Probiotic Membrane-Encapsulated Antimicrobial Delivery System Against Cariogenic Biofilms

Owing to the intraoral environment, conventional antibiotics have a limited residence time in oral biofilms. To overcome this problem, we drew inspiration from cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNPs) and synthesised LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs by encapsulating triclosan(TCS)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (TCS@PLGA-NPs) with a Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) outer membrane. The aim of this investigation was to examine how LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs penetrate tri-streptococcal species biofilms and inhibit the cariogenic EPS in these biofilms. An anthrone–sulfuric acid colorimetric assay and EPS fluorescence staining were used to evaluate the effects of LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs on the EPSs of biofilms. SEM and CLSM were used to observe the morphology of the biofilms. Additionally, model rats with tri-streptococcal species biofilms were used to validate the effects of LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs in vivo. The LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs show stable size, zeta potential, and sustained drug release kinetics, adhere to and reside in biofilms and penetrate the inner layer deeply with time. Additionally, the LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs disrupted the structure of biofilms and reduced EPSs, biomass, total protein and dry weight. In vivo, LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs alleviated the degree of caries. The nanoparticles also exhibited favorable safety in vivo. Overall, this study showed that LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs could inhibit cariogenic biofilms in vitro and caries in vivo, indicating the excellent application potential of LA/TCS@PLGA-NPs for treating oral diseases caused by biofilms.