## 1 Introduction  
Acute rhinitis (AR) is a common condition in the pediatric age, particularly during the early years of schooling, when the incidence reaches up to six to eight episodes yearly [1]. Studies from Europe and North America estimate that the average child experiences between four and seven episodes per year, with the highest incidence occurring in daycare settings [2]. This inflammation of the nasal mucosa is predominantly of viral origin, with a seasonal trend that peaks in autumn and winter [3]. The primary causative agents are rhinoviruses, which account for the majority of cases due to their high transmissibility and diversity, with over 100 serotypes identified [4]. Symptoms, which typically begin 1-2 days after infection, include nasal congestion, nasal breathing obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, coughing, headache, malaise, and sometimes mild fever, with complete remission generally occurring within 8-10 days [4]. Furthermore, AR is associated with substantial economic costs, including direct medical expenses and indirect costs due to caregiver absenteeism and productivity loss, which amount to billions of dollars annually in high-income countries [3,5]. AR has significant implications for pediatric health, adversely affecting quality of life, school performance, and sleep [6]. A quality-of-life survey among caregivers of children with recurrent AR highlighted increased stress levels and disruptions in family routines, emphasizing the broader impact of this condition [7]. Moreover, the inflammatory process triggered by viral infections can predispose children to secondary complications, such as otitis media and sinusitis [8]. The symptomatic management of AR remains the cornerstone of treatment. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of nasal irrigation with saline solutions to alleviate nasal obstruction, facilitate the clearance of mucus, and reduce the overall symptom burden [9,10]. Although antipyretics are frequently employed to manage fever associated with viral infections, the therapeutic strategies for this condition are otherwise limited [9,10]. There is growing interest in exploring non-pharmacological interventions that combine safety and efficacy, particularly in pediatric populations where medication use often necessitates caution. In this context, the role of natural compounds with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and mucosal protective properties is gaining attention. For example, Mullein (_Verbascum thapsus_) and thyme (_Thymus vulgaris_) are traditional remedies with demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic properties [11, 12, 13, 14]. Propolis, a resinous substance produced by bees, exhibits antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects through its polyphenol content, which modulates immune responses and inhibits viral replication [15, 16, 17]. Additionally, long-chain polyphosphates have been shown to enhance mucosal barrier integrity and exhibit antimicrobial properties, making them promising adjuncts in managing upper respiratory infections [18,19]. In this regard, medium- to long-chain polyphosphates (Pi \(\times\)40-120 in length) exhibit cytoprotective and antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 infection in various in vitro cellular models [20,21]. These effects are primarily achieved by enhancing the proteasome-mediated degradation of the host receptor ACE2 and the viral RdRp protein, inhibiting the interaction between the viral Spike protein and ACE2, and modulating inflammatory NF-kB signaling [20,21]. Consequently, this leads to a reduction in the levels of SARS-CoV-2 structural subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) and proteins [22], including sgN [23]. Furthermore, medium- to long-chain polyphosphates biopolymers have been also reported with antimicrobial activities via coacervation related process [19]. Recent advances have also shed light on the antiviral potential of these compounds against rhinoviruses and emerging viral pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.