Gelatin Tannate: A Selective Biofilm-Forming, Gut Mucoprotectant for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children. A Short Narrative Review

Background: Gelatin tannate is bowel selective, safe and effective, and acts locally to form a biofilm. As an adjuvant to oral rehydration solution (ORS), gelatin tannate acts as a mucoprotectant in the management of acute diarrhea in children. Objective: To provide an up-to-date review of the pharmacological profile of gelatin tannate, and its efficacy and safety in the treatment of children with acute gastroenteritis. Methods: A medical literature review was conducted using the PubMed database, analyzing all gelatin tannate preclinical research and clinical reports, and post-marketing surveillance data. Results: In vitro studies have demonstrated that gelatin tannate protects biological membranes against corrosive substances. In vivo, gelatin tannate acts not only as a gut mucoprotectant but also as an anatomical and physiological modulator. Moreover, gelatin tannate is an intestinal barrier enhancer endowed with gut homeostatic recovering properties. Clinical studies have shown that the combination of gelatin tannate and ORS has a fast onset of action and is effective and safe in the relief of acute diarrheal conditions in children. Conclusion: Although ongoing clinical studies will address current clinical gaps with gelatin tannate, the findings highlighted in this overview may have particular implications for the use of gelatin tannate in resource-poor, developing countries to treat cases of pediatric acute gastroenteritis.