Myrtol standardized affects mucociliary clearance.

Background: Myrtol standardized (Gelomyrtol forte) has been shown to be effective in controlling nasal symptoms of rhinosinusitis by promoting mucociliary clearance. Our aim was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of myrtol on ciliated columnar cells and goblet cells in an in-vitro setting.

Methods: Nasal epithelial cells were harvested (42 days) from an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture of human nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (hNESPCs), which was derived from biopsies of nasal inferior turbinate mucosa. Myrtol 0.1% was applied to the ALI culture system at 2 different time-points (day 0 and day 35) on progenitor and differentiated cells. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF), supernatant fluid, and ciliated and goblet cell markers were evaluated after short- (7 days) and long-term (42 days) treatment.

Results: In the long-term treatment with myrtol, there was an increase in cilia area (type IV β-tubulin , 1.53-fold, p = 0.031) and ciliogenesis-related markers (Foxj1 and CP110) with no change in CBF, as compared with control. In addition, the short-term myrtol treatment group exhibited greater mucin secretion compared with control.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates, through cellular and molecular mechanisms, that myrtol standardized enhances the mucus production from goblet cells in the short term, and promotes ciliated cell differentiation in the long term.