Leveraging polysaccharide-derived nanocarriers to open new horizons in oral vaccine activation

Author: mycolabadmin
9/9/2025
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Summary

Oral vaccines are easier to administer than injections, but the stomach’s harsh environment destroys them before they work. Scientists are developing special nanocarrier particles made from natural plant materials, especially those used in traditional Chinese medicine, that protect vaccine ingredients and trigger stronger immune responses in the gut. These carriers work like protective vehicles that deliver vaccines safely to immune cells in the intestines, potentially revolutionizing how we vaccinate people worldwide.

Background

Oral vaccines offer non-invasive administration and mucosal immune activation but face significant physiological barriers including gastric degradation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and inefficient antigen uptake. Polysaccharide-derived nanocarriers, particularly from traditional Chinese medicine, present a promising solution due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and intrinsic immunomodulatory properties.

Objective

This review examines how polysaccharide-derived nanocarriers can overcome gastrointestinal barriers to enhance oral vaccine efficacy. The focus is on elucidating design principles such as bioadhesion, structural tunability, and immunomodulatory capacity across various carrier systems sourced from traditional Chinese medicine and other natural sources.

Results

The review identifies key polysaccharides from TCM including Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus, Lentinan, and others that function as both carriers and adjuvants. These nanocarriers demonstrate enhanced antigen stability, promotion of dendritic cell maturation, increased mucosal IgA production, and targeted delivery to Peyer’s patches and gut-associated lymphoid tissues.

Conclusion

Polysaccharide-based nanocarriers represent a promising cornerstone for future oral vaccine platforms, offering non-invasive, scalable, and immunologically effective vaccination strategies. Integration into next-generation oral mRNA and nucleic acid vaccines holds particular promise for advancing global health outcomes through improved immunization approaches.

Published in:Materials Today Bio,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 41031192