Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition最新文献

Ovarian cancer is the primary cause of death from cancer in female patients. The existing treatments for ovarian cancer are restricted and ineffective in achieving a cure for the disease. To address this issue, we provide a novel approach to treating ovarian cancer by utilizing a liposomal carrier that effectively delivers the chemotherapeutic drugs carmustine (BCNU) and cabazitaxel (CTX). Initially, the combined impact of BCNU and CTX was confirmed, revealing that this impact reaches its maximum at a ratio of 1:2 mol/mol (BCNU/CTX). After that, the BC-Lipo co-delivery system was developed, which has a high capability for loading drugs (97.48% ± 1.14 for BCNU, 86.29% ± 3.03 for CTX). This system also has a sustained release profile and a beneficial long-circulating feature. The accumulation of BC-Lipo in tumors was dramatically enhanced compared to the accumulation of the free drug. Furthermore, BC-Lipo demonstrated similar levels of cytotoxicity to free BCNU and CTX (BCNU/CTX) when tested on HeLa cells in an in vitro model. Biochemical staining methods investigated the cancer cell's morphological examination. The apoptosis was confirmed by FITC-Annexin-V/PI staining by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, the investigation of fluorescence and protein markers examined the apoptosis mechanistic pathway, and the results indicated that BC-Lipo induced apoptosis due to mitochondrial membrane potential variation. This proof-of-concept study has established the probability of these BCNU-CTX combined treatments as active drug delivery nanocarriers for poorly soluble BCNU and CTX.

The treatment of recurrent genital herpes typically involves daily doses of acyclovir for extended periods. Additive manufacturing is an intriguing technique for creating personalised drug delivery systems, which can enhance the effectiveness of treatments for various diseases. The vaginal route offers a viable alternative for the systemic administration of drugs with low oral bioavailability. In this study, we produced different grades of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments through hot-melt extrusion, with acyclovir concentrations of 0%, 10%, and 20% by weight. We used fused filament fabrication to manufacture matrix-based devices, including intrauterine devices and intravaginal rings. Our results, obtained through SEM, FTIR, and DSC analyses, confirm the successful incorporation of acyclovir into the matrix. Thermal analysis reveals that the manufacturing process alters the organization of the TPU chains, resulting in a slight reduction in crystallinity. In our in-vitro tests, we observed an initial burst release on the first day, followed by sustained release at reduced rates for up to 145 days, demonstrating their potential for long-term applications. Additionally, cytotoxicity analysis suggests the excellent biocompatibility of the printed devices, and biological assays show a remarkable 99% reduction in HSV-1 replication. In summary, TPU printed devices offer a promising alternative for long-term genital herpes treatment, with the results obtained potentially contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, has garnered widespread attention across various fields due to its outstanding properties. In dental implantology, researchers are exploring the use of graphene-functionalized polymer surfaces to enhance both the osseointegration process and the long-term success of dental implants. This review consolidates evidence from in-vivo and in-vitro studies, highlighting graphene's capacity to improve bone-to-implant contact, exhibit antibacterial properties, and enhance mechanical strength. This research investigates the effects of incorporating graphene derivatives into polymer materials on tissue response and compatibility. Among 123 search results, 14 articles meeting the predefined criteria were analyzed. The study primarily focuses on assessing the impact of GO and rGO on cellular function and stability in implants. Results indicate promising improvements in cellular function and stability with the use of GO-coated or composited implants. However, it is noted that interactions between Graphene derivatives and polymers may alter the inherent properties of the materials. Therefore, further rigorous research is deemed imperative to fully elucidate their potential in human applications. Such comprehensive understanding is essential for unlocking the extensive benefits associated with the utilization of Graphene derivatives in biomedical contexts.

Decellularized tissue hydrogels, especially that mimic the native tissue, have a high potential for tissue engineering, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, bioprinting, and therapeutic agent encapsulation due to their excellent biocompatibility and ability to facilitate the growth of cells. It is important to note that the decellularization process significantly affects the structural integrity and properties of the extracellular matrix, which in turn shapes the characteristics of the resulting hydrogels at the macromolecular level. Therefore, our study aims to identify an effective chemical decellularization method for sheep lung tissue, using a mixing/agitation technique with a range of detergents, including commonly [Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100, and 3-((3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio)-1-propanesulfonate] (CHAPS), and rarely used (sodium cholate hydrate, NP-40, and 3-[N,N-Dimethyl(3-myristoylaminopropyl)ammonio]propanesulfonate) (ASB-14). After the effectiveness of the used detergents on decellularization was determined by histological and biochemical methods, lung derived decellularized extracellular matrix was converted into hydrogel. We investigated the interactions between lung cells and decellularized extracellular matrix using proliferation assay, scanning electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence microscopy methods on BEAS-2B cells in air-liquid interface. Notably, this study emphasizes the effectiveness of ASB-14 in the decellularization process, showcasing its crucial role in removing cellular components while preserving vital extracellular matrix biological macromolecules, including glycosaminoglycans, collagen, and elastin. The resulting hydrogels demonstrated favorable mechanical properties and are compatible with both cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions.

Three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds based on polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS)/bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticle composites were fabricated by the freeze-drying technique for bone tissue engineering. The physiochemical properties of the developed PCL/CS/BG scaffolds were studied using FTIR, XRD, EDX and SEM. Furthermore, the swelling degree, porosity, water retention ability, compression strength, in vitro biodegradation, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were examined. The PCL/CS/BG scaffolds with 4 wt. % of BG content presented adequate pore size (106 μm), porosity (156%), water swelling degree (128%), water retention ability (179%), compressive strength (3.7 MPa) and controlled degradation behavior, which could be ideal for bone tissue engineering. The PCL/CS/BG composite scaffolds showed good antimicrobial activity against both test bacteria and fungi. The MTT assay demonstrated the biocompatibility of PCL/CS/BG scaffolds against C3H10T1/2 cell line. The Alizarin red staining assay confirmed the osteogenic activity of the PCL/CS/BG scaffolds.

Chitosan based films endowed with antibacterial features have witnessed remarkable progress as potential wound dressings. The current study aimed at appraising the effects of the molar mass of chitosan (MM) and the film casting acids on the properties of unplasticized chitosan films and plasticized MSO-embedded chitosan films in order to provide best suited film formulation as a potential candidate for wound dressing application. The prepared films were functionally characterized in terms of their qualitative assessment, thickness, density, swelling behavior, water vapor barrier, mechanical and antibacterial properties. Overall, all chitosan films displayed thickness lower than the human dermis even though thicker and denser films were produced with lactic acid. Assessment of the swelling behavior revealed that only high molar mass (HMM) chitosan films may be regarded as absorbent dressings. Moreover, unplasticized HMM lactate (HMM-LA) films furnished lower stiffness and higher percent strain break as compared to acetate films, due to the plasticizing effect of the remaining lactic acid as alluded by the FTIR analysis. Meanwhile, they provided suitable level of moisture and indicated substantial antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, the most commonly opportunistic bacteria found in infected skin wound. Plasticized chitosan films doped with MSO were significantly thicker and more permeable to water compared to unplasticized films. Furthermore, MSO significantly potentiate the antibacterial effect of chitosan-based films. Therefore, plasticized HMM-LA/MSO chitosan film flashing good swelling behavior, adequate WVTR and WVP, suitable mechanical properties and antibacterial performances substantiated to be a promising antibacterial dressing material for moderately exuding wounds.

Chitosan oligosaccharides are biopolymers with a wide range of potential applications in various fields. This biopolymer is diverse and promising, and current research is investigating its capabilities for improved drug delivery. As chitosan oligosaccharide has the potential to be used as a drug delivery option, the purpose of this study was to examine its physicochemical characteristics and its potential for drug delivery. In this study, the pharmacokinetic properties of chitosan oligosaccharide were studied through Insilco investigation, which revealed that it is an extremely soluble and effective drug delivery candidate because it does not inhibit CYP isoenzymes and has a log K_p of -12.10 cm/s. It belongs to toxicity class 6 for acute oral toxicity, with an average similarity of 87.5% and a prediction accuracy of 70.97%. Additionally, XRD peak analysis revealed that the material was amorphous, as the peak appeared at 2θ = 24.62°, indicating the absence of well-defined crystalline areas. This characteristic makes the material more suitable for customization in many applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. FTIR, SEM, and TGA analysis were performed to gain a better understanding. These findings also emphasize the distinctive qualities and benefits of the oligosaccharides in this domain. Application of chitosan oligosaccharides in the development of efficient drug delivery systems. In the future, it would be more effective, targeted, and safe, with potent therapeutic efficacy for drug delivery.

Conventional wound dressings used in trauma treatment have a single function and insufficient adaptability to the wound environment, making it difficult to meet the complex demands of the healing process. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels can respond specifically to the particular environment of the wound area and realize on-demand responsive release by loading active substances, which can effectively promote wound healing. In this paper, BC/PAA-pH responsive hydrogels (BPPRHs) were prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) to the end of the molecular chain of bacterial cellulose (BC) network structure. Antibacterial pH-responsive 'smart' dressings were prepared by loading curcumin (Cur) onto the hydrogels. Surface morphology, chemical groups, crystallinity, rheological, and mechanical properties of BPPRHs were analyzed by different characterization methods. The drug release behavior under different physiological conditions and bacteriostatic properties of BPPRH-Cur dressings were also investigated. The results of structural characterization and performance studies show that the hydrogel has a three-dimensional mesh structure and can respond to wound pH in a 'smart' drug release capacity. The drug release behavior of the BPPRH-Cur dressings under different environmental conditions conformed to the logistic and Weibull kinetic models. BPPRH-Cur displayed good antimicrobial activity against common pathogens of wound infections such as E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa by destroying the cell membrane and lysing the bacterial cells. This study lays the foundation for the development of new pharmaceutical dressings with positive health, economic and social benefits.

This study aims to formulate and evaluate Eudragit nanoparticles-laden hydrogel contact lenses for controlled delivery of acetazolamide (ACZ) using experimental design. Eudragit S-100 was selected for the preparation of nanoparticles. The optimization of Eudragit S100 concentration (X1), polyvinyl alcohol concentration (X2), and the sonication time (X3) was attempted by applying a central composite experimental design. Mean size of nanoparticles (nm), percent in vitro drug release and drug leaching from the ACZ-ENs laden contact lens were considered as dependent variables. Nanoparticles-laden contact lens was prepared through the direct loading method and characterized. Optimum check-point formulation was selected based on validated quadratic polynomial equations developed using response surface methodology. The optimized formulation of ACZ-ENs exhibited spherical shape with a size of 244.3 nm and a zeta potential of -13.2 mV. The entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles was found to be 82.7 ± 1.21%. Transparent contact lenses loaded ACZ-ENs were successfully prepared using the free radical polymerization technique. ACZ-ENs incorporated in contact lens exhibited a swelling of 83.4 ± 0.82% and transmittance of 80.1 ± 1.23%. ACZ-ENs showed a significantly lower burst release of the drug when incorporated in the contact lens and release was sustained over a period of 24 h. The sterilized formulation of ACZ-ENs laden contact lens did not show any sign of toxicity in rabbit eyes. ACZ-ENs incorporated in contact lens could be considered as a potential alternative in glaucoma patients due to their ability to provide sustained drug release and thus enhance patient compliance.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants have emerged as a clinically favored alternative to titanium alloy implants for cranial bone substitutes due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, the biological inertness of PEEK has hindered its clinical application. To address this issue, we developed a dual-functional surface modification method aimed at enhancing both osteogenesis and antibacterial activity, which was achieved through the sustained release of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and levofloxacin (LVFX) from a biomimetic polydopamine (PDA) coating on the PEEK surface. CS was introduced to promote cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation. Meanwhile, incorporation of antibiotic LVFX was essential to prevent infections, which are a critical concern in bone defect repairing. To our delight, experiment results demonstrated that the SPKD/CS-LVFX specimen exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity and sustained drug release profiles. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that cell growth and adhesion, cell viability, and osteogenic differentiation of mouse calvaria-derived osteoblast precursor (MC3T3-E1) cells were significantly improved on the SPKD/CS-LVFX coating. Antibacterial assays also confirmed that the SPKD/CS-LVFX specimen effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, attributable to the antibiotic LVFX released from the PDA coating. To sum up, this dual-functional PEEK implant showed a promising potential for clinical application in bone defects repairing, providing excellent osteogenic and antibacterial properties through a synergistic approach.