Chitosan functionalized Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles counteracts ulcerative colitis in mice through modulation of cellular...

Recent findings suggest a key role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Several studies have also highlighted the efficacy of citrate functionalized Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles as redox medicine against a number of ROS-mediated disorders. Here we show that synthesized nanoparticles consisting of chitosan functionalized tri-manganese tetroxide (Mn₃O₄) can restore redox balance in a mouse model of UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Our in-vitro characterization of the developed nanoparticle confirms critical electronic transitions in the nanoparticle to be important for the redox buffering activity in the animal model. A careful administration of the developed nanoparticle not only reduces inflammatory markers in the animals, but also reduces the mortality rate from the induced disease. This study provides a proof of concept for the use of nanomaterial with synergistic anti-inflammatory and redox buffering capacity to prevent and treat ulcerative colitis.