A method for treating the disease state in mammals caused by mammalian nasal and sinus cells involved in the inflammatory response is disclosed. Mammalian nasal and sinus cells participating in the inflammatory response are contacted with an inflammatory response mediator which reduces the undesired inflammatory response and is an antioxidant. The inflammatory response mediator may further provide a cellular energy source and be a building block in the cellular synthesis of other cellular components. Compositions for reducing and treating undesired inflammatory response are also disclosed.