Smart bionanomaterials for treatment and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a group of chronic inflammatory disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract, with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis being the primary subtypes. Diagnosis and treatment of IBD are challenging due to their unknown etiology and complex pathology. Smart bionanomaterials, which are biocompatible nanometer-sized materials that respond to external stimuli, can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. In the context of IBD, these materials can deliver drugs, primarily aminosalicylates, and corticosteroids, as well as live probiotics to the inflamed parts of the intestine, with a specific focus on the colon. The controlled release of drugs can be triggered by the conditions present in the IBD-affected intestine, such as inflammation, anaerobic environment, neutral pH, and gut microbiota. This article provides an overview of the use of smart bionanomaterials, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, nanofibers, and hybrid systems. It discusses their manufacturing process and their ability to deliver active ingredients in response to various stimuli, such as pH, temperature, reactive oxygen species, magnetic field, and biomolecules, for the treatment of IBD. We also describe the use of smart probiotics, which have been genetically engineered to recognize specific stimuli and synthesize recombinant proteins for the treatment of IBD. The qualitative or quantitative response to inflammatory stimuli can be exploited in diagnostic applications, with some examples already developed. Smart bionanomaterials offer several advantages, such as encapsulation, targeted delivery, responsiveness to stimuli, and controlled release. These features make them a valuable adjunct tool in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.