Mesoporous nanomaterial-based smart nanoplatforms for precise therapies of ulcerative colitis: Strategies and challenges

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease predominantly impacting the rectum and colon. Because UC has a complicated pathophysiology, there is no effective treatment so far. Over the past decade, nanomedicine has undergone a remarkable transformation and expansion in its application, driven by an increasingly profound comprehension of the multifaceted functions of diverse nanomaterials. Consequently, an increasing number of these advanced materials have been utilized in the treatment of UC. Notably, mesoporous nanomaterials (MNMs) have gained significant attention due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high specific surface area, tunable pore size, large pore volume, and customizable surface chemistry. These MNMs exhibit outstanding drug-loading capacity, controlled release behavior and excellent biocompatibility, which have been demonstrated successfully overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies. With increasing research interest and translational potential, this review highlights novel strategies for UC treatment by focusing on its physiopathological characteristics and summarizes recent advancements in applying MNMs for UC therapy. The design strategies of various MNM-based smart nanoplatforms as drug carriers for UC treatment are comprehensively reviewed, with critical challenges and future trends in the development and translation of MNMs for UC therapies also outlined. This review establishes a rational framework for designing smart drug delivery systems based on mesoporous nanomaterial and provides guidance and inspiration for UC and other inflammatory disease treatment.