THE EFFECT OF “LAGUNDI”( a local herb) TABLETS ON
BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED
DOUBLE BLIND STUDY WITH THEOPHYLLINE*

By: Romeo P. Chu, M.D. **

ABSTRACT

Forty otherwise asthmatics were included in a randomized double-blind comparative study between lagundi tablets and the standard drug theophylline. There were 20 subjects per treatment group; 7 of the subjects were males and 33 females. The patient profiles of both treatment groups were comparable. Likewise, the baseline parameters of both groups were also comparable. Results showed that both Lagundi and Theophylline caused significant bronchodilation over time. Statistical analysis showed significant increase in the mean peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of the lagundi group beginning at the 3rd hour. This shows the onset of action of lagundi to be at 3 hours post dosing. For the theophylline group, significant increase in the PEFR values was noted at 1 hour which corresponds to its onset of action. ANOVA with repeated measures showed no significant difference between lagundi and theophylline with respect to their effects on PEFR. However, since the sample size is inadequate, it cannot yet be concluded that lagundi is as effective as theophylline. Patients treated with lagundi failed to show a significant improvement of their wheezing over time but might have prevented the wheezing from getting worse. Patients treated with theophylline however, showed significant improvement of their wheezing as early as the 2nd hour. The theophylline treated patients had significantly better wheezing scores then the lagundi group at the 6th, 8th, 24th and 48th hour. There were no significant difference in the severity of the cough, dyspnea and chest pain in both treatment groups over time. However, the theophylline treated group had better “cough” than the “lagundi” group at the 24th and 48th hour. The theophylline group also had better “dyspnea” scores than the lagundi group at the 48th hour. There was no significant difference between lagundi and theophylline in terms of the effects on pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), and blood pressure (BP) readings. However, there was significant decrease in the mean sitting systolic BP and standing diastolic BP over time. This needs further investigation. Side effects reported in the lagundi group were vomiting, desquamation of the skin over the palms and increased urination. In the theophylline group, the side effects reported were nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, palpitation, tremors, headache and epigastric pain. Overall, lagundi displayed significant bronchodilating effects. Although theophylline has a slight edge in terms of therapeutic efficacy, lagundi still holds to be a promising drug in the future.


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