Author/Authors :
Hajiheydari, Mohammad Reza Departments of Traditional Iranian Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Shahed University , Yarmohammadi, Mohammad Ebrahim Department of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery - Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University , Izadi, Poopak Department of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery - Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University , Jafari, Farhad Department of Health and Social Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Shahed University , Emadi, Fatemeh Department of Traditional Iranian Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Shahed University , Emaratkar, Elham Department of Traditional Iranian Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Shahed University , Abtahi, Hamid Reza Department of Otolaryngology - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Zargaran, Arman Department of Traditional Pharmacy - School of Traditional Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Naseri, Mohsen Shahed University
Abstract :
Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the health problems in the world. It is necessary to develop new treatment procedure
for control of this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Zofa (Nepeta bracteata Benth) on AR patients. Materials
and Methods: In this double‑blind randomized clinical trial study, 71 patients (37 patients in treatment and 34 in placebo group)
participated. In treatment group, N. bracteata syrup (NBS) was used for 4 weeks as three times a day. The efficacy of the drug regarding
AR symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, and ocular symptoms) were evaluated through a visual analog
scale (VAS) by 0–10 before administration and at the end of the whole treatment period. The collected information was entered in
the SPSS software (version 18) and was analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test, Chi‑square test, independent sample t‑test, and paired
sample test. Results: The improvement of AR symptoms in the group receiving NBS was significantly higher compared to control
group (4.73 ± 1.84 vs. 0.38 ± 2.06; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the mean of total VAS before and after the treatment (in case group) was
7.10 ± 1.92 and 2.37 ± 1.76, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that N. bracteata has significant
effects on improving the symptoms of AR. Hence, it can be a good alternative to AR symptoms relief.
