Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment

Abstract Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder associated with dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Current treatment approaches often lack long-term efficacy and target specificity, and there are no drugs or formulations specifically targeting this disease. Owing to...

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Main Authors: Jiahui Ye, Haimeng Sun, Qing Zhang, Jian He, Min Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62360-2
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author Jiahui Ye
Haimeng Sun
Qing Zhang
Jian He
Min Zhou
author_facet Jiahui Ye
Haimeng Sun
Qing Zhang
Jian He
Min Zhou
author_sort Jiahui Ye
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder associated with dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Current treatment approaches often lack long-term efficacy and target specificity, and there are no drugs or formulations specifically targeting this disease. Owing to chronic and intermittent gastrointestinal motility disturbances, the pharmacokinetic parameters of IBS patients change significantly. In this research, we develop an oral engineered microalgae biosystem by integrating microalgae with myricetin nanoparticles to enhance the treatment of IBS. After cultivation and micro-nano transformation, the engineered microalgae can be captured by intestinal villi and remain attached. The nano-coating further enhances the adhesion to intestinal tissue and resistance to gastric acid. This biosystem aims to address the pharmacokinetic complications in IBS that are not resolvable by enteric-coated capsules. Interestingly, microalgae seem to exert their prebiotic potential, assisting myricetin in increasing short-chain fatty acids levels and further regulating IBS multi-organ symptoms through the gut-brain axis.
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spelling doaj-art-cdc864fbfdbe412d8a9794a86e2d17c62025-08-20T03:05:10ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111910.1038/s41467-025-62360-2Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatmentJiahui Ye0Haimeng Sun1Qing Zhang2Jian He3Min Zhou4Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang UniversityZhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang UniversityEye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineEye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder associated with dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Current treatment approaches often lack long-term efficacy and target specificity, and there are no drugs or formulations specifically targeting this disease. Owing to chronic and intermittent gastrointestinal motility disturbances, the pharmacokinetic parameters of IBS patients change significantly. In this research, we develop an oral engineered microalgae biosystem by integrating microalgae with myricetin nanoparticles to enhance the treatment of IBS. After cultivation and micro-nano transformation, the engineered microalgae can be captured by intestinal villi and remain attached. The nano-coating further enhances the adhesion to intestinal tissue and resistance to gastric acid. This biosystem aims to address the pharmacokinetic complications in IBS that are not resolvable by enteric-coated capsules. Interestingly, microalgae seem to exert their prebiotic potential, assisting myricetin in increasing short-chain fatty acids levels and further regulating IBS multi-organ symptoms through the gut-brain axis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62360-2
spellingShingle Jiahui Ye
Haimeng Sun
Qing Zhang
Jian He
Min Zhou
Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
Nature Communications
title Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
title_full Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
title_fullStr Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
title_full_unstemmed Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
title_short Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
title_sort microalgae based intestinal villi targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62360-2
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