Abstract
Colon-targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for effectively treating diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. The challenges of premature drug degradation in the upper gastrointestinal tract and poor site specificity hinder optimal therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, dysbiosis of gut microbiota complicates these conditions, necessitating therapies that not only deliver medications but also restore microbial balance. Nanosponges have emerged as innovative carriers that address these challenges by providing protection against degradation, enabling site-specific release in response to colonic stimuli, and allowing for dual-action therapies that combine drug delivery with microbiome modulation. This review discusses the various mechanisms through which nanosponges function, including pH-responsive, enzyme-responsive, and microbiota-responsive designs. Furthermore, the potential of nanosponges to co-deliver therapeutic agents and probiotics or prebiotics is explored, highlighting their role in restoring gut health while effectively treating colonic disorders. With advances in personalization and combination therapies, nanosponges hold promise for revolutionizing colon drug delivery and improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: colon drug delivery system; nanosponges; microbiomes; probiotics; personalized medicines
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