The recent publication in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics by our research group represents an important step towards improving the treatment of acute viral rhinosinusitis (viral ARS).
This study highlights the potential of a novel nasal spray formulation, combining a fast-acting decongestant, xylometazoline, with an agent targeting nasal epithelial dysfunction, hyaluronic acid (HA). Such a formulation has the potential for improved treatment of viral ARS and holds promise for future clinical trials. As respiratory viruses commonly cause disruption of the airway epithelial barrier and mucociliary dysfunction, current treatments for viral ARS are primarily symptomatic, with xylometazoline being a widely-used nasal decongestant. However, this treatment does not address the underlying epithelial dysfunction, and its use may potentially cause adverse effects such as dryness, stinging, burning, rebound congestion, and atrophy.
In response to this problem, the newly developed nasal spray formulation containing both xylometazoline and HA aims to provide a more effective and safer treatment option for viral ARS. HA, a natural polysaccharide known for its hydrating and moisturizing properties, is essential for maintaining the integrity of the nasal mucosa, promoting mucociliary clearance, and facilitating wound healing. The study employed the nasal MucilAirTM in-vitro model and high-speed phase-contrast microscopy to evaluate the impact of both xylometazoline and HA on ciliary function and cytotoxicity. Significantly, this is the first research study to assess the effects of a specific dose and molecular weight of HA as an active pharmaceutical ingredient in nasal spray formulations. The promising results indicate that the combination of a fast-acting decongestant with an additional active agent targeting nasal epithelial dysfunction could potentially offer an improved, reliable, and safe treatment for viral ARS and could serve as the basis for future clinical studies. Read more here
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