Efficacy and safety of herbal steam bath in allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of nigella sativa supplementation for allergic rhinitis treatment

Background

Demonstrating the positive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation (Nigella spp) on Allergic Rhinitis (AR) treatment is challenging. To investigate the role of Nigella spp in managing AR, a comprehensive review through systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted.

Purpose

To carry out a meta-analysis of clinical trials that used Nigella spp in treating AR based on current data.

Study Design

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed.

Methods

Various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Science Direct, Springer Link and the Cochrane Library, were searched until October 2023 to obtain RCTs assessing impact of Nigella spp in the control of AR. The current meta-analysis was carried out with a random-effects model.

Results

There were 8 studies enrolled, and our meta-analysis findings revealed that, relative to the control group, observation group exhibited the markedly increased total effective rate for allergic rhinitis treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 4.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] (2.57, 7.27), and p < 0.00001); three studies showed that the effect of Nigella spp for nasal symptoms treatment among patients with allergic rhinitis was superior in observation group to control group [mean difference = -2.60, 95% CI (-2.82, -2.38), p < 0.00001]; adverse effects occurred in five studies, all of which were transient, did not require medical intervention, and were not statistically significant between the two groups [OR = 1.01, 95% CI (0.59, 1.73), p = 0.98].

Conclusion

The observation group demonstrated relative safety and had an enhanced effect on allergic rhinitis treatment and total nasal symptom improvement than the control group. The inclusion of fewer studies and the lower quality of trial design might affect the stability of the results. However, the evidence-based findings that Nigella spp for allergic rhinitis treatment is more accurate should be validated in future large-scale, multicenter, and well-designed RCTs.

The Effects of Prolonged Indoor Inhalation of Nature-Derived Odors on Menopausal Women

This study aimed to investigate the effects of prolonged inhalation of nature-derived odors indoors on humans. Twenty-six women participated in this study. Heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure, pulse rate, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol were used as indicators of autonomic nervous system and endocrine system activities. Profile of mood state, state-trait anxiety inventory, menopause rating scale and general sleep disturbance scale were used as psychological indicators. The order was as follows: After the participants relaxed in a chair for 5 min, their heart rate variability and heart rate were measured for 3 min with their eyes closed. Subsequently, blood pressure and pulse rate were measured, salivary samples were collected for estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol analyses, and a subjective assessment was conducted. The participants received a diffuser containing fir essential oil and were instructed on its usage and precautions. Subsequently, they returned home and inhaled the fir oil for a week. After 7 days, participants revisited the laboratory for posttest measurements, conducted at the same time as the pretest. Prolonged inhalation of the fir essential oil resulted in increased estradiol concentration, decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, relief of menopausal symptoms, reduced anxiety levels, improved sleep quality and mood states. Prolonged inhalation of the fir essential oil induced physiological and psychological relaxation on menopausal women.

The beliefs about allergic rhinitis and its treatment options from people in Central Thailand

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) has substantially negative impacts on patients' quality of life. Besides conventional medicines, many patients use alternative approaches, which sometimes were misconception.

Objective

This study aims to explore and compare the beliefs about AR and its treatment options between 2 different groups; control and AR patient groups.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 518 respondents residing in the central region of Thailand has been conducted using a self-reported questionnaire which consists of 3 parts; personal profile, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questions, and the beliefs. ISAAC is applied for identifying respondents as the control or the AR group.

Results

From a total of 518 respondents, 311 (60.0%) were identified as the AR group. The demographic data between the control and the AR group has no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Regarding the beliefs about AR characteristics, 56.1% of the AR group believe that low immunity causes AR while the number of the control group reaches 56%. Thirty-nine point two percent for the AR group and 38.6% for the control group believe that AR is a fatal disease. The belief that AR can be spread by droplet/airborne transmission is 22.8% and 28.5% for the AR and the control group, respectively. About AR treatment options, 60.1% of the AR group and 43% of the control group believe that taking vitamin C can relieve AR symptoms, which has a statistical difference (p < 0.05) between the 2 groups. The belief that prolonged use of antihistamine drugs can cause drug resistance is 29.9% and 24.6% for AR and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Both groups of respondents mostly share common beliefs about AR characteristics and treatment options in which the AR group has higher percentage in some beliefs. Therefore, health literacy should be promoted in order to improve patient's care.

Effects of 12 sessions of steam bath intervention on spirometry parameters among healthy adult volunteers

OBJECTIVES

Steam bath is extensively used around the world. However, its physiological influence is not understood in detail. Objective of the current study is to examine the effects of 12 sessions of steam bath on spirometric parameters among healthy participants.

METHODS

Forty healthy adult volunteers of both sex (14 male and 26 female) aged 26.38 ± 8 years participated in the study. A steam bath session (10-15 min) was given once a week for 12 weeks. The spirometric parameters [forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1, L), forced vital capacity (FVC, L), FEV1/FVC ratio (absolute value), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF, L/s) and peak expiratory flow (PEF, L/s)] were measured by Helios 401 spirometer.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline, post-intervention spirometric parameters showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in the FVC (82.40 ± 11.24 to 96.91 ± 18.76), FEV1 (86.13 ± 14.39 to 91.17 ± 12.48), FEV1/FVC ratio (86.96 ± 3.64 to 93.75 ± 4.80), MMEF 25-75% (86.96 ± 3.64 to 94.16 ± 11.57), peak expiratory flow rate (79.82 ± 14.90 to 92.18 ± 18.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Taking steam bath improves the spirometric parameters of healthy adult participants. However, future randomized controlled trials with on a large scale have to done to validate our findings.

β-eudesmol inhibits thymic stromal lymphopoietin through blockade of caspase-1/NF-κB signal cascade in allergic rhinitis murine model

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem because of its steadily increasing incidence and prevalence that currently affects about 30% of people worldwide. β-eudesmol has various beneficial effects, including anti-cancer and anti-allergic activities. However, the effects of β-eudesmol on AR have not yet been clarified; thus, we investigated the effects of β-eudesmol in an ovalbumin-induced AR animal model using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histamine assay, Western blotting, and hematoxylin and eosin staining methods. β-eudesmol reduced the nasal rubs score and levels of histamine and immunoglobulin E in serum of AR mouse. In addition, the levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 were down-regulated and infiltration of eosinophils and the level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were inhibited by β-eudesmol administration. β-eudesmol administration also reduced active caspase-1 and nuclear factor-κB DNA binding activity in nasal mucosa tissues of AR mice. Taken together, these results indicate that β-eudesmol would be effective for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases, such as AR.