Dual-functional probiotic hydrogel with puerarin integration for microbiota-neuroimmune regulation in antibiotic-free periodontitis therapy

作者：Zhichao Wang, Ying Qu, Xiangmei Liu, Jin Huang, Congyang Mao, Chaofeng Wang, Shengli Zhu, Yufeng Zheng, Zhaoyang Li, Zhenduo Cui, Hui Jiang, Yang Lv, Jie Shen, Shuilin Wu · 发表于：Bioactive Materials · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.07.004 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Oral microbiology and periodontitis research、Advanced Drug Delivery Systems、Salivary Gland Disorders and Functions

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by the imbalance of the periodontal microbial ecosystem. Traditional treatment methods not only kill pathogenic bacteria but also inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria, thereby disrupting the balance of the oral microbial ecosystem. In this study, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and puerarin were coated on live Lactobacillus rhamnosus to form probiotic-based PSCLR nanoparticles. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were encapsulated in hydrogel microspheres through emulsion polymerization and immobilized in the hydrogel network via the covalent cross-linking of methacrylate-modified hyaluronic acid. This hydrogel restores the balance of oral microbiota by reducing pathogenic bacteria and promoting probiotic diversity, which helps maintain ecological stability and minimize risks associated with microbial community dysbiosis. In addition, puerarin in the gel achieves analgesic and neuromodulatory effects by specifically antagonizing the P2X 3 receptor, which affects pain transmission. This study provides a potential strategy for the antibiotic-free treatment of periodontitis and the neuropathic pain associated with it.