Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review

Abstract Targeting drug delivery in the intestine is still one of the biggest hurdles in pharmaceutical research because of reasons like low bioavailability, enzymatic degradation, rapid transit time, and absorption plight of conventional oral drugs. Intestinal scaffolds are now a new promising plat...

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Main Authors: Onkar Kadam, Rutuja Gumathannavar, Kausani Basu, Neha Saini, Nidhi Sapre, Shashwati Wankar, Tahsin Bennur, Atul Kulkarni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Materials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00321-8
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author Onkar Kadam
Rutuja Gumathannavar
Kausani Basu
Neha Saini
Nidhi Sapre
Shashwati Wankar
Tahsin Bennur
Atul Kulkarni
author_facet Onkar Kadam
Rutuja Gumathannavar
Kausani Basu
Neha Saini
Nidhi Sapre
Shashwati Wankar
Tahsin Bennur
Atul Kulkarni
author_sort Onkar Kadam
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Targeting drug delivery in the intestine is still one of the biggest hurdles in pharmaceutical research because of reasons like low bioavailability, enzymatic degradation, rapid transit time, and absorption plight of conventional oral drugs. Intestinal scaffolds are now a new promising platform for localized, controlled, and sustained drug delivery. Scaffolds mimic the physiological environment of the intestine and are made from biodegradable polymers, hydrogel, and any nanomaterial-based composites. They allow very precise spatial and time-controlled drug release while improving mucosal adhesion and interaction with the epithelium. Current advances include bioengineered scaffolds, microfabrication, and smart responsive systems to increase and expand current use in gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and malabsorption disorders. Functional modification has produced scaffolds that are pH-sensitive, enzyme-responsive, and microbiota-targeted scaffolds, which can enable personalized, disease-specific therapeutics. Further enhancement of scaffold stability, drug-loading capacity, and site-specific release mechanisms is achieved by adding nanoparticles, bioadhesive polymers, and bioactive molecules. We have carried out this review from an overview perspective on the latest developments in material design, fabrication techniques, or drug release strategies for the next-generation intestinal scaffolds. The focus now has shifted to comparing the advantages of these innovations over conventional oral drug delivery systems and discussing the accompanying risks of biocompatibility, scalability, regulatory approval, and clinical translation, future research directions to ultimately optimize scaffold-based drug delivery. Thus, from precision medicine and regenerative approaches, intestinal scaffolding may change oral drug administration, improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal disorders while minimizing systemic side effects.
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spelling doaj-art-68381f06ae764f67bb5527c43fd68fa92025-08-20T03:42:03ZengSpringerDiscover Materials2730-77272025-07-015112610.1007/s43939-025-00321-8Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a reviewOnkar Kadam0Rutuja Gumathannavar1Kausani Basu2Neha Saini3Nidhi Sapre4Shashwati Wankar5Tahsin Bennur6Atul Kulkarni7Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Information Technology and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be UniversitySymbiosis Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Abstract Targeting drug delivery in the intestine is still one of the biggest hurdles in pharmaceutical research because of reasons like low bioavailability, enzymatic degradation, rapid transit time, and absorption plight of conventional oral drugs. Intestinal scaffolds are now a new promising platform for localized, controlled, and sustained drug delivery. Scaffolds mimic the physiological environment of the intestine and are made from biodegradable polymers, hydrogel, and any nanomaterial-based composites. They allow very precise spatial and time-controlled drug release while improving mucosal adhesion and interaction with the epithelium. Current advances include bioengineered scaffolds, microfabrication, and smart responsive systems to increase and expand current use in gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and malabsorption disorders. Functional modification has produced scaffolds that are pH-sensitive, enzyme-responsive, and microbiota-targeted scaffolds, which can enable personalized, disease-specific therapeutics. Further enhancement of scaffold stability, drug-loading capacity, and site-specific release mechanisms is achieved by adding nanoparticles, bioadhesive polymers, and bioactive molecules. We have carried out this review from an overview perspective on the latest developments in material design, fabrication techniques, or drug release strategies for the next-generation intestinal scaffolds. The focus now has shifted to comparing the advantages of these innovations over conventional oral drug delivery systems and discussing the accompanying risks of biocompatibility, scalability, regulatory approval, and clinical translation, future research directions to ultimately optimize scaffold-based drug delivery. Thus, from precision medicine and regenerative approaches, intestinal scaffolding may change oral drug administration, improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal disorders while minimizing systemic side effects.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00321-8Intestinal scaffoldBiopolymersDrug deliveryIntestinal diseasesDrug-loaded nano-biomaterialsTherapeutic applications
spellingShingle Onkar Kadam
Rutuja Gumathannavar
Kausani Basu
Neha Saini
Nidhi Sapre
Shashwati Wankar
Tahsin Bennur
Atul Kulkarni
Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
Discover Materials
Intestinal scaffold
Biopolymers
Drug delivery
Intestinal diseases
Drug-loaded nano-biomaterials
Therapeutic applications
title Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
title_full Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
title_fullStr Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
title_full_unstemmed Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
title_short Applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug-loaded nano-biomaterials: a review
title_sort applications of biopolymer scaffolds for intestinal delivery of drug loaded nano biomaterials a review
topic Intestinal scaffold
Biopolymers
Drug delivery
Intestinal diseases
Drug-loaded nano-biomaterials
Therapeutic applications
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00321-8
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