Fabrication and characterization of electrospun Plantago major seed mucilage/PVA nanofibers

Electrospun PVA nanofiber mat for topical Deflazacort delivery: accentuated anti-inflammatory efficacy for wound healing

PURPOSE

Asses the wound healing activity of Polyvinyl alcohol - Deflazacort (PVA-DEF) nanofibers mats synthesized by electrospinning technology.

METHODS

PVA-DEF nanofiber mats were created with various PVA polymer concentrations using an electrospinning process. The morphological features and diameter of the electrospun nanofibrous mats were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro DEF release rate from PVA electrospun nanofibrous mats was evaluated. In addition to assessing wound healing activity in vivo, histological, and immunochemical tests were conducted.

RESULTS

Results revealed a uniform and smooth surface of the fiber with an average diameter of the selected fibers of 533.9 nm ± 45.83. Also, PVA electrospun nanofiber mats showed an initial burst release of more than 50% of the DEF in 1 h, and the rest of the DEF was released gradually for up to 480 min. Fickian diffusion is the main DEF release mechanism from PVA electrospun nanofiber mats. In male Wistar albino rats with 1 cm2 excision wounds, in vivo studies revealed a significant improvement in wound healing rate via modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression.

CONCLUSION

PVA-DEF nanofiber mats can be used effectively for improving wound healing.

Electrospun Nanofibers Loaded with Plantago major L. Extract for Potential Use in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Plantago major L. is a plant available worldwide that has been traditionally used for several medical applications due to its wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This work aimed to develop and evaluate a nanostructured PCL electrospun dressing with P. major extract encapsulated in nanofibers for applications in wound healing. The extract from leaves was obtained by extraction in a mixture of water:ethanol = 1:1. The freeze-dried extract presented a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Staphylococcus Aureus susceptible and resistant to methicillin of 5.3 mg/mL, a high antioxidant capacity, but a low content of total flavonoids. Electrospun mats without defects were successfully produced using two P. major extract concentrations based on the MIC value. The extract incorporation in PCL nanofibers was confirmed using FTIR and contact angle measurements. The PCL/P. major extract was evaluated using DSC and TGA demonstrating that the incorporation of the extract decreases the thermal stability of the mats as well as the degree of crystallinity of PCL-based fibers. The P. major extract incorporation on electrospun mats produced a significant swelling degree (more than 400%) and increased the capacity of adsorbing wound exudates and moisture, important characteristics for skin healing. The extract-controlled release evaluated using in vitro study in PBS (pH, 7.4) shows that the P. major extract delivery from the mats occurs in the first 24 h, demonstrating their potential capacity to be used in wound healing.

Fabrication and in vitro characterization of luffa-based composite scaffolds incorporated with gelatin, hydroxyapatite and psyllium husk for bone tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineering is an emerging technology that has been developed in recent years to address bone abnormalities by repairing, regenerating and replacing damaged/injured tissues. In present work, we report the fabrication and characterization of porous luffa-based composite scaffolds composed of Luffa cylindrica (sponge gourd) powder (LC)/hydroxyapatite (HA), psyllium husk (PH) and gelatin (G) in various combinations (w/v) i.e. 3% LC, 5% LC and control (C) (without luffa powder) by using freeze-drying method. The structural stability of the scaffolds was obtained after chemically crosslinking them with glutaraldehyde (GTA), which was identified via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The hydrophilic behavior of the samples was quantified by water contact angle measurements. The average pore size of the scaffolds was observed in a range of 20-240 µm. As per the obtained data, the apparent and effective porosities were estimated as ∼57.08 ± 4.38%, ∼50.58 ± 4.09%, ∼59.45 ± 1.60% and 51.37 ± 3.36%, 47.94 ± 4.57% and 53.09 ± 5.45% for 3% LC, 5% LC and control (C) scaffolds, respectively. The scaffolds were found to be noticeably stable for 50 days at 37 °C in a lysozyme solution. The liquid retention capacity of the scaffolds revealed that the luffa-based scaffolds gained lower retention capacity compared to the control (C) scaffold; indicating an increase in scaffold stiffness due to the addition of luffa. Compressive strength study demonstrated that the mechanical stability of the fabricated luffa-based scaffolds got increased significantly from ∼1.5 to ∼9.5 MPa, which is comparable to that of trabecular bone. In addition, proliferation and viability analysis of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells revealed a significant level of cellular compatibility i.e. approaching ∼64% proliferation by 6th day in vitro compared to control. Thus, the obtained results demonstrate that the fabricated novel luffa-based scaffolds exhibit good cytocompatibility, remarkable porosity and excellent mechanical strength comparable to native human bone. Therefore, we anticipate that the developed luffa-based scaffolds could be a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.

Quince seed mucilage coated iron oxide nanoparticles for plasmid DNA delivery

This study investigates the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) and quince seed mucilage as combined genetic carriers to deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) through the gastrointestinal system. The samples are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, dynamic light scattering, FT-IR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The stability of pDNA loading on the nanocarriers and their release pattern are evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal environments by electrophoresis. The XRD patterns reveal that the nanocarriers could preserve their structure during various synthesis levels. The saturation magnetization (M_s) of the Fe₃O₄cores are 56.48 emu g^-1without any magnetic hysteresis. Not only does the loaded pDNA contents experience a remarkable stability in the simulated gastric environment, but also, they could be released up to 99% when exposed to an alkaline environment similar to the intestinal fluid of fish. The results indicate that the synthesized nanoparticles could be employed as efficient low-cost pDNA carriers.

Recent Advances in Polymer Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery of Adjuvants in Colorectal Cancer Treatment: A Scientific-Technological Analysis and Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the type with the second highest morbidity. Recently, a great number of bioactive compounds and encapsulation techniques have been developed. Thus, this paper aims to review the drug delivery strategies for chemotherapy adjuvant treatments for CRC, including an initial scientific-technological analysis of the papers and patents related to cancer, CRC, and adjuvant treatments. For 2018, a total of 167,366 cancer-related papers and 306,240 patents were found. Adjuvant treatments represented 39.3% of the total CRC patents, indicating the importance of adjuvants in the prognosis of patients. Chemotherapy adjuvants can be divided into two groups, natural and synthetic (5-fluorouracil and derivatives). Both groups can be encapsulated using polymers. Polymer-based drug delivery systems can be classified according to polymer nature. From those, anionic polymers have garnered the most attention, because they are pH responsive. The use of polymers tailors the desorption profile, improving drug bioavailability and enhancing the local treatment of CRC via oral administration. Finally, it can be concluded that antioxidants are emerging compounds that can complement today's chemotherapy treatments. In the long term, encapsulated antioxidants will replace synthetic drugs and will play an important role in curing CRC.