Work

A cerium nanocluster for effective alleviation of inflammatory bowel disease by scavenging RONS and regulating gut microbiome

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (RONS) within the pro-inflammatory microenvironment. Conventional treatments often have serious side effects, making IBD management challenging. Here, a new cerium cluster, Ce12, with a formula of [Ce 12 ( μ 3 -O) 8 ( μ 3 -OH) 8 ( μ 2 -OH) 6 (ADA) 18 ]∙3H 2 O∙3CH 3 CN (ADA − = 1-adamantanecarboxylate) was prepared and capped with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) through self-assembly process involving the adamantane moiety of Ce12 and β-CD, resulting in Ce12@CD nanoparticles (NPs). Ce12@CD NPs, with good stability and biocompatibility, exhibit excellent reactive RONS scavenging activities due to the presence of a fraction of Ce 3+ ions, offering potential for treating inflammatory diseases. Treatment significantly alleviated body weight loss, colon length reduction, and pathological injury of colon in mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-elicited colitis, thereby repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier and reducing inflammation. RNA sequence analysis revealed that the therapeutic effects of Ce12@CD NPs are highly correlated with IL-17 and TNF signaling pathways, thereby reducing inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α, and alleviating intestinal inflammation. Additionally, Ce12@CD NPs successfully modulated DSS-induced gut microbiota imbalances. This work highlights the unique catalytic activity of Ce12@CD NPs in removing RONS and mimicking biological enzymes, showcasing their potential therapeutic applications for inflammatory disorders. Schematic illustration of Ce12@CD NPs with RONS scavenging for antioxidant, anti-inflammation and microbiota modulation, which alleviated the progression of intestinal inflammation through down-regulating the pro-inflammatory factors, and restoring gut flora.

Source: Materials Today Bio

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101705