The effect of myrtol standardized on human nasal ciliary beat frequency and mucociliary transport time.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to observe the effects of myrtol standardized (Gelomyrtol forte), a secretomucolytic phytomedicine, on both ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in vitro and mucociliary transport time (MTT) in vivo.


METHODS
Changes in cultured human nasal CBF in response to immediate treatment with 75, 150, or 300 ng/mL of myrtol standardized and prolonged treatment (12 or 24 hours) with 300 ng/mL of myrtol standardized were quantified by using high-speed digital microscopy. In addition, MTT before and after oral application of myrtol standardized (three times a day, 900 mg/day, 10 days) was determined using the saccharine test, and the effects of this treatment regime on nasal patency was measured by acoustic rhinometry and active anterior rhinomanometry in 22 patients with nonallergic chronic rhinitis. Another 10 patients without medication, who had the same examinations twice with a 10-day interval, were involved as controls.


RESULTS
Neither immediate nor prolonged treatment with myrtol standardized produced a distinguishable change in CBF. Meanwhile, only in patients with treatment, MTT, as well as a unilateral minimum cross-sectional area, the volume of 0-5 cm inside the nasal cavity, the unilateral nasal resistance at 75 Pa and total symptom visual analog score were significantly improved after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results we propose that a 10-day treatment with an herbal medicine, myrtol standardized, improves nasal mucociliary clearance as well as nasal patency in patients with chronic rhinitis. However, it has no impact on ex vivo CBF.
Han
Demin
D
Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Capital Medical University, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Beijing, China.
Wang
Nan
N
Zhang
Luo
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005100:Expectorants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005100:Expectorants; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C055632:myrtol