Yeast Microcapsule Mediated Natural Products Delivery for Treating Ulcerative Colitis through Anti-Inflammatory and Regulation of Macrophage Polarization

ABSTRACT: The common and frequent disease, ulcerative colitis macrophages have proven to play a role in anti-inflammation, which is a new potential target for UC therapy. In this study, we designed a safe and macrophages-targeting oral drug delivery system. Natural products, berberine (BBR), and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) with anti-inflammatory activity were assembled and encapsulated into yeast microcapsule (YM), generating therapeutic system BBR/MPN@YM. BBR and EGCG exhibited synergistic effects against UC through the effect of antioxidation. Through the interaction between beta-1,3-D-glucan on the surface of YM and dectin-1 receptors on macrophages, BBR/MPN@YM could be effectively transported to inflammation parts and internalized into macrophages, avoiding gastric degradation. In the in vivo UC mouse model, BBR/MPN@YM could transform M1 macrophages into anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, thus exerting specific anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this BBR/ MPN@YM targeted oral drug delivery system provided a new macrophages-targeting strategy for the clinical treatment of UC.

Automated summary

This study designed a macrophages-targeting oral drug delivery system for ulcerative colitis, using berberine and Epigallocatechin Gallate encapsulated in yeast microcapsules. The system effectively transported the drugs to inflammation sites and exerted anti-inflammatory effects through the interaction with macrophage receptors. It provided a new targeting strategy for UC treatment.