Resveratrol plus carboxymethyl-β-glucan reduces nasal symptoms in children with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is caused by an IgE-mediated inflammatory reaction consequent to the exposure to causal allergen. Resveratrol is a natural non-flavonoid polyphenol, exerting anti-inflammatory activity; beta-glucan is a polysaccharide with immuno-modulatory properties. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether these combined compounds are able of relieving nasal symptoms in children with AR due to pollen allergy. Research design and methods: The present study was conducted as placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and randomized. Globally, 68 children (36 males; mean age 7.9 years) were treated with resveratrol plus beta-glucan or placebo (the diluent of active drug) two sprays (100 mu L/spray) in each nostril three times/day for 2 months. Nasal symptoms, including itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and obstruction, were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Use of rescue medication, such as cetirizine syrup, was also evaluated. Results: Children treated with active drug achieved a significant reduction in all nasal symptoms: itching (p = 0.0001), sneezing (p = 0.0009), rhinorrhea (p = 0.009), and obstruction (0.002) as well as antihistamine use (p = 0.003). Placebo did not affect nasal complaints and cetirizine use. The intergroup analysis showed that active treatment was significantly superior to placebo about reduction of AR symptoms and rescue medication use. Conclusions: The present preliminary study firstly showed that intranasal resveratrol plus carboxymethyl-beta-glucan is capable of significantly improving nasal symptoms in children with pollen-induced AR.