Enoch Obeng,1– 3,* Akmal Ergashev,1– 3,* Qingqing Yao,3,4,* Wencan Wu,3– 5 Gang Chen1,2,6 

1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, People’s Republic of China; 3The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China; 4State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, People’s Republic of China; 5Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 32500, People’s Republic of China; 6Zhejiang-Germany Interdisciplinary Joint Laboratory of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Tumor and Bioengineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Gang Chen, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The first Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, People’s Republic of China, Email chen.gang@wmu.edu.cn Wencan Wu, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, People’s Republic of China, Email wuwencan@wmu.edu.cn

Abstract: Mounting evidence suggests acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a complication of acute pancreatitis (AP), a disorder associated with several health challenges, a common cause of multiple organ damage, and a contributing factor to mortality. The exact mechanism behind the disorder has not been fully understood over the years, although what is mostly known is that the intensity of the AP in turn plays a significant role in the state of the ALI/ARDS. The eradicative role via conventional/pharmacological intervention has caused only little impact over the years. However, the nanotechnological advancement over the years may set the stage for ameliorating the condition. This review seeks to expound on the possible potential embedded with bioactive nanomaterials tackling the limitations faced by conventional drugs by highlighting AP and its associated ALI/ARDS, the nanotechnological role in the face of the loopholes of the conventional intervention, and the use of bioactive nanomaterials ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-oxidant for the modulation ALI/ARDS. In addition, other modulating effects of bioactive-nanoparticles, the application of nanocomposite/hybrid nanoparticles and the conclusion and future perspective encompassing the cytotoxic effect and other concerns. In all, understanding the mechanisms and the bioactive nanomaterials potential roles may create a platform that can be of potential clinical value.

Keywords: acute lung injury, acute pancreatitis, drug delivery, nanoparticle, inflammation, oxidative stress