Oral Edible Zein/Citric Acid Nanocomposite Enables Intestinal Delivery of Resveratrol for Effective Ulcerative Colitis Therapy

Resveratrol (Res) is a plant polyphenol with diverse bioactivities, yet its application is limited by poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Therefore, an edible nanodelivery system composed of a zein/citric acid complex was developed to encapsulate Res@ZC-NPs showed high encapsulation efficiency, average particle size of 66.16 ± 1.19 nm and PDI of 0.176. In vitro, ZC-NPs inhibited oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species production and promoted cellular uptake. In vivo, the nanoparticles effectively delivered res to the colon, prolonged its retention, alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, preserve colonic tissue integrity, restore intestinal barrier function, and partially reshape gut microbiota composition. Overall, this study developed an oral nanosystem based on natural edible materials, providing an ideal delivery strategy for plant polyphenol-based active ingredients in treating ulcerative colitis.