Review Article

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Postinfectious Cough: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Characteristics of the included studies.

Study ID * 
T/C
Number
M/F
Age
(mean ± SD or range, Y)
Study designInterventionsTreating
duration
(D)
OutcomesDropout
(T/C)
Adverse events (T/C)

Fujimori et al., 2001, Japan [26]13/122/33T: 31–81
C: 23–67
RCTT: bakumondo-to extract granules;
C: dextromethorphan
SevenCough symptom score 1 patient in the control group dropped out because of failure to bring a cough diaryNo
Irifune et al., 2011, Japan [27]9/118/12T: 60.7 ± 12.7
C: 48.5 ± 19.8
Multicentre; RCT; open-label T: procaterol hydrochloride (Meptin tablets) plus bakumondo-to extract granules (TJ-29);
C: procaterol hydrochloride (Meptin tablets)
FourteenCough symptom score1 patient in the control group was excluded due to allocation error Palpitation and hands tremor considered to be attributed to Meptin tablets were observed in 6 patients (4/2)
Rash considered to be attributed to TJ-29 treatment was observed in 1 patient in the trial group
Qin, 2011, China [28]30/3031/29T: 40.07 ± 14.14
C:
41.87 ± 13.57
RCTT: Er-li decoction plus compound methoxyphenamine capsules;
C: compound methoxyphenamine capsules
TenObvious effective rateNoNS
Wang, 2011, China [29]30/3033/27T:
37.03 ± 9.946
C:
33.50 ± 9.662
RCT; open-labelT: Xuan-fei Zhi-sou decoction;
C: pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide solution
SevenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time
NSNo
Song, 2012, China [30]30/3019/41T:
45.23 ± 11.25
C:
45.45 ± 10.52
RCTT: Qing-fei Zhi-ke decoction;
C: Jizhi syrup (CPM)
Fourteen Cough symptom score;
obvious effective rate;
LCQ score;
cough relief time
6 patients dropped out without explanations providedNo
Wu et al., 2011, China [31]50/5049/51T: 19–64
C: 22–65
RCTT: Shu-feng Xuan-fei decoction;
C: chlorpheniramine maleate tablets plus pentoxyverine citrate tablets
FiveCough symptom score9 patients dropped out because of being lost to follow-up, poor compliance, and concomitantly taking other antitussive drugs (4/5)Dry mouth was observed in 35 patients (7/28);
dizziness was observed in 25 patients (1/24);
drowsiness was observed in 14 patients in the control group;
nausea was observed in 12 patients (2/9);
constipation was observed in 9 patients (1/8)
Zhang et al., 2008, China [32]208/69114/163T:
40.813 ± 12.024
C:
41.261 ± 11.843
Multicentre; RCT; DB; parallel-groupT: Su-huang Zhi-ke capsule (CPM);
C: Zhi-ke Ning-sou capsule (CPM)
SevenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time;
cough disappearance time
6 patients dropped out without explanations provided (4/2)Stomach upset was observed in 3 patients in the trial group
Wu, 2011, China [33]143/134122/155T:
36.95 ± 12.67
C:
36.27 ± 11.42
Multicentre; RCT; DB; placebo-controlled; parallel-groupT: extract granules of Feng-han decoction or Feng-re decoction;
C: placebo
TenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time
23 patients dropped out. Of which, 10 patients were lost to follow-up (6/4), 12 patients were required to withdraw (9/3), and 1 patient in the control group refused to take drug because of inefficacyAdverse events without further specifications were observed in 37 patients (17/20)
An, 2002, China [34]30/3026/34T:
37.53 ± 11.85
C:
34.50 ± 11.65
RCT; open-labelT: Zhi-ke Gu-biao decoction;
C: pentoxyverine citrate tablets
FourteenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time
NSNo
Jiang, 2013, China [35]57/57/59
(H/L/C)
72/101H:
43.07 ± 12.67
L:
44.37 ± 12.38
C:
44.07 ± 12.65
Multicentre; RCT; DB; placebo-controlled; parallel-groupH: Qing-feng Gan-ke granules (CPM);
L: Qing-feng Gan-ke granules;
C: placebo
FourteenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time;
cough disappearance time;
CQLQ score;
Cough symptom score
3 patients were excluded due to violating protocol (H: 1/C:2); 5 patients dropped out due to being lost to follow-up (H:3/L:2); 4 patients dropped out due to other reasons (H: 1/L:2/C:1)Dizziness, arm itching, urinary tract infection, leukocytosis, abnormal liver function, and rough tongue were observed in 9 patients (H: 4/L:4/C:1)
Min, 2011, China [36]75/74/73
(T/I/C)
108/114T: 29.21 ± 7.37
I: 28.21 ± 7.37
C: 30.12 ± 6.01
RCTT: Bu-tu Xuan-fei decoction;
I: Bu-tu Xuan-fei decoction plus compound methoxyphenamine capsules;
C: compound methoxyphenamine capsules
SevenObvious effective rate;NSStomach bloating was observed in 4 patients in the trial group; dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue were observed in 12 patients (I:5/C:7)
Huang, 2009, China [37]30/3031/29T: 32.63 ± 9.44
C:
35.20 ± 11.00
RCT; SBT: Ke-ping decoction;
C: loratadine tablets plus dextromethorphan
SevenObvious effective rate;
cough relief time
NoDrowsiness was observed in 1 patient in the control group

*: number; T: trial group; C: control group; H: high dosage group; L: low dosage group; I: integrated group; NS: not specified; D: day; DB: double-blind; SB: single-blind.