Oral gel treatments for lower gut disorders: from targeting diseases to designing for gut bacteria

Oral hydrogel systems may evolve from conventional drug delivery platforms to microbiota-guided therapeutic systems for lower gastrointestinal disorders.

• The lower gastrointestinal tract plays a critical role in maintaining the epithelial barrier, regulating the immune system, and supporting microbial metabolism.
• Disruptions in this ecological system are linked to disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colorectal cancer (CRC).
• Conventional therapies for these disorders often have limitations, including poor drug stability and low solubility.
• Oral hydrogel systems are highlighted for their biocompatibility and control over drug release in response to the intestinal environment.
• Existing studies largely focus on disease-based therapies rather than the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota.
• The review discusses how to transition hydrogel systems towards designs that consider gut microbiota interactions.

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