TYLOPHORA INDICA IN BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA - DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY

A total of 135 cases of bronchial asthma were studied under 3 categories, i.e., seasonal, irregular and perennial, according to the type of asthma. In each category, cases received T. indica powdered leaf or placebo according to the randomization table. The drug was given daily in 2 divided doses for 6 days. In both seasonal and perennial cases, improvement in various parameters (symptomscore; forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1; peak expiratory flow rate, PEFR) and the percentage frequency/magnitude with which it occurred during the treatment week and in the 1st and 2nd weeks after treatment period with T. indica, was nearly the same as that produced by placebo. In most parameters, the change (decrease/increase) in the parameter during the course of the treatment period, and 1 and 2 wk after treatment period with T. indica or placebo was not statistically significant.