Effects of Hangeshashinto on the nasal physiological function: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: Hangeshashinto is a Japanese Kampo medicine applied for the treatment of oral mucositis and gastroenteritis. Hangeshashinto exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and suppresses prostaglandin (PG)E2 production in the mucosa and has the ability to improve the inflammatory condition. In addition to these effects, because cAMP, a composition of Hangeshashinto, facilitates ciliary beat, Hangeshashinto could also improve the physiological function of the nasal mucosa, consist of ciliated epithelium, but details were unknown. METHODS: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Hangeshashinto on the nasal mucosa. Healthy nasal mucosal sections were collected from the nasal septum of ten Japanese white rabbits, placed in a collagen dish for tissue culture, and rinsed with two different concentrations of Hangeshashinto solution (1.0%, n = 10 and 2.5%, n = 10) and cAMP solution (50µM, n=10 and 100 µM, n=10) or saline (control, n = 10). Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) as a physiological function of the nasal mucosa was recorded at 1, 3 and 7 days after rinsing, and histological evaluation of epithelial damage was performed at 7 days after rinsing. RESULTS: CBF in the 1.0% but not in the 2.5% Hangeshashinto group, increased at 3 and 7 days compared with that in the control group (p < 0.05). This trend was also observed in the CBF in the 100 µM cAMP group, significant difference was not observed between the CBF of the 1.0% Hangeshashinto group and the 100 µM cAMP group at 1, 3 and 7 days after rinsing (p > 0.05). Histological score only in the 2.5% Hangeshashinto group was lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05), while a significant decline was not observed in the other groups compared to that in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that 1.0% Hangeshashinto solution facilitates the physiological function of the nasal mucosa by promoting ciliary functions without histological damage of cilia epithelium. When applied with the appropriate concentration, Hangeshashinto could have ability to improve the physiological functions of the nasal mucosal epithelium.

Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features.

UNLABELLED: Luffa operculata is the botanical name of buchinha-do-norte or cabacinha, which is a medicinal plant widely used for the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. In Europe and USA, it is available in homeopathic medicines. In Brazil, Luffa operculata dry fruit infusion is inhaled or instilled into the nose releasing profuse mucous secretion, thus relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this often may cause irritation, epistaxis or anosmia. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The effects of Luffa operculata were evaluated in different concentration infusions, in isolated frog palate preparation, testing 46 palates after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested with the infusion prepared with frog Ringer (isotonic): control; 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using the infusion with water (600 mg/L H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested to be studied under light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy. RESULTS: In treated palates, light microscopy findings were dose-dependent standard toxic changes. Electron transmission microscopy showed enlargement of intercellular spaces and tight junctions disruption, pointing to ion-fluid transport abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Luffa operculata infusion in currently used doses can promote significant structural and ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of this ex vivo model of respiratory mucosa.

Zicam-induced damage to mouse and human nasal tissue.

Intranasal medications are used to treat various nasal disorders. However, their effects on olfaction remain unknown. Zicam (zinc gluconate; Matrixx Initiatives, Inc), a homeopathic substance marketed to alleviate cold symptoms, has been implicated in olfactory dysfunction. Here, we investigated Zicam and several common intranasal agents for their effects on olfactory function. Zicam was the only substance that showed significant cytotoxicity in both mouse and human nasal tissue. Specifically, Zicam-treated mice had disrupted sensitivity of olfactory sensory neurons to odorant stimulation and were unable to detect novel odorants in behavioral testing. These findings were long-term as no recovery of function was observed after two months. Finally, human nasal explants treated with Zicam displayed significantly elevated extracellular lactate dehydrogenase levels compared to saline-treated controls, suggesting severe necrosis that was confirmed on histology. Our results demonstrate that Zicam use could irreversibly damage mouse and human nasal tissue and may lead to significant smell dysfunction.

Luffa operculata affects mucociliary function of the isolated frog palate.

BACKGROUND: Luffa operculata is a medicinal plant used in homeopathic and alternative medicine. In the United States, it is sold in a purified spray form, whereas a homemade L. operculata dry fruit infusion (DFI) is commonly used in Latin America. The L. operculata DFI is applied intranasally, inducing profuse mucous secretion and relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this medication may cause irritation of the nasal mucosa, as well as epistaxis or anosmia. Given the growing popularity of alternative medicine, a decision was made to evaluate the effects of this substance on mucous membranes. METHODS: The effects of L. operculata DFI on mucociliary transport velocity, ciliary beat frequency, and transepithelial potential difference (PD) were evaluated in an isolated frog palate preparation. We tested 46 palates immediately before immersion and again at 5 and 20 minutes after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested in frog Ringer: control; L. operculata DFI, 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using L. operculata DFI prepared with water (600 mg/L of H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested for ultrastructural study. RESULTS: In treated palates, mucociliary transport velocity and ciliary beat frequency decreased significantly (p < 0.001 and p < 0.008, respectively). There was a dose-dependent decrease in PD modulus (p < .007). Our PD findings indicated ion-fluid transport abnormalities, which were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy that showed enlargement of interepithelial spaces. CONCLUSION: In this ex vivo model, the L. operculata DFI infusion promoted significant changes in the mucociliary function of the epithelium, suggesting that it is potentially noxious to human nasal mucosa.

Efeitos da Luffa operculata sobre o epitélio do palato de rã: aspectos histológicos / Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features

Luffa operculata é o nome botânico da buchinha-do-norte ou cabacinha, uma planta medicinal usada popularmente no tratamento das rinites e rinossinusites. Na Europa e nos EUA, está em medicamentos homeopáticos. No Brasil, a infusão (chá) do fruto seco de Luffa operculata é utilizada para inalacão ou instilacão nasal, resultando em liberacão profusa de muco que alivia os sintomas nasossinusais, mas há relatos freqüentes de irritacão nasal, epistaxe e anosmia. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Avaliamos os efeitos da infusão de Luffa operculata em diferentes concentracões, no modelo experimental do palato isolado de rã, examinando 46 palatos após imersão. Quatro grupos (n=10) foram testados com infusão feita em Ringer-rã (solucão isotônica): controle; 60mg/l; 600mg/l e 1200mg/l. Um grupo foi testado em água (600mg/l H2O, n=6). Coletamos amostras do epitélio para estudo histológico à microscopia-de-luz e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. RESULTADOS: Nos palatos tratados, os achados à microscopia-de-luz mostram lesões epiteliais de padrão tóxico, dose-dependentes. Na microscopia eletrônica, aumento dos espacos intercelulares e ruptura de tight junctions apontam para anormalidade no transporte iônico e de fluidos. CONCLUSÕES: A infusão de Luffa operculata, nas concentracões utilizadas popularmente, promove alteracões significantes na estrutura e ultraestrutura epitelial deste modelo ex vivo de mucosa respiratória.

Laceración de la mucosa septal, tratamiento con ketanserina. Diseño experimental / Septal mucosal tears, treatment with ketanserine, an experimental study

Objetivo: Demostrar que la aplicación de ketanserina en ungüento al 2 por ciento acelera el cierre de las laceraciones de la mucosa septal producidas intencionalmente en consejos Nueva Zelanda al compararlas con un placebo con el mismo vehículo que la ketanserina (polietilenglicol). Se realizó un estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, experimental, comparativo y ciego, utilizando 10 conejos Nueva Zelanda divididos en dos grupos al azar, a los que se les realizó rinotomía lateral y bajo visión microscópica se laceró la mucosa septal incluyendo mucopericondrio. Posteriormente se aplicó ungüento con placebo (polietilenglico) o ketanserina al 2 por ciento durante cinco días, tomando fotografía antes y después de la aplicación y muestras histológicas al primero, tercero y quinto días las cuales se analizaron en el departamento de Anatomía Patológica con tinción de hematoxilina-eosina. Se concluye que la ketanserina en ungüento al 2 por ciento acelera el cierre clínica e histológicamente (mayor cantidad de colágena y fibroblastos) al compararlas contra placebo. El análisis estadístico se realizó con la prueba de Pickman Welch, obteniendo una p< 0.05