Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Diabetic wounds, particularly foot ulcers, represent a major healthcare burden worldwide due to prolonged inflammation, reduced cellular migration and impaired tissue repair due to hyperglycemia. To treat a wound as quickly and effectively, advancements in wound dressing are crucial. Here, we have developed a bilayered electrospun membrane with gelatin as the inner layer and polycarbonate urethane (PCU) as the outer layer. The gelatin side of the membrane is crosslinked with alginate dialdehyde (ADA), which serves as a niche for the migration and growth of cells that can start the healing process for wounds. SEM analysis confirms the fibrous characteristics of PCU and gelatin. The FT-IR data confirms the presence of both gelatin and PCU on their respective sides. Trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) assay validates the crosslinking of ADA to the gelatin. The water uptake was found to be 243 ± 18% and has a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) in the range of commercially available wound dressings (620 g/m²/d). The membrane's ability to support cell survival and non-toxicity is supported by studies on cytocompatibility. The in-vitro wound healing assay was conducted at different time periods and had a wound closure of 44.7 ± 0.5% at 8 h compared to the cell control, which had 23.4 ± 3.6%. The fabricated membrane has the potential to be used as a diabetic wound care material.

The demand for functional wound dressings for the effective management of acute and chronic wounds is increasing. The composition of functional components such as polymers and essential oils enables the development of wound dressings. In this study, a core-shell nanofiber wound dressing incorporating Nigella sativa and Laurus nobilis oils was developed using the coaxial electrospinning technique. Nigella sativa oil was incorporated into the polylactic acid outer shell, while Laurus nobilis oil was encapsulated within the polyvinyl alcohol inner core. The chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The fabricated nanofibers were characterized using spectroscopic and morphological analyses, contact angle measurements, mechanical testing, and biological assays. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed a homogeneous fiber morphology with average diameters of 522.8 ± 71.9 nm. FTIR spectra indicated the presence of characteristic functional groups associated with both essential oils within the polymer matrix. Contact angle measurements (θ = 79.27°) indicated moderate surface wettability, which is favorable for wound dressing applications. Tensile testing revealed an increase in mechanical strength corresponding to increased polymer layering. A high antioxidant capacity was determined using the DPPH method. Furthermore, disk diffusion assays demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (13.50 ± 0.28 mm). MTT assays verified that the material exhibits a high level of biocompatibility and supports cell viability. In conclusion, the developed wound dressing represents a multifunctional biodegradable nanofibrous system combining antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, and cell- supportive properties for wound healing applications.

A complex combination of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation initiates Alzheimer disease (AD), and redox imbalance becomes an initial and lead pathological process. Traditional antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and curcumin demonstrate high mechanistic capacity but have poor stability, are rapidly metabolicized and have low blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Polymeric nanocarriers can be a solution to these drawbacks, as they offer controlled delivery, better targeting to the brain, and dynamic delivery in response to microenvironmental changes. This review is a synthesis of recent developments in oxidative-stress-responsive polymeric systems (PLGA-, chitosan-, and hybrid polymer-based nanoparticles) designed to be used in precise redox modulation. We emphasize the therapeutic synergies of co-delivery of dual NAC-curcumin that is backed with in-vitro and in-vivo results of enhanced antioxidant activity, mitochondrial integrity, and cognitive improvements in AD models. The most important translational obstacles such as nanoparticle scalability, regulatory obstacles, and interpatient heterogeneity are acutely addressed, as well as new developments such as AI-driven formulation design and personalized oxidative biomarker profiling. All these innovations put redox-targeted nanomedicine as a prospective next-generation therapy of AD.

This study describes the development and characterization of a multilayered wound dressing composed of a chitosan (CHI), gelatin (GEL), and Aloe vera (AV) base layer integrated with electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/propolis nanofibers (WD3). FE-SEM analysis showed a bead-free porous network with a mean fiber diameter of 185 ± 24 nm. XRD and DSC results confirmed the semi-crystalline structure and thermal stability of the scaffolds, with the WD1 baseline exhibiting a crystalline peak at 2θ = 26.07⁰. Mechanical analysis demonstrated that the optimized WD3 formulation possesses a high dry tensile strength of ∼49 MPa, which transitions into a highly conformable and flexible hydrogel state upon hydration, reaching a peak elongation at break of 68.4%. Swelling and degradation studies highlighted a superior fluid absorption capacity of 97% and a controlled mass loss of 18% over 7 hours, ensuring effective exudate management and structural longevity. Standardized LC-MS/MS fingerprinting of the propolis extract (TPC: 199.7 mg GAE/g) identified key polyphenols, including pinocembrin and galangin, which governed a sustained release profile following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (n = 0.62). Biological assays confirmed that the WD3 group supported cell viability with a metabolic activity rate of 110.7% and provided antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 16.31 µg/mL. Furthermore, antibacterial tests showed an inhibition zone of 23.6 ± 2.1 mm against S. aureus. These results indicate that the multilayered CHI/GEL/AV/PVA/Propolis dressing provides the structural and biological properties necessary for potential applications in wound care.

Smart polymers have played great role in enhancing nanomedical application areas in drug delivery, diagnosis and environment sensitive treatment systems. Nonetheless, their highly adaptive and structurally diverse nature leads to more concern toward their methods of action and their safety in the nanoscale. Thus, this review seeks to provide an informed account of how smart polymers can act as vectors of biomedical advancement as well as drivers of biological interactions that have not had a favorable outcome. Using a PRISMA 2020-informed reporting principle, this work presents a narrative and critical synthesis of in vitro and in vivo investigating the nanotoxicology of smart polymer-based nanosystems. Accordingly, no formal meta-analysis was undertaken. Oxidative stress, immune response, and organ injury are observed as the critical issues, whereas the factors, including the surface modification of nanoparticles and biodegradation, are the significant predictors of safer nanoparticles. In addition, it highlights high-throughput screening, artificial intelligence based modeling and quantitative or physiologically based simulations as some of the promising approaches to predictive toxicology to support safe-by-design strategies. These findings show that there is a need for polymer type regulation and ethical measures to promote safe use of smart polymers in future health care sectors.

Glaucoma remains a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, primarily driven by progressive optic nerve degeneration associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Conventional brimonidine tartrate (BRT) eye drops suffer from rapid precorneal clearance and limited corneal permeability, necessitating frequent administration and resulting in poor patient compliance. To address these limitations, a microemulsion (ME)-based bilayer dissolving microneedles (BDMNs) system was developed for sustained ocular delivery of BRT. The BRT-ME formulation was optimized via D-optimal design, achieving a droplet size of 34.40 ± 2.80 nm, viscosity of 60.76 ± 3.99 mPa·s, high clarity (>96% transmittance), and good thermodynamic stability. This optimized ME was then incorporated into a bi-layer microneedle matrix composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan, and Poloxamer 407, yielding a structurally robust system exhibiting high mechanical integrity and >95% insertion efficiency across triple-layered Parafilm^® M. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained BRT release from the BDMN system over 24 h (96% cumulative release), significantly outperforming ME alone. Ex vivo corneal permeation showed enhanced BRT flux, while ocular irritation assessments confirmed excellent biocompatibility. Importantly, in vivo studies in rabbit models revealed a peak IOP reduction of ∼47% at 6 h post-application, superior to the ∼31% reduction observed with BRT-ME alone at 4 h. Overall, these results highlight the BRT-ME-BDMNs system as a minimally invasive and stable platform that markedly improves drug retention and therapeutic efficacy, offering a next-generation solution for effective glaucoma management.

The field of in situ polymer-bioceramic composites represents a novel domain that imparts advancements in bone tissue engineering by its dual angiogenic and osteogenic potential. In this study, we focused on developing an in-situ synthesised collagen-whitlockite (CO-WH) composite for the regeneration and revascularization of small bone defects. The in-situ CO-WH bone filler was prepared in the quantitative ratio of 0.5: 3.6 (i.e. 1:7) of CO: WH. The prepared composite was characterised using TEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR, TGA and XPS. TEM results indicated the irregular morphology of the in situ CO-WH particles and showed an average particle size of 30 ± 10nm. EDAX and XPS analysis confirmed the presence of the characteristic elements within the composite and while XRD confirmed its crystallinity. FTIR studies confirmed the presence of amine, carboxyl and phosphate functional groups within the developed composite and TGA confirmed its thermal stability upto 900 °C. The ion release was evaluated using ICP analysis, confirming the controlled release of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and PO₄^3- ions from the in situ CO-WH composite. The composite was found to be biocompatible in DFSCs. In vitro cell migration and tube formation assays conducted in HUVECs demonstrated the angiogenic potential of the composite. Similarly, in vitro osteogenic mineralization, differentiation and alkaline phosphatase activity of CO-WH were studied, demonstrating enhanced osteogenic property in DFSCs. Therefore, the synthesised CO-WH composite bone filler acts as a promising application in regenerating small bone defects due to its angiogenic and osteogenic properties.

Novel bioactive composite films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with walnut shell powder (WSP) and medicinal plant additives - Lawsonia inermis, Nepeta cataria, and Artemisia vulgaris - were developed using a solution casting method for potential biomedical applications. WSP, a lignocellulosic agricultural waste, was employed as a sustainable reinforcing filler, while the herbal additives were incorporated to impart antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. The structural, morphological, chemical, and thermal characteristics of the composite films were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). XRD analysis revealed the semi-crystalline nature of PVA, with reduced crystallinity upon filler incorporation due to strong intermolecular interactions. FTIR confirmed effective hydrogen bonding between PVA and the bio-fillers, while thermal analyses demonstrated enhanced thermal stability of the composites. Morphological studies showed smooth to porous surface features depending on the herbal additive used. Antibacterial evaluation against Escherichia coli demonstrated significant inhibition, with the Lawsonia inermis-based composite exhibiting the highest antibacterial activity. Biocompatibility assessment using Vigna radiata seed germination indicated low cytotoxicity and favorable biological interaction, particularly for the Lawsonia inermis formulation. The synergistic integration of WSP and herbal additives within the PVA matrix resulted in multifunctional, sustainable, and biocompatible films, highlighting their strong potential for wound healing, drug delivery, and other biomedical applications.

Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vulva and vagina that is commonly caused by yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted illnesses affecting approximately 70-75% of women at least once during their lifetime, with recurrence rates reaching 30-40%. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection of the vulva and vagina caused by an overabundance of Candida yeast. Available therapy is not always effective, and resistance to several antifungal drugs therefore there is a need for advanced drug delivery systems. In recent decades, chitosan, a biopolymer having intrinsic antimicrobial activity (reported inhibition efficiencies exceeding 80-90% against Candida albicans), It has been considered as one of the most promising bioactive polymers; its antibacterial action, mucoadhesion, mucopenetration, immunomodulatory qualities, and longer drug retention have made it a potentially useful polymer. Chitosan-based vaginal delivery systems have demonstrated a 2-3-fold improvement in vaginal residence time and sustained drug release for up to 24-72 h. Which make this polymer ideal for the treatment of vaginitis. This review is looking at new drug delivery methods like hydrogels, films, and composite formulations for the treatment of vulvovaginitis. Furthermore, chitosan has been suggested as a bioactive polymer that may enhance current methods to develop hydrogels appropriate for VVC gynecological drug delivery systems. The shortcomings of conventional drugs, such as inadequate retention, systemic adverse effects, and drug resistance, demand more specific therapy options. Overall, chitosan-based systems represent a promising strategy for effective, safe, and targeted management of vulvovaginitis.

Malaria remains a major global health challenge, worsened by the rise of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Quinine is a cornerstone therapy for severe malaria, yet its clinical use is limited by rapid clearance, dose-dependent toxicity, and a narrow therapeutic window. To address these challenges, we developed chitosan-functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) core-shell nanoparticles (QN-PCL/CS NPs) for enhanced quinine delivery. Fabricated via double emulsion solvent evaporation, the nanoparticles exhibited favorable characteristics: 312.9 ± 11.7 nm diameter, +30.8 ± 1.5 mV zeta potential, and 81.8 ± 6.9% encapsulation efficiency. In vitro studies confirmed efficient drug incorporation and sustained biphasic release. Notably, QN-PCL/CS NPs significantly improved the therapeutic safety profile, increasing the cytotoxicity IC₅₀ in Vero cells from 131.93 µg/mL (free quinine) to 345.93 µg/mL, while enhancing antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (FCR3 strain), lowering the IC₅₀ from 130.12 ng/mL to 32.56 ng/mL. This dual improvement resulted in an approximately ten-fold increase in the selectivity index (from 1.014 to 10.658) and a two-fold increase in quinine penetration into infected erythrocytes. Complementary in silico analyses revealed molecular mechanisms underlying these effects: density functional theory identified quinine's reactive sites, and molecular docking predicted strong binding to chitosan (-4.02 kcal/mol) and PCL (-3.99 kcal/mol), explaining the high encapsulation efficiency. Together, these results demonstrate that QN-PCL/CS NPs offer a promising platform for drug-resistant malaria treatment, simultaneously addressing efficacy and toxicity challenges. This integrated in silico-in vitro approach provides both a therapeutically enhanced nanoformulation and a mechanism-guided blueprint for rational design of polymer-based drug delivery systems.