The Nasal Microbiome in Inflammation and Disease: Bridging Mechanisms to Therapeutics

The nasal microbiome, an integral component of the upper respiratory tract's microecological system, plays a pivotal role in inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, which affect a substantial population and markedly reduce quality of life. A healthy nasal flora and its metabolites are crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and mucosal barrier integrity. This review comprehensively discusses the pathological mechanisms, immune interactions, and clinical intervention strategies involving the nasal microbiota in nasal inflammation. It has been shown that dysbiosis of the nasal flora disrupts immune function and compromises the epithelial barrier, thereby initiating and exacerbating a vicious cycle of inflammation. Furthermore, the formation of bacterial biofilms and the emergence of drug resistance contribute to persistent and recurrent symptoms. Regarding treatment, while antibiotics may offer short-term efficacy, they risk aggravating the microbial imbalance. In contrast, therapies including probiotics, novel immunomodulators, and traditional Chinese medicine demonstrate significant therapeutic potential by restoring microbial balance and modulating immune responses. This review synthesizes current research to provide new perspectives for understanding host-microbiome interactions and to guide future clinical treatments and drug development.