A Study on Clinical Efficacy of Lepidium sativum     Seeds in Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

The present investigation was carried out to determine the efficacy and safety of Lepidium sativum (L. sativum) (Garden Cress, Fam: Cruciferae) in patients of bronchial asthma. L. sativum seed powder was given at a dose of 1 gm thrice a day orally to 30 patients of either sex in the range of 15-80 years with mild to moderate bronchial asthma without any concurrent medication. The respiratory functions (FVC, FEV₁, FEF_25-75% and MVV) were assessed using a spirometer prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy of the drug in improving clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks was evaluated by interviewing the patient and by physical and hematological examination at the end of the treatment. 4 weeks treatment with the drug showed statistically significant improvement in various parameters of pulmonary functions in asthmatic subjects. Also significant improvement was observed in clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks. None of the patient showed any adverse effect with L. sativum. The results of the present study suggest the usefulness of L. sativum seeds in patients with bronchial asthma.