Trotline-Inspired Mesoporous Carriers for Prolonged Gastrointestinal Retention

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Precise localization, prolonged retention, and targeted release are key challenges in oral drug delivery, especially for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Existing systems often struggle with site-specific action within the complex GI tract.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a smart oral drug delivery platform inspired by trotline fishing for enhanced GI-targeted therapy.
• To address limitations in precise localization, prolonged retention, and on-demand drug release for conditions like IBD.

Main Methods:

• A trotline-inspired bioadhesive carrier (CNT@PMOs) was engineered, featuring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with mesoporous organosilica (PMO) "hooks".
• Drugs (e.g., 5-aminosalicylic acid for IBD) were loaded into PMO mesopores.
• A reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive polymer coating was applied for controlled activation and release.

Main Results:

• The ROS-responsive coating shielded carriers in healthy GI regions and degraded at inflamed sites with high ROS levels.
• Exposed PMO hooks enabled selective adhesion to inflamed tissues, prolonging local drug retention.
• Controlled drug release and enhanced mechanical interlocking with mucosa were achieved, leading to site-specific therapeutic action.

Conclusions:

• The trotline-inspired oral drug delivery platform successfully integrates stimuli-responsive activation, dynamic anchoring, and spatiotemporal drug release.
• This system overcomes critical barriers in oral drug delivery, offering a broadly applicable strategy for enhancing therapeutic precision and efficacy in GI-targeted treatments.
• The platform demonstrated minimal systemic exposure, with high fecal excretion, indicating a favorable safety profile.