Nanobiotic-Enhanced Probiotics for Targeted Gut Delivery: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Applications, and Translational...

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in maintaining human health by influencing physiological processes such as digestion, immune regulation, and metabolism. However, disruptions in gut microbial balance, or dysbiosis, are associated with numerous disorders. Probiotics have emerged as potential therapeutic agents, but their efficacy is limited by challenges such as low survival during gastrointestinal transit, poor colonization, and lack of targeted delivery. Nanotechnology has recently provided promising solutions to these limitations by enhancing the stability, viability, and functionality of probiotics. To provide an updated perspective, this article presents a structured narrative review informed by a PRISMA-guided literature search and screening process. Relevant studies published between 2021 and 2025 were identified from PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar and were narratively synthesized to examine nanoencapsulation strategies, hybrid nanobiotic systems, smart delivery platforms, therapeutic applications, and translational barriers. Nanoencapsulation techniques, hybrid nanobiotic systems, and smart delivery platforms are at the forefront of probiotic enhancement. These systems improve protection of probiotics against harsh gastric conditions and enable targeted release within specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby enhancing colonization efficiency and therapeutic potential. Moreover, nanobiotics show promise in modulating gut microbiota composition, strengthening immune responses, and opening new therapeutic avenues for the management of gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, and immune-related conditions. Despite these advances, challenges related to safety, scalability, and regulatory approval remain significant barriers to clinical translation. This review synthesizes recent progress in nanobiotic-enhanced probiotics, evaluates their therapeutic applications, and discusses key challenges and future directions for precision microbiome therapeutics.