HERBAL BIOACTIVES IN GUT-TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY: A REVIEW OF PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUS–LOADED HYDROGEL MICROSPHERE

These days, the gut microbiota is crucial to human health, affecting metabolism, immunity, and neurobehavioral control, among other physiological systems. Recent developments in gut-targeted drug delivery methods have made it possible to precisely alter microbial composition to treat and prevent gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. Panax L. Quinquefolius. The pharmacologically active ginsenosides found in the popular medical herb "American ginseng" have significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and microbiota-regulating qualities. However, ginsenosides' bioavailability and localized release pose problems because of their vulnerability to breakdown and inadequate absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This study explores the development of hydrogel microspheres as a viable delivery method to enhance the stability of P. quinquefolius extracts and permit controlled release at the intended gut region. Among the formulation methods that are thoroughly investigated are inotropic gelation, emulsion crosslinking, and spray drying. Preformulation studies are essential for improving drug release kinetics, swelling behaviour, encapsulation efficiency, and particle size. This study examines how hydrogel microspheres can directly impact gut microbial populations and restore microbial balance in relation to gastrointestinal illnesses, metabolic syndrome, and issues related to the gut-brain axis. Combining plant-derived bioactives with cutting-edge polymer-based delivery methods offers a synergistic approach to creating medical medicines that target the microbiota. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of P. quinquefolius-loaded hydrogel microspheres and offers a thorough analysis of their composition, assessment, and potential uses in microbiome-targeted drug delivery.