RNA therapy presents a breakthrough in treating diseases that were previously resistant to conventional drugs. By targeting ailments at the molecular level, ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies offer a promising avenue for medical intervention.
The Challenge of Oral Delivery:
While RNA therapies can be effectively administered via injection like Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, adapting them for oral consumption poses a significant hurdle. The harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract often renders oral medications ineffective, limiting their utility.
Exploring Nature’s Bounty: Biological Nanoparticles in Cow’s Milk:
Recent research from King’s College London highlights a novel approach to oral drug delivery utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in cow’s milk. The study suggests that leveraging milk EVs could overcome this barrier, opening up new possibilities for RNA drug delivery.
Research Findings:
The researchers investigated the feasibility of using EVs extracted from cow’s milk to deliver drugs to the gastrointestinal tract. Their findings indicate that these milk EVs (mEVs) hold promise for treating a wide range of diseases, including heart diseases and diabetes, through orally administered therapeutics.
Implications and Future Directions
This breakthrough could lead to the disruptive and sustainable manufacturing of affordable and accessible oral nucleic acid therapies for a plethora of diseases.
