Development of a Hygrophila schulli (Ham.) Seed-Derived Nanocarrier for Targeted Therapeutic Intervention in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory illness characterized by colonic mucosal damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Hygrophila schulli seeds contain a variety of bioactive Phytoconstituents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this work was to create and test a lignin-chitosan Nano suspension loaded with H. schulli seed hydro alcoholic extract (HSSE-LCNs) as a potential UC therapy. Microscopic, histochemical, fluorescence, extraction, and phytochemical studies were conducted on H. schulli seeds. UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus LC-MS was used for phytochemical profiling. A lignin-rich seed polymer was extracted and analysed utilizing phytochemical assays and ATR-FTIR. HSSE-LCNs were made from lignin, chitosan, and hydro alcoholic seed extract and tested for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), morphology, FTIR, UV-Vis profile, and entrapment efficiency. Anti-colitic action was assessed in DSS-induced female Wistar rats utilizing the disease activity index, ulcer index, colon weight and length, and oxidative stress markers. HSSE-LCNs showed promising anti-colitic and antioxidant properties in DSS-induced UC, paving the way for further research into this plant-based Nano system as a viable therapeutic method.