A ROS-responsive nanozyme delivering gallic acid synergistically ameliorates chronic rhinosinusitis via epithelial barrier restoration and Syk/NF-κB inhibition

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction. However, effective therapeutic strategies targeting this core pathophysiology remain limited. Gallic acid (GA)-a polyphenol with known anti-inflammatory activity-suffers from poor bioavailability and the absence of targeted delivery, limiting its clinical translation. Methods: We engineered a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanozyme, termed Ce-MOF-Pt@GA@PDA-TK-PEG (CP-GA-PKP), designed for targeted therapy of CRS. The material was characterized to confirm its structure and ROS-responsive properties. Its therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in a murine CRS model, with assessments focusing on inflammatory cell infiltration as well as the levels of ZO-1 and Occludin. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the molecular target of GA, which was subsequently validated through in vitro experiments using human nasal epithelial cells by analyzing the Syk/NF-κB pathway and downstream inflammatory cytokines. Results: In CRS mice, nanozyme treatment significantly alleviated nasal mucosal inflammation, reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, and restored Occludin and ZO-1 expression, indicating epithelial barrier repair. Network pharmacology identified Syk as the primary target of GA. Consistently, in vitro studies confirmed that the nanozyme inhibited the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream effector NF-κB, thereby reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that this ROS-responsive nanozyme provides a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for CRS in preclinical models, warranting further pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation to support clinical translation. It exerts synergistic therapeutic effects through a dual mechanism: by inhibiting the Syk/NF-κB signaling axis to suppress inflammation, and by protecting epithelial barrier integrity. A promising nanotherapeutic strategy is proposed and the molecular mechanism underlying GA's action in CRS is investigated.