Nasal muco-ciliary transport time alteration: efficacy of 18B glycyrrhetinic acid

Abstract

Background: Mucociliary clearance is the main self-clearing system of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This is a very important means of non specific defence against continuous organic and inorganic contamination conveyed by air. It works by trapping particles and microorganisms in the mucus and then by transporting the mucous film to the pharynx where it is eliminated with a cough or swallowed. Its congenital or acquired abnormalities are involved in the occurrence of widespread infectious and often severe nose and paranasal sinuses diseases; generally concerning the rhinopharyngealtubal district. Restoring mucociliary clearance of the nasal epithelium when altered thus represents a key therapeutic tool against rhinosinus chronic diseases. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of the inhalation of a natural compound (Narivent® nasal spray) in chronic vasomotor rhinitis.

Methods: The study involved 79 patients suffering from chronic vasomotor rhinitis presenting an increased mucociliary clearance time. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: a first group of 49 subjects and a second group of 30 subjects. The first group was treated with a nasal spray (Narivent® nasal spray) (2 sprays per nostril twice a day) for 30 days. The second group was treated with a nasal spray containing isotonic solution in the same way and for the same period of the first group. Nasal Mucociliary transport time was measured in the patients of both groups before treatment, after 15 days of treatment, and at the end of the 30 days treatment.

Results: The study shows how one of the treatments carried out determines a major objective reduction of the mucociliary clearance time in the patients under examination, using the method which involves the use of an insoluble coloured tracer (vegetable carbon), bringing the values back within normal range. At the end of the study we objectivated an increase in the rate of mucociliary transport in 97.9% percentage of patients we enrolled.

Conclusions: This study shows the effectiveness of treatment with natural extracts with nasal mucosa restoring function in the treatment of chronic vasomotor rhinitis, a nasal inflammatory disease characterized by morphological and functional alteration of the normal nasal mucosa.