Clinical Effects of Polyphenolic Compounds on Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #polyphenols #quality-of-life #rhinitis-allergic #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Clinical Effects of Polyphenolic Compounds on Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lai et al., 2025 | J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract | Meta Analysis

Citation

Lai Yun-Ru, Liao Yi-Hsueh, ... Chen Yang-Ching. Clinical Effects of Polyphenolic Compounds on Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2025-Sep;13(9):2475-2491.e16. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2025.06.032

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polyphenolic compounds (eg, catechins or quercetin) may reduce hypersensitivity and allergic symptoms, but clinical evidence remains inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of polyphenolic compounds for managing allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effects of polyphenolic compounds on AR symptoms and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs (823 participants) were included: 7 enrolling patients with seasonal AR and 6 with perennial AR. In seasonal AR, polyphenolic compounds significantly reduced total nasal symptom scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.75, P = .0001; I2 = 52.8%), sneezing (SMD = 0.58, P = .0042; I2 = 45.6%), and nasal itching (SMD = 0.54, P = .011; I2 = 41.7%). In perennial AR, total nasal symptom scores improved, whereas individual symptoms were inconclusive. The combined analysis of seasonal and perennial AR, along with a sensitivity analysis excluding 2 outlier trials, yielded a more conservative and robust estimate, showing reductions in total nasal symptom scores (SMD = 0.73, P < .0001; I2 = 38.1%), nasal obstruction (SMD = 0.50, P = .0003; I2 = 36.4%), and sneezing (SMD = 0.57, P < .0001; I2 = 25.7%). Overall certainty of evidence for key nasal symptom outcomes was low to very low due to inconsistency and risk of bias. Effects on QoL were not significant. CONCLUSION: Polyphenolic compounds may serve as a complementary option for alleviating nasal symptoms in patients with AR, but findings should be interpreted cautiously. Future large-scale, rigorous RCTs are needed.

Key Findings

Thirteen RCTs (823 participants) were included: 7 enrolling patients with seasonal AR and 6 with perennial AR. In seasonal AR, polyphenolic compounds significantly reduced total nasal symptom scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.75, P = .0001; I2 = 52.8%), sneezing (SMD = 0.58, P = .0042; I2 = 45.6%), and nasal itching (SMD = 0.54, P = .011; I2 = 41.7%). In perennial AR, total nasal symptom scores improved, whereas individual symptoms were inconclusive. The combined analysis of seasona

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population seasonal ar and 6
Sample Size 823
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Polyphenols
  • Quality of Life
  • Rhinitis, Allergic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09