Evidence supporting the use of: Theobromine
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Theobromine, a methylxanthine alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate, has been investigated for its antitussive (cough-suppressant) effects. Scientific evidence supporting its use for spastic (persistent or severe) cough is moderate and primarily based on preclinical and small human studies. The main mechanism is thought to involve inhibition of the vagus nerve’s sensory nerve activity, which is responsible for the cough reflex. A notable study published in FASEB Journal (2004) by Usmani et al. demonstrated that theobromine was more effective than codeine at suppressing capsaicin-induced cough in healthy volunteers, without the sedative side effects or risk of addiction associated with opioid antitussives. The study suggested that theobromine acts by inhibiting phosphodiesterase and antagonizing adenosine receptors, both of which are involved in cough reflex modulation.
Further research, including animal studies, has shown consistent antitussive effects, but clinical data in patients with chronic or spastic cough are limited. Theobromine has not been widely adopted into clinical practice, and major guidelines do not currently recommend it as a first-line therapy. Nevertheless, the evidence base is growing, and the compound is being considered as a potential alternative to opioid-based cough suppressants. Overall, while there is promising scientific evidence, especially from controlled human studies, larger clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy and safety in the treatment of spastic cough.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Aconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
Andrographis
andrographolide
anise
Aniseed myrtle
apple
Aralia
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
balloon flower
bayleaf
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
borage
Buddha\'s hand
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
capsicum
cat's claw
Chekiang Fritillary
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
Chondrus
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
clove
Cnidium
coltsfoot
costus
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Cyanthillium cinereum
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
eucalyptus
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fritillaria
fritillary
Galangal
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
grape
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Grindelia
Guaco
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
juniper berries
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
linden
Lindera
lobelia
loquat
Loranthus
lovage
lungwort
mace
madder
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
pear
Pelargonium
Pimpinella
Pinellia ternata
Piper chaba
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
Polypodium
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
punarnava
Pyrrosia
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
soursop
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
Stemona
sweet flag
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymoquinone
turmeric
Varuna
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Theobromine
AsthmaAthletic and Exercise Aids
Bronchitis
Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation (poor)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Energy (lack of)