Active ingredient
Capsaicin, the common ingredient in Buster Brands products, is a highly researched botanical extract. Derived from cayenne pepper, capsaicin has a long history of use as a natural therapeutic agent for a variety of ailments. More than twenty studies (see below) have documented the effectiveness of capsaicin in the treatment of sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and headaches.
Findings of a recent clinical study
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on Sinus Buster® nasal spray was recently completed by leading researcher Dr. Jonathan Bernstein, professor and researcher with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology. The study measured the improvement in nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and pain. It also evaluated speed of action and safety parameters. Key findings include:
- Sinus Buster started to provide relief of sinus/nasal congestion, pressure, and headache pain in less than one minute.
- Sinus Buster subjects continued to show a statistically significant improvement in nasal congestion and sinus pain at each of the measured time points and follow-up visits over the two-week duration of the study.
- The study showed Sinus Buster to have a favorable safety profile. Sinus Buster was well tolerated without a rebound effect. There was no negative effect on sense of smell. In fact, patients who received Sinus Buster showed a statistically significant improvement in sense of smell.
“The study results demonstrate that Sinus Buster is a powerful solution for sinus congestion, pressure and headaches that not only provides immediate relief, but also provides sustained relief throughout the course of the two-week treatment period,” said Dr. Bernstein.
Relevant scientific abstracts
Here follow excerpts from either published clinical studies or scientific review articles on the intranasal use of capsaicin for treating congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and cluster headaches.
The long-term effects of capsaicin aqueous spray on the nasal mucosa.
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Clinical study of capsaicin in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
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“Capsaicin-sensitive” sensory neurons in cluster headache: pathophysiological aspects and therapeutic indication.
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Intranasal capsaicin reduces nasal hyperreactivity in idiopathic rhinitis: a double-blind randomized application regimen study.
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Clinical experiences with local capsaicin treatment of chronic rhinopathy.
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Topical agents in the treatment of cluster headache.
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Clinical observation and therapeutic mechanism of blocking agent of substance P nerves in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.
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Treatment of nonspecific hyper-reflectory rhinopathy (vasomotor rhinitis) with capsaicin.
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Preventative effect of repeated nasal applications of capsaicin in cluster headache pain.
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Intranasal capsaicin is efficacious in non-allergic, non-infectious perennial rhinitis. A placebo-controlled study.
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Local treatment of aspecific nasal hyperreactivity with capsaicin.
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Improvement of symptoms of non-allergic chronic rhinitis by local treatment with capsaicin.
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Beneficial effects of intranasal applications of capsaicin in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.
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Capsaicin treatment of idiopathic rhinitis: the new panacea?
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Additional published literature
Specific studies available on capsaicin’s mechanism of action include:
- Fang, S., Shen, C. (1998). Neuropeptide innervation and neuroendocrine cells in allergic rhinitis and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Volume 28, Number 2, February, pp. 228–232(5)
- Fusco, B.M., Alessandri, M. (1992). Analgesic Effect of Capsaicin in Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia. Anesth Analg. 74:375–377
- Fusco, B.M., Barzoi, G., Agrò, F. (2003). Repeated intranasal capsaicin applications to treat chronic migraine. British Journal of Anesthesia, Vol. 90, No. 6 812
- Fusco, B. M., Fiore, G., Gallo, F., Martelletti, P., Giacovazzo, M. (2005). “Capsaicin-Sensitive” Sensory Neurons in Cluster Headache: Pathophysiological Aspects and Therapeutic Indication. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. Volume 34 Issue 3, Pages 132–137
- Kuhn FA, Gonzalez S, Rodriguez M, Siller CC, Zachariou V, Goldstein BD. (1997). Capsaicin’s effect on rat nasal mucosa substance P release: experimental basis for vasomotor rhinitis treatment. Am J Rhinol. Jul-Aug; 11(4):313–6.
- Seki N, Shirasaki H, Kikuchi M, Himi T., (2007). Capsaicin induces the production of IL–6 in human upper respiratory epithelial cells. Life Sci. Apr 3; 80(17):1592–7. Epub 2007 Jan 27.
- Valencia M, Randazzo L., (1992). Substance P: immuno-allergic implications. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). Jan-Feb; 20(1):3–8.
- Yokota E, Kuyama S, Ogawa M, Kamei C., (2008). Substance P is involved in the effect of histamine H3 receptor agonist, Sch 50971 on nasal allergic symptoms in mice. Int Immunopharmacol. Aug;8(8):1083–8. Epub 2008 Apr 28.
- Zhang F, Han D, Zhu X. (1999). Immunohistochemical and pathological study of capsaicin in the treatment of rabbit animal model with allergic rhinitis. Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. Aug; 34(4):229–31.
