Laūq: A Sustained-Release Dosage Form for Respiratory Disorders in Traditional Persian Medicine

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2016 Jan;21(1):63-70. doi: 10.1177/2156587215587417. Epub 2015 May 24.

Abstract

Laūq is a pharmaceutical dosage form that had been mainly used for the treatment of various respiratory disorders in traditional Persian medicine. It is important from 2 aspects: a dosage form with efficient and optimum delivery of drugs to the respiratory tract and biological effects of its ingredients. Natural medicine in laūq has been demonstrated to act in respiratory disorders by their antitussive, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, spasmolytic, and antibacterial activities. Some of these natural remedies act by most of the mentioned mechanisms such as Cydonia oblonga, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Crocus sativus, Hyssopus officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, and honey. However, the evidence is limited including Cassia fistula, Papaver somniferum, and Drimia maritima. According to positive pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of laūqs, they may be considered as efficient dosage forms for delivery of drugs to the respiratory tract. For better compatibility of patients, it could be substituted laūqs with newer drug delivery systems like lozenges.

Keywords: herbal medicine; laūq; medicinal plants; natural medicines; respiratory disorders; traditional Persian medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Delayed-Action Preparations* / administration & dosage
  • Delayed-Action Preparations* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Medicine, Traditional / methods*
  • Plant Extracts* / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Plant Extracts