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Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Chinese Herbal Retention Enema for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Published on: May 16, 2025
Oral colon-targeting core-shell microparticles loading curcumin for enhanced ulcerative colitis alleviating efficacy
Chen Zhang1,2, Zhejie Chen3,2, Yanan He1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
A novel core-shell microparticle system effectively delivers curcumin to the colon for ulcerative colitis treatment. This system enhances curcumin
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Curcumin's lipophilicity and instability hinder its use in ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment.
- Effective oral colon-targeting drug delivery is crucial for curcumin's therapeutic application in UC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a core-shell microparticle (MP) system for colon-targeted curcumin delivery.
- To assess the efficacy of this system in treating experimental colitis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of zein-core, shellac-shell curcumin-loaded microparticles (shellac@Cur/zein MPs) via coaxial electrospray.
- Evaluation of colon-targeting efficiency and accumulation using in vivo fluorescence imaging.
- Comparison of therapeutic effects of free curcumin, curcumin/zein MPs, and shellac@Cur/zein MPs in acute experimental colitis models.
Main Results:
- Optimized shellac@Cur/zein MPs exhibited spherical shape, uniform size (2.84 µm), and high encapsulation efficiency (95.97%).
- Shellac@zein MPs ensured sustained curcumin release and improved colon accumulation.
- Oral administration of shellac@Cur/zein MPs significantly inhibited inflammation in acute experimental colitis.
Conclusions:
- Shellac@Cur/zein MPs represent a promising oral drug delivery system for ulcerative colitis management.
- The developed microparticle system enhances curcumin's therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease.
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