Instant Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Osmotic Polymeric Film to Treat Sore Throat in Children

Abstract

Background: Pharyngitis, a common viral throat infection in children, involving inflammation, widespread local bacterial contamination and tissue destruction. When clinical signs appear, the disease already became multifactorial. In the absence of any multitarget treatment, we conceived a new generation of topical, osmotic, anti-inflammatory, throat surface cleaning polymeric film, capable of detaching and draining throat surface contaminants nearly instantly. Material and methods: A glycerol and polymer containing osmotic film was prepared. Osmotic film attracts hypotonic liquid from the throat tissue, which detach and drain throat surface contaminants and create a favorable environment for cell growth and healing. Specific pro-inflammatory cytokine and virus glycoprotein binding polymers were incorporated in the film to suppress the inflammation. An observational, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed after the approval of ethical committee on 30 children aged between (3-15), presenting symptoms of acute pharyngitis. After randomization, test product (n=20) and saline control (n=10) solutions were applied as 3-4 throat sprays 4-5 times / day for 15-days. Change in all the key pharyngitis symptom (difficulty swallowing, throat inflammation, irritation, redness, and bacterial deposit) were evaluated employing two-tailed Student’s test for followed by the post hoc Bonferroni’s test for comparisons of multiple groups Results: Only a few specific polymers were able to bind with viral proteins and/or cytokines in adequate filmogen concentrations. Throat surface cleaning and cytokine neutralization strongly decrease all the pharyngitis symptoms and need for antibiotic therapy compared to controls (p<0.05 from day 3 onwards). No adverse effects were noted in any of the groups. Conclusion: Clinical results showed excellent efficacy and safety of osmotically active polymeric film. Polymeric drugs may represent an excellent multitarget treatment approach to minimize the use of antibiotics and chemical drugs in the future.