Bronchodilatory effect of Carum copticum in airways of asthmatic patients

Several therapeutic effects including anti-asthma and dyspnea have been described for the seeds of Carum copticum. In previous studies the relaxant and anticholinergic (functional antagonism) effects, histamine H(1) inhibitory and beta(2) stimulatory effects of Carum copticum have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains. In the present study, the bronchodilatory effect of boiled extract from Carum copticum in the airways of asthmatic patients was examined.

The bronchodilatory effects of 0.125 and 0.25 ml/kg of 10 g% boiled extract in comparison with 6 mg/kg theophylline and placebo were studied by measuring pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and specific airway conductance (sGaw). Pulmonary function tests were measured before administration and repeated 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after administration of the oral extract and theophylline.

The results showed that the boiled extract of Carum copticum caused significant increases in all PFT values, in most time intervals, (p<0.05 to p<0.001). However, the increase in most PFT values due to the both doses of boiled extract were significantly lower than those of theophylline in most time intervals (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The onset of brochodilatory effect of extract was similar to that of theophylline beginning 30 min, its maximum effect on PFTs (23 to 32% increase) was seen in 90-120 min and the effect of extract decline after 150 min following administration similar to the effect of theophylline. In addition the placebo did not cause any significant increase in PFT values.

In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that Carum copticum has a relatively bronchodilatory effect on asthmatic airways which was comparable with the effect of theophylline at concentrations used.