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Pharmaceutics
Volume 17
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10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663
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Article

Engineering a Dual-Function Starch–Cellulose Composite for Colon-Targeted Probiotic Delivery and Synergistic Gut Microbiota Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics

by
Ruixiang Liu
1,2,
Yikang Ding
1,2,
Yujing Xu
1,2,
Qifeng Wu
3,
Yanan Chen
1,2,
Guiming Yan
3,
Dengke Yin
1,2 and
Ye Yang
1,2,3,*
1
School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
2
Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Hefei 230012, China
3
School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663
Submission received: 20 April 2025 / Revised: 14 May 2025 / Accepted: 14 May 2025 / Published: 17 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Drug Delivery and Controlled Release)
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Abstract

Objectives: This study engineered a colon-targeted drug delivery system (CTDS) using the dual pharmaceutical and edible properties of Pueraria lobata to encapsulate Lactobacillus paracasei for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapy. Methods: The CTDS was designed as a core–shell composite through microwave–hydrothermal engineering, comprising the following: (1) a retrograded starch shell with acid/enzyme-resistant crystallinity to protect probiotics from gastric degradation; (2) a porous cellulose core derived from Pueraria lobata’s natural microstructure, serving as a colonization scaffold for probiotics. Results: Structural characterization confirmed the shell’s resistance to acidic/pancreatic conditions and the core’s hierarchical porosity for bacterial encapsulation. pH/enzyme-responsive release kinetics were validated via fluorescence imaging, demonstrating targeted probiotic delivery to the colon with minimal gastric leakage. In diabetic models, the CTDS significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and improved dyslipidemia, while histopathological analysis revealed restored hepatic and pancreatic tissue architecture. Pharmacologically, the system acted as both a probiotic delivery vehicle and a microbiota modulator, selectively enriching Allobaculum and other short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria to enhance SCFA biosynthesis and metabolic homeostasis. The CTDS further exhibited direct compression compatibility, enabling its translation into scalable oral dosage forms (e.g., tablets). Conclusions: By integrating natural material engineering, microbiota-targeted delivery, and tissue repair, this platform bridges the gap between pharmaceutical-grade probiotic protection and metabolic intervention in T2DM.
Keywords: colon-targeted drug delivery; probiotic encapsulation; starch–cellulose composite; microbiota–metabolic axis; pharmaceutical material engineering colon-targeted drug delivery; probiotic encapsulation; starch–cellulose composite; microbiota–metabolic axis; pharmaceutical material engineering

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MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, R.; Ding, Y.; Xu, Y.; Wu, Q.; Chen, Y.; Yan, G.; Yin, D.; Yang, Y. Engineering a Dual-Function Starch–Cellulose Composite for Colon-Targeted Probiotic Delivery and Synergistic Gut Microbiota Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2025, 17, 663. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663

AMA Style

Liu R, Ding Y, Xu Y, Wu Q, Chen Y, Yan G, Yin D, Yang Y. Engineering a Dual-Function Starch–Cellulose Composite for Colon-Targeted Probiotic Delivery and Synergistic Gut Microbiota Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(5):663. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Ruixiang, Yikang Ding, Yujing Xu, Qifeng Wu, Yanan Chen, Guiming Yan, Dengke Yin, and Ye Yang. 2025. "Engineering a Dual-Function Starch–Cellulose Composite for Colon-Targeted Probiotic Delivery and Synergistic Gut Microbiota Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics" Pharmaceutics 17, no. 5: 663. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663

APA Style

Liu, R., Ding, Y., Xu, Y., Wu, Q., Chen, Y., Yan, G., Yin, D., & Yang, Y. (2025). Engineering a Dual-Function Starch–Cellulose Composite for Colon-Targeted Probiotic Delivery and Synergistic Gut Microbiota Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics, 17(5), 663. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050663

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