Research - Colds
Effect of Rosa canina L. (Rose-hip) on cold during winter season in a middle-class population: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial Kaj Winthera Lina Warholmb Joan Campbell-Toftec Kristian Marstrandd Abstract Aim The common cold has social and economic implications worldwide. This study aimed to test if a liquid standardised preparation, Hyben Vital, based on shells from Rose-hip (Rosa canina L.), reduces the incidence and symptoms of the common cold in Danish middle-class volunteers. Methods Volunteers (n = 120) were randomly allocated to daily treatments with either 2 g of liquid Rose-hip (RH) or placebo (P) for six months during winter. Primary effect variables: The frequency of colds and symptoms related to cold. Secondary effect variables: Evaluations from diaries of muscle stiffness and general well-being (numerical scales). Results A number of 107 volunteers completed the trial and 31 out of 58 patients (53.4%) in the P group reported cold vs 24 out of 55 patients (43.6%) in the RH group; 18.4% reduction (p = 0.348). The numbers of volunteers reporting the different symptoms of cold in P-group vs RH-group were: Coughing: 23 vs 18, p < 0.422; Headache: 26 vs 17, p < 0.112; Muscle stiffness: 27 vs 15, p < 0.027 and Fatigue: 29 vs 20, p < 0.115. Muscle stiffness, evaluated over 6 month, fell from initial 2.40 ± 2.32 to 2.02 ± 2.15 in the RH group and from 2.37 ± 2.40 to 2.93 ± 2.50 in the P group, (p < 0.043, comparing groups). The delta improvement in general well-being was 0.21 ± 0.74 (p < 0.019) vs 0.12 ± 1.08 (p < 0.078) in the RH-and P group, respectively (p < 0.861, comparing groups). Conclusion Our data suggest that administration of liquid Rose-hip reduces the incidence of colds by 18% and lowers the number of patients reporting the different symptoms of cold. Source : Journal Herbal Medicine Link to Full Article Zinc for the common cold Background: The common cold is one of the most widespread illnesses and is a leading cause of visits to the doctor and absenteeism from school and work. Trials conducted since 1984 investigating the role of zinc for the common cold symptoms have had mixed results. Inadequate treatment masking and reduced bioavailability of zinc from some formulations have been cited as influencing results. Objectives: To assess the effect of zinc on common cold symptoms. Search strategy: We searched CENTRAL (2010, Issue 2) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to May week 3, 2010) and EMBASE (1974 to June 2010). Selection criteria: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using zinc for at least five consecutive days to treat, or for at least five months to prevent the common cold. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Main results: We included 13 therapeutic trials (966 participants) and two preventive trials (394 participants). Intake of zinc is associated with a significant reduction in the duration (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.56 to -0.38) (P = 0.001), and severity of common cold symptoms (SMD -0.39; 95% CI -0.77 to -0.02) (P = 0.04). There was a significant difference between the zinc and control group for the proportion of participants symptomatic after seven days of treatment (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.2 to 1.00) (P = 0.05). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of developing a cold (IRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88) (P = 0.006), school absence (P = 0.0003) and prescription of antibiotics (P < 0.00001) was lower in the zinc group. Overall adverse events (OR 1.59; 95% CI 0.97 to 2.58) (P = 0.06), bad taste (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.91 to 3.64) (P < 0.00001) and nausea (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.23) (P = 0.002) were higher in the zinc group. Authors' conclusions: Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people. When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children. There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects. In view of this and the differences in study populations, dosages, formulations and duration of treatment, it is difficult to make firm recommendations about the dose, formulation and duration that should be used. Source : Cochrane Library via Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001364. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub3 Link to Full Article Swiss Echinacea Extract Shown Safe and Effective in Preventing Colds in Largest Echinacea Clinical Trial Reviewed: Jawad M, Schoop R, Suter A, Klein P, Eccles R. Safety and efficacy profile of Echinacea purpurea to prevent common cold episodes: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012:841315. Epub 2012 Sep 16. Colds and flu, associated with a variety of viral infections, are characterized by symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and nose irritations, as well as systemic complaints such as headache, malaise, and fever. The common cold alone causes great discomfort and is a major reason for school and work absences, as well as physicians visits.1 Preventative strategies have included antiviral agents or vaccines targeted towards infection prevention or inhibition of viral replication; however, common problems arise with adverse side effects (ASE) and/or the failure to protect certain populations. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Asteraceae) is used widely as an immune system modulator as well as in common cold prevention strategies.2 Many clinical studies investigating the use of echinacea in cold prevention have shown conflicting results or have had too small a sample size to detect significant effects. However, significant preventive effects were observed when 3 trials on standardized echinacea extracts were combined in a meta-analysis.3 (These studies were conducted by Bioforce AG in cooperation with Sebastian Johnston, MD, PhD, from the Imperial College in London.) Finally, tolerability and safety are critical considerations for therapies designed for long-term, preventive use. The most recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the safety profile and efficacy of the long-term usage of a proprietary echinacea formulation for prevention of colds and flu. This study took place at the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales. Healthy subjects were randomized to either echinacea or placebo for 4 months. At the initial clinical visit, subjects received study medication for 1 month in addition to a diary for documenting ASEs, incidences of colds and associated symptoms, and medication use other than given treatments. Subjects brought unused treatments and completed diaries to monthly clinical visits and also were given kits to take nasal swabs for viral identification. An alcoholic extract of fresh echinacea extract was used in this trial (Echinaforce®, made from E. purpurea, 95% aerial parts and 5% roots, prepared by Bioforce AG; Roggwil, Switzerland). Material was standardized to 5 mg/100 g of dodecatetraenoic acid isobutylamide and tested negative for endotoxin. Placebo was comparable in appearance, smell, and taste, with the same percentage of alcohol and identical packaging. Total dosage was based on Bioforce AG’s instructions and consisted of 0.9 ml of extract or placebo 3 times per day in water; this material was held in the mouth for 10 seconds (2,400 mg of extract daily) in order to achieve maximal local antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects at the pharynx. If subjects had a cold, they were asked to increase dosage to 0.9 ml 5 times per day (4,000 mg of extract). Leftover bottles were weighed for remnant of extract, and diaries were consulted to assess compliance. Subjects were recruited on campus, at least 18 years old, and in good health with a recent history of 2 or more colds per year. Those pregnant, who had a chance of becoming pregnant, who were breastfeeding, who had a cold at the time of recruitment, who were on either antiviral or antibacterial medication, who abused drugs or alcohol, or who suffered from psychological diseases or epilepsy were excluded. Exclusion criteria also did not permit subjects with the following: a history of suicide attempts, upcoming surgery, chronic or autoimmune diseases, and asthma or allergies, particularly to members of the Asteraceae plant family. A preliminary study showed blinding to be efficient as approximately half the subjects in both the echinacea and placebo groups guessed that they had the echinacea treatment. Additionally, a power calculation based on a beneficial effect of 25% with the echinacea treatment and a protocol deviation and drop-out rate of 20% yielded an ideal sample size of 750 participants for the efficacy variable (number of days with colds). Blood samples were taken from subjects for screening of blood cell counts and hematological and other measurements. Both subjects and physicians were asked to rate echinacea tolerability. Descriptions for ASEs as related to the treatments ranged from “not related” to “certain.” Those ASEs that were “possibly” associated with treatment were considered adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Parameters for colds included the amount of colds, the total number of days with colds, and colds that required addition medication. Characterization of viral infections was also conducted. Out of 755 subjects included and randomized, 82 subjects dropped out, leaving 673 who finished the study regularly. Reasons for subject dropout included loss of contact (there was no contact post randomization; n=38), withdrawal of consent (n=16), “technical reasons” (n=3), health or ASE problems (n=3), and unknown reasons (n=22). There were no baseline differences between groups with the exception of cold susceptibility; subjects randomized to the echinacea group were, by chance, significantly more susceptible to colds than those in the placebo group (P<0.05). This was expected to bias the efficacy results against the echinacea group. ADRs were reported by 9.0% of the echinacea group and 10.0% of the placebo group; the echinacea treatment was identified to be non-inferior to placebo treatment in regard to the rate of occurrence, as even fewer ADRs were observed. In the echinacea group, 177 subjects documented 293 ASEs, and 172 subjects in the placebo group mentioned 306 ASEs. Also, in the echinacea group, 4 ASEs resulted in discontinuation of treatment, while 3 ASEs caused discontinuation in the placebo group. One severe ASE was reported in the placebo group while none were reported from the echinacea group. No significant differences were detected in the amount of ASEs between groups. Also, no significant differences were reported in the blood parameters either after echinacea treatment or between groups. Assessment of tolerability by subjects resulted in ratings of “good” or “very good” in 64% of the echinacea group and 71% of the placebo group. Those in the echinacea group experienced 149 colds lasting a combined total of 672 days, while subjects in the placebo group reported 188 colds with a length of 850 days. The total number of days with colds was significantly fewer in the echinacea group than the placebo group (P<0.05, as measured in the intention-to-treat population). Those in the echinacea group also experienced fewer recurring colds than those in the placebo group (65 vs. 100, respectively; P<0.05). In addition, a greater number of subjects with colds in the placebo group used medication such as aspirin, paracetamol (acetaminophen), and ibuprofen as compared with those in the echinacea group (88 vs. 58, respectively; P<0.05). Of the nasal swabs collected (n=201), viral infection was identified in 54 samples from the echinacea group and 74 in the placebo group. Significantly fewer samples from the echinacea group contained influenza, corona-, metapneumo-, respiratory syncytial-, and parainfluenza viruses as compared the placebo group (24 vs. 47, respectively; P<0.05). Additionally, in subjects with 100% protocol compliance, 36 colds with a combined total duration of 155 days were reported from the echinacea group (n=88) as compared with 58 colds in 268 days in the placebo group (n=99, P<0.0001). In summary, preventive therapies for colds and flu should be both well tolerated and efficacious. The echinacea preparation used here exhibited a very “good” safety profile for long-term usage. This study reports that echinacea long-term prevention was associated with fewer cold episodes, fewer days with colds, and fewer colds that required additional medication, suggesting efficacy against infection. The study mentions that these data may have been confounded by the significant difference of cold susceptibly between groups and less use of pain-relieving pharmaceutical drugs in the echinacea group. If an adjustment for these co-variables had been conducted, an even more beneficial preventive effect for the echinacea formulation probably would have been shown. This study also characterized viruses. Although the sample size was small, those in the echinacea group had significantly fewer viral infections than those in the placebo group. This may preliminarily indicate clinical antiviral activity as it agrees with the authors’ in vitro results on the same proprietary extract (Echinaforce). In conclusion, this study claims to be not only the largest ever conducted on the clinical effects of echinacea, but the first to employ the detection of specific viruses in this manner. The conclusions from this well-powered, robust clinical trial contribute substantially to the case for the use of echinacea preparations, particularly this specific formulation, in common cold prevention. —Amy C. Keller, PhD References 1. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: common cold overview. August 17, 2012. Available at www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commonCold/Pages/overview.aspx. Accessed September 9, 2012. 2. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000. 3. Schoop R, Klein P, Suter A, Johnston SL. Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds: a meta-analysis. Clin Ther. February 2006;28(2):174-183. Source : American Botanical Council Link to Source A Strategic Call to Utilize Echinacea-Garlic in Flu-Cold Seasons Tariq Abdullah, MD Laurel Hill, Florida The virulent influenza outbreak of 1918, * l twhich was also called the Spanish Flu Pandemic, killed at least 30 million people worldwide."22Some of the most respected influenza experts in the world are predicting that we will face another pandemic in the future. Many think that it will be sooner than later. We are overdue. The recent Avian Flu eruption we saw in Hong Kong with strain H5N1 portends how it may enter the world stage. Some influenza specialists think that the next virulent strain may come from European pigs infected with an avian strain. The two most recent epidemics killed 90,000 to 100,000 people 40 years ago in 1957 and 34,000 people 30 years ago in 1968. Each year the flu season takes a significant toll on the pediatric, geriatric, and immuno-compromised population. Dr Joshua Lederberg, a Nobel Prize winner in 1959 for his elucidation of bacteria genetics and a specialist in emerging pathogens at Rockefeller University, believes that a new strain of the influenza virus may pose a greater morbidity and mortality threat than any other previous strain. ' Because of the known pathophysiology and history of influenza infections, perceptibly, it would wreak considerably more havoc than some of the feared hemorrhagic viremias caused by the Ebola and Rift Valley viruses of Africa. When the present world setting is compared to the scenario of 1918, we have a much larger world population and our mobility capacity is much greater. This facilitates transmission and, potentially, may exact a toll beyond our wildest expectations. Coughing and sneezing by victims expel millions of viral particles into the air where they are suspended for hours. The formation of new recombinant genetic strains occurs when a virus jumps from species to species such as from chickens to hogs to humans. This will be the antecedent cycle that will produce a strain for which we are unprepared. The Group for Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (GRIPPE) is an international flu watch organization composed of scientists and planners from the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and academic medical centers charged with planning national strategies for coping with the eventuality of an influenza epidemic. This group conducts vigilant monitoring and surveillance for emerging strains. Efforts are coordinated with those of several nations. These data are used to forecast strains to cause seasonal infections, produce appropriate vaccines, and determine protocols for administration. Because the recombinant genetic formation of new seasonal strains have not varied drastically this has worked relatively well thus far. The real danger lies in the sudden emergence of a markedly varied genetic strain caused by sudden antigenic shifts in the viral reservoirs of avian-swine carriers. If such a dreaded happening should come to pass, it would take months to develop a vaccine and as long to administer it. In the meantime, while this is being done, millions could die. Most people in heavily populated areas would have difficulty avoiding and escaping the pervasive viral contagionladen atmosphere created by the sneezing and coughing of a progressively larger number of victims. Inhalation in such a contagious atmosphere would seed viral particles in the respiratory system of people and would produce disease in 2 to 4 days. What are some practical things that we can do at the onset of such a potentially deadly outbreak? Dietary activity and composition, which may offer prophylaxis and aid in curing this infection, should be a prime strategy. Increasingly, people are successfully turning to certain vitamins, foods, and herbs and alternate lifestyles for their medicinal value (Milton M, personal communication, 1999).3 The old adage, "your food should be your medicine and your medicine should be your food," may never be more applicable than in an influenza pandemic. Some efficacious dietary medicinal components and activities may include vitamin C, chicken soup, garlic and Echinacea herbs, and abstinence from alcohol. Curing a primary viral pneumonia caused by this pathogen with presently approved medication would be difficult. Opportunistic secondary microbial infections would respond to antibiotics and other antimicrobials. China is a prime locale to monitor new strains of this virus, because it is, by far, the most populous nation on earth and has farming practices that bring a tremendous stock of bird and animal carriers into close proximity to a large human population. We must give strong consideration to finding foods and herbal preparations with medicinal value that can be fed to the avian-swine carriers, hopefully, altering the evolution and production cycle of virulent recombinant genetic strains and their pathogenicity. Many of the medicinal herbs advocated for their medicinal value in humans, probably, would have veterinary application. Anecdotal and growing scientific data about the herbs, garlic and Echinacea, suggest that the administration of herbal preparations derived from them should be part of any international planning to prevent virulent seasonal and pandemic strains of the flu virus. It is not far-fetched to propose that fresh and aged preparations of those herbs should be stockpiled for administration to all victims, if investigations confirm and warrant use. Empirically, these herbal preparations should be utilized in case we are caught before ideal confirmatory studies can be completed. There are old and recent data suggesting further studies of the value that these herbs may hold for our presently feared and suspected inadequacy to cope with this threat.4'6-8 PROPHYLACTIC AND CURATIVE EFFICACY Anecdotally, the prophylactic and curative value of both herbs has been noted by avid consumers during the cold-flu season. This has especially been noted among health care workers who are exposed to the contagious environs created by patients who are infected.3 These two herbs, together and singularly, have been noted for their prophylactic and curative efficacy. How did these health providers administer these two herbs for the prophylaxis and cure of the common cold and influenza? They relayed to me that they orally administered crude, raw, or manufactured preparations of these herbs at the beginning of the predicted cold-flu season. The oral administration of raw garlic involved masticating or mincing a clove with honey once daily for prophylaxis and twice daily for cure. This garlic preparation is chewed and retained in the oral cavity as long as possible for the liberated volatile compounds to penetrate and be absorbed by the tissues of the mouth, nasopharynx, and sinuses. Many inhaled these fumes into the pulmonary spaces and exhaled them with a closed mouth through the nostrils. Before ingestion, many related directly of inhaling sliced or minced garlic into the nostrils or from a container that could be opened and closed. After nasal administration and oral retention, they would swallow the raw or crude preparation where numerous beneficial compounds and components would be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Manufactured or processed preparations would be administered as directed by the manufacturer. In its crude or raw form, Echinacea was administered orally with a cup of tea sweetened with honey or unsweetened once daily for prophylaxis and twice daily for cure. As with garlic, manufactured or processed preparations were administered as directed by the manufacturer. Many who had worked with cold-flu patients through several seasons gave impressive accounts that they had never had an acute upper respiratory tract infection. Many of these advocates further related that they didn't smoke or drink alcohol. If they did, they reduced their indulgence during the cold-flu seasons. Smoking and alcohol use are believed by many to decrease cell-mediated immunity in general, and especially, in the respiratory system. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION VOL. 92, NO. 1, JANUARY 2000 49 INFLUENZA AND ECHINACEA-GARLIC IMMUNE MODULATORS Echinacea and garlic are immune modulators.' In vivo studies years ago in Japan revealed how laboratory mice could not be inoculated with the influtenza virus, intranasally, when garlic was administered. 7 Further data revealed that mice given a flu vaccine and administered garlic produced a much more significant titer of neutralizing antibodies than those administered the vaccine alone. Other studies, including anecdotal, in vitro, and in vivo have confirmed the broad antiviral spectrum of garlic encompassing all species of the herpes family, including Kaposi's sarcoma virus VIII.'i 8 ') These data also suggest that garlic may have therapeutic applications for the post-vaccine flu-like syndrome noted in some vaccine recipients. Garlic may reduce the pathogenicity of the attenuated influenza virus in the immune response to the vaccine.3-57 Recent scientific reports in the media have touted how the oral and parenteral administration of Echinacea in Germany have reduced the frequency and severity of infections during the cold-flu season. The antimicrobial and immune modulatory legacy of these Echinacea and garlic are reflected in their medicinal use over millennia to prevent and cure infectious diseases. That potency is being confirmed and verified in medical research labs and in clinical trials conducted all over the world. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown the tremendous antimicrobial, especially, antiviral activity of compounds in both herbs.3,4,6-12,37 Perhaps, more impressive than these herbs' outstanding antimicrobial activity data are the data confirming that the immune modulating activity components of garlic and Echinacea have profound effects on the cellmediated and humoral armamentariums of the immune system. '-24 These components have included organically bound selenium and germanium, amino acids, several other sulfur compounds, lectins, polysaccharides (poly- and heteroglycans), mitogens, vitamins A and C, saponins, etc. Many of these components, in isolated, combined, or crude extract form from which they originate, have induced natural killer cell, macrophage, T-cell, and B-cell prolif'eration and activation and have enhanced their ftunctional activity. Echinacea and garlic components stimulate phagocytosis and nonspecific and specific cellular immunity.25-32 Poly- and heteroglycans in garlic have provided protection in immunosuppressed mice against Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans. Glycans from both herbs enhance macrophage activation. Extracts from Echinacea by assay studies increased natural killer cells isolated from patients with AIDS and chronic fatigute syndrome. Components of garlic and Echinacea have increased cytokine production of immune system cells such as interleukins and tumor-necrosis factor. Both herbs have enhanced the production of antigen-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. The message in a Japanese investigator's report' 2 about garlic and influenza in 1973 was clear and has been confirmed in very recent studies. (omponents of garlic have been shown to enhance the membrane functions of lymphocytes and macrophages such as receptor site activity and sensitivity. Anecdotal, experimental, and clinical data more than substantiate the value of these herbal roots as first-time therapeutic defenses and cures for primary upper respiratory tract infections caused by the common cold and influenza viruses, but for secondary bacterial invaders.2733-36" CONCLUSION It is only fitting and proper for appropriate monitoring and planning strategists such as the World Health Organization, GRIPPE, and others to strongly consider evaluating the constructive role the herbs Echinacea and garlic and others may play in helping us cope with potential biological disasters. This should be done before too many more cold-flu seasons pass. If a virulent influenza nightmare should come to pass before we can investigate the worth of these herbs and are unable to successfully treat ourselves with approved allopathic and vaccine therapies, the empirical use of these herbal preparations may have infinite survival value. REFERENCES 1. Johnson HJ. 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Immunostimulating action of polysaccharides (heteroglycans) from higher plants. Arzneimittelforshung. 1985;35:1069-1075. 32. Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, placebo controlled, doubleblind clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 1999;6:1-6. 33. Melchart D, Walther E, Linde K, et al. Echinacea root extracts for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:561-565. 34. Gunning K. Echinacea in the treatment and prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. West j Med. 1999;171:198- 200. 35. Uchida Y, Takahashi T, Sato N. The characteristics of the antibacterial activity of garlic. JpnJAntibiot. 1975;28:638-642. 36. Farbman KS. Antibacterial activity of garlic and onions: a historical perspective. Pediatr Infect Disj 1993;12:613-617. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOC |