New advances of nanozymes for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases (Review)

Despite the significant progress that has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases, these conditions continue to pose a serious public health concern worldwide. There is an ongoing need for strategies that are precise, efficient and minimally invasive. Nanozymes, engineered nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic functions, have attracted considerable interest in this context. However, clinical application of nanozymes remains limited primarily due to their diversity, targetability, biocompatibility and early‑stage clinical translation. The present review presented a comprehensive analysis of nanozymes in digestive system diseases. The main enzyme‑like activities of nanozymes are summarized to guide further material selection and characteristic exploration. Preclinical applications are highlighted with mechanisms and theranostic effects discussed alongside their potential limitations. Emerging combination therapies, including photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy and biotherapy, are reviewed. Finally, the current challenges of nanozymes and possible future developments are discussed.