<strong>Background</strong><br />Poor air and mask quality in the work environment increase the risks of inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, ongoing oxidative stress, and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) levels in the airways. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the Nephrolepis exaltata - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (NE-HRS) combination herbal mask on the airways, as measured by ROS and SOD3 levels in the nasal wash of textile industry workers.<br /><br /><strong>Methods</strong><br />This was a pre- and post-test randomized controlled trial, consisting of 30 subjects with ³5-year working time, conducted for eight weeks and monitored every ten days. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups, regular surgical mask group (n=10), NE-HRS combination herbal mask group (n=10) and factory mask group (n=10). SOD3 and ROS levels were determined using ELISA. Data were analyzed with One-way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests.<br /><br /><strong>Results</strong> <br />ROS levels decreased significantly in all groups (p=0.004). Regular surgical masks decreased ROS levels by 67.90 ± 50.66 pg/mL, NE-HRS combination herbal masks by 49.91 ± 45.06 pg/mL, and factory masks by 193.96 ± 128.36 pg/ml. SOD3 levels also decreased but not significantly (p=0.053). Differences in ROS levels between surgical mask and NE-HRS combination herbal mask was not significant (p=0.796). <br /><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Herbal masks laminated with NE-HRS combination significantly reduced ROS levels among textile industry workers. NE-HRS combination herbal masks have a similar protective effect to the regular surgical mask.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.