Hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles ameliorate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via synergistic TLR4-NF-kB suppression Nrf2 activation intestinal barrier restoration and gut microbiota modulation

This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which Hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles ameliorates ulcerative colitis (UC) through the regulation of gut microbiota. UC is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with intestinal dysbiosis, and Hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles, with its high bioavailability and anti-inflammatory properties, holds promise for restoring gut microecological balance. Using a UC mouse model, the effects of nano-curcumin on the composition and function of gut microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing (Illumina platform), including a/b diversity analysis (e.g., Shannon index, PCoA, NMDS), identification of differential species (LEfSe, Metastats), and functional prediction (PICRUSt2, FAPROTAX).