Recently, our research group successfully published a research article entitled "Hierarchical arming of probiotics for improved viability to synergistically alleviate ulcerative colitis" in Biomaterials (Zone 1 of Chinese Academy of Sciences, TOP journal, 2025 Impact Factor: 12.9).

        The treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) faces challenges such as the low survival rate of orally administered probiotics and poor intestinal targeting. We constructed a hierarchically armed probiotic delivery system, Lr@GN@SPI. This was achieved by covalently modifying Lactobacillus reuteri (Lr) with β-glucan (GN) via bioorthogonal click chemistry, followed by further encapsulation within a soybean protein isolate (SPI) microcapsule. This structure effectively protects Lr during gastrointestinal transit. Upon reaching the intestine, SPI is degraded by trypsin, and GN is metabolized by gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), enabling the controlled release of Lr and synergistic therapy with SCFAs. Animal experiments demonstrated that Lr@GN@SPI significantly enhances probiotic survival rates and intestinal retention time, effectively restores intestinal mucosal integrity, inhibits inflammatory responses, and rebalances gut microbiota. It exhibited excellent efficacy in both therapeutic and preventive UC models. Constructed using food-grade materials, this system provides a novel strategy for probiotic delivery and the treatment of gut-related diseases.