Intestinal microenvironment-modulating nanomedicines for inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) create a challenging intestinal microenvironment for drug delivery.
• Factors like inflammation, ROS, and microbial imbalance impair therapeutic transport and efficacy.
• Existing nanocarriers struggle with payload stability and targeted delivery in IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review nanocarrier strategies for overcoming IBD-related drug delivery challenges.
• To explore nanomedicine approaches for modulating the IBD microenvironment.
• To highlight advancements in microbiome-oriented and responsive nanocarriers for IBD.

Main Methods:

• Review of nanocarrier designs targeting biochemical abnormalities (ROS, H2S).
• Analysis of nanomedicine platforms for immune modulation and mucosal targeting.
• Examination of microbiome-informed delivery strategies (engineered probiotics, postbiotics).

Main Results:

• Nanocarriers are engineered for ROS scavenging, H2S removal, and pH responsiveness.
• Nanomedicine platforms enhance immune regulation and payload protection.
• Microbiome-targeted strategies leverage host-microbe interactions for sustained delivery.

Conclusions:

• Integrating biochemical responsiveness, immune modulation, and microbiome targeting is key for precision nanomedicine in IBD.
• Overcoming patient variability and heterogeneity remains a challenge.
• Further development is needed for durable mucosal retention and therapeutic efficacy.