04.01.11
Nutraceutical: Echinacea
Indication: Common cold
Source: Ann Intern Med, Dec 21, 2010;153(12):769-77.
Research: In a randomized controlled trial, 719 patients were assigned to one of four parallel groups: no pills, placebo pills (blinded), echinacea pills (blinded), or echinacea pills (unblinded, open-label). Echinacea groups received the equivalent of 10.2 grams of dried echinacea root during the first 24 hours and 5.1 grams during each of the next 4 days. The primary outcome was the area under the curve for global severity, with severity assessed twice daily by self-report using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey, short version. Secondary outcomes included interleukin-8 levels and neutrophil counts from nasal wash, assessed at intake and 2 days later.
Results: Of the 719 patients enrolled, 713 completed the protocol. A comparison of the two blinded groups showed a 28-point trend toward benefit for echinacea. Mean illness duration in the blinded and unblinded echinacea groups was 6.34 and 6.76 days, respectively, compared with 6.87 days in the blinded placebo group and 7.03 days in the no-pill group. Median change in interleukin-8 levels and neutrophil counts were not statistically significant.
Indication: Common cold
Source: Ann Intern Med, Dec 21, 2010;153(12):769-77.
Research: In a randomized controlled trial, 719 patients were assigned to one of four parallel groups: no pills, placebo pills (blinded), echinacea pills (blinded), or echinacea pills (unblinded, open-label). Echinacea groups received the equivalent of 10.2 grams of dried echinacea root during the first 24 hours and 5.1 grams during each of the next 4 days. The primary outcome was the area under the curve for global severity, with severity assessed twice daily by self-report using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey, short version. Secondary outcomes included interleukin-8 levels and neutrophil counts from nasal wash, assessed at intake and 2 days later.
Results: Of the 719 patients enrolled, 713 completed the protocol. A comparison of the two blinded groups showed a 28-point trend toward benefit for echinacea. Mean illness duration in the blinded and unblinded echinacea groups was 6.34 and 6.76 days, respectively, compared with 6.87 days in the blinded placebo group and 7.03 days in the no-pill group. Median change in interleukin-8 levels and neutrophil counts were not statistically significant.