Mohammad Hossein Boskabady - Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Vahideh Ghorani - Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Introduction: The effects of Zataria multiflora on systemic and lung inflammation, tracheal responsiveness and pathological changes in animal models of chronic obstructivepulmonary disease (COPD) has been shown. In the present study, its effect on chest wheeze, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and serum level of Creactiveprotein (CRP) in COPD patients was studied. Materials and Methods: Forty-fiveCOPD male and female patients aged 56.4±1.98 years were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were randomly allocated in three groups including placebo group (P), and2 groups receiving two doses of Z. multiflora (groups Z low and Z high that received 3 and 6 mg/kg/day, respectively). All patients were treated for two months in a double-blind manner.Chest wheeze, FEV1 and serum level of CRPwere measuredat three time points (pretreatment, one and two months after starting treatment). Results: Chest wheeze were significantly reduced in treated groups with both doses of Z. multiflora compared to pretreatment (P<0.01 to P<0.001). However, FEV1 (% predict FEV1) was significantly increased in treated groups with both doses ofZ.multiflora (P<0.05 to P<0.001).Serum level of CRP was also significantly decreased after two months of treatment with both doses of Z. Multiflora (P<0.05).However, most of evaluated parameters in placebo group did not show significant changes during the study. Conclusion: Z. multiflora improved FEV1 (% predict FEV1) while reduced chest wheeze score and serum level of CRP in patients. Therefore, a possible therapeutic potential for this plant could be suggested to be used against COPD.

C- reactive protein, Chest wheeze Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Expiratory volume in one second, Zataria multiflora, Forced.