beneficial but has not been thoroughly studied. Objective To evaluate the effect of PNE administration on the severity of common cold symptoms in children. Methods We performed a randomized, double􀀵blind, controlled trial in children aged 2􀀵6 years who were diagnosed Mth a common cold at primary health care centers in Sewon and Jetis in Bantul, as well as in Gondomanan and Gedongtengen in Yogyakarta. Subjects were collected by consecutive sampling and parents were interviewed. We assessed illness severity by Hemila scoring for the common cold. Results A total of 100 subjects were included Mth 50 subjects in each intervention group. After treatment, there was no significant difference in common cold severity between the PNE and the control groups for all symptom score components, including cough (0.87 vs 0.71, P􀀽0.36), nasal symptom (0.90 vs 1.10, P􀀽0.54), coryza ( 0.44 vs 1.10, P=0.54), and systemic symptom (0.10 vs 0.10, P􀀽0.94). Conclusion Administration of PNE for 6 days did not provide a significant benefit in reducing the severity of the common cold compared to placebo in children aged 2 - 6 years. [Paediatr Indanes.2012;52:346-51].

Keywords

• common cold
• children
• Phyllanthus niruri extract
• severity score