فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic large intestine inflammatory condition, burdens patients and health systems. Many patients benefit from aminosalicylate, corticosteroid, and biological therapy, although side effects, incomplete response, and relapses limit their long-term usage. Due to these restrictions, nanoparticle-based therapy is gaining popularity as a possible alternative. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesised by reducing HAuCl₄ with sodium citrate. To assess their therapeutic potential, a dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model in BALB/c mice was UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM were used to characterise the nanoparticles. FTIR showed citrate capping surface functional groups, XRD signals matched metallic gold’s face-centered cubic structure, and FESEM showed mainly spherical particles with a mean diameter of 25 nm. Oral AuNPs (5 mg/kg/day) were given to mice for 14 days. The disease activity index, colon length, myeloperoxidase activity, and histological grades improved significantly after treatment. Western blotting and ELISA indicated reductions in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in colonic tissue compared to the untreated colitic group. AuNPs ameliorate experimental UC by inhibiting the NF-κB signalling pathway, suggesting further research as a supplementary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.