Delivery Systems of Live Biotherapeutics

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2022) | Viewed by 9617

Special Issue Editors

Associate Professor, CBQF—Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
Interests: live biotherapeutics; beneficial microorganims; probiotics; microencapsulation
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Guest Editor
TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
Interests: live biotherapeutics; microencapsulation; nanoencapsulation; polyphenols; nutraceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent developments in our knowledge and understanding of the role of microbiota in human health has renewed the interest in microbial medicinal products. Among these are live biotherapeutic (LBP) products, which have been defined by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Pharmacopeia as live organisms (comprising symbionts and engineered strains) used to treat, cure, or prevent a disease or condition in humans. Therefore, cell viability and stability from production to administration is of crucial importance. The effective delivery and targeting of LBPs pose significant challenges given their certain level of sensitivity to solvents, temperature, oxygen, or acidic conditions.

The aim of this Special Issue is to draw together experts with knowledge on the oral, topical, or vaginal delivery of LBPs. Submissions (original papers and reviews) that contribute to the understanding and provision of relevant applications for LBP delivery and stabilization strategies are welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Ana Gomes
Prof. Dr. José Carlos Andrade
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • live biotherapeutics
  • encapsulation
  • microbial therapies
  • bacteria commensals
  • target delivery
  • viability and stability

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 858 KiB  
Article
Exploring Freeze-Drying as Strategy to Enhance Viability of Faecalibacterium duncaniae DSM 17677 upon Aerobic Storage and Gastrointestinal Conditions
by Daniela Machado, Melany Domingos, Joana Cristina Barbosa, Diana Almeida, José Carlos Andrade, Ana Cristina Freitas and Ana Maria Gomes
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(12), 2735; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics14122735 - 07 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1456
Abstract
Faecalibacterium duncaniae is an intestinal commensal bacterium proposed as a next-generation probiotic due to its promising outcomes in the treatment and prevention of several human diseases, which demonstrate its multiple contributions to the host’s health. However, its strict anaerobic nature has created several hurdles [...] Read more.
Faecalibacterium duncaniae is an intestinal commensal bacterium proposed as a next-generation probiotic due to its promising outcomes in the treatment and prevention of several human diseases, which demonstrate its multiple contributions to the host’s health. However, its strict anaerobic nature has created several hurdles in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and biotherapeutic products. Herein, we explored freeze-dried formulations containing prebiotics, cryoprotectants, and antioxidant agents as a technological strategy to enhance the viability of F. duncaniae DSM 17677 upon aerobic storage and gastrointestinal tract conditions. Our results indicate that freeze-dried F. duncaniae in a matrix containing inulin, sucrose, cysteine, and riboflavin survived at levels higher than 106 CFU/g and around 105 CFU/g after 1 and 4 days of aerobic storage at room temperature, respectively. Thus, the freeze-dried formulation with inulin, sucrose, cysteine, and riboflavin presents as a protective strategy to improve F. duncaniae viability under aerobic environments. Nevertheless, incorporation of a suitable coating aimed at protecting F. duncaniae against the detrimental gastrointestinal passage effects is urgently required, given its high susceptibility to extreme acidic pH values and bile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery Systems of Live Biotherapeutics)
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17 pages, 4768 KiB  
Article
Influence of Excipient Composition on Survival of Vaginal Lactobacilli in Electrospun Nanofibers
by Spase Stojanov, Julijana Kristl, Špela Zupančič and Aleš Berlec
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(6), 1155; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics14061155 - 28 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
The lack of appropriate delivery systems hinders the use of probiotics in the treatment of vaginal infections. Therefore, the development of a new delivery system for the local administration of vaginal probiotics is necessary. In this study, we selected three vaginal lactobacilli, i.e., [...] Read more.
The lack of appropriate delivery systems hinders the use of probiotics in the treatment of vaginal infections. Therefore, the development of a new delivery system for the local administration of vaginal probiotics is necessary. In this study, we selected three vaginal lactobacilli, i.e., Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus jensenii, and incorporated them into nanofibers using electrospinning. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as a carrier polymer to produce nanofibers. It was supplemented with alginate and sucrose selected from a group of carbohydrates for their growth-promoting effect on lactobacilli. The interaction between excipients and lactobacilli was evaluated thermally and spectroscopically. Bacterial survival in polymer solutions and in nanofibers immediately after electrospinning and after storage varied among species and was dependent on the formulation. Sucrose improved the survival in polymer solutions and preserved the viability of L. crispatus and L. jensenii immediately after electrospinning, and L. gasseri and L. jensenii during storage. Blending PEO with alginate did not improve species viability. However, the three lactobacilli in the nanofibers retained some viability after 56 days, indicating that composite multifunctional nanofibers can maintain the viability of vaginal lactobacilli and can be used as a potential solid delivery system for vaginal administration of probiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery Systems of Live Biotherapeutics)
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Review

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31 pages, 2030 KiB  
Review
A Review of Immunomodulatory Reprogramming by Probiotics in Combating Chronic and Acute Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs)
by Prakhar Srivastava, Tesalonika Sondak, Karthikeyan Sivashanmugam and Kwang-sun Kim
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(11), 2436; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics14112436 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4345
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are characterized by a lack of angiogenesis and distal limb diabetic neuropathy. This makes it possible for opportunistic pathogens to protect the biofilm-encased micro-communities, causing a delay in wound healing. The acute and chronic phases of DFU-associated infections are [...] Read more.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are characterized by a lack of angiogenesis and distal limb diabetic neuropathy. This makes it possible for opportunistic pathogens to protect the biofilm-encased micro-communities, causing a delay in wound healing. The acute and chronic phases of DFU-associated infections are distinguished by the differential expression of innate proinflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α and -β). Efforts are being made to reduce the microbial bioburden of wounds by using therapies such as debridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, shock wave therapy, and empirical antibiotic treatment. However, the constant evolution of pathogens limits the effectiveness of these therapies. In the wound-healing process, continuous homeostasis and remodeling processes by commensal microbes undoubtedly provide a protective barrier against diverse pathogens. Among commensal microbes, probiotics are beneficial microbes that should be administered orally or topically to regulate gut–skin interaction and to activate inflammation and proinflammatory cytokine production. The goal of this review is to bridge the gap between the role of probiotics in managing the innate immune response and the function of proinflammatory mediators in diabetic wound healing. We also highlight probiotic encapsulation or nanoformulations with prebiotics and extracellular vesicles (EVs) as innovative ways to tackle target DFUs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery Systems of Live Biotherapeutics)
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