Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Methods to Evaluate Cytotoxicity and Immunosuppression of Combustible Tobacco Product Preparations
Published on: January 10, 2015
Role of Herbal Medication in Tobacco Cessation Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Ruchi Mitra1, Arpita Rai2, Ansul Kumar3
1Department of Dentistry, Phulo Jhano Government Medical College and Hospital, Dumka, Jharkhand, India.
Background:
Literature reports randomized trials have examined herbal drugs and other smoking cessation therapies such as aromatherapy acupuncture but no comprehensive overview of the overall results has been provided. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe the overall effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines.
Methods:
This study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 by searching seven databases. Herbal drugs have been shown to help people quit smoking in randomized controlled studies. Two teams of researchers independently extracted the data.
Findings:
A total of 12 trials with 762 smokers were included in this study. The heterogeneity I2 was 43.6% with P=0.03 (Cochrane Q test) and χ2=15.77. The overall odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.91 (0.68- 1.20) which shows a protective factor of herbal preparations and very low heterogeneity. The herbal treatments such as Vernonia cinerea, St. John's Wort, and lavender essential oil were significantly related to a higher continuous abstinence rate (CAR) compared to the controls with risk ratio (RR): 2.13 (0.57-4.61) at week 8; RR: 2.72 (0.77-5.3) at week 12; and RR: 2.77 (0.37-1.13) at week 24. A 7-day point abstinence rate (PAR) at week 8 was RR: 1.24 (0.81-6.34) with 95% CI; RR: 2.09 (0.93-8.29) at week 12, and RR: 2.11 (0.3-3.08) at week 24. Black pepper and lime were better in craving reduction than the placebo group. This study found no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in adverse effects, despite some minor side effects with herbal drugs.
Conclusion:
The results of this study showed herbal treatments have the potential to help smokers quit the habit. Further well-designed trials comparing standardized herbal medicines with conventional therapy and placebo are recommended to reinforce this data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dependence
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

