Andreia S. Barros, Rute Nunes, Bruno Sarmento
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly composed of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). IBD presents a significant global health challenge, with no cure associated. Despite the intensive research and development of medical therapies for IBD, current treatments often exhibit limitations such as a lack of selectivity, low bioavailability, incomplete response rates, loss of efficacy over time, and significant side effects. Nanoparticles (NPs) potentially offer a solution to overcome limitations of conventional drug formulations. NPs can be engineered to respond to specific disease microenvironments or external stimuli. These targeted and controlled drug delivery mechanisms enhance their therapeutic efficacy, providing a more precise and efficient treatment strategy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of IBD, its current treatment landscape, and the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The focus on stimulus-responsive NPs offers a promising avenue for advancing IBD treatment, potentially overcoming existing challenges and improving patient outcomes.