Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Novel trans-2,3-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]coumarins were synthesized and assessed for their inhibition potential against cysteine proteases: cathepsin B, H and L which are the possible targets for anticancer activity. In general, the coumarin derivatives were found to be exceptional inhibitors against this class of enzymes. On the basis of molecular modeling data and structure-activity relationships, their inhibition patterns are also discussed. The selectivity of designed compounds as inhibitors against cathepsins B, H and L was demonstrated by enzyme inhibition data. Enzyme kinetics investigations were also on par with in vitro studies when tested on HepG2 carcinoma cell line utilizing 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Possible protein-drug interactions responsible for potential inhibition are demonstrated using docking studies.

Bone tissue engineering is a promising approach to address the increasing need for bone repair. Scaffolds play a crucial role in providing the structural framework for cell growth and differentiation. 3D printing offers precise control over scaffold design and fabrication. Polymers and inorganic compounds such as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are used to create biocompatible and functional scaffolds. MNPs enhance mechanical properties, facilitate drug delivery, and enable the real-time monitoring of bone regeneration. This review highlights the potential of polymer-based 3D-printed magnetic scaffolds in advancing bone regenerative medicine.

Zaltoprofen (ZAL) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with a short half-life (∼2.8 h) due to extensive first pass metabolism. In this context, 16 different polymeric film forming solutions (PFFS) of ZAL were developed using different grades of Eudragits, Polyvinylpyrrolidones, Kollicoat MAE 100 P and Hydroxypropyl cellulose as film formers, and polyethylene glycol 400 as a plasticizer in equal parts of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol used as solvents. Of these solutions, F13 composed of Kollicoat MAE 100 P emerged as an optimal PFFS as it quickly formed a saturated film (10.25 ± 0.75 min) that displayed low drying time (3.00 ± 0.46 min), and high in vitro adhesion (2.67 ± 0.58). Ex vivo permeation studies conducted in Franz diffusion cell across porcine skin indicated that F13 displayed significantly higher (p < 0.001) steady state flux (8.64 ± 1.72 µg.cm^-2.h^-1), shorter lag time (∼3 h) and better skin content (2.55 ± 0.62 µg/mg) compared to other PFFS. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) proved the chemical integrity of ZAL in polymeric film formed from F13, while Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) proved the "anti-recrystallization potential" of PFFS. Anti-inflammatory studies in rats indicated that F13 significantly inhibited (ANOVA, p < 0.001) carrageenan induced paw edema for nearly 12 h compared to topical diclofenac used as standard. In addition, significantly elevated (ANOVA, p < 0.001) analgesic effect was noted in the hot plate test in rats treated with F13 compared to the standard for 12 h proving the superior efficacy of F13. Thus, PFFS by virtue of "in situ evaporative metamorphosis" induced supersaturation can be an attractive platform to deliver ZAL transdermally.

Chitin hydrogel and hydrogel-based products are some of the frequently reported biomaterials for biomedical applications. Yet there is a void in understanding chitin's dissolution mechanism and its most suitable solvent system(s). Chitin is a natural polysaccharide polymer which can be dissolved in solvents such as calcium chloride- methanol, sodium hydroxide/urea (NaOH/urea), lithium chloride diacetamide (LiCl/DMAc), ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. Among the alkali/urea dissolution systems such as NaOH/urea, KOH/urea, LiOH/urea for dissolution of chitin we will be focussing on NaOH-based system here for ease of comparison with the other systems. Chitin has been used for decades in the biomedical field; however, new solvent systems are still being explored even to this day to identify the most suitable chemical(s) for dissolving it. Chitin, due to its biocompatibility, allows us to use it for multifaceted purposes. Hence, it is important to consolidate the available studies for better understanding about the most sought-after biomaterial. This overview deeply delves into the mechanism of action of the existing solvent systems and highlights its merits and demerits. It discusses the rheological properties of the chitin gel from different solvent systems and puts forth the current biomedical applications of chitin gel in areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensing, hemostasis and wound healing. It also outlines recent advances and highlights the potential gaps which need to be addressed in future studies.

The potential of bee bread as an apitherapeutic agent was investigated in this study, focusing on its immune-stimulating abilities. The novel aspect of the study is how bee bread is combined with chitosan, a biopolymer with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, to increase its therapeutic efficacy. Free freeze-drying technology accomplished encapsulation at a critical temperature of -80 °C. The encapsulated constructs were characterized using analytical techniques like FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the ethanolic extract of bee bread was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to identify phytochemicals. UV spectrophotometry was used to quantify antioxidant activity. Antibacterial tests using the disc diffusion method revealed a significant inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive bacterium, whereas Gram-negative bacteria showed reduced sensitivity to the encapsulated agents.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical and osseointegrative properties of 3D printed porous PEEK materials loaded with strontium (Sr) and alendronate (ALN), which prepared porous cylindrical material by a fused deposition molding process, coated with Sr and ALN by hydrothermal reaction and dopamine assistance. According to the different coating materials, it could be divided into the PEEK group, PEEK-ALN group, PEEK-Sr group and PEEK-ALN-Sr group. After completing the mechanical analyses, the materials were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits and the osteogenic capacity of the bracket materials was assessed by Micro-CT scanning, histology and fluorescence staining. The results showed that ALN and Sr were successfully loaded onto the surface of the material, and the elastic modulus and porosity of the material were not changed significantly after loading. The Micro-CT revealed that the PEEK-ALN-Sr group exhibited differences in bone volume/total Volume (BV/TV), trabecular spacing (TB.Sp),trabecular thickness (TB.Th)and trabeculae number (TB.N) in comparison to the PEEK group and PEEK-ALN group. And more new bone tissues could be observed in the PEEK-ALN-Sr group under 3D reconstruction of the bone proliferation model, toluidine blue and fluorescence staining. Thus, we can conclude that the 3D printed porous PEEK material has stable pore size and porosity, which has an ideal structure for bone growth. The PEEK- ALN-Sr composite material can be used as an emerging bone implant due to its excellent elastic modulus and osseointegration ability and provides a clinically viable treatment for patients with bone defects.

The implant surface chemistry and topography are primary factors regulating the success and survival of bone scaffold. Surface modification is a promising alternative to enhance the biocompatibility and tissue response to augment the osteogenic functionalities of polyesters like PLA. The study employed the synergistic effect of alkaline hydrolysis and polydopamine (PDA) functionalization to enhance the cell-material interactions on 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold. Comprehensive characterization of the modified PLA highlights the improvements in the physical, chemical and cell-material interactions upon two-step surface modification. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis substantiated enhanced PDA deposition with a ∼8.2% increase in surface N composition after surface etching due to homogeneous PDA deposition compared to the non-etched counterpart. The changes in surface chemistry and morphology upon dual surface modification complemented the human osteoblast (HOS) attachment and proliferation, with distinct cell morphology and spreading on PDA coated etched PLA (Et-PLAPDA) scaffolds. Moreover, substantial improvement in osteogenic differentiation of UMR-106 cells on etched PLA (Et-PLA) and Et-PLAPDA highlights the suitability of alkali etching-mediated PDA deposition to improve mineralization on PLA. Overall, the present work opens insights to modify scaffold surface composition, topography, hydrophilicity and roughness to regulate local cell adhesion to improve the osteogenic potential of PLA.

The study synthesized Pluronic F-127 coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (PF-127ZnO NPs) using Gynura pseudochina leaf extract and evaluated their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties using various characterization methods such as UV-Vis, Fourier Transform Infra-Red, Photoluminescence spectroscopy, FESEM, EDAX, TEM, SAED, XRD, and DLS. The disc diffusion technique was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of synthesized Pluronic F-127 coated zinc oxide nanoparticles against various pathogens and significant anticancer activity was noticed. The study examined the cytotoxicity of PF127ZnO nanoparticles to Hep3B cells in vitro. The cytotoxicity was IC50 at 10 µM concentration. The study examined the biocompatibility of PF-127ZnO NPs, revealing membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and stimulation of the proapoptotic protein caspase cascade family. The study reveals that PF-127ZnO NPs, synthesized from G. pseudochina leaf extract, exhibit antibacterial and antihepatic properties, offering potential biomedical applications due to their high stability and biocompatibility.

Natural fibers such as kenaf, sisal, ramie, jute, hemp, flax, coir, banana and bamboo have been employed in the production of biocomposites. A great strength-to-weight ratio, renewability and sustainability are some important properties of natural fibers. Biocomposites produced from natural fibers are employed in biomedical fields such as delivery of drug, orthopaedic applications, tissue engineering and wound dressing owing to their acceptability by the human body, moderate mechanical performance and environmental benefits. This study presents recent advances in the field of polymers and natural fiber-based polymer composites for potential biomedical applications. For this purpose, the properties of natural fibers are given and detailed examples from literature works for polymers and their composites used in biomedical applications are discussed.