Targeted delivery of postbiotics: oral, intradermal, and intravenous models

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.1007/s12223-026-01423-3. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The helpful gut microbes create bioactive micro- and macromolecules known as postbiotics, which have substantial medical potential. These small-molecular-weight biomolecules, which provide the host with a number of physiological health advantages, are the subject of a revolutionary therapeutic strategy. Because of their varied delivery mechanisms and customizable dosage, several postbiotics are promising medical agents that may be used for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Nonetheless, there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome when giving postbiotics in vivo. The current body of scientific literature supports utilizing targeted delivery systems based on nanoparticles as a novel and secure method for the delivery or/and release of postbiotics in a variety of (oral, intradermal, and intravenous) in vivo models due to their attractive characteristics in regards to low toxicity, high biodegradability, biocompatibility, and considerable capacity for carrying both hydrophobic and hydrophilic postbiotics. If postbiotics are to be widely used as therapeutic approaches, they must undergo considerable research and randomized double-blind clinical studies because they are still in the early stages of development. This article gives a thorough summary of the newest developments in drug delivery, with a focus on the main in vivo routes for the tailored delivery of postbiotics. However, the findings summarized in this review are primarily based on preclinical and early-stage studies, and limitations related to heterogeneous study designs, incomplete pharmacokinetic characterization, and limited clinical validation should be considered when interpreting the translational potential of postbiotic delivery systems.

Keywords: Delivery routes; Health benefits; Nanoparticles; Postbiotic; Probiotic.