Ultrafast <i>in situ</i> formed robust and adhesive photo-crosslinked hydrogel encapsulating curcumin for ulcerative colitis alleviation via regulating inflammation and gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing-remitting inflammatory condition that primarily affects the colonic mucosa. Its treatment is significantly constrained by the systemic side effects of non-specific drugs like glucocorticoids. Curcumin (Cur) is known as a safe and potent compound for mitigating UC, but its application is hindered by low colonic bioavailability. Hydrogel presents a promising colonic delivery system for drugs to reduce side effects and enhance colonic bioavailability. However, achieving hydrogel adhesion and stability in the harsh colonic environment is quite challenging. Here, to overcome these challenges, we have developed an adhesive and robust photo-crosslinked hydrogel encapsulated with Cur loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (Cur@PLGA

SUBMITTER: Bai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12513075 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature