Pullulan-based nanofiber membranes with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for rhinosinusitis therapy

Rhinosinusitis is a common inflammatory condition of the nasal cavity that often requires antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy. This study aimed to develop a noninvasive, multifunctional nanofiber platform for localized rhinosinusitis treatment.

Pullulan-based nanofiber membranes co-loaded with ampicillin and clove oil were fabricated using the scalable Forcespinning® technique. The chemical composition, morphology, and thermo-physical properties of the developed membranes were characterized. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus using a Kirby - Bauer disk diffusion assay. Cytocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity were assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages, while mucus interaction and ex vivo mucosal permeation were evaluated using fluorescence-based methods.

The optimized pullulan/ampicillin/clove oil nanofibers exhibited uniform, bead-free morphology with an average diameter of 530 ± 35 nm and adequate thermal stability. Composite nanofibers demonstrated significantly enhanced antibacterial activity compared to single-agent formulations. The nanofibers were non-cytotoxic up to 500 µg/mL and significantly reduced nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages (p < 0.05). Mucointeraction and mucosal permeation studies supported their suitability for nasal delivery. These findings demonstrate that pullulan-based nanofibers offer a biocompatible, noninvasive platform for localized antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy in rhinosinusitis.