Figure 3.

Multiple antioxidant nanomedicines are designed to scavenge the overproduced reactive species (non-enzymatic antioxidants) or enhance the catalyzation of antioxidant processes (enzymatic antioxidants), leading to attenuate the inflammation within the gut. In order to specifically target the inflammatory site (intestinal epithelial cells or the intestinal immune system), the size, shape, surface charge, and surface functionalization should be taken into consideration. The classification of the generally-used antioxidants to treat IBD has been summarized. IBD—inflammatory bowel disease.