The invention provides ingestible particles comprising a water-swellable or water-soluble polymeric component, a lipid component, and optionally an amino acid, a vitamin and/or a micro-nutrient. The polymeric component may be embedded in the lipid component. The particle may further comprise an inert core and/or an outer layer which rapidly disintegrates after oral ingestion. The invention further provides methods for preparing the ingestible particles and uses thereof.

Emerging evidence indicates that diminished activity of the vasoprotective axis of the renin-angiotensin system, constituting angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and its enzymatic product, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical success for long-term delivery of ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) would require stability and ease of administration to increase patient compliance. Chloroplast expression of therapeutic proteins enables their bioencapsulation within plant cells to protect from acids and gastric enzymes; fusion to a transmucosal carrier facilitates effective systemic absorption. Oral feeding of rats with bioencapsulated ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) attenuated monocrotaline (MCT)-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure, decreased pulmonary vessel wall thickness and improved right heart function in both prevention and reversal protocols. Furthermore, combination of ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) augmented the beneficial effects against cardio-pulmonary pathophysiology induced by MCT administration.

Experiments have also been performed which indicate that this approach is also suitable for the treatment or inhibition of experimental uveitis and autoimmune uveoretinitis These studies provide proof-of-concept for a novel low-cost oral ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) delivery system using transplastomic technology for pulmonary and ocular disease therapeutics.

A method of preparing water-soluble lutein ester microcapsules includes: mixing marigold flower particles with an extracting solvent, refluxing at 65-85° C.; removing the extracting solvent to obtain a crude extract; washing the crude extract with a washing solvent; removing the washing solvent to obtain a crude lutein ester; adding an oil-phase antioxidant and a vegetable oil to the crude lutein ester, mixing and heating at 90-100° C. to obtain a lutein ester oil phase; adding a wall material, an emulsifier, a water-phase antioxidant, and a water-phase filler into water, and heating to obtain a water phase; adding the lutein ester oil phase to the water phase under a high-speed shearing, mixing evenly, and homogenizing to obtain a lutein ester emulsion; drying twice to obtain semi-finished lutein ester microcapsules; and solidifying to obtain the lutein ester microcapsules. Water-soluble lutein ester microcapsules prepared by the method are also disclosed.

A nanoparticle composition of buckminsterfullerene with ellagic acid is provided that becomes substantially more efficacious to maintain or re-establish benign healthy cellular homeostasis with the functionalization of at least about 10% luteolin. This composition is formulated to prevent or to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). In addition, the ability to penetrate hydrophobic malignant tissues via desulfurization is promoted with the addition of phosphonate pendant groups. This further enables the composition to penetrate fungal spores, the hydrophobic regions of uncontrolled cellular proliferation, neoplasms, degenerative malignancy, and to help treat chronic inflammatory diseases associated with or leading to induce cancer in susceptible cells. The composition can be produced at low temperatures through reactive shear milling. Delivery methods include ingestion, topical application, topical buccal application, inhalation, or injection when used as a medicament or as a food supplement.

The present disclosure provides functional fibrous material comprising fibers associated with hydrogel containing micro-flakes. The present disclosure also provides a method of forming hydrogel micro-flakes having embedded therein at least one microorganism and a method of preparing functional fibrous material, both methods comprise a step of subjecting a mixture of hydrogel and microbial material to high shear forces to form micro-flakes comprising the hydrogel with at least one microorganism embedded therein. Further provided is a method of treatment of a target comprising contacting the target with the disclosed functional fibrous material as well as the micro-flakes disclosed herein.

Particles comprising a plant protein shell and encapsulating hydrophobic compounds and optionally also bioavailability enhancers, are provided. Further provided is a composition and a kit comprising the particle and methods of preparation thereof. Methods of use, such as for enhancing the bioavailability of the hydrophobic compound, are also provided.

A particulate, modified release barrier coated drug-cation exchange resin complex comprising a core composed of a drug complexed with a pharmaceutically acceptable ion-exchange resin is provided. Methods of making and products containing this coated complex are described.

Disclosed herein are compositions capable of enhanced delivery and absorption of biologically active agents when administered to a subject. Further disclosed are methods for increasing the in vivo absorption of biologically active agents.

An orally administrable drug powder composition which forms a gastro-retentive RAFT having at least two trigger pulses is provided. The composition contains, at a minimum, (a) at least one GHB drug in a first pulse release which releases in less than about 3 hours; (b) at least one GHB drug in a delayed trigger release form; (c) at least one non-toxic gas generating agent; and (d) a RAFT system, wherein following oral ingestion, the composition provides a self-assembling gastro-retentive RAFT having entrapped therein, the at least one drug of (a) and (b) and the gas generated in situ by the non-toxic gas generating agent, thereby providing a floating gastro-retentive RAFT having a dual pulse system wherein at least the second pulse is a trigger pulse and which retains the at least one GHB drug in the stomach for at least about 3 hours.

An orally administrable drug powder composition which forms a gastro-retentive RAFT having at least two trigger pulses is provided. The composition contains, at a minimum, (a) at least one drug in an immediate release pulse release form; (b) at least one drug in a delayed trigger release form; (c) at least one non-toxic gas generating agent and (d) a RAFT system, wherein following oral ingestion, the composition provides a self-assembling gastro-retentive RAFT having entrapped therein, the at least one drug of (a) and (b) and the gas generated in situ by the non-toxic gas generating agent, thereby providing a floating gastro-retentive RAFT having a dual pulse system wherein at least the second pulse is a trigger pulse and which retains the at least one drug in the stomach for at least about 3 hours, provided that the composition does not include a gamma hydroxybutyrate and its salts, hydrates, tautomers, or solvates, or complexes thereof.