Algal Polysaccharides‐based Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery Applications

Stability and Biaxial Behavior of Fresh Cheese Coated with Nanoliposomes Encapsulating Grape Seed Tannins and Polysaccharides Using Immersion and Spray Methods

In the food industry context, where fresh cheese stands out as a highly perishable product with a short shelf life, this study aimed to extend its preservation through multi-layer edible coatings. The overall objective was to analyze the biaxial behavior and texture of fresh cheese coated with nanoliposomes encapsulating grape seed tannins (NTs) and polysaccharides (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; HPMC and kappa carrageenan; KC) using immersion and spray methods, establishing comparisons with uncoated cheeses and commercial samples, including an accelerated shelf-life study. NT, HPMC, and KC were employed as primary components in the multi-layer edible coatings, which were applied through immersion and spray. The results revealed significant improvements, such as a 20% reduction in weight loss and increased stability against oxidation, evidenced by a 30% lower peroxide index than the uncoated samples. These findings underscore the effectiveness of edible coatings in enhancing the quality and extending the shelf life of fresh cheese, highlighting the innovative application of nanoliposomes and polysaccharide blends and the relevance of applying this strategy in the food industry. In conclusion, this study provides a promising perspective for developing dairy products with improved properties, opening opportunities to meet market demands and enhance consumer acceptance.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of an active fucoidan fraction from Sargassum fusiforme and a fraction-based hydrogel

In a previous study, we separated an active fucoidan (JHCF4) from acid-processed Sargassum fusiforme, then analyzed and confirmed its structure. In the present study, we investigated the potential anti-inflammatory properties of JHCF4 and a JHCF4-based hydrogel in vitro and in vivo. JHCF4 reliably inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, with an IC50 of 22.35 μg/ml. Furthermore, JHCF4 attenuated the secretion of prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, indicating that JHCF4 regulates inflammatory reactions. In addition, JHCF4 downregulated iNOS and COX-2 and inhibited the activation of the MAPK pathway. According to further in vivo analyses, JHCF4 significantly reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO production, and cell death in an LPS-induced zebrafish model, suggesting that JHCF4 exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, a JHCF4-based hydrogel was developed, and its properties were evaluated. The hydrogel significantly decreased inflammatory and nociceptive responses in carrageenan (carr)-induced mouse paws by reducing the increase in paw thickness and decreasing neutrophil infiltration in the basal and subcutaneous layers of the toe epidermis. These results indicate that JHCF4 exhibits potential anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo and that JHCF4-based hydrogels have application prospects in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.

The Neuropharmacological Evaluation of Seaweed: A Potential Therapeutic Source

The most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are the seventh leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Clinical observations of NDD patients are characterized by a progressive loss of neurons in the brain along with memory decline. The common pathological hallmarks of NDDs include oxidative stress, the dysregulation of calcium, protein aggregation, a defective protein clearance system, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and damage to cholinergic neurons. Therefore, managing this pathology requires screening drugs with different pathological targets, and suitable drugs for slowing the progression or prevention of NDDs remain to be discovered. Among the pharmacological strategies used to manage NDDs, natural drugs represent a promising therapeutic strategy. This review discusses the neuroprotective potential of seaweed and its bioactive compounds, and safety issues, which may provide several beneficial insights that warrant further investigation.

How Synthesis of Algal Nanoparticles Affects Cancer Therapy? - A Complete Review of the Literature

The necessity to engineer sustainable nanomaterials for the environment and human health has recently increased. Due to their abundance, fast growth, easy cultivation, biocompatibility and richness of secondary metabolites, algae are valuable biological source for the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). The aim of this review is to demonstrate the feasibility of using algal-based NPs for cancer treatment. Blue-green, brown, red and green micro- and macro-algae are the most commonly participating algae in the green synthesis of NPs. In this process, many algal bioactive compounds, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols, can catalyze the reduction of metal ions to NPs. In addition, many driving factors, including pH, temperature, duration, static conditions and substrate concentration, are involved to facilitate the green synthesis of algal-based NPs. Here, the biosynthesis, mechanisms and applications of algal-synthesized NPs in cancer therapy have been critically discussed. We also reviewed the effective role of algal synthesized NPs as anticancer treatment against human breast, colon and lung cancers and carcinoma.

Taste masking and stability improvement of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) by nanoencapsulation using chitosan and gelatin

In this study, red ginseng extract (RGE)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation between chitosan (CS) and gelatin (Gel), and the physical characteristics of the RGE-loaded CS-Gel NPs (RGE-CS/Gel NPs), including particle size and polydispersity index (PDI), using different ratios of CS and Gel were examined. The particle size and PDI were 398.1 ± 41.3 nm and 0.433 ± 0.033, respectively for the optimal ratio of CS (0.075 mg/mL) and Gel (0.05 mg/mL). In vitro taste masking test and in vivo sensory evaluation using 10 panelists demonstrated that the CS/Gel NPs significantly reduced the bitter taste of RGE. Additionally, the CS/Gel NPs improved the thermal and acid stabilities, which were almost 6 and 8 times higher than those in the free RGE (p < 0.05), respectively. Likewise, our findings revealed that the RGE-CS/Gel NPs effectively maintain their inhibitory function against platelet aggregation (76.30 %) in an acidic environment. Therefore, the CS/Gel NPs can be used as a potential delivery system to mask the bitterness and improve the stability of RGE, which may enhance its application as a more palatable functional food ingredient with high anti-platelet activity.

Preparation of pH-responsive magnetic nanocomposite hydrogels based on k-carrageenan/chitosan/silver nanoparticles: Antibacterial carrier for potential targeted anticancer drug delivery

This study reports the development of new pH-responsive drug delivery systems that are important for the treatment of cancer. The Mentha plant extract was obtained and then used for the biosynthesis of magnetic Ag bio nanoparticles (M-Ag bio-NPs). They were added in the formulation of hybrid hydrogel of k-carrageenan (k-Cr) and chitosan (CS) toward the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposite hydrogels. Their chemical structure and morphology were characterized by different analyses. Doxorubicin (DOX) was used as a model anticancer drug to study the targeted drug release behavior of the synthesized nanocomposite hydrogels (loading capacity: about 98 %). In vitro drug release studies showed that the release profile was noticeably controlled in a pH-dependent manner (higher drug release at pH 5). The antibacterial assessment confirmed the high antibacterial activity for the synthesized hydrogel against S. aureus (MIC values 39.06 μg/mL) and E. coli (MIC values > 19.53). In-vitro cytotoxicity results (MTT assay) demonstrated good biocompatibility (higher than 88 %) for the blank nanocomposite hydrogels, while DOX-loaded nanocomposite hydrogels showed high toxicity (about 22 % in the concentration of 20 μg/mL) against HeLa cells. The results showed that the present nanocomposite hydrogels can be suggested for potential application as an antibacterial and anticancer carrier.

Natural Polymeric Nanobiocomposites for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery Therapeutics: A Recent Update

Cancer is one of the most common lethal diseases and the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Effective cancer treatment is a global problem, and subsequent advancements in nanomedicine are useful as substitute management for anti-cancer agents. Nanotechnology, which is gaining popularity, enables fast-expanding delivery methods in science for curing diseases in a site-specific approach, utilizing natural bioactive substances because several studies have established that natural plant-based bioactive compounds can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Bioactive, in combination with nanotechnology, is an exceptionally alluring and recent development in the fight against cancer. Along with their nutritional advantages, natural bioactive chemicals may be used as chemotherapeutic medications to manage cancer. Alginate, starch, xanthan gum, pectin, guar gum, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, albumin, collagen, cellulose, chitosan, and other biopolymers have been employed successfully in the delivery of medicinal products to particular sites. Due to their biodegradability, natural polymeric nanobiocomposites have garnered much interest in developing novel anti-cancer drug delivery methods. There are several techniques to create biopolymer-based nanoparticle systems. However, these systems must be created in an affordable and environmentally sustainable way to be more readily available, selective, and less hazardous to increase treatment effectiveness. Thus, an extensive comprehension of the various facets and recent developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites utilized to deliver anti-cancer drugs is imperative. The present article provides an overview of the latest research and developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites, particularly emphasizing their applications in the controlled and targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

Nano-Sized Fucoidan Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes: Recent Advances in Design and Prospects for Biomedical Applications

The marine polysaccharide fucoidan (FUC) is a promising polymer for pharmaceutical research and development of novel drug delivery systems with modified release and targeted delivery. The presence of a sulfate group in the polysaccharide makes FUC an excellent candidate for the formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with various polycations. However, due to the structural diversity of FUC, the design of FUC-based nanoformulations is challenging. This review describes the main strategies for the use of FUC-based PECs to develop drug delivery systems with improved biopharmaceutical properties, including nanocarriers in the form of FUC-chitosan PECs for pH-sensitive oral delivery, targeted delivery systems, and polymeric nanoparticles for improved hydrophobic drug delivery (e.g., FUC-zein PECs, core-shell structures obtained by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method, and self-assembled hydrophobically modified FUC particles). The importance of a complex study of the FUC structure, and the formation process of PECs based on it for obtaining reproducible polymeric nanoformulations with the desired properties, is also discussed.

Natural Polysaccharide-Based Nanodrug Delivery Systems for Treatment of Diabetes

In recent years, natural polysaccharides have been considered as the ideal candidates for novel drug delivery systems because of their good biocompatibility, biodegradation, low immunogenicity, renewable source and easy modification. These natural polymers are widely used in the designing of nanocarriers, which possess wide applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, delivery and protection of bioactive compounds or drugs. A great deal of studies could be focused on developing polysaccharide nanoparticles and promoting their application in various fields, especially in biomedicine. In this review, a variety of polysaccharide-based nanocarriers were introduced, including nanoliposomes, nanoparticles, nanomicelles, nanoemulsions and nanohydrogels, focusing on the latest research progress of these nanocarriers in the treatment of diabetes and the possible strategies for further study of polysaccharide nanocarriers.