This research introduces a probiotic inulin hydrogel loaded with polypyrrole (PPy) nanozymes and antifibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD) (PPy/PFD@Inulin gel) designed for the concurrent amelioration of IBD and its fibrotic complication. The inulin gel extends gastrointestinal residence time of PPy nanozymes and PFD, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier repair, and suppressing intestinal fibrosis. The PPy/PFD@Inulin gel showed significant prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in DSS-induced colitis and intestinal fibrosis in mouse models, offering a novel paradigm for simultaneous reversal of IBD and its fibrotic complications.

Xiangjing Cao, Shi Tao, Weitao Wang, Silong Wu, Yang Hong, Xuyuan Wang, Yan Ma, Haisheng Qian, Zhengbao Zha