Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial

<b>Background</b>: The combination therapy for acute bronchitis with several plant extracts, such as Ivy and Thyme or Primrose and Thyme, is assumed to offer added benefit over single extract preparations. However, no clinical trials have yet demonstrated such a therapeutic advantage. &l...

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Main Authors: Peter Kardos, Justus de Zeeuw, Inga Trompetter, Simon Braun, Yuliya Ilieva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/754
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author Peter Kardos
Justus de Zeeuw
Inga Trompetter
Simon Braun
Yuliya Ilieva
author_facet Peter Kardos
Justus de Zeeuw
Inga Trompetter
Simon Braun
Yuliya Ilieva
author_sort Peter Kardos
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: The combination therapy for acute bronchitis with several plant extracts, such as Ivy and Thyme or Primrose and Thyme, is assumed to offer added benefit over single extract preparations. However, no clinical trials have yet demonstrated such a therapeutic advantage. <b>Methods</b>: In this three-arm, open-label, randomized clinical trial, patients with acute bronchitis were assigned to groups receiving Ivy extract EA 575 (Prospan<sup>®</sup> Cough Drops), Ivy/Thyme extract combination (Bronchipret<sup>®</sup> Drops), or Thyme/Primrose extract combination (Bronchicum<sup>®</sup> Drops) according to their respective labels. The primary endpoint was the assessment of non-inferiority, and the second endpoint was the assessment of superiority of Ivy vs. each of the two comparators (Ivy/Thyme and Thyme/Primrose) regarding the change in Bronchitis Severity Score between baseline and day 7. In total, 325 adult patients were considered for evaluation. <b>Results</b>: Non-inferiority of Ivy extract was statistically significant against both comparators (both <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Superiority of Ivy extract was statistically significant against Ivy/Thyme extract (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) but missed statistical significance against Thyme/Primrose extract (<i>p</i> < 0.0607). The incidence of adverse events was low and comparable between the groups. All adverse events were non-serious. <b>Conclusions</b>: these data revealed that Ivy extract EA 575 is non-inferior in acute bronchitis treatment compared to both comparators and superior to Ivy/Thyme.
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spelling doaj-art-e319c518ecd746d7844778daaba60a132025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-05-0118575410.3390/ph18050754Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical TrialPeter Kardos0Justus de Zeeuw1Inga Trompetter2Simon Braun3Yuliya Ilieva4Lung Centre Maingau, 60316 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyPneumologische Praxis, 51105 Köln, GermanyEngelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, 61138 Niederdorfelden, GermanyEngelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, 61138 Niederdorfelden, GermanyEngelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, 61138 Niederdorfelden, Germany<b>Background</b>: The combination therapy for acute bronchitis with several plant extracts, such as Ivy and Thyme or Primrose and Thyme, is assumed to offer added benefit over single extract preparations. However, no clinical trials have yet demonstrated such a therapeutic advantage. <b>Methods</b>: In this three-arm, open-label, randomized clinical trial, patients with acute bronchitis were assigned to groups receiving Ivy extract EA 575 (Prospan<sup>®</sup> Cough Drops), Ivy/Thyme extract combination (Bronchipret<sup>®</sup> Drops), or Thyme/Primrose extract combination (Bronchicum<sup>®</sup> Drops) according to their respective labels. The primary endpoint was the assessment of non-inferiority, and the second endpoint was the assessment of superiority of Ivy vs. each of the two comparators (Ivy/Thyme and Thyme/Primrose) regarding the change in Bronchitis Severity Score between baseline and day 7. In total, 325 adult patients were considered for evaluation. <b>Results</b>: Non-inferiority of Ivy extract was statistically significant against both comparators (both <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Superiority of Ivy extract was statistically significant against Ivy/Thyme extract (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) but missed statistical significance against Thyme/Primrose extract (<i>p</i> < 0.0607). The incidence of adverse events was low and comparable between the groups. All adverse events were non-serious. <b>Conclusions</b>: these data revealed that Ivy extract EA 575 is non-inferior in acute bronchitis treatment compared to both comparators and superior to Ivy/Thyme.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/754bronchitisIvycoughThymePrimroseEA 575
spellingShingle Peter Kardos
Justus de Zeeuw
Inga Trompetter
Simon Braun
Yuliya Ilieva
Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
Pharmaceuticals
bronchitis
Ivy
cough
Thyme
Primrose
EA 575
title Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
title_full Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
title_fullStr Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
title_short Efficacy and Safety of a Single Ivy Extract Versus Two Herbal Extract Combinations in Patients with Acute Bronchitis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial
title_sort efficacy and safety of a single ivy extract versus two herbal extract combinations in patients with acute bronchitis a multi center randomized open label clinical trial
topic bronchitis
Ivy
cough
Thyme
Primrose
EA 575
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/754
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