PILOT CLINICAL STUDY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OROPHARYNGEAL SPRAY OF CYMBOPOGON GIGANTEUS FOR OUTPATIENT ACUTE SORE THROAT IN BENIN

Sore throatis acute inflammation of the pharynx and/or palatine tonsils, usually caused by an infection (viral or bacterial) and which frequently leads to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. In the context of antimicrobial resistance, herbal medicines, which contain multiple bioactive compounds, may offer alternatives. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov (Poaceae) essential-oil oropharyngeal spray previously characterized for in-vitro and in-vivo antimicrobial activity. Asingle-arm phase 2 clinical trial was conducted at the Suru-Léré University Hospital Center, on adult aged 18 to 65 years with physician-diagnosed uncomplicated sore throat. Participants received the oropharyngeal spray for 7 days on an outpatient basis. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the main specific clinical signs observed on days 3 and 7 with a pre-established score. A total of 39 patients were enrolled. Rapid and substantial symptom reduction was observed by day 3 and maintained on day 7, yielding a final clinical success rate of 94.4%. Adverse events were limited to mild, transient hypersalivation (n=4) and dry throat (n=2), with no serious adverse events reported.” This preliminary trial suggests that an oropharyngeal spray containing Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov (Poaceae) essential oil provides rapid and sustained symptom relief in acute sore throat with a favorable safety profile. Despite methodological limitations, these findings offer valuable proof-of-concept evidence and support the need for larger randomized controlled trials.