Alleviating neuropathy of diabetic foot ulcer by co-delivery of venlafaxine and matrix metalloproteinase drug-loaded cellulose nanofiber sheets: production, in vitro characterization and clinical trial

Nanocomposites used in the treatment of skin lesions: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map the nanocomposites used in the treatment of skin lesions.

METHOD

A scoping review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, carried out on eight databases, a list of references and Google Scholar to answer the question: "Which nanocomposites are used as a cover for the treatment of skin lesions?". Two independent reviewers selected the final sample using inclusion/exclusion criteria using the EndNote® and Rayyan programs. Data was extracted using an adapted form and reported using the PRISMA checklist extension, and the protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF).

RESULTS

21 articles were selected, with nanofibers, nanogels and nanomembranes as the nanocomposites described in wound healing, alone or in association with other therapies: negative pressure and elastic. Silver nanomaterials stand out in accelerating healing due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, but caution should be exercised due to the risk of cytotoxicity and microbial resistance.

CONCLUSION

Nanocomposites used in wound treatment are effective in accelerating healing and reducing costs, and the addition of bioactives to nanomaterials has added extra properties that contribute to healing.

How Advancing is Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Using Nanofiber Scaffolds? A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Peripheral nerve injuries present significant challenges in regenerative medicine, primarily due to inherent limitations in the body's natural healing processes. In response to these challenges and with the aim of enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration, nanofiber scaffolds have emerged as a promising and advanced intervention. However, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanistic foundations that drive the favorable contributions of nanofiber scaffolds to nerve regeneration is essential. In this comprehensive review, we make an exploration of the latent potential of nanofiber scaffolds in augmenting peripheral nerve regeneration. This exploration includes a detailed introduction to the fabrication methods of nanofibers, an analysis of the intricate interactions between these scaffolds and cellular entities, an examination of strategies related to the controlled release of bioactive agents, an assessment of the prospects for clinical translation, an exploration of emerging trends, and thorough considerations regarding biocompatibility and safety. By comprehensively elucidating the intricate structural attributes and multifaceted functional capacities inherent in nanofiber scaffolds, we aim to offer a prospective and effective strategy for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Recent Advances in Designing Fibrous Biomaterials for the Domain of Biomedical, Clinical, and Environmental Applications

Unique properties and potential applications of nanofibers have emerged as innovative approaches and opportunities in the biomedical, healthcare, environmental, and biosensor fields. Electrospinning and centrifugal spinning strategies have gained considerable attention among all kinds of strategies to produce nanofibers. These techniques produce nanofibers with high porosity and surface area, adequate pore architecture, and diverse chemical compositions. The extraordinary characteristics of nanofibers have unveiled new gates in nanomedicine to establish innovative fiber-based formulations for biomedical use, healthcare, and a wide range of other applications. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of nanofibers and their broad range of applications, including drug delivery, biomedical scaffolds, tissue/bone-tissue engineering, dental applications, and environmental remediation in a single place. The review begins with a brief introduction followed by potential applications of nanofibers. Finally, the future perspectives and current challenges of nanofibers are demonstrated. This review will help researchers to engineer more efficient multifunctional nanofibers with improved characteristics for their effective use in broad areas. We strongly believe this review is a reader's delight and will help in dealing with the fundamental principles and applications of nanofiber-based scaffolds. This review will assist students and a broad range of scientific communities to understand the significance of nanofibers in several domains of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, biotechnology, and environmental remediation, which will set a benchmark for further research.

A review on contemporary nanomaterial-based therapeutics for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) with special reference to the Indian scenario

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a predominant chronic metabolic syndrome, resulting in various complications and high mortality associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Approximately 15-30% of diabetic patients suffer from DFUs, which is expected to increase annually. The major challenges in treating DFUs are associated with wound infections, alterations to inflammatory responses, angiogenesis and lack of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Furthermore, the lack of targeted therapy and efficient wound dressings for diabetic wounds often results in extended hospitalization and limb amputations. Hence, it is essential to develop and improve DFU-specific therapies. Nanomaterial-based innovative approaches have tremendous potential for preventing and treating wound infections of bacterial origin. They have greater benefits compared to traditional wound dressing approaches. In this approach, the physiochemical features of nanomaterials allow researchers to employ different methods for diabetic wound healing applications. In this review, the status and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and amputations due to DFUs in India, the pathophysiology of DFUs and their complications are discussed. Additionally, nanomaterial-based approaches such as the use of nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, nanoliposomes and nanofibers for the treatment of DFUs are studied. Besides, emerging therapeutics such as bioengineered skin substitutes and nanomaterial-based innovative approaches such as antibacterial hyperthermia therapy and gene therapy for the treatment of DFUs are highlighted. The present nanomaterial-based techniques provide a strong base for future therapeutic approaches for skin regeneration strategies in the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Bacterial Cellulose Properties Fulfilling Requirements for a Biomaterial of Choice in Reconstructive Surgery and Wound Healing

Although new therapeutic approaches for surgery and wound healing have recently made a great progress, there is still need for application of better and use novel methods to enhance biocompatibility as well as recovery and healing process. Bacterial Cellulose (BC) is natural cellulose in the form of nanostructure which has the advantages of being used in human body. The medical application of BC in reconstructive, cardiac and vascular surgery as well as wound healing is still under development, but without proved success of repetitive results. A review of studies on Bacterial Cellulose (BC) since 2016 was performed, taking into account the latest reports on the clinical use of BC. In addition, data on the physicochemical properties of BC were used. In all the works, satisfactory results of using Bacterial Cellulose were obtained. In all presented studies various BC implants demonstrated their best performance. Additionally, the works show that BC has the capacity to reach physiological as well as mechanical properties of relevance for various tissue replacement and can be produced in surgeons as well as patient specific expectations such as ear frames, vascular tubes or heart valves as well as wound healing dressings. Results of those experiments conform to those of previous reports utilizing ADM (acellular dermal matrix) and demonstrate that the use of BC has no adverse effects such as ulceration or extrusion and possesses expected properties. Based on preliminary animal as well as the few clinical data BC fittings are promising implants for various reconstructive applications since they are biocompatible with properties allowing blood flow, attach easily to wound bed and remain in place until donor site is healed properly. Additionally, this review shows that BC can be fabricated into patient specific shapes and size, with capability to reach mechanical properties of relevance for heart valve, ear, and muscle replacement. Bacterial cellulose appears, as shown in the above review, to be one of the materials that allow extensive application in the reconstruction after soft tissue defects. Review was created to show the needs of surgeons and the possibilities of using BC through the eyes and knowledge of biotechnologists.