title: Evaluation of a novel natural drop for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps: a single blind randomized trial.
abstract: The present study investigated the effectiveness of a Pimpinella anisum-based herbal medicine for treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without polyps in comparison to fluticasone nasal spray, in a single-blinded randomized trial.
  
  
  
  Patients with CRS without nasal polyps were randomly assigned into 2 treatment groups: individuals in the first group (n = 26) received 2 drops of a P. anisum-based herbal medicine (Sinupim) in each nostril every 12 hours, while those in the second group (n = 22) received 2 puffs of fluticasone nasal spray in each nostril every 12 hours. Both groups used their designated treatments for 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) at the start of the trial and after the completion of their treatment.
  
  
  
  Although both treatments were effective in reducing patients' symptoms, there were significantly better results in the Sinupim group based on the SNOT-22 evaluation. Mean changes in computed tomography (CT) scan scoring in Sinupim and fluticasone groups before and after treatment were 2.22 ± 2.94 and 0.76 ± 1.39, respectively, which was significant within both groups (p < 0.05). Postnasal drip and nasal obstruction were more significantly improved in the Sinupim group.
  
  
  
  A P. anisum-based herbal medicine may be an effective treatment for sinusitis without polyps. However, its wide acceptance needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vazifehkah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Shams-Ardekani
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mousa
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Saderhossein
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shams
authors.affiliation: Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eghtesad
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. saedi@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saedi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D028042:Pimpinella; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012639:Seeds; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C068582:almond oil; D000068298:Fluticasone
keywords: Pimpinella anisum; SNOT-22; clinical trial; herbal medicine; sinusitis; treatment