Preparation of Sepestan Anti-cough Syrup and Comparison of its EffectivenessWith Diphenhydramine Syrup in Treating Cough in Children With UpperRespiratory Tract Infection: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Antihistamine drugs for acute upper respiratory tract infection treatment inchildren have many side effects. In this study, a anti-cough syrup was prepared from Cordia (Sepestanin Persian) extract and its effect was compared to that of diphenhydramine syrup on cough relief of childrenwith upper respiratory tract infection.

This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 124 children withupper respiratory tract infection aged 6-12 years referred to Abouzar Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during 2019-2021 in two treatment groups. The first group was given Sepestan syrup at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day andthe second group received diphenhydramine syrup at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day in four dosages. For threedays, the number and severity of day-time and night-time coughs were examined and the data wereanalyzed with independent t-test and chi-square test in SPSS software, version 24.

The number and severity of day-time and night-time coughs in the group received Sepestan syrupsignificantly decreased compared to the diphenhydramine group, without any side effects (P<0.001).

High polysaccharides, strong antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds of Sepestan canreduce throat irritation and soften the chest. The mucilage in the Sepestan extract can dissolve in waterand produce a viscous substance such as gelatin that cause softening of the breast and expectoration.