Dendrimer crosslinked γ-polyglutamic acid/sodium alginate sponges: enhanced hemostasis and sustained...

Sinusitis often requires functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), but postoperative bleeding and persistent inflammation remain critical challenges. This study developed a multifunctional composite sponge (GSPB) using γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and sodium alginate (SA) as the matrix, with Generation 3 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer (G3) serving as both cross-linkers and budesonide (Bud) solubilizers. Fabricated via EDC/NHS-mediated cross-linking and freeze-drying, GSPB exhibited a porous structure, a balanced compressive modulus of 41.95 ± 3.50 kPa, and excellent cyclic compression fatigue resistance (stress attenuation rate of only 8.98% after 50 compression cycles). It also showed rapid absorption toward water and blood, alongside full biodegradability within 21 days. Meanwhile, G3 elevates the aqueous solubility of Bud by 12.5 times, thereby achieving long-term sustained drug delivery. In vitro studies confirmed excellent biocompatibility, potent hemostatic efficacy, and anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo experiments using nasal bleeding and acute sinusitis models demonstrated that GSPB achieved faster hemostasis with less blood loss than commercial gelatin sponges and Nasopore. It also effectively suppressed mucosal inflammation, reduced collagen deposition, and inhibited goblet cell hyperplasia without systemic toxicity, verified by serum biochemistry, routine blood tests, and major organ H&E histological staining in mice. As a biodegradable scaffold integrating hemostasis and anti-inflammatory activity, GSPB provides a novel and promising solution for post-sinusitis surgery care, with significant clinical translational potential.