<i>Bletilla striata</i> Polysaccharide-Functionalized Selenium Nanoparticles: A Treatment Strategy for Gastric Ulcers Based on Nano Biocomposites

Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common gastrointestinal disease, and its treatment still faces challenges such as high recurrence rate and side effects. Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) have emerged as a promising candidate for the treatment of gastric ulcers due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the application of Se NPs is hindered by their poor stability and low bioavailability. Here, BSP-modified Se NPs (BSP-Se NPs) were synthesized using <i>Bletilla striata</i> polysaccharide (BSP) as a stabilizer. The results showed that BSP-Se NPs displayed good dispersion with a particle size of 77.24 ± 3.17 nm. BSP-Se NPs exhibited preferential accumulation and prolonged circulation time in gastric tissues as well as enhanced cellular uptake, thereby improving their bioavailability. The results of <i>in vivo</i> animal experiments demonstrated that BSP-Se NPs significantly improved the ulcer index (UI) and increased ulcer inhibition rate in GU mice. Additionally, BSP-Se NPs significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors, improved the levels of oxidative stress markers, ameliorated the pathological damage of gastric tissues, and restored the gastric mucosal barrier, thus effectively treating ethanol-induced GU. Overall, the therapeutic effect of BSP-Se NPs on gastric ulcers highlights their potential as a promising treatment strategy for this prevalent gastrointestinal condition.