Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Xiaoer Feike granule on cough after infection and its impact on levels of serum calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)

cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Method: One hundred and seventy patients were divided into control group (85 cases) and observation group (85 cases) by random number table. In control group

patients got montelukast sodium chewable tablets

4 mg/day for those aged below 6 years old

5 mg/day for those aged between 6 and 12 years old

1 time/day. Patients with severe cough got budesonide aerosol

0.5 mg/time

2 time/day. In addition to the therapy of control group

patients in observation were also administered with Xiaoer Feike granule

3 g/time for those aged below 4 years old

and 6 g/time for those aged between 4 and 6 years old

9 g/time

3 time/day. The course of treatment for both of the groups was 2 weeks. Cough degree for day and night and visual analogy score (VAS) were graded. And scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome

such as daytime cough

nocturnal cough

thick sputum

clear dilute sputum

itchy pharynx

spiritlessness

anorexia

fatigued limbs and low voice speaking

were graded. Quality of life of cough was graded by Les Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Levels of CGRP

CysLTs

TNF-α and IL-8 and safety evaluation were detected before and after treatment. Result: Disappearance rate of cough in observation group was 62.5%

which was higher than 39.42% in control group (χ2=8.601

P<0.01). The average extinction time of cough in observation group was shorter than that in control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine in observation group was 97.5%

which higher than 83.54% in control group (χ2=9.061

P<0.01). After treatment

scores of cough degree for day and night and visual analogy score (VAS) in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01). After treatment

scores of LCQ scale (physiology

psychology

society) and total scores in observation group were higher than those in control group (P<0.01). After treatment

levels of CGRP

CysLTs

TNF-α and IL-8 in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01). There was no untoward effect related to Xiaoer Feike granule. Conclusion: Xiaoer Feike granule can effectively relieve cough

shorten cough course

increase the cough disappearance rate and the clinical curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine

and significantly improve the patients' quality of life. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulation of CGRP

CysLTs

TNF-α and IL-8 levels

reduction of airway inflammatory response

airway hyperresponsiveness and the cough reflex sensitivity.