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Background and Objectives Antihistamine drugs for acute upper respiratory tract infection treatment in children have many side effects. In this study, a anti-cough syrup was prepared from Cordia (Sepestan in Persian) extract and its effect was compared to that of diphenhydramine syrup on cough relief of children with upper respiratory tract infection. Subjects and Methods This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 124 children with upper 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 and the second group received diphenhydramine syrup at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day in four dosages. For three days, the number and severity of day-time and night-time coughs were examined and the data were analyzed with independent t-test and chi-square test in SPSS software, version 24. Results The number and severity of day-time and night-time coughs in the group received Sepestan syrup significantly decreased compared to the diphenhydramine group, without any side effects (P<0.001). Conclusion High polysaccharides, strong antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds of Sepestan can reduce throat irritation and soften the chest. The mucilage in the Sepestan extract can dissolve in water and produce a viscous substance such as gelatin that cause softening of the breast and expectoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Viral upper respiratory tract infection and cold drugs consumption is prevalent among children. These drugs have no effect on disease improvement, but it may also have accompanied with many side effects. This study was conducted to compare the effect of honey and diphehydramine on the alleviation of cough in 2-5-year-old children with viral upper respiratory tract infection. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was carried out on 170 children (60 boys and 66 girls) aged 2-5 years old with viral upper respiratory tract infection who were taken to the pediatric clinic of Shariatee hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran during 2010. Children demographic charactrastics were including age, gender, period of illness, vaccination history, weight, growth, overall health, and cardiopulmonary examinations. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 63 children receiving honey (three times a day and the last dose an hour before bed) and diphehydramine syrup (5mg/kg/BW). Two days later, subjects were examined again for the severity and frequency of coughs during day and night. Data were analyzed using SPSS-19, independent t-test and chi-square test. Results: Mean±SD of the age of children was 45.21±11.39 and 43.98±11.95 months in honey and diphenhydramine groups, respectively. The frequency and severity of night coughs was lower in the honey group (97.4%) as compared to the diphenhydramine group (58.7%) (P<0.02). The frequency and severity of daily coughs was lower in the honey group (84.1%) while it was lower in 58.7% of the diphenhydramine group (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that honey is more effective than diphenhydramine in the alleviation of cough caused by viral URTI in 2-5-year-old children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]