DOI: 10.4103/hjum.hjum_107_26 ISSN: 0974-1291

Clinical Evaluation of Unani Pharmacopeial Formulation, La’ūq Ḍīq al-Nafas in Patients with Ḍīq al-Nafas (Bronchial Asthma): An Open-label, Single-Arm Study

Athar Parvez Ansari, Shaheen Akhlaq, Akhand Pratap Singh, N. Zaheer Ahmed, Aarifa Sabreen, Mohammad Sheeraz, Syed Sadakathulla Bakhtiari, Noman Anwar
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Abstract

Objectives:

Ḍīq al-Nafas (bronchial asthma) is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder characterized by reversible airflow limitation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Traditional Unani formulations, including La’ūq Ḍīq al-Nafas , are widely used in clinical practice; however, systematic clinical evaluation of its efficacy and safety remains limited. Hence, the clinical evaluation of La’ūq Ḍīq al-Nafas was carried out in patients with bronchial asthma.

Materials and Methods:

This open-label and single-arm clinical study enrolled 129 patients, of whom 103 completed the treatment protocol. Clinical efficacy was assessed using cough severity (Visual Analog Scale), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and pulmonary function test, including peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR%), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 %), and FEV1/forced vital capacity%. Hematological and biochemical investigations were performed at baseline and after treatment to assess the safety. Pre- and posttreatment values were analyzed using paired Student’s t -test.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 37.54 ± 11.33 years. After treatment, cough score (Visual Analog Scale) decreased from 5.5 to 1.16, and ACQ score declined from 2.71 to 0.84. Pulmonary function parameters showed modest improvement (FEV₁%: 72.84–74.39; PEFR%: 43.79–44.53). Hematological parameters demonstrated reductions in total leukocyte count, eosinophil percentage, absolute eosinophil count (575.06 ± 174.49–456.84 ± 138.35), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Renal and hepatic biochemical parameters remained within normal limits. Overall clinical response showed complete relief in 2.91%, relief in 5.82%, partial relief in 23.30%, and no relief in 67.96% of patients.

Conclusion:

La’ūq Ḍīq al-Nafas was associated with modest improvement in clinical symptoms and selected inflammatory markers without producing adverse effects. Larger randomized controlled clinical trials are required to further establish its therapeutic role in bronchial asthma.

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