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Polysaccharide-based live hydrogels for probiotic intestinal and wound therapy
Jiajia Xu1, Yang Huang1, Yuqian Liu1
1Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Live hydrogels offer a promising solution for delivering probiotics, enhancing their viability and efficacy in gut and wound therapies. These dynamic carriers act as bioreactors, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Probiotics show therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal and wound conditions.
- Limited probiotic viability in target environments hinders efficacy.
- Polysaccharide hydrogels offer biocompatible, biodegradable platforms for probiotic delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the design, fabrication, and application of live hydrogels for intestinal and wound therapy.
- To explore how live hydrogels enhance probiotic viability and function.
- To discuss advancements and challenges in live hydrogel technology.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on polysaccharide-based hydrogels for probiotic delivery.
- Analysis of strategies for enhancing probiotic viability and controlled release.
- Examination of applications in intestinal and wound healing contexts.
Main Results:
- Live hydrogels create protective microenvironments, improving probiotic survival.
- Intestinal therapy utilizes ionic-crosslinking and protective agents for pH-responsive release.
- Wound therapy focuses on hydrogels as bioreactors for sustained metabolite production, preventing immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Live hydrogels represent a significant advancement in probiotic delivery systems.
- Tailored hydrogel designs are crucial for specific therapeutic applications (intestinal vs. wound).
- Further research is needed to address long-term viability, biosafety, and clinical translation.
