Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres are effective in stimulating collagen regeneration. However, the local inflammation they induce upon subcutaneous injection, particularly during the initial post-injection phase, cannot be overlooked. In this study, we designed and fabricated Astragaloside (AS)-loaded PCL microspheres using microfluidic technology for subcutaneous injection to promote collagen regeneration. The incorporation of AS and the application of microfluidic technology endowed the AS/PCL microspheres with a significantly reduced incidence of initial inflammation, thereby enhancing their safety profile. We prepared the AS/PCL microspheres via microfluidic technology and conducted characterization alongside in vitro and in vivo studies. Results demonstrated that the AS/PCL microspheres exhibited a circularity index of 0.90 ± 0.03, an average particle size of 30.45 ± 5.49 μm, and the polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.26 ± 0.03. The AS/PCL microspheres significantly enhanced the proliferation and migration of L929 fibroblasts. In vivo pharmacodynamic studies revealed that the inclusion of AS effectively mitigated the initial inflammatory response triggered by PCL microspheres and promoted superior collagen regeneration. Consequently, the microfluidically fabricated AS/PCL microspheres developed in this study demonstrate enhanced safety and efficacy for subcutaneous injection in promoting collagen regeneration.

The present study evaluated the in vivo wound healing activity of an optimized chrysin emulgel formulation. Antioxidant potential was confirmed through ferrous ion chelation and DPPH radical scavenging assays, showing dose-dependent activity with IC₅₀ values of 1755.78 µg/ml and 141.68 µg/ml, respectively. Acute dermal toxicity testing (OECD Guideline 402) revealed no signs of dermal or systemic toxicity at 2000 mg/kg. Wound healing efficacy was assessed using incision and excision models in Wistar albino rats, with animals divided into control (emulgel base), standard (1% silver sulfadiazine), and test (chrysin emulgel) groups. In the incision model, the test group achieved a tensile strength of 561.17 ± 1.11 g, comparable to the standard (565.33 ± 0.88 g). In the excision model, the chrysin emulgel achieved 97.93% wound contraction by day 12 with an epithelization period of 14.83 ± 0.30 days, similar to the standard (98.17%; 14.33 ± 0.42 days). Overall, the optimized chrysin emulgel demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, effective wound healing, and excellent safety, suggesting its potential as a natural alternative to silver sulfadiazine for topical wound management.

The therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy in solid tumors such as osteosarcoma is hindered by the dense, collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM). In this work, we report an acid-responsive nanogel that co-encapsulates bromelain (BL), a proteolytic enzyme, and doxorubicin (DOX) with spatially distinct localization and independent pH-responsive release mechanisms. BL is encapsulated within the nanogel network, whereas DOX is covalently grafted onto the nanogel surface via an acid-labile linker, enabling the nanocarrier (ng(BL-DOX)) to remain stable under physiological conditions while promoting controlled release in the mildly acidic tumor microenvironment. The released BL degrades collagenous ECM components and reduces matrix density, thereby improving the penetration and intratumoral distribution of the concurrently released DOX. In a murine osteosarcoma model, the PEG-rich nanogels showed prolonged circulation and increased tumor accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, accompanied by collagen I degradation and effective tumor growth inhibition, with final tumor volumes reduced to approximately one-tenth of those in the control group and without observable systemic toxicity. This microencapsulation approach provides an enzyme-drug co- encapsulation system that combines ECM degradation with chemotherapy in a single nanogel platform and may be adapted to other proteolytic enzymes and cytotoxic agents for the treatment of stroma-rich solid tumors.

Slow tissue repair, chronic inflammation, poor angiogenesis, and increased susceptibility to infection make diabetic wound healing a significant global medical concern. Hydrogel-based dressing is an innovative approach to diabetic wound treatment, replacing traditional treatments like surgery, antibiotics, and dressings that often fail to restore the complex wound microenvironment. This review focuses on significant advancements in hydrogel formulations, including their composition, properties, and medical uses. It begins with an overview of the diabetic wound healing process and current treatment strategies. Hydrogels provide moist environment for healing, which are three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that can hold almost 90% of water and are categorized according to their crosslinking technique (physical and chemical) and their source (natural, synthetic, or hybrid). Among these, injectable hydrogels are popular due to their simplicity of use, capacity to fill a variety of irregularly shaped wounds, and in situ gelation, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing the risk of infection. Finally, we conclude with clinical case studies utilizing hydrogels derived from sodium alginate, placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSC), and collagen-polyacrylate-metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown notable results in wound healing, including improved tissue repair, enhanced chronic wound management, and reduced infection. Despite these advancements, hydrogels continue to encounter issues with mechanical strength, degradation control, and large-scale production. Hydrogel-based wound dressings have potential for individualized treatment of diabetic wounds keeps growing as research and biomaterial technologies advance. This review also highlights novel classification, real-world case studies, and emerging clinical trends, providing a comprehensive perspective that is not commonly addressed in existing literature.

A major barrier to effective therapy is the limited water solubility of many Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II and IV medications, which results in poor bioavailability and inconsistent patient outcomes. Better solubilization and stability are provided by traditional synthetic nanocarriers such as PLGA, poloxamers, and PEG-PLA; however, these have disadvantages such as toxicity, cost, reliance on petrochemical resources, and regulatory barriers. Natural amphiphilic co-polymers (NACPs) are a sustainable and amiable alternative to proteins, polysaccharides, and phospholipids. Because of their innate amphiphilicity, which promotes self-assembly into micelles, vesicles, nanogels, and hydrogels, hydrophobic drugs can be effectively encapsulated and released under controlled conditions.This review focuses on the structural foundations of amphiphilicity in graft and block copolymers, naturally occurring self-assembling systems, and chemically modified derivatives that enhance solubility and drug-polymer interactions. In contrast to synthetic carriers, NACPs have other benefits such as mucoadhesion, enzymatic degradability, pH/enzyme responsiveness, and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulatory status, even though problems with scalability, reproducibility, and long-term stability still exist. Their versatility includes oral, parenteral, transdermal, pulmonary, nasal, and ocular drug delivery, with notable improvements in solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic accuracy. Recent advancements include stimuli-responsive designs, hybrid natural-synthetic systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven modeling for predicting drug-polymer compatibility. Collectively, NACPs present a sustainable strategy for next-generation nanomedicine that strikes a balance between therapeutic efficacy and environmental responsibility. By addressing solubility concerns with environmentally acceptable carriers, NACPs have a substantial translational potential to promote pharmaceutical innovation and green drug delivery systems.

The rising challenges of conventional chemotherapy, including drug resistance and systemic toxicity, necessitate the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Repurposing existing antibiotics offers a promising, cost-effective approach in oncology. In this study, we investigate the anticancer potential of two common β-lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone, by conjugating them to a novel glycerol-phthalic anhydride nano-polymer. Successful conjugation and nanoscale formulation (∼97 nm) were confirmed through FT-IR, NMR, and DLS. When evaluated against aggressive MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the ceftriaxone conjugate demonstrated superior efficacy, showing 14% greater cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 38.52 vs. 44.8 µg/mL) and inducing extensive apoptosis, evidenced by membrane blebbing and nuclear fragmentation. Molecular docking revealed a mechanistic basis for this enhanced activity, with ceftriaxone forming stronger binding interactions (-7.8 kcal/mol) with key breast cancer proteins, including π-sulfur and hydrogen bonds. This work establishes a scalable nano-polymer platform for antibiotic repurpose, identifies ceftriaxone as a superior candidate for breast cancer therapy, and provides a critical mechanistic bridge between drug chemistry and tumor biology. With its established clinical safety, this ceftriaxone-based system represents a viable candidate for rapid translation to in vivo studies.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a predominant cause of mortality and heart failure in cardiovascular disorders. This article presents a novel polydopamine (PD) nanoparticles, tagged with cyclic RGD peptides (RP), for the targeted delivery of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (RO) (RP-PD@RO NPs). RO is a therapeutic accessory for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. RP-PD@RO NPs were developed and characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), zeta potentials, and FT-IR spectral analysis. The cell viability was investigated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis. The migration ability was assessed through in vitro wound assays and migration assays. MI targeted therapy was examined using wild-type C57 BL/6J mice. The expression of specific proteins was confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PD is an efficient carrier recognized for its superior surface modifiability and cytocompatibility. RO was incorporated into PD via π-π stacking, while RP was conjugated via a Michael addition process, yielding stable RP-PD@RO NPs with a mean diameter of 204.51 ± 3.52 nm. Targeting investigations have shown a 2.19-fold enhancement in the efficiency of NPs accumulation within cellular uptake. The study revealed a 1.46-fold enhancement in cell proliferation, a 1.48-fold rise in the rate of angiogenesis, and a notable decrease in the MI site. These data indicate that RP-PD@RO NPs can reduce the MI site and enhance endothelial cell (EC) function via targeted distribution.

Most bioinks used in extrusion-based bioprinting are derived from natural hydrogels. Among these, alginate-gelatin blends are widely used but suffer from limited stability and suboptimal mechanical properties. In this study, a tricomponent bioink consisting of alginate, gelatin, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is developed to address these limitations. To retain gelatin's cell-adhesive RGD sequences while minimizing rapid deterioration, the gelatin content was reduced compared to alginate-gelatin bioinks to preserve structural integrity and support cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation. The inclusion of CMC further enhanced the mechanical, rheological, and physical properties of the hydrogel. Four formulations with varying alginate and CMC concentrations were prepared and designated as D-1, D-2, D-3, and D-4. Among these, the D-4 formulation exhibited the highest compressive modulus and shear-thinning properties. NIH-3T3 fibroblasts were incorporated into each bioink formulation to assess cell viability, attachment, and proliferation. The D-4 bioprinted construct demonstrated a 21% increase in cell viability compared to the D-1 sample and a threefold increase in fibroblast proliferation relative to the control. These findings indicated that the alginate-gelatin-CMC bioink significantly improved the mechanical and biological performance over conventional alginate-gelatin formulations, offering a promising cell niche for skin tissue engineering applications.

Anaemia, especially folate deficient anaemia, continues to be a worldwide health issue, disproportionately impacting pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. Despite being a conventional treatment strategy, folic acid (FA) supplementation is hindered by its volatility in gastric environments and suboptimal intestinal absorption, which restricts clinical efficacy. This work focuses on preparation and characterization of barley starch-based nanoparticles as an innovative oral delivery vehicle for FA to improve its stability, bioavailability, and sustained release. The optimised formulation (15 min sonication) produced nanoparticles with an average size of 201.9 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.382, and a zeta potential of -29.1 mV, indicating nanoscale homogeneity and colloidal stability. Entrapment efficiency and drug loading were 97.12% and 98.28%, respectively. Spectroscopic (FTIR), thermal (DSC), and crystallographic (XRD) investigations validated molecular connections between FA and starch, with reduced crystallinity, indicating effective encapsulation. In vitro release showed persistent folic acid release (52% over 24 h), aligning most closely with a first-order kinetic model. Ex vivo intestinal permeation experiments demonstrated a 1.92-fold increase in FA permeability from FASN relative to the pure drug solution, whereas stability testing validated exceptional physicochemical stability for three months at both 25 °C/60% RH and 40 °C/75% RH. These data indicate that FASN is a promising oral nanocarrier for folic acid administration, providing protection against stomach degradation, enhancing intestinal absorption, and improving therapeutic efficacy in managing folate shortage.