The Role of Bacteriophages in the Gut Microbiota: Implications for Human Health.

Bacteriophages (phages) are nano-sized viruses characterized by their inherent ability to live off bacteria. They utilize diverse mechanisms to absorb and gain entry into the bacterial cell wall via the release of viral genetic material, which uses the replication mechanisms of the host bacteria to produce and release daughter progeny virions that attack the surrounding host cells. They possess specific characteristics, including specificity for particular or closely related bacterial species. They have many applications, including as potential alternatives to antibiotics against multi-resistant bacterial pathogens and as control agents in bacteria-contaminated environments. They are ubiquitously abundant in nature and have diverse biota, including in the gut. Gut microbiota describes the community and interactions of microorganisms within the intestine. As with bacteria, parasitic bacteriophages constantly interact with the host bacterial cells within the gut system and have obvious implications for human health. However, it is imperative to understand these interactions as they open up possible applicable techniques to control gut-implicated bacterial diseases. Thus, this review aims to explore the interactions of bacteriophages with bacterial communities in the gut and their current and potential impacts on human health.

Exploitation of capsule system for colon targeted drug delivery of biopolymer-based microparticles: in vivo and in vitro applications.

The current study was to improve and control aceclofenac delivery prepared as biopolymer-based microparticles for effective colon-targeted drug delivery using modified gelatin capsules (MGCs) at different time intervals developed in two batches (C1 and C2). Microparticles were formulated with extracted mucuna gum using liquid paraffin oil (AC.LPO) and soybean oil (AC.SO) and evaluated in vitro for physicochemical performance and in vivo in rats. Encapsulation efficiency ranges from 54.48 ± 0.21% to 82.83 ± 0.22% for AC.LPO and 52.64 ± 0.11% to 80.36 ± 0.22% for AC.SO. SEM showed oblong and irregular shapes with porous and cracked surfaces. DSC showed low enthalpy and a very broad endothermic peak depicting high amorphous property. Delayed drug release was observed in the upper gastrointestinal tract with sustained release depicted in the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT) using 3 and 9-h batch C1 of MGCs. AC.SO exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher anti-inflammatory activity (86%) than AC.LPO (77%). Hence, aceclofenac colon delivery could be improved and controlled using biopolymer-based colon-targeted microparticles delivered with MGCs.