Abstract:Objective Preparation of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil-curcumin nanoemulsions (GLSO@CUR NEs) and explore its therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods GLSO@CUR NEs were formulated, consisting of Tween 80, anhydrous ethanol, spore oil and curcumin were developed. The morphology and size of GLSO@CUR NEs were observed by using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Malvern particle size analyzer was used to test nanoparticles size and Zeta potential. The characteristic chemical structure of Ganoderma spore oil in nano systems was analyzed by using Raman spectroscopy. The chemical bonding in NEs was determined by infrared spectroscopy. And the stability of GLSO@CUR NEs was analyzed under different physiological conditions. The protective effect on UC was explored in mice with UC induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The therapeutic effects of GLSO@CUR NEs on UC mice were observed from several aspects, including colon length, body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon pathological tissue changes, and intestinal barrier function. Results The developed GLSO@CUR NEs had multiple decreasing the DAI, restoring colon length, and improving histological damage (P < 0.05). In addition, GLSO@CUR NEs improved intestinal barrier function by inhibiting DSS induced TNF- α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) production, upregulating IL-4 (interleukin-4), IL-10 (interleukin-10), TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1) and SIgA (secretory IgA) levels, reducing serum D-lactate levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion A nanoparticle formulation, GLSO@CUR NEs, was successfully developed and shown to possess therapeutic efficacy against DSS-induced UC beneficial properties, including fluidity and excellent stability, and the droplets were uniform in shape and size. In the DSS induced UC mice, GLSO@CUR NEs significantly ameliorated colon injury, including increasing body weight,