Lipid vesicle size of an oral influenza vaccine delivery vehicle influences the Th1/Th2 bias in the immune response and protection against infection.

Previous studies, using parenteral administration of antigen in lipid vesicles, have indicated a possible role for vesicle size in determining the Th1/Th2 bias of the resulting immune response. We have also demonstrated that the incorporation of bile salts into lipid vesicles (bilosomes) allows successful induction of mucosal and systemic immunity via the oral route. The following study was therefore carried out to determine whether size could also influence the Th1/Th2 bias in the immune response to bilosome entrapped influenza A antigen containing haemagglutinin administered by the oral route in the mouse and whether this could influence the disease process in the classical ferret model of disease.

Screening methods used to determine the anti-microbial properties of Aloe vera inner gel.

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains is a growing problem and is an important concern for patients, physicians, healthcare managers, and policymakers as it results in poorer health and economic outcomes. This has led to an urgent global call for new antimicrobial drugs, particularly from natural resources. We have been studying the antimicrobial properties of the inner leaf gel component of Aloe barbadensis Miller and have used a number of different, simple in vitro assays to establish a scientific basis for the potential use of Aloe vera on a range of clinically relevant bacteria.

Oral delivery of tetanus toxoid using vesicles containing bile salts (bilosomes) induces significant systemic and mucosal immunity.

Protein antigens administered via the oral route are exposed to a hostile environment in the gastrointestinal tract, consisting of digestive enzymes and a range of pH (1-7.5). Using a delivery system can afford protection to entrapped components against degradation and permit delivery of antigen to the cells responsible for generating local and systemic immune responses.

In vitro susceptibilities of Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes to inner gel of Aloe barbadensis Miller.

Aloe barbadensis Miller (or Aloe vera) has widespread use in health products, and despite numerous reports on the whole plant, little work has been performed on the inner gel, which has been used extensively in these products. This report describes the in vitro susceptibilities of two bacteria to this component.