The effects of nasal drops on the ciliary beat frequency of chicken embryo tracheas.

The effects of proprietary preparations in the Netherlands and nasal preparations according to the F.N.A. (Formulary of the Netherlands' Pharmacists Association) on the ciliary beat frequency of chicken embryo tracheas have been determined. In general the preservatives, used in the nasal drops, turned out to have a more decisive influence on the ciliary motion than the pharmacologically active constituents. The average time, necessary to decrease the frequency 50% with 1=5 diluted nasal drops (average t 50%(1=5) containing a mercury compound or chlorbutol, is 0.4 h. Quaternary ammonium compounds containing preparations, however, have less influence, average t 50%(1=5) greater than 1.22 h. They are to be used preferably. Nasal drops, used as decongestants, provided that they are preserved with quaternary ammonium compounds, have little influence on the ciliary motion (average t50%(1=5) greater than 1.38 h). Nasal drops containing antihistamines, in contrast, inhibit the ciliary motion largely and almost independently of the preservatives (average t50%(1=5)=0.22 h); the cromoglycate containing preparation, on the contrary, has only little effect in this respect (t50%(1=5) greater than 2 h). Antimicrobial preparations are not preserved and have an intermediate ciliotoxic effect (average t50%(1=5)=0.7 h).