Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Erlotinib, a potent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, faces bioavailability challenges due to poor water solubility and stability. This study aims to optimize erlotinib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles using a 3² factorial design to enhance drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. The effects of PLGA concentration (R1) and NaTPP concentration (R2) on nanoparticle characteristics, including particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI), were investigated. The optimal formulation (F5) was identified and characterized, showing a particle size of 169.1 nm, a zeta potential of 20.0 mV, and a PDI of 0.146, indicating uniform and stable nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed spherical nanoparticles with minimal aggregation, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated an amorphous state of erlotinib. Formulation F5 demonstrated an entrapment efficiency of 81.9% and a yield of 83.0%. In-vitro drug release studies revealed a sustained release pattern with 90.0% cumulative release at 48 h, following Zero Order kinetics. Cytotoxicity assays showed low cytotoxicity across various cell lines. Statistical analysis confirmed the significant impact of formulation variables on nanoparticle properties. The systematic optimization of erlotinib-loaded nanoparticles has successfully identified formulation F5 as an optimal candidate with favorable characteristics, including minimal particle size, high stability, controlled drug release, and a safe cytotoxicity profile. Notably, the optimized formulation (F5) enhances therapeutic efficacy through improved bioavailability and targeted delivery, addressing the limitations of conventional therapies. These findings suggest that the optimized erlotinib-loaded nanoparticles hold significant potential for enhanced drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

This study focused on developing and evaluating dasatinib-loaded nanoparticles (DST-NPs) using Eudragit L100 as a polymer matrix for enhanced breast cancer treatment. The optimized formulation exhibited a particle size of 202.1 ± 5.7 nm, a zeta potential of -18 ± 1.01 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 93.11 ± 0.2%. In-vitro release studies demonstrated sustained drug release from DST-NPs, following Fickian diffusion. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats revealed higher Cmax and AUC_0-t for DST-NPs compared to pure DST, indicating improved bioavailability. Tissue distribution studies showed enhanced targeting of DST-NPs, with higher concentrations in the liver and spleen. In vivo efficacy in a DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma model demonstrated that DST-NPs significantly reduced tumor volume, maintained stable body weight, and improved survival rates compared to pure DST. Hematologic analysis indicated a favorable blood profile with DST-NPs, and histopathological examinations confirmed the restoration of normal mammary gland and liver architecture. MTT assays showed higher cytotoxicity of DST-NPs against MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and 4T1 cell lines, with lower IC50 values than pure DST. Stability studies indicated that DST-NPs maintained their properties over six months at various storage conditions. These findings highlight the potential of DST-NPs as an effective nanocarrier system for cancer therapy.

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used as drug delivery carrier or scaffold for bone repair due to its good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and degradation rate controllability. However, defects, like acidic degradation by-products, are associated with PLGA and restrict its practical applications. Jade powder, leftover from jade polishing process, is a natural material rich in elements of Ca, Si, and Mg while biocompatible and antibacterial. Herein, jade powder/PLGA composite microspheres with different mass ratios were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method under the optimized conditions. Characterization from SEM, EDS, FTIR, and surface water contact angle measurements indicated jade powder was successfully combined with PLGA and improved the surface wettability of the microspheres. Moreover, it was proved, through in vitro simulated body fluid test as well as adipose stem cell osteogenesis analysis, that jade powder addition enhanced the pH buffering capacity of the composite microsphere for simulated body fluid, and promoted the in vitro osteogenic activity of adipose stem cells at a certain amount. This study provides new ideas to employ jade powder, a natural material otherwise thrown away as solid waste, for improvement on PLGA performance in bone repair or potentially other biomedical fields.

This work focused on improving antimalarial therapy through the development and characterization of Atovaquone-Proguanil-loaded nanoparticles employing a 3² factorial design. The nanoparticles were prepared from combinations of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and Eudragit L100 polymers and different concentrations of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). Based on the results obtained the formulations were characterized for the particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and percent drug release. Among the nine formulations, F5 proved to be the most favorable in the biophysical parameters with a particle size of 176.3 nm, a zeta potential of -33.5 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 86% was found in the present investigation. Experimental dissolution profile analysis indicated that F5 had a slow and controlled-release profile where approximately 92.5%. Besides, cytotoxicity studies employing MTT, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and Trypan blue reduction test also supported the biocompatibility of nanoparticles and F5 had the highest cell viability (96%) with the least LDH release of 4%. In stability studies conducted for six months, F5 was found to remain stable regarding physicochemical characteristics and drug release profile at different temperature conditions such as room temperature, 4 °C, and 45 °C. The use of folic acid-functionalized nanoparticles is more effective, according to parasitemia, survival rate, and weight loss in mice treated with the nanoparticles. This is because functionalized nanoparticles could be used to enhance anti-malarial therapies.

Due to the complexity of oral physiology and pathology, the treatment of oral diseases faces multiple and complex clinical requirements. Mucosa-adhesive films (MAFs) with a single layer have demonstrated considerable potential in delivering therapeutic bioactive ingredients directly to the site of oral diseases. However, their functions are often hindered by certain factors such as limited loading capacity, poor site specificity, and sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. To overcome these limitations, the development of multi-layer MAFs has become a focal point for recent research. This involves the improvement of construction methods for multi-layer MAFs to minimize potential health risks from residual solvents, and conducting comprehensive in vivo studies to evaluate their safety and therapeutic efficacy more accurately, thus paving the way for their commercialization. Additionally, the exploration of multi-layer MAFs as personalized drug delivery systems could further broaden their application prospect. Precisely, multi-layer MAFs compensate for the shortcomings of current therapeutic strategies for oral diseases to a great extent, indicating a promising future in the market.

This study aims to prepare, characterize, and evaluate zinc oxide nanoscaffolds (ZnO NSs) as a potential anticancer drug that selectively targets malignant cells while remaining non-toxic to normal cells. Electrospun NSs were fabricated and loaded with varying concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The uniform morphology of the fabricated samples was confirmed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) imaging. Elemental composition was investigated using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity were assessed using the (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay) (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. The water uptake and degradation properties of the electrospun NSs were also examined. Furthermore, a cumulative release profile was generated to assess the release behavior of ZnO NSs. The prepared ZnO NSs demonstrated negligible toxicity toward normal human dermal cells. Conversely, the four used concentrations of ZnO NSs displayed substantial cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. The observed effects were concentration-dependent. Notably, ZnO NSs 8% exhibited the most significant reduction in cell viability against the MCF7 cell line. The findings from this study indicate the potential of ZnO NSs as an effective anticancer agent, with the ZnO NSs 8% demonstrating the most pronounced impact. This research introduces a novel application of electrospun zinc oxide nanoscaffolds, demonstrating their capacity for selective anticancer activity, particularly against breast carcinoma, while preserving normal cell viability. The study presents a significant advancement in the use of nanomaterial for targeted cancer therapy.

Inulin, a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from plants such as chicory root, has emerged as a significant ingredient in pharmaceutical sciences due to its diverse therapeutic and functional properties. This review explores the multifaceted applications of inulin, focusing on its chemical structure, sources, and mechanisms of action. Inulin's role as a prebiotic is highlighted, with particular emphasis on its ability to modulate gut microbiota, enhance gut health, and improve metabolic processes. The review also delves into the therapeutic applications of inulin, including its potential in managing metabolic health issues such as diabetes and lipid metabolism, as well as its immune-modulating properties and benefits in gastrointestinal health. Furthermore, the article examines the incorporation of inulin in drug formulation and delivery systems, discussing its use as a stabilizing agent and its impact on enhancing drug bioavailability. Innovative inulin-based delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and hydrogels, are explored for their potential in controlled release formulations. The efficacy of inulin is supported by a review of clinical studies, underscoring its benefits in managing conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular health, and gastrointestinal disorders. Safety profiles, regulatory aspects, and potential side effects are also addressed. This comprehensive review concludes with insights into future research directions and the challenges associated with the application of inulin in pharmaceutical sciences.

Calotropis gigantea essential oil is utilized in outmoded medicine, therapeutics, and the cosmetic industries. However, the extreme volatility, oxidation susceptibility, and instability of this oil restricts its application. Thus, encapsulation is a more effective method of shielding this oil from unfavorable circumstances. The creation of oil/water (O/W) nanoemulsions based on Calotropis gigantea essential oil (CEO), known as CNE (Calotropis gigantea essential oil nanoemulsions), and an assessment of its biological potential were the goals of this work. UV, fluorescence, and FT-IR methods were used for physiological characterization. Biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects. Studies on the pharmacokinetics of CNE were conducted. CNEs encapsulation efficiency was found to be 92%. The CNE nanoemulsions had a spherical shape with polydispersity index of 0.531, size of 200 nm, and a zeta potential of -35.9 mV. Even after being stored at various temperatures for 50 days, CNE nanoemulsions remained stable. Numerous tests were used to determine the antioxidant capacity of CNE, and the following IC50 values (µl/mL) were found: iron chelating assay: 18, hydroxyl radical scavenging: 37, and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity: 58. The percentage of HeLa cells that remained viable after being treated with CNE was 41% at a higher dose of 1 µl. CNE inhibited α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner, with 72% inhibition at its higher dose of 250 µL. Research on the kinetics of drugs showed that nanoemulsions showed Higuchi pattern. This research showed potential use of Calotropis gigantea oil-based nanoemulsions in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

This investigation examined the potential antibacterial and antidiabetic effects of wound dressings created using electrospun nanofibers containing Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract (ZJ). These nanofibers were composed of a combination of Polycaprolactone (PCL), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), and Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB). The process of creating these nanofibers involved electrospinning. The nanofiber products, which included PCL, PCL/PVA, PCL/PVA/ZJ, PCL/PVA/PHMB, and PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ, underwent a morphology, physicochemical, and biological assessment. Incorporating PHMB into the nanofibers enhanced the antibacterial properties, effectively preventing bacterial infections in wounds. Furthermore, including ZJ fruit extract in the nanofibers provided antidiabetic properties, making these dressings suitable for diabetic patients. The PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ combination exhibited exceptional healing capabilities and superior antibacterial efficiency in MRSA-infected wounds. The histological assay confirmed complete wound healing by day 14, accompanied by reduced inflammation. Based on these findings, using PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ as innovative wound dressings is recommended, as they can expedite wound healing while offering significant antidiabetic and antibacterial features. Ultimately, these electrospun nanofibers possess the potential to serve as advanced wound dressings with enhanced antibacterial and anti-diabetes properties.

Wound healing is a natural process but it is impaired in certain conditions like age, stress, health, immunity status and microbial infection. Particularly in cases of chronic wounds, infection is nearly often the main and unavoidable obstacle to wound healing. For this purpose, leaves of Annona squamosa and Cinnamomum tamala were selected based on their ethnopharmacological uses and reported pharmacological activities. The ethanolic extracts of both plant parts i.e. ethanolic extracts of Annona squamosa (ASEE) and Cinnamomum tamala (CTEE) were evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities individually as well as in 1:1 combination as Polyherbal Ethanolic extract (PHEE). In our previous work both these ethanolic extracts were combined and phytosomes were prepared by thin layer hydration method and optimized for vesicle size and entrapment efficiency. The phytosomes were then incorporated into Carbopol gel matrix. In this present study the selected phytosomal gel was tested in two different concentrations (2% and 5%) for in vivo wound healing activity using S. aureus infected excision wound model. The various parameters examined were percentage wound contraction, epithelization period, bacteriological quantification, biochemical parameters like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase and hydroxyproline. The PHEE exhibited synergistic antioxidant activity. The PHEE also showed enhanced antimicrobial activity against bacteria namely gram-positive S. aureus, gram-negative E. Coli. The phytosomal gel showed increased wound contraction, reduced time of epithelization, increased hydroxyproline content, increased levels of SOD and Catalase enzymes and reduced bacterial load when compared with Povidone iodine ointment as standard in S. aureus infected excision wound model.