Oral Lipid Nanoparticles for Improving the Efficiency of Drug Delivery Systems in Ulcerative Colitis: Recent Advances and Future Prospects.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by persistent, recurrent, and relapsing inflammation of the mucosal layer. Its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully understood, with current treatments mainly focused on alleviating symptoms through pharmacological methods. Direct drug administration for UC often leads to poor intestinal bioavailability, suboptimal targeting, and an increased risk of resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective drug delivery systems. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising candidates for UC drug delivery due to their high biocompatibility, stability, and customizable properties. Oral administration, as a preferred treatment approach for UC, offers benefits such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, and better patient compliance. However, oral drug delivery systems must navigate the complex gastrointestinal tract to effectively target colonic lesions, posing significant challenges for LNP-based systems. Researchers are exploring ways to enhance oral delivery efficiency by adjusting LNP composition, surface functionalization, and coating. This article reviews recent advancements in oral LNP research aimed at improving drug delivery efficiency for UC treatment and discusses future prospects.