A New Dosage Form of Licorice Based on Traditional Persian Medicine for Cough

Cough is a nonspecific reaction to irritation anywhere from the pharynx to the lungs. This is the most prevalent complaint for which a medical consult is sought and the managing of cough demonstrates a physicians' challenge (1). There are some specific dosage forms for respiratory diseases available in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) pharmacopeia although they are not acceptable for precise clinical trials (2). Recent study carried out to evaluate the effect of a modified TPM formula for licorice in treatment of the cough. In a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial, 70 patients with cough based on Leicester Cough Questionnaire total scores sorted in 2 equal groups and received licorice modified preparation (in the pastille form) and placebo for 2 weeks. Follow-up time was also arranged at the following 2 weeks. We introduced a new dosage form for licorice according to TPM instructions (3). The results at the follow-up time (week 4) showed a significant priority in cough severity in licorice pastille against placebo group (p < 0.05) (Table 1). The novel dosage form derived from TPM – licorice pastille could be a promising choice in treatment of cough severity.

Tab. 1: Data of cough severity score

Time	Licorice pastille (n = 29)	Placebo (n = 31)	p-value
Beginning (Mean ± SD)	2.9 ± 0.85	2.7 ± 0.85	0.38
The end phase (week 2) (Mean ± SD)	1.4 ± 0.93	1.6 ± 0.88	0.44
Follow-up phase (week 4) (Mean ± SD)	1.2 ± 0.93	1.8 ± 1.03	< 0.001

[1] Ojoo JC, et al. Cough. 2013;9:9974 – 9.

[2] Karegar-Borzi H, et al. Lauq: J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2016;21:63 – 70.

[3] Sina HA. Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb [The Canon of Medicine]. Beirut, Lebonan: Alaalami Library; 2005.