Nanotechnology for research and treatment of the intestine

The establishment of intestinal in vitro models is crucial for elucidating intestinal cell-microbe intrinsic connections and interaction mechanisms to advance normalized intestinal diagnosis and precision therapy. This review discusses the application of nanomaterials in mucosal therapy and mechanism research in combination with the study of nanoscaffold in vitro models of the gut. By reviewing the original properties of nanomaterials synthesized by different physicochemical principles and modifying the original properties, the contribution of nanomaterials to solving the problems of short survival period, low cell differentiation rate, and poor reduction ability in traditional intestinal models is explored. According to nanomaterials’ different diagnostic mediators and therapeutic targets, the current diagnostic principles in inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal cancer, and other diseases are summarized inductively. In addition, the mechanism of action of nanomedicines in repairing mucosa, inhibiting inflammation, and alleviating the disease process is also discussed. Through such systematic elaboration, it offers a basis for nanomaterials to help advance in vitro research on the intestine and provide precision treatments in the clinic.