Work

Daily intranasal sesame oil instillation to improve nasal barrier function and mucosal immunity for respiratory health: A pilot randomized trial in healthy adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nasal barrier function and mucosal immunity are important to respiratory health, especially with growing evidence of health effects of air pollution. Native American, Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine systems recommend intranasal oil instillation for respiratory health. We assessed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of daily intranasal oil instillation for improved respiratory health. METHODS: A parallel group three arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) in healthy volunteers (n = 102) allocated equally to intranasal sesame oil, medicated sesame oil (Anu Oil) and control groups tested its feasibility and acceptability. Preliminary efficacy was tested by assessing expression of mucin genes (MUC5B, MUC5AC) that code for nasal barrier function. Other outcomes included expression of Occludin (OCLN), Claudin 9 (CLDN9) and Junction Adhesion Molecules (JAM), cytokines (IL6, IL10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma), pH of nasal mucus, mucosal immunity (sIGA), sleep quality, perceived stress, and incidence and severity of respiratory infections. RESULTS: Recruitment and retention of participants (Mean age= 20.6years) in Pune, India was feasible. Ninety nine participants completed this 12-week study. There were no serious adverse events. We standardized methods for noninvasive collection of nasal mucus samples using Whatman (no.42) paper strips and its processing to optimize RNA yield. Assessment of outcomes was feasible except for expression of JAM and IFN gamma that were undetectable. Downregulation of MUC5B and MUC5AC and no concurrent rise in cytokine levels suggest potential beneficial effect and assure safety of intranasal oil instillation, though nonsignificant in this pilot RCT. Significant improvements in sleep quality (group difference [∆] = -1.33, p = 0.02) and nasal pH (∆ = -0.16, p = 0.01) were found in sesame oil group. INTERPRETATION: Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of self-administered intranasal sesame oil instillation is demonstrated. A definitive RCT to evaluate it as a prophylaxis for respiratory health is needed.

Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103210