Sulfasalazine-Loaded Copper-Tannic Acid Coordination Nanozyme Enables ROS Scavenging and Immunomodulation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Anti-inflammatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and immunomodulators are commonly employed to control the inflammatory response in the management of IBD. Here, a copper and tannic acid (TA) coordination nanozyme (CuTA) loaded with sulfasalazine (SSZ-CuTA) is synthesized for the treatment of IBD by simultaneous scavenging ROS and immunosuppression. The CuTA exhibits both dismutase-like activity and catalase-like activity, making it efficient at scavenging ROS. These nanozymes can efficiently traverse gastric acid and subsequently exert their effects within the intestinal tract. It is verified that SSZ-CuTA can restore intestinal mucosal and goblet cells to a healthy state by effectively eliminating ROS and reducing the pro-inflammatory factors in a mouse IBD model. Overall, the SSZ-CuTA will offer a promising alternative treatment for patients suffering from IBD where excessive ROS and high inflammation coexist.