Co-delivery of resveratrol and curcumin based on Mesona chinensis polysaccharides/zein nanoparticle for targeted alleviation of ulcerative colitis

Herein, a novel oral nano-delivery system (CR-NPs) was designed for co-delivering curcumin and resveratrol to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) using Mesona chinensis polysaccharides and zein via antisolvent precipitation and continuous water evaporation crosslinking. It showed high encapsulation rates for both bioactives due to hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic forces. CR-NPs have favorable in vitro gastrointestinal stability and low pre-colonic release rates, resulting in increased accumulation in the colon. In vivo therapeutic effects of CR-NPs were confirmed through alleviation of UC symptoms and inflammation of UC mice. CR-NPs maintained the balance of intestinal flora and promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids in UC mice. Furthermore, CR-NPs intervention can alleviate the development of UC by modulating arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and tryptophan metabolism. This study provides some theoretical basis using a novel dietary protocol option that co-delivering natural bioactives to the colon for alleviation of UC.