Antiviral Efficacy of Iota-Carrageenan Lozenges in Treating Acute Viral Pharyngitis: A Randomized Controlled Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v13.1432Keywords:
Iota-carrageenan, acute viral pharyngitis, human rhinovirus, antiviral therapy, symptom relief, viral load reduction, randomized controlled trialAbstract
Acute viral pharyngitis, commonly caused by human rhinovirus (HRV), poses significant public health challenges, often requiring symptomatic treatment without directly addressing viral replication. This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of iota-carrageenan lozenges in reducing symptom severity and viral load in patients with acute viral pharyngitis. A total of 180 patients were randomly assigned to receive either iota-carrageenan or a placebo, administered as lozenges six times daily for up to 10 days. Symptom severity was tracked using Jackson’s Total Symptom Score (TSS), while viral load was assessed through RT-PCR on Days 1 and 5. The results showed that the iota-carrageenan group experienced a significant reduction in TSS, particularly between Days 2 and 4, indicating faster symptom relief compared to the placebo group. HRV-positive patients in the iota-carrageenan group demonstrated a greater reduction in viral load, with a 90.2% decrease versus 72.0% in the placebo group. Both groups reported minimal adverse effects, primarily mild throat irritation, suggesting that iota-carrageenan is well-tolerated. These findings suggest that iota-carrageenan lozenges may provide an effective antiviral therapy for acute viral pharyngitis, reducing both symptom burden and viral replication. The treatment’s safety profile and its potential to curb transmission make it a valuable alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments. Further research with larger, diverse populations is recommended to confirm these results and expand the potential applications of iota-carrageenan in managing upper respiratory tract infections.
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