Ambroxol, COPD

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial over 7 days compared oral pure 1,8-cineole (3 x 200 mg/day) to Ambroxol (3 x 30 mg/day) in 29 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vital capacity, airway resistance, and speci c airway conductance improved signi cantly for both drugs, while the intrathoracic gas volume was reduced by 1,8-cineole but not Ambroxol. All parameters of lung function, peak ow, and symptoms of dyspnea were improved by 1,8-cineole therapy but were not statistically signi cant in comparison to Ambroxol due to the small number of patients. In addition to other properties, it was noted that the oxide seemed to have bronchodilatory effects (Wittman et ah, 1998). 

Several studies have demonstrated a direct effect of 1,8 cineole on the ciliated epithelium itself Kaspar et al. (1994) conducted a randomized, double blind three-way crossover 4 day study of the effects of 1,8-cineole (3 x 200 mg/day) or Ambroxol (3 x 30 mg/day) on mucociliary clearance in 30 patients with COPD. Treatment with the oxide resulted in a statistically signi cant increase in the ciliary beat frequency of nasal cilia, a phenomenon that did not occur with the use of Ambroxol (an increase of 8.2% and 1.1%, respectively). A decrease of saccharine time was clinically relevant and signi cant after 1,8 cineole therapy (241 s) but not after Ambroxol (48 s). Lung function parameters were signi cantly improved equally by both drugs. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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