Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Herbal Therapy for Children with Asthma

Authors: Eliza L.Y. Wong, Rita Yn Tz Sung, Ting Fan Leung, Yeuk Oi Wong, Albert M.C. Li, Kam Lau Cheung, Chun Kwok Wong, Tai Fai Fok, and Ping Chung Leung

Journal: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 85 children with asthma aged 7–15 years

Intervention: The children were randomly assigned to one of two groups for 6 months:

• CUF2 group: Daily oral herbal formula of 0.619-g CUF2 capsule containing five herbs (Astragalus mongholius Bunge, Cordyceps sinensis Sacc., Radix stemonae, Bulbus fritillariae cirrhosae, and Radix scutellariae)
• Placebo group: Placebo capsule

Outcome Measures:

• Primary outcome: Change in steroid dosage
• Secondary outcomes:
  • Disease severity score
  • Lung function test (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] percent and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR])
  • Biochemical markers in blood (eosinophil counts, immunoglobulin E [IgE] level, and cytokine assay)

Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal formula CUF2 as a complementary therapy for children with asthma using inhaled corticosteroids. The results showed no significant difference between the CUF2 group and the placebo group in terms of steroid dosage reduction, disease severity score, lung function, or biochemical markers. The study concluded that there was no evidence to support the use of CUF2 in children with asthma.