Injectable and self-healing dual crosslinked gelatin/kappa-carrageenan methacryloyl hybrid hydrogels via host-guest supramolecular interaction for wound healing

κ-carrageenan - Gelatin hydrogel embedding carvacrol loaded gold nanobipyramids for treating prostate cancer via fractionated photothermal-chemotherapy

Conventional treatment of prostate cancer need more specificity, and higher efficiency. The present work is the first attempt to utilize hydrogel-loaded carvacrol-based chemotherapy with fractionated photothermal therapy (F-PTT) using a 635 nm laser for its treatment. Gold nanobipyramids (AuNBPs) were used as drug carrier and photosensitizer. A marine-derived hydrogel (AuNBP-HG) was fabricated and physicochemically characterized. A 635 nm NIR light was used for the fractionated PTT in three cycles of treatment on different days at varying power densities for 5 min. The efficiency of single and dual treatments was experimented in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the dual therapy imparted a better effect than monotherapy. The AuNBP-CVL synthesized was nearly 50 nm and efficiently loaded within AuNBP-HG, displaying thermal responsiveness, a good sol-gel transition, a controlled drug release rate, and high stability. In vitro evaluation demonstrated that the F-PTT evinced stability during temperature rise without damaging healthy surrounding tissue. In vivo study revealed that a stable temperature rise up to 60 °C by the 635 nm NIR light due to photosensitization of AuNBP and sustained CVL release from AuNBP-HG into the tumor microenvironment exhibited successful thermal ablation of the cancer cells. Histological analysis confirmed that the uniform suspension of AuNBP within cancer tissues might have enhanced tumor cell lysis during the dual therapy. Western blot analysis exhibited that the cellular death could result from the upregulation of pJNK and p53 protein. In conclusion, the current study illustrated that dual therapy could be a feasible alternative to non-target specific and invasive traditional therapies against prostate cancer.

Marine Polysaccharides Carrageenans Enhance Eryptosis and Alter Lipid Order of Cell Membranes in Erythrocytes

Aim In the current study, hemocompatibility of three major commercially available types of carrageenans (ι, κ and λ) was investigated focusing on eryptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Carrageenans of ι-, κ- and λ-types were incubated with washed erythrocytes (hematocrit 0.4%) at 0-1-5-10 g/L for either 24 h or 48 h. Incubation was followed by flow cytometry-based quantitative analysis of eryptosis parameters, including cell volume, cell membrane scrambling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation markers and confocal microscopy-based evaluation of intracellular Ca2+ levels, assessment of lipid order in cell membranes and the glutathione antioxidant system. Confocal microscopy was used to assess carrageenan cellular internalization using rhodamine B isothiocyanate-conjugated carrageenans.

RESULTS

All three types of carrageenans were found to trigger eryptosis. Pro-eryptotic properties were type-dependent and λ-carrageenan had the strongest impact inducing phosphatidylserine membrane asymmetry, changes in cell volume, Ca2+ signaling and oxidative stress characterized by ROS overproduction, activation of lipid peroxidation and severe glutathione system depletion. Eryptosis induction by carrageenans does not require their uptake by erythrocytes. Changes in physicochemical properties of cell membrane were also type-dependent. No carrageenan-induced generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was observed in cell-free milieu.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that ι-, κ- and λ-types trigger eryptosis in a type-dependent manner and indicate that carrageenans can be further investigated as potential eryptosis-regulating therapeutic agents.

Exploring carrageenan: From seaweed to biomedicine-A comprehensive review

Biomaterials are pivotal in the realms of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery and serve as fundamental building blocks. Within this dynamic landscape, polymeric biomaterials emerge as the frontrunners, offering unparalleled versatility across physical, chemical, and biological domains. Natural polymers, in particular, captivate attention for their inherent bioactivity. Among these, carrageenan (CRG), extracted from red seaweeds, stands out as a naturally occurring polysaccharide with immense potential in various biomedical applications. CRG boasts a unique array of properties, encompassing antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and antitumor attributes, positioning it as an attractive choice for cutting-edge research in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. This comprehensive review encapsulates the multifaceted properties of CRG, shedding light on the chemical modifications that it undergoes. Additionally, it spotlights pioneering research that harnesses the potential of CRG to craft scaffolds and drug delivery systems, offering high efficacy in the realms of tissue repair and disease intervention. In essence, this review celebrates the remarkable versatility of CRG and its transformative role in advancing biomedical solutions.