Scientists from the Ocean University of China in Qingdao have developed a material based on complex sugars for oral delivery of probiotics to the intestines. The research was published in the journal engineering.
Probiotics are preparations containing live bacteria. They are designed to treat conditions caused by unhealthy changes in the gut microbiome, but the effectiveness of probiotics is severely limited due to the lack of reliable systems for transporting bacteria into the gut.
In the new study, scientists used a two-layer polysaccharide hydrogel composed of carboxymethylcellulose and carboxymethylchitosan to protect the probiotic preparation from the adverse environment of the gastrointestinal tract. The structure of the material remained closed in the stomach, creating a barrier that protected the probiotics from acid. Once it reached the intestines, the material opened up and probiotics were released.
The bioavailability (number of bacteria in the intestines) of the drug when taken orally was 100.1 times higher compared to probiotics without hydrogel. The scientists’ approach also significantly increased the survival rate of bacteria in the intestines.
Scientists believe that their development could be used for targeted delivery of not only probiotics but also other drugs to specific areas of the intestinal tract.
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