Comparison between Bakumondo-to (Mai men dong tang) and Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide in Terms of Effect on Postinfectious Cough: A Pilot Study / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Objective: Bakumondo-to (Mai men dong tang, B), a traditional Chinese blended medicine, has notable antitussive activity in bronchitic guinea-pigs. In this study, we examined whether or not B was effective in treating postinfectious cough.<br>Methodology: Consenting, non-smoking patients who met the following diagnostic criteria were selected as subjects: (1) those who had been coughing continuously for more than two weeks postinfectiously; (2) who did not use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors orally; (3) who had no history of nasal and/or paranasal disease, chronic pulmonary disease, atopy or gastroesophageal reflux disease; and (4) who had normal chest X-rays, respiratory function, peripheral eosinophil counts, levels of C-reactive protein, and serum IgE concentrations. Subjects were randomized into two groups those given a daily dose of 9g of B extract granules orally for one week, and those given a daily dose of 60mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide (D) orally for one week. Using a cough diary (in which cough was scored from 0 to 9 points), we compared and studied the antitussive effects between the two groups.<br>Results: Group B was comprised of thirteen patients, and Group D, twelve. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, sex, cough scores at the time of hospital visits, duration of continuous coughing, and test results. Significant antitussive effects were seen in both groups. However, cough scores decreased significantly from the second day for the B group, and on the third, sixth and seventh day for the D group. Compared with the D group subjects, those in the B group showed higher antitussive effects on the second days (P<0.05). No serious side effects were observed for either group.<br>Conclusion: In this randomized open trial, we concluded that Bakumondo-to is an effective treatment in non-smoking patients with postinfectious cough, and it appears to demonstrate an antitussive action immediately after administration.