Pharmabiotic beads with improved encapsulation and gut survival for management of colonic inflammation associated gut derangements

Abstract

Encapsulation techniques and materials, explored for addressing compromised probiotic gut survival, report significant production losses resulting in <10% entrapment. Presently, we report three-time enhanced entrapment (30 ± 1.2%) of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAB) in calcium-alginate beads, by modifying process parameters and employing polyethylene glycol (PEG). Water-loving, viscolysing and osmotic-building effects of PEG create numerous, fine voids in the alginate gel allowing efficient diffusion of crosslinking calcium ions, resulting in less leaky beads. Eudragit S100 overcoat improved LAB survival by 690 times in simulated GIT stresses.

In DMH-DSS induced colitis and precancerous lesions in rats, while free LAB failed to show any protection, pharmabiotic beads significantly (p < .05) reduced lipid peroxidation, increased antioxidant levels; decreased serum inflammatory burden; downregulated COX-2, iNOS, and c-Myc expression; elevated levels of the selected gut bacteria and SCFAs especially butyrate, all of which add up to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, balanced gut biota, and ultimately anticancer effects.

Keywords:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• calcium alginate
• microencapsulation
• dimethylhydrazine
• dextran sulphate sodium

Acknowledgement

UGC-CAS and DST-FIST facility at UIPS and DST-SAIF facility of Panjab University, Chandigarh, India is acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was financially supported by Major Research Project Grant from University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India.