Bioinspired material design for oral targeted delivery Systems: From structural bioinspiration to functional...

Bioinspired materials (BMs) have emerged as a pivotal research focus in drug delivery, demonstrating significant potential for oral targeted delivery systems (OTDS) in recent years. By mimicking the structural features or functional mechanisms of biological systems, these materials significantly enhance delivery efficiency and optimize drug activity, offering a novel paradigm for the rational design of OTDS. Despite significant progress, existing evaluations primarily focus on single-disease applications or specific material types, leaving a systematic summary of the transition from structural design to functional manifestation in BMs notably lacking. Meanwhile, the advantages and limitations of different preparation methods and their influence on delivery performance remain underexplored. To address these gaps, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the design strategies and functional mechanisms of BMs in OTDS, emphasizing two key dimensions: Structural emulation and biological emulation. Additionally, it critically evaluates the advantages and limitations of various preparation methods. By synthesizing experimental evidence from diverse disease models, with a focus on colitis and cancer as representative examples, this review systematically elucidates the pivotal role of BMs in improving oral drug targeting efficiency. Moreover, it proposes strategic approaches to optimize delivery systems and discusses critical challenges and future directions in the field. This work aims to facilitate the transition toward the rational design and clinical implementation of next-generation OTDS.