Nanoparticle technologies in the diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal diseases: Progress, challenges, and future directions.

The application of nanotechnology in gastroenterology represents a significant shift toward more precise, effective, and less invasive management of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. By engineering materials at the nanoscale, researchers have developed sophisticated systems capable of overcoming formidable biological barriers, enabling targeted drug delivery, and providing unprecedented insights into disease pathophysiology through advanced diagnostic imaging and sensing. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of nanoparticle-based approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of major GI conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Helicobacter pylori infection, colorectal cancer (CRC), and gastric ulcers. It synthesizes recent progress, critically evaluates persistent challenges related to manufacturing and safety, and explores the future directions essential for translating promising laboratory discoveries into routine clinical practice. The field is characterized by a dynamic interplay between rapid scientific innovation and the equally critical need to solve complex problems of scalability, standardization, and regulatory compliance.