Nanoparticle-Mediated Therapeutic Approach for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the inner part of the colonic mucosa. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease which is idiopathic in nature. It is multifactorial, debilitating disorder which may cause life threatening complications. Given to the architecture of colon, conventional medicines have limitation in treating the disease. Thus, the need for alternative methods of drug delivery is important. Nanoparticle is one of the preferred drug delivery system owing to its unique properties. Nanoparticles resist undesired and premature degradation of the drugs, increases bioavailability, and target specificity. Different nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems like metallic, liposome, silica, or polymeric nanoparticles have been designed to administer therapeutic agents through oral route to treat ulcerative colitis. Natural compounds and active components isolated from the plant extracts and other bioactive agents are also delivered by nanoparticle. In the current chapter, nanoparticle-mediated drug and phytochemicals delivery to treat ulcerative colitis are discussed.