Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Ectoine Nasal Spray in Patients with Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Objectives. The meta-analysis aims to investigate the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray and eye drops in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Design and Methods. This meta-analysis is based on yet unpublished data of four studies. Both nasal and eye symptoms were documented in patient diary cards. All scales were transformed into a 4-point scale: 0 = no, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe symptoms. Each symptom was analysed individually in a meta-analysis of the area under the curve values as well as in a meta-analysis of pre- and posttreatment comparison. Results. After seven days of treatment with ectoine nasal spray both nasal and ocular symptoms decreased significantly. A strong reduction of symptom severity was shown for the parameters rhinorrhoea (31.76% reduction) and nasal obstruction (29.94% reduction). Furthermore, the meta-analyses of individual symptoms to investigate the strength of effect after seven days of medication intake showed significant improvement for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, nasal itching, sneezing, itching of eyes, and redness of eyes. The improvement of the symptom nasal obstruction was associated with a strong effect 0.53 (±0.26). Conclusions. The ectoine nasal spray and eye drops seem to be equally effective as guideline-recommended medication in the treatment of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms.

Alpha-tocopherol acetate nasal spray in the treatment of pollen-induced allergic rhinitis

“…In another NIS, ectoine-containing nasal spray and eye drops seemed to be a comparable alternative to traditional anti-inflammatory agents such as azelastine, cromoglycin and levocabastine for the treatment of AR [26,27]. Patients using ectoine nasal spray showed an improvement of about 32% in the symptoms of rhinorrhoea and 30% in nasal obstruction [26], as well as a reduction of 23% in the total nasal symptom score [27]. These results are in line with those demonstrated in this NIS.…”

“…In this NIS, we observed a statistically significant improvement in nasal symptoms of 27% in the ATANS group, demonstrating a similar effectiveness of ATANS to the aforementioned non-pharmacological treatment options. In another NIS, ectoine-containing nasal spray and eye drops seemed to be a comparable alternative to traditional anti-inflammatory agents such as azelastine, cromoglycin and levocabastine for the treatment of AR [26,27]. Patients using ectoine nasal spray showed an improvement of about 32% in the symptoms of rhinorrhoea and 30% in nasal obstruction [26], as well as a reduction of 23% in the total nasal symptom score [27].…”

The Effect of a Thixotropic Nasal Gel on Nasal Symptoms and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

“…All preparations studied have a high viscosity and are meant to entrap the pollen before they make contact with the nasal mucosa. Overall, the different products [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] were found to be effective in treating symptoms of AR, thus supporting the idea of a mechanical barrier against pollen. No study, however, examined the effects of these products in a controlled environment, nor their influence on biomarkers and cells of the allergic cascade.…”

“…These gels and ointments serve as a physical barrier and do not contain any pharmacologically active compounds. Some of these compositions have been investigated in clinical studies for efficacy in hay fever, for example, hypromellose [4][5][6], aliphatic long-chain hydrocarbons [7], ectoine [8], seawater gel [9], and xyloglucan [10]. All preparations studied have a high viscosity and are meant to entrap the pollen before they make contact with the nasal mucosa.…”

Ectoine as a promising protective agent in humans and animals

“…Some studies showed that products containing ectoine may be a better alternative to other products, as they reduce ocular and nasal symptoms with no side effects (40)(41)(42). Promising effects such as reduction of nasal airway obstruction and crust formation were also observed in patients with rhinitis sicca anterior treated with nasal spray containing ectoine alone or in combination with dexpanthenol (43).…”