Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

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.

This review article explores how 3D printing has the diversity in the drug development and the delivery of personalized medicine. The paradigm shift is from conventional methods to tailormade dosages and exploring the intricate interplay of drug selection, polymer compatibility alongwith technological advancements within the pharmaceutical arena. 3D printing is positioned as a crucial tool for catering to the specific requirements of patient-focused fields like pediatrics and geriatrics, ranging from addressing individual needs to improving dosage precision. By harnessing genetic profiles, physiological nuances, and disease conditions, this technology enables the creation of bespoke medications with unique drug loading and release profiles. In developing the newer implants the 3D printing has to be developed alongwith consideration of biological aspects as well as technical aspects. It has to be aligned with multifunctional aspects to cater one optimized product. Furthermore, this paper elucidates the regulatory considerations and industrial implications surrounding 3D printing in pharmaceuticals. Emphasizing compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and its potential for streamlined production in regulated markets, the paper underscores the transformative power of 3D printing in reshaping clinical practice and optimizing patient outcomes.

The urgent need for alternative strategies for organ transplantation, replacement or regeneration of damaged tissues has been contributing in remarkable advances in biomaterials for various biomedical applications including tissue engineering. Seashells (SS), which are naturally occurring, available in large quantities and cost-free, have been drawn widespread attention recently for their potential use in the biomedical field. Besides, the unique properties of SS in terms of their biocompatibility, osteointegration, ease of manipulation, and adjustable mechanical behaviors make them a highly appropriate biomaterial for biomedicine, particularly in engineering bone. Compared to chemically synthesized hydroxyapatite (HA), SS-extracted HA can be perfectly matched the composition of bone minerals. Furthermore, polymer-based composites have numerous uses in various biomedical fields such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Several approaches and materials have been used to enhance the properties of biomedical field-based polymers. One such approach is the reinforcement of polymers using particles from either natural or synthetic sources including metals and ceramics. Nevertheless, the availability of natural materials with comparable properties to those found in the human body promotes the creation of better composites in terms of biocompatibility and affordability. The current review highlights recent studies regarding the development of SS-derived biomaterials as well as SS-reinforced polymer composites for orthopedics, orthodontics, and other biomedical applications. Beside to their key role in enhancing polymer properties, the use of SS particles has the benefit of lowering the cost of the resulting biocomposite and mitigate the deleterious influence of a massive amount of by-product waste on the environment.