A therapeutic strategy that could address colitis of multiple etiologies while restoring the dysbiosis of gut microbiota is attractive. Here, Aurozyme, a novel nanomedicine comprised of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and glycyrrhizin (GL) with a glycol chitosan coating layer, as a promising approach for colitis, is demonstrated. The unique feature of Aurozyme is the conversion of harmful peroxidase-like activity of AuNPs to beneficial catalase-like activity due to the amine-rich environment provided by the glycol chitosan. This conversion process enables Aurozyme to oxidize the hydroxyl radicals derived from AuNP, producing water and oxygen molecules. In fact, Aurozyme effectively scavenges reactive oxygen/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can attenuate the M1 polarization of macrophage. It exhibits prolonged adhesion to the lesion site, promoting sustained anti-inflammatory effects and restoring intestinal function in colitis-challenged mice. Additionally, it increases the abundance and diversity of beneficial probiotics, which are essential for maintaining microbial homeostasis in the gut. The work highlights the transformative potential of nanozymes for the comprehensive treatment of inflammatory disease and represents an innovative switching technology of enzyme-like activity by Aurozyme.
Keywords: catalase-like activity; glycol chitosan; gold nanoparticles; inflammatory bowel diseases; nanozymes; reactive nitrogen species (RNS); reactive oxygen species (ROS).
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