The effects of gelomyrtol forte® on human ciliary beat frequency in bronchiectasis subjects in vitro

Abstract

Aim Ciliary beat is the major determinant of mucociliary clearance mechanism, which maintains the sterility of the lower respiratory tract and thereby respiratory health against inhaled pathogens. Gelomyrtol Forte (GF) is phytomedicine, claimed to exhibit seretomucolytic functions and anecodotally used to treat COPD and sinusitis. Our lab have demonstrated that GF causes an increase in ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in healthy subjects in vitro. Its effects have not been studied in bronchiectasis subjects who have a lower basal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) when compared with healthy subjects. Methods We have examined the effects on GF on CBF of human respiratory mucosa of 12 bronchiectasis patients. The mucosa was obtained without anaesthetic from the inferior turbinate and suspended in M199 which contained 0 and 250 ng/mL of GF. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) for each GF concentration was examined using a phase contrast microscope and a photometric system linked to a digital converter as per standard established protocol in our laboratory at 0.2 and 4 h. Results The following table shows our data. Paired Samples t-test between 0 hr, 2 hr and 4 hr on all groups showed a significant increase in CBF after incubation (0 ng/mL GF and 250 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The increase in CBF was most obvious in the time interval between 0 hr and 2 hour. Also, CBF was significantly higher in samples which were incubated with GF at 250 ng/mL than at 0 ng/mL. (2 hr p = 0.008, 4 hr p = 0.019). Conclusion Our results suggest that Gelomyrtol Forte could have a mucokinetic action in bronchiectasis subjects.