Colon-Targeted Natural Polysaccharide-Berberine Armored Hydrogel for the Treatment of Colitis.

ABSTRACT: The maintenance of gut immune homeostasis and microbial balance is pivotal in the pathogenesis and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite advances in therapy, effective UC management remains challenging due to the limited efficacy and significant side effects of conventional treatments. Inspired by the synergistic mechanisms of bioactive compounds in traditional Chinese medicine, a colon-targeted hydrogel integrating rhubarb-derived polysaccharides and berberine-loaded dendrimers is engineered. This hydrogel self-assembles via intermolecular hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, enabling localized accumulation in colonic tissues to suppress aberrant immune activation and remodel the dysbiotic microbiome. Mechanistic studies reveal that the hydrogel potently promotes the

SUBMITTER: Guo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12417751 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature