Out of 119 recruited participants, 103 participants (51 in placebo group and 52 in trial group) completed the study, while 16 participants dropped out prematurely due to loss to follow-ups (see figure 1). All the participants who took even a single dose of study drug were considered for safety evaluation. The average age of participants in trial group was 40.58 ±14.64 years while the average age of the participants in placebo group was 39.58 ±13.79 years. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the age between the two groups.
Assessment of primary outcome parameters:
1) Number of cigarettes smoked per day by the participants:
At baseline visit, the average numbers of cigarettes smoked per day in trial group were 9.53 ± 6.42 which reduced significantly (p < 0.05) to 6.67 ± 5.54 at the end of 30 days. At the end of 60 days the same was 5.25 ± 4.10 and further to 4.00 ± 3.43 at the end of 90 days. In the placebo group the average number of cigarettes smoked per day reduced from 10.04 ± 6.20 to 8.73 ± 5.97 i. e. insignificant reduction (p > 0.05) at the end of 30 days. At the end of 60 days the reduction was significant and was observed to be 8.00 ± 5.55 and further to 7.09 ± 4.83 at the end of 90 days. On analysis between the groups, the reduction was significantly more (p<0.05) in trial group as compared to placebo. (The details are given in table 2)
At the end of the study complete cessation of smoking was observed in 12 (23.08%) participants in trial group and 2 (3.92 %) participants in placebo group. (p < 0.05) (The details are given in table 3)
2) Measurement of lung capacity on Spirometry:
Measurement of lung capacity on Spirometry observed that there were no significant changes in FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in trial group on day 30, 60 and 90 while in the placebo group a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in FVC and FEV1 was observed on day 30, 60 and 90. No significant change was observed on FEV1/FVC value on day 30, 60 and 90 in placebo group. The difference between both the two groups was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) at all the follow up visits till the end of the study. The details on changes in mean FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio are shown in table 4.
There was a significant increase in FEF50% and FEF25-75% in trial group from baseline to the end the study i. e. 90 days. However, there was no change on these parameters in placebo group from baseline to the end of the study. The difference between the groups was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) at the end of the study.
Assessment of secondary outcome parameters:
i. Alveolar CO levels:
A significant reduction in the CO levels was observed in trial group from a baseline of 13.33 ± 7.76 ppm to 12.20 ± 9.88 ppm at the end of 30 days. There was a further reduction (p<0.05) to 10.76 ± 6.90 ppm at the end of 60 days and 10.63 ± 7.70 ppm at the end of 90 days. There was no significant (p>0.05) change in the CO levels in placebo group from baseline of 14.00 ± 7.51 ppm to 14.84 ± 8.45 at the end of 30 days. Further on day 60 and day 90 as well the change was found to be non-significant (p>0.05) as the score was 13.8 ± 7.42 and 13.53 ± 7.50 respectively. On analysis between the groups, it was observed that the reduction in CO levels was significantly higher (p<0.05) in trial Group as compared to placebo. (See Graph 1)
ii. Alveolar COHb levels:
The COHb levels in trial group showed a significant reduction from 2.80 ± 1.25 % at baseline levels to 2.37 ± 1.27 % at the end of 90 days. In the placebo group the reduction was non-significant from baseline 2.87 ±1.19 to the end of the study 2.84 ±1.21. Between groups analysis showed that consumption of trial significantly reduced COHb levels as compared to placebo. (See Graph 2)
iii. Quality of life (QOL) on WHO QOL Questionnaire:
Assessment of quality of life showed that there was a significant improvement on the physical health score from 19.28 ± 2.44 at baseline visit to 20.49 ± 1.97 on day 90. In placebo group, the mean physical health score showed non-significant change (p > 0.05) from 20.14 ± 2.50 at baseline visit to 20.37 ± 2.29 on day 90. The improvement in trial group was found to be significantly higher as compared to placebo.
Also, in trial group, the mean psychological health domain score improved significantly (p < 0.05) from 19.06 ± 2.65 at baseline visit to 19.86 ± 2.37 on day 90, whereas in placebo group, the mean psychological health domain score showed non-significant change (p > 0.05) from 19.33 ± 2.67 at baseline visit to 19.98 ± 2.40 at day 90. The improvement in trial group was found to be significantly higher as compared to placebo.
iv. Changes in the Cardiac risk markers (Apolipoprotein A1 and B):
There was no significant change in the levels of cardiac risk markers from baseline to the end of the study in both the study groups. The levels remained in the normal physiological range at both the visits.
v. Serum cortisol and total testosterone levels:
The mean serum cortisol (µg/dl) and total testosterone (mg/dl) levels were found within normal range in all participants at baseline visit and at the end of the study in both the groups and did not show any significant change from baseline to the end of the study.
vi. Change in stress level and anxiety on HAMA scale:
The mean stress score assessed on VAS scale reduced significantly (p<0.05) from 40.58 ± 17.79 at baseline visit to 29.90 ± 15.12 at the end of 90 days in trial group while the score reduced from 42.16 ± 18.01 to 35.32 ± 17.43 in placebo group which was significant (p<0.05). Though the reduction in stress levels was better in trial as compared to placebo it was found to be non-significant (p>0.05). Similarly, HAMA score to assess anxiety showed significant reduction in both the groups after 90 days of treatment. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups.
vii. Chest circumference:
There were no significant changes on various parameters to measure chest circumference in both the groups.
viii. Change in level of energy, stamina and physical strength on a 7-point scale:
The levels of energy, stamina and physical strength showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) from baseline to monthly follow-ups in trial group while the change on these parameters was insignificant (p>0.05) in placebo group. The improvement on energy, stamina and physical strength was found to be significant in trial group as compared to placebo.
ix. Global assessment for overall change by the subject and investigator at the end of the study treatment:
Global assessment for overall change by the physician on CGI-I scale showed that a majority of Participants in trial group showed very much to minimal improvement as compared to placebo Also a higher percentage of Participants in placebo group either showed no change or worsening of their condition.
Assessment of safety parameters:
No significant (p > 0.05) changes were observed in laboratory parameters such as CBC, ESR, Hb%, LFTs, RFTs, lipid profile, blood sugar level and urine examination when compared between baseline visit and day 90 visit in both the study groups. All the laboratory values were within normal range at baseline visit and at the end of the study. No clinically significant change in vitals such as pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic pressure) were observed from baseline visit to every follow up visit and at the end of the study in both the study groups.
Adverse events including abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, fever, cough, backache and body ache were noted during the trial. In the trial group, 19 Participants reported 26 adverse events and in placebo group 24 Participants reported 31 adverse events. None of the adverse events were found to be related to the study product or procedure. No treatment or procedure or interruption was required in both the study groups to resolve these episodes. Almost all the Participants showed excellent to good tolerability to the investigational products.