Scientists from Mordovia State University, including NP Ogareva, have developed a method to produce capsules that can carry drugs to specific sections of the gastrointestinal tract, keep them there, and release them at a controlled rate. This breakthrough was reported to the public by the press service of Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science.
Today the challenge of delivering probiotics to their intended destination is pronounced. Many beneficial microbes can perish as they pass through the stomach’s acidic environment. The new approach uses protective capsules to ensure that probiotics reach the intestines intact. Once inside the gut, the capsule shell gradually releases the microorganisms, allowing the drug to work more effectively.
According to the researchers, the capsules are composed of a blend of polysaccharide materials including bacterial cellulose, alginate, and chitosan, along with a protein component such as gelatin. The ratio of these ingredients can be adjusted to tailor the delivery profile for different drugs. In simulations of the gastrointestinal journey, the capsule is expected to remain in the stomach for about two to four hours before moving into the intestines, where the active substance is released progressively.
The university’s rector, Dmitry Glushko, noted that this development broadens the potential applications of capsule technology. He highlighted that there are currently no direct analogues with the same stability in acidic environments, and emphasized that many indirect methods struggle with integrity when exposed to chelating substances in the surroundings or with precise release control. The work shows clear promise and significance for future pharmaceutical and probiotic therapies from the university’s researchers.
In clinical contexts, probiotics are frequently used to manage antibiotic associated diarrhea known as AAD. When patients receive injectable antibiotics in hospitals, imbalances in gut flora are common, leading to symptoms such as pain, bloating, severe diarrhea, and poor nutrient absorption. Initiating probiotic therapy at the start of antibiotic treatment can help mitigate these adverse effects. Probiotics can also be administered in tablet form in addition to capsule deliveries when appropriate for a given treatment plan.
Earlier in its research program, Mordovia State University researchers also worked on an inhalation mask designed to improve drug delivery to the respiratory tract in calves for infection treatment and prevention. This demonstrates the university’s broader focus on bioengineering solutions that optimize how medicines reach specific bodily sites and how they perform once there.