Glucose-derived ultra-small carbon nanozymes for treating inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a group of common inflammatory intestinal disorders that are currently challenging to cure. Nanozymes, as an emerging class of therapeutics, hold significant promise in treating IBD. In this study, an ultrasmall, metal-free carbon nanozyme (GNZ) was synthesized from glucose through a one-step hydrothermal method. GNZ exhibited quantitatively characterized superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimicking catalytic activity and broad-spectrum antioxidant capacity against multiple reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, GNZ reduced intracellular oxidative stress and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers while promoting an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype. Moreover, oral administration of GNZ alleviated disease symptoms, increased colon length, and reduced colonic tissue injury in DSS-induced colitis mice. These findings demonstrate the potential of glucose-derived GNZ as an orally administered antioxidant nanozyme for alleviating intestinal inflammation.