Broser® (bromelain, escin and selenium), oral nutraceutical, monotherapy in patients with inflammatory otorhinolaryngological disorders.

Inflammation is a common pathogenic mechanism involved in many otorhinolaryngological (ORL) disorders. Broser® is an oral nutraceutical currently containing bromelain 100 mg, escin 30 mg, and selenium 42.5 mcg. It could exert a safe and effective anti-inflammatory activity by virtue of these components. Therefore, the aim of the current survey, conducted in clinical practice of 84 Italian ORL centers, was to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients.

Salso-bromo-iodine thermal water: a nonpharmacological alternative treatment for postnasal drip-related cough in children with upper respiratory tract infections.

Postnasal drip (PND)-related cough is a very common symptom in patients with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). At present, there is not a standard treatment for postnasal drip and postnasal drip-related cough. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a specific salso-bromo-iodine thermal water containing hyaluronic acid and grapefruit seed extract (SBI-H-GSE) comparing it with a normal saline solution in children with URTIs who refer PND-related symptoms. The study was randomized, single-blind, and controlled. Study group (75 children) was treated with SBI-H-GSE and control group (65 children) was treated with a normal saline solution; both compounds were administered by nasal nebulization with Rinowash nasal douche twice/day for 10 days a month for 3 consecutive months. Parent Cough-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (PC-QOL) average score, the prevalence of symptoms and signs related to post-nasal drip, nasal mucociliary transport time (NMTT), duration and number of URTI episodes, antibiotic usage and days of absence from school were evaluated at baseline and after treatment. SBI-H-GSE therapy shows better and statistically significant trend after treatment when compared to control group for PC-QOL average score (p=0.011), NMTT (p=0.047), symptoms and signs related to post-nasal drip (all p<0.005, except for the cobblestone appearance of the mucosa), duration (in days) with URTI symptoms (p=0.023) and a usage of antibiotic therapy (p=0.011). The current randomized-controlled pilot study demonstrated that SBI-H-GSE solution was effective in the treatment of children with URTIs who refer PND-related symptoms.

Effects of salso-bromo-iodine thermal water in children suffering from otitis media with effusion: a randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an ear disorder defined by the presence of fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of acute infection. The aim of this randomised and controlled pilot study was to evaluate whether the treatment with a watery salsobromo- iodine solution, administered by nasal douche, could induce ear healing better than isotonic saline in children with OME. METHODS: The study was randomized, single-blind, and controlled. Study group (40 children) was treated with salso-bromo-iodine thermal water solution and Control group (40 children) was treated with isotonic saline; both compounds were administered by nasal nebulization with Rinowash nasal douche twice/day for 10 days a month for 3 consecutive months. Tympanogram and audiometry were performed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: Salso-bromo-iodine therapy shows better and statistically significant trend after treatment when compared to control group both for tympanogram results with greater improvement (represented by type C tympanogram; p = 0.031) and healing (represented by type A tympanogram; p < 0.001) and audiometric results, with higher presence of patients with normal hearing (p = 0.029) and lower among patients with moderate hypoacusis (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The current randomized-controlled pilot study demonstrated that watery salso-bromo-iodine solution was effective in the treatment of children with OME.