Biocatalytic nanobots: enhancing reactive oxygen species neutralisation for targeted therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

Background & idea: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is marked by chronic intestinal inflammation and an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the gastrointestinal mucosa. Elevated ROS levels contribute to tissue damage and impair mucosal healing, thereby intensifying the inflammatory process. Conventional treatments, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, primarily target systemic inflammation but are limited in addressing the localized oxidative stress characteristic of IBD. To overcome these limitations, our study introduces a polymeric biocatalytic nanobot (NB) system designed to combine efficient propulsion with ROS neutralisation. The NB is built around a chitosan core with mucoadhesive properties, which promotes prolonged retention at inflamed mucosal surfaces and may also enhance the delivery of bioactive compounds.