Investigating the Therapeutic Effect of Lota Carrageenan in Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis are chronic upper airway inflammatory diseases. Iota carrageenan is an herbal extract of red algae used as a prophylactic treatment for rhinitis in the common cold and other viral infections. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Iota carrageenan in the treatment of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. 

60 patients with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis clinical symptoms were randomly divided into carrageenan and placebo (control) groups. The Standard Sino-Nasal Outcome Questionnaire 22 (SNOT-22) and Rhino Juniper Mini Conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-RQLQ) were completed for each patient before and after receiving the drug. Smear of nasal secretions and rhinomanometry were also performed for all studied participants. 

The mean score of SNOT-22 in the study group was 43.3 and 23.7 in the first and fourth weeks after therapy. The mean score of Mini RQLQ was 36.3 and 19.3 at the same time points (P< 0.001). SNOT-22 (P= 0.002) and Mini RQLQ (P= 0.005) scores showed a statistically significant decrease in the study group compared to the control group. The decrease in the eosinophil count and rhinomanometry results following treatment in both groups was statistically insignificant. 

Our findings showed a positive effect for carrageenan over placebo in the management of both non-allergic and allergic rhinitis in symptom control. However, non-allergic rhinitis patients’ symptoms may improve better with this drug.