Antioxidant Properties and Redox-Modulating Activity of Chitosan and Its Derivatives: Biomaterials with Application in Cancer Therapy

Antimicrobial Potential of Conjugated Lignin/Morin/Chitosan Combinations as a Function of System Complexity

As natural biopolymers, chitosan and lignin are characterized by their good biocompatibility, high biodegradability and satisfactory biosafety. The active polymers’ functional groups are responsible for the potential of these biomaterials for use as carrier matrices in the construction of polymer−drug conjugates with prospective applicability in the fields of medicine, food and agriculture—subjects that have attracted attention in recent years. Hence, the aim of this research was to place substantial emphasis on the antimicrobial potential of flavonoid−biopolymer complex systems by assessment of the probable synergetic, additive or antagonistic effects arising as a function of systemic complexity. The joint implementation of morin, chitosan and lignin in conjugated two- and three-component systems provoked species-dependent antimicrobial synergistic and/or potentiation effects against the activity of the tested bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and the clinical isolate Bacillus cereus. The double combinations of morin−chitosan and morin−lignin resulted in a 100% increase in their inhibitory activity against S. aureus as compared to the pure biocompounds. The inhibitory effects of the three-component system, in decreasing order, were: S. aureus (IZ = 15.7 mm) > P. aeruginosa (IZ = 15 mm) > B. cereus and E. coli (IZ = 14 mm). All tested morin-containing two- and three-component systems exhibited clear and significant potentiation effects, especially against S. aureus and B. cereus. The results obtained are a prerequisite for the potential use of the studied conjugated lignin−morin−chitosan combinations in the construction of novel drug-carrier formulations with improved bioactivities.

Mechanism and Application of Chitosan and Its Derivatives in Promoting Permeation in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: A Review

The mechanisms and applications of chitosan and its derivatives in transdermal drug delivery to promote drug permeation were reviewed in this paper. Specifically, we summarized the permeation-promoting mechanisms of chitosan and several of its derivatives, including changing the structure of stratum corneum proteins, acting on the tight junction of granular layers, affecting intercellular lipids, and increasing the water content of stratum corneum. These mechanisms are the reason why chitosan and its derivatives can increase the transdermal permeation of drugs. In addition, various transdermal preparations containing chitosan and its derivatives were summarized, and their respective advantages were expounded, including nanoparticles, emulsions, transdermal microneedles, nanocapsules, transdermal patches, transdermal membranes, hydrogels, liposomes, and nano-stents. The purpose of this review is to provide a theoretical basis for the further and wider application of chitosan in transdermal drug delivery systems. In the future, research results of chitosan and its derivatives in transdermal drug delivery need more support from in vivo experiments, as well as good correlation between in vitro and in vivo experiments. In conclusion, the excellent permeability-promoting property, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability of chitosan and its derivatives make them ideal materials for local transdermal drug delivery.

A combination of sugar esters and chitosan to promote in vivo wound care

In recent years, researchers are exploring innovative green materials fabricated from renewable natural substances to meet formulation needs. Among them, biopolymers like chitosans and biosurfactants such as sugar fatty acid esters are of potential interest due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness. Both classes of biocompounds possess the ability to be efficiently employed in wound dressing to help physiological wound healing, which is a bioprocess involving uncontrolled oxidative damage and inflammation, with an associated high risk of infection. In this work, we synthesized two different sugar esters (i.e., lactose linoleate and lactose linolenate) that, in combination with chitosan and sucrose laurate, were evaluated in vitro for their cytocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities and in vivo as wound care agents. Emphasis on Wnt/β-catenin associated machineries was also set. The newly designed lactose esters, sucrose ester, and chitosan possessed sole biological attributes, entailing considerable blending for convenient formulation of wound care products. In particular, the mixture composed of sucrose laurate (200 µM), lactose linoleate (100 µM), and chitosan (1%) assured its superiority in terms of efficient wound healing prospects in vivo together with the restoring of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, compared with the marketed wound healing product (Healosol®), and single components as well. This innovative combination of biomaterials applied as wound dressing could effectively break new ground in skin wound care.

Design and evaluation of nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with Salvia officinalis extract for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Considering the potential of Salvia officinalis in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as the ability of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to successfully deliver drug molecules across blood-brain barrier (BBB), the objective of this study was design, development, optimization and characterization of freeze-dried salvia officinalis extract (FSE) loaded NLC intended for intranasal administration. NLC were prepared by solvent evaporation method and the optimization was carried out using central composite design (CCD) of experiments. Further, the optimized formulation (NLCo) was coated either with chitosan (NLCc) or poloxamer (NLCp). Surface characterization of the particles demonstrated a spherical shape with smooth exterior. Particle size of optimal formulations after 0.45 μm pore size filtration ranged from 127 ± 0.68 nm to 140 ± 0.74 nm. The zeta potential was -25.6 ± 0.404 mV; 22.4 ± 1.106 mV and - 6.74 ± 0.609 mV for NLCo, NLCc, and NLCp, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the formation of NLC whereas Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the FSE encapsulation into particles. All formulations showcased relatively high drug loading (>86.74 mcg FSE/mg solid lipid) and were characterized by prolonged and controlled release that followed Peppas-Sahlin in vitro release kinetic model. Protein adsorption studies revealed the lowest adsorption of the proteins onto NLCp (43.53 ± 0.07%) and highest protein adsorption onto NLCc (55.97 ± 0.75%) surface. The modified ORAC assay demonstrated higher antioxidative activity for NLCo (95.31 ± 1.86%) and NLCc (97.76 ± 4.00%) as compared to FSE (90.30 ± 1.53%). Results obtained from cell cultures tests pointed to the potential of prepared NLCs for FSE brain targeting and controlled release.

Craniofacial Bone Tissue Engineering: Current Approaches and Potential Therapy

Craniofacial bone defects can result from various disorders, including congenital malformations, tumor resection, infection, severe trauma, and accidents. Successfully regenerating cranial defects is an integral step to restore craniofacial function. However, challenges managing and controlling new bone tissue formation remain. Current advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine use innovative techniques to address these challenges. The use of biomaterials, stromal cells, and growth factors have demonstrated promising outcomes in vitro and in vivo. Natural and synthetic bone grafts combined with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) and growth factors have shown encouraging results in regenerating critical-size cranial defects. One of prevalent growth factors is Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2). BMP-2 is defined as a gold standard growth factor that enhances new bone formation in vitro and in vivo. Recently, emerging evidence suggested that Megakaryocytes (MKs), induced by Thrombopoietin (TPO), show an increase in osteoblast proliferation in vitro and bone mass in vivo. Furthermore, a co-culture study shows mature MKs enhance MSC survival rate while maintaining their phenotype. Therefore, MKs can provide an insight as a potential therapy offering a safe and effective approach to regenerating critical-size cranial defects.

Nano chitosan encapsulation of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract promotes ROS induction leading to apoptosis in human squamous cells (HSC-3)

World-wide, Indonesia is ranked 17th in oral cancers, with deaths reaching 2.326 cases. Of the oral cancers, 90% are squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-3). Unfortunately, conventional cancer therapy still has many ill side effects. Therefore, pharmacologists have looked for natural ingredients to prevent the growth of oral cancer cells. One source is Cymbopogon citratus leaf. Research shows that the active compound of C. citratus leaf is a chemopreventive, doing so by increasing the production of re-active oxygen species (ROS) to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The active compound of C. citratus leaf has low stability and solubility, so it is necessary to use an encapsulation matrix such as chitosan, and modify it into smaller particles to increase its effectiveness.

Purpose is determining the effect of nano chitosan encapsulation of C. citratus leaf ethanol extract (NCECC) on the reactive oxygen species of HSC-3 tongue cancer cells. This study is divided into ten groups – without treatment, doxorubicin (positive control), hydrogen peroxide, nano chitosan and C. citratus leaf extract groups, and five groups of NCECC treatment – concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5%, respectively. The 100% NCECC group showed the highest ROS concentration (p<0.05), compared to 75%, 50%, 25%, 12.5% NCECC groups, and the 100% NCECC was higher than the positive control group. NCECC is effective in inducing oxidative stress on HSC-3 through increased production of ROS. Moreover, the higher the encapsulation concentration given, the greater the increase in ROS production.

Chitosan propolis nanocomposite alone or in combination with apramycin: an alternative therapy for multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium in rabbits: in vitro and in vivo study

Introduction. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium strains has increased the need for safe, alternative therapies from natural sources with antibacterial properties.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. There are no published data regarding the use of chitosan propolis nanocomposite (CPNP) either alone or in combination with antibiotics as antimicrobials against S. Typhimurium, especially in Egypt.Aim. This study evaluated the antibacterial activities of five antimicrobials [apramycin, propolis, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), chitosan propolis nanocomposite (CPNP) and CPNP +apramycin] against ten virulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Typhimurium field strains recovered from diarrheic rabbits through in vitro and in vivo study.Methodology. The expression levels of three virulence genes of S. Typhimurium strains were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) after exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of apramycin, propolis, CNPs, CPNP alone, and CPNP +apramycin. Additionally, 90 New Zealand rabbits were divided into control and experimentally S. Typhimurium-infected groups. The infected rabbits were orally administered saline solution (infected-untreated); 10 mg apramycin/kg (infected-apramycin-treated); 50 mg propolis/kg (infected-propolis-treated); 15 mg CPNP/kg (infected-CPNP-treated) and 15 mg CPNP +10 mg apramycin/kg (infected-CPNP +apramycin-treated) for 5 days.Results. The RT-qPCR analysis revealed different degrees of downregulation of all screened genes. Furthermore, the treatment of infected rabbits with CPNP or CPNP +apramycin significantly improved performance parameters, and total bacterial and Salmonella species counts, while also modulating both oxidative stress and altered liver and kidney parameters.Conclusion. This work demonstrates the use of CPNP alone or in combination with apramycin in the treatment of S. Typhimurium in rabbits.

Versatile Use of Chitosan and Hyaluronan in Medicine

Chitosan is industrially acquired by the alkaline N-deacetylation of chitin. Chitin belongs to the β-N-acetyl-glucosamine polymers, providing structure, contrary to α-polymers, which provide food and energy. Another β-polymer providing structure is hyaluronan. A lot of studies have been performed on chitosan to explore its industrial use. Since chitosan is biodegradable, non-toxic, bacteriostatic, and fungistatic, it has numerous applications in medicine. Hyaluronan, one of the major structural components of the extracellular matrix in vertebrate tissues, is broadly exploited in medicine as well. This review summarizes the main areas where these two biopolymers have an impact. The reviewed areas mostly cover most medical applications, along with non-medical applications, such as cosmetics.

Chitosan modulates Pochonia chlamydosporia gene expression during nematode egg parasitism

Climate change makes plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPN) an increasing threat to commercial crops. PPN can be managed sustainably by the biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc). Chitosan generated from chitin deacetylation enhances PPN parasitism by Pc. In this work, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of Pc for chitosan resistance and root‐knot nematode (RKN) parasitism, using transcriptomics. Chitosan and RKN modify the expression of Pc genes, mainly those involved in oxidation–reduction processes. Both agents significantly modify the expression of genes associated to 113 GO terms and 180 Pc genes. Genes encoding putative glycoproteins (Pc adhesives) to nematode eggshell, as well as genes involved in redox, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism trigger the response to chitosan. We identify genes expressed in both the parasitic and endophytic phases of the Pc lifecycle; these include proteases, chitosanases and transcription factors. Using the Pathogen—Host Interaction database (PHI‐base), our previous RNA‐seq data and RT‐PCR of Pc colonizing banana we have investigated genes expressed both in the parasitic and endophytic phases of Pc lifecycle.

Chitosan applications in studying and managing osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma has a high prevalence among children and adolescents. Common treatments of this disease are not promising enough. Molecular processes involved in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma are not fully understood. Besides, the remnants of tumor cells after surgery can cause bone destruction and recurrence of the disease. Thus, there is a need to develop novel drugs or enhancing the currently-used drugs as well as identifying bone-repairing methods. Chitosan is a natural compound produced by the deacetylation of chitin. Research has shown that chitosan can be used in various fields due to its beneficial effects, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. Regarding cancer, chitosan exerts several anti-tumor activities. Moreover, it can be used in diagnostic techniques, drug delivery systems, and cell culture methods. Herein, we aim to discuss the potential roles of chitosan in studying and treating osteosarcoma. We review the literature on chitosan's applications as a drug delivery system and how it can be combined with other substances to improve its ability of local drug delivery. We take a look into the studies concerning the possible benefits of chitosan in the field of bone tissue engineering and 3D culturing. Furthermore, anti-cancer activities of different compounds of chitosan are reviewed.

Repositioning Natural Antioxidants for Therapeutic Applications in Tissue Engineering

Although a large panel of natural antioxidants demonstrate a protective effect in preventing cellular oxidative stress, their low bioavailability limits therapeutic activity at the targeted injury site. The importance to deliver drug or cells into oxidative microenvironments can be realized with the development of biocompatible redox-modulating materials. The incorporation of antioxidant compounds within implanted biomaterials should be able to retain the antioxidant activity, while also allowing graft survival and tissue recovery. This review summarizes the recent literature reporting the combined role of natural antioxidants with biomaterials. Our review highlights how such functionalization is a promising strategy in tissue engineering to improve the engraftment and promote tissue healing or regeneration.

Effects of chitosan and oligochitosans on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT pathway in cancer therapy

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway is one of the most important kinase signaling networks in the context of cancer development and treatment. Aberrant activation of AKT, the central mediator of this pathway, has been implicated in numerous malignancies including endometrial, hepatocellular, breast, colorectal, prostate, and, cervical cancer. Thus regulation and blockage of this kinase and its key target nodes is an attractive approach in cancer therapy and diverse efforts have been done to achieve this aim. Chitosan is a carbohydrate with multiple interesting applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies. This bioactive polymer and its derivative oligomers commonly used in drug/DNA delivery methods due to their functional properties which improve efficiency of delivery systems. Further, these compounds exert anti-tumor roles through the stimulation of apoptosis, immune enhancing potency, anti-oxidative features and anti-angiogenic roles. Due to the importance of PI3K-AKT signaling in cancer targeting and treatment resistance, this review discusses the involvement of chitosan, oligochitosaccharides and carriers based on these chemicals in the regulation of this pathway in different tumors.

Chitosan-Based Drug Delivery System: Applications in Fish Biotechnology

Chitosan is increasingly used for safe nucleic acid delivery in gene therapy studies, due to well-known properties such as bioadhesion, low toxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Furthermore, chitosan derivatization can be easily performed to improve the solubility and stability of chitosan-nucleic acid polyplexes, and enhance efficient target cell drug delivery, cell uptake, intracellular endosomal escape, unpacking and nuclear import of expression plasmids. As in other fields, chitosan is a promising drug delivery vector with great potential for the fish farming industry. This review highlights state-of-the-art assays using chitosan-based methodologies for delivering nucleic acids into cells, and focuses attention on recent advances in chitosan-mediated gene delivery for fish biotechnology applications. The efficiency of chitosan for gene therapy studies in fish biotechnology is discussed in fields such as fish vaccination against bacterial and viral infection, control of gonadal development and gene overexpression and silencing for overcoming metabolic limitations, such as dependence on protein-rich diets and the low glucose tolerance of farmed fish. Finally, challenges and perspectives on the future developments of chitosan-based gene delivery in fish are also discussed.