Open AccessCheerios Effect Inspired Microbubbles as Suspended and Adhered Oral Delivery Systems
Author(s) -
Zhao Cheng,
Cai Lijun,
Nie Min,
Shang Luoran,
Wang Yongan,
Zhao Yuanjin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202004184
Subject(s) - microbubbles , drug delivery , materials science , biomedical engineering , oral administration , absorption (acoustics) , nanotechnology , medicine , pharmacology , ultrasound , composite material , radiology
Oral drug administration has an important role in medical treatment. Attempts to develop drug microcarriers with desired features for extended duration and improved absorption is highly sought. Herein, inspired by the physical phenomenon of the Cheerios effect, a novel microfluidic electrospray microbubble carrier is presented that can suspend and actively adhere to the stomach for durable oral delivery. Compared with conventional fabrication methods, the present strategy shows stability and controllability of the product. Benefiting from their uniform hollow structure, the resultant microbubbles present the same behavior of the Cheerios and can float in the gastric juice, adhere and remain to the stomach wall, which thus enhance the duration and absorption of the loaded drugs. Based on these, it is demonstrated as a proof of concept that the dexamethasone‐loaded hollow microbubbles can be applied to oral administration and remain suspended and adhered to the stomach of murine for more than 1 d, showing good therapeutic effect in treating lupus erythematosus. Thus, it is believed that the microbubbles floating system will find important values in long‐term oral administration.