# Efficacy and Safety of Ecklonia cava Kjellman Extract Complex in Respiratory Health: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial

## TL;DR

A clinical trial found that a supplement made from Ecklonia cava and Chrysanthemum indicum improved respiratory symptoms like breathlessness and cough without serious side effects.

## Contribution

This is the first randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the respiratory health benefits of an Ecklonia cava and Chrysanthemum indicum extract complex.

## Key findings

- The EEC group showed significant improvements in BCSS, FEV1, and VAS for cough and sputum compared to placebo.
- No severe adverse events or significant differences in SGRQ and mMRC were observed.
- EEC demonstrated potential for relieving respiratory symptoms and improving lung function.

## Abstract

Industrialization, air pollution, and respiratory infections have highlighted the importance of maintaining respiratory health. Ecklonia cava Kjellman (EC) has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti‐allergic effects and therapeutic potential for respiratory symptoms. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ecklonia cava Kjellman extract complex (EEC), composed of EC and
Chrysanthemum indicum
Linnaeus (
C. indicum
) extract, in respiratory health. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted. Participants (n = 106) were randomly allocated to the EEC and placebo groups at a 1:1 ratio and administered EEC or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks, with four visits (screening and weeks 0, 6, and 12). Breathlessness, cough, and sputum scale (BCSS), pulmonary function test (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC), St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), visual analogue scale (VAS), and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) were assessed. BCSS (total, breathlessness, and sputum scores), FEV1, and VAS (cough and sputum) were significantly improved in the EEC group compared with the placebo group. No significant differences in SGRQ and mMRC between the groups. Safety assessments showed no severe adverse events or clinically significant changes. Given the established pharmacological mechanisms of EC, including its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, anti‐allergic, and antimicrobial effects, the results of this study support the potential of EEC for relieving respiratory symptoms and improving respiratory health.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ecklonia cava Kjellman extract complex (EEC) in respiratory health through a randomized clinical trial. Compared to the placebo group, the EEC group showed significant improvements in breathlessness, cough, and sputum scale (BCSS) including total, breathlessness, and sputum scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) for cough and sputum, and FEV1, without severe adverse events. These findings will provide evidence supporting the clinical potential of EEC for developing functional foods aimed at alleviating respiratory symptoms.