Background: With the discovery of more and more drug-resistant bacterial strains, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective alternative treatments. In this study, antibacterial peptides and probiotic microcapsules were combined to treat gastrointestinal inflammation caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.
Methods: To improve the stability of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract, two types of mixed natural anionic polysaccharides and chitosan were used as carriers to embed the probiotics. Taking Lacticaseibacillus casei CGMCC1.8727 microcapsules with good performance as the research object, the in vitro characteristics of the microcapsules were studied via acid resistance test and intestinal release test. The microcapsules were then tested for in vivo treatment in combination with the antibacterial peptide, bomidin, and the therapeutic effects were compared among microencapsulated probiotics, free probiotics, and probiotics in combination with bomidin.
Results: Microencapsulation was successfully manufactured under suitable processing parameters, with the product particle size being 2.04 ± 0.2743 mm. Compared with free probiotics, microencapsulation significantly improved the activity and preservation stability of the probiotics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Microencapsulated probiotics showed better therapeutic effects than free probiotics in vivo. Microcapsules combined with antimicrobial peptides accelerated the elimination of bacteria in vivo. This study provides a reference for anti-inflammatory treatment, especially for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
Keywords: Lacticaseibacillus casei CGMCC1.8727; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; antimicrobial peptide; microcapsule; probiotic therapy.