Objectives: determine the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Zataria multiflora Boiss and carvacrol on treatment (prevention) of asthma.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled with placebo, phase II trial
Setting and conduct: In this study, sixty patients with moderate to severe asthma were selected and treated for two months in four groups including: treated patients with hydro-alcoholic extract (in two doses five and ten milligrams per kilogram per day), patients receiving carvacrol (one mg per kg per day) and patients receiving placebo.
Major Inclusion and Exclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria including; the diagnosis of asthma according to the World Health Organization criteria for the diagnosis and management of asthma (GINA), the willingness of patients to participate in the project. Exclusion criteria; intolerance of Zataria multiflora Boiss side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
Intervention: Prescription of Zataria multiflora Boiss syrup and carvacrol for two months to asthma patients.
main outcome measures (variables): Measurement of pulmonary function tests, blood cells, inflammatory mediators in serum such as hsCRP, IL-10, IL-4, IFN-ᵞ and gene expression of IL-10, IL-4, IFN-ᵞ in peripheral blood lymphocytes.