In situ reduction of silver nanoparticles by chitosan-l-glutamic acid/hyaluronic acid: Enhancing antimicrobial and wound-healing activity

Targeting inflammation with hyaluronic acid-based micro- and nanotechnology: A disease-oriented review

Inflammation is a pivotal immune response in numerous diseases and presents therapeutic challenges. Traditional anti-inflammatory drugs and emerging cytokine inhibitors encounter obstacles such as limited bioavailability, poor tissue distribution, and adverse effects. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a versatile biopolymer, is widely employed to deliver therapeutic agents, including anti-inflammatory drugs, genes, and cell therapies owing to its unique properties, such as hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and safety. HA interacts with cell receptors to initiate processes such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and immune regulation. HA-based drug delivery systems offer dual strategies for effective inflammation management, capitalizing on passive and active mechanisms. This synergy permits the mitigation of inflammation by lowering the doses of anti-inflammatory drugs and their off-target adverse effects. A diverse array of micro- and nanotechnology techniques enable the fabrication of tailored HA-engineered systems, including hydrogels, microgels, nanogels, microneedles, nanofibers, and 3D-printed scaffolds, for diverse formulations and administration routes. This review explores recent insights into HA pharmacology in inflammatory conditions, material design, and fabrication methods, as well as its applications across a spectrum of inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, psoriasis, dermatitis, wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colitis, highlighting its potential for clinical translation.

Humidity-responsive pectin/AgNPs/ZnO composite films with high antimicrobial and UV-proof functions

ZnO nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) tend to agglomerate when used individually, and high Ag+concentrations can cause cytotoxicity. To address these issues, we synthesized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based antimicrobial mimetic peptides (AMPMs) by introducing amphiphilic cations on the surface of CMC using a chemical grafting method. Bis-formaldehyde-formylated AMPMs were prepared through the directional oxidation of AMPMs with periodate and used as the reducing agent to synthesize AgNPs on the surface of pectin in situ for the preparation of a pectin/AgNPs/ZnO composite film. The physical and chemical properties of the films were characterized and analyzed by SEM (EDS), TEM, XRD, and UV spectroscopy. The results showed that the film's surface was smooth and flat, with small, well-stabilized AgNPs and uniformly dispersed ZnO. The film retained the original crystalline form of pectin, but exhibited altered crystallinity, indicating that the method employed was very mild. A systematic evaluation of the film's antimicrobial performance using the dynamic growth curve, inhibition zone, and colony counting methods showed that AgNPs and ZnO imparted excellent, long-lasting antimicrobial activity to the film (98 %). Additionally, the films exhibited good flexibility, excellent ultraviolet protection (99.9 %), biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Notably, the film was sensitive to humidity, as demonstrated by its humidity-responsive bionic application. This study provides a promising reference and strategy for advancing the development of multifunctional polysaccharide-based nanocomposites.

Recent advances in the development of chitosan/hyaluronic acid-based hybrid materials for skin protection, regeneration, and healing: A review

Biomaterials play vital roles in regenerative medicine, specifically in tissue engineering applications. They promote angiogenesis and facilitate tissue creation and repair. The most difficult aspect of this field is acquiring smart biomaterials that possess qualities and functions that either surpass or are on par with those of synthetic products. The biocompatibility, biodegradability, film-forming capacity, and hydrophilic nature of the non-sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS)) have attracted significant attention. In addition, CS and HA possess remarkable inherent biological capabilities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress made in designing and fabricating CS/HA-based hybrid materials for dermatology applications. Various formulations utilizing CS/HA have been developed, including hydrogels, microspheres, films, foams, membranes, and nanoparticles, based on the fabrication protocol (physical or chemical). Each formulation aims to enhance the materials' remarkable biological properties while also addressing their limited stability in water and mechanical strength. Additionally, this review gave a thorough outline of future suggestions for enhancing the mechanical strength of CS/HA wound dressings, along with methods to include biomolecules to make them more useful in skin biomedicine applications.

Biological activity of lyophilized chitosan scaffolds with inclusion of chitosan and zinc oxide nanoparticles

The constant demand for biocompatible and non-invasive materials for regenerative medicine in accidents and various diseases has driven the development of innovative biomaterials that promote biomedical applications. In this context, using sol-gel and ionotropic gelation methods, zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZnO) and chitosan nanoparticles (NPs-CS) were synthesized with sizes of 20.0 nm and 11.98 nm, respectively. These nanoparticles were incorporated into chitosan scaffolds through the freeze-drying method, generating a porous morphology with small (<100 μm), medium (100-200 μm), and large (200-450 μm) pore sizes. Moreover, the four formulations showed preliminary bioactivity after hydrolytic degradation, facilitating the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer on the scaffold surface, as evidenced by the presence of Ca (4%) and P (5.1%) during hydrolytic degradation. The scaffolds exhibited average antibacterial activity of F1 = 92.93%, F2 = 99.90%, F3 = 74.10%, and F4 = 88.72% against four bacterial strains: K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, S. enterica, and S. aureus. In vivo, evaluation confirmed the biocompatibility of the functionalized scaffolds, where F2 showed accelerated resorption attributed to the NPs-ZnO. At the same time, F3 exhibited controlled degradation with NPs-CS acting as initiation points for degradation. On the other hand, F4 combined NPs-CS and NPs-ZnO, resulting in progressive degradation, reduced inflammation, and an organized extracellular matrix. All the results presented expand the boundaries in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by highlighting the crucial role of nanoparticles in optimizing scaffold properties.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol antibacterial sponge materials

This study utilized the freeze-drying method to create a chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge. To enhance its antibacterial properties, curcumin and nano silver (Cur@Ag) were added for synergistic antibacterial. After adding curcumin and nano silver, the mechanical properties of the composite sponge dressing (CS-PVA-Cur@Ag) were improved. The porosity of the composite sponge dressing was closed to 80%, which was helpful for drug release, and it had good water absorption and water retention rate. The nano silver diameter was 50-80 nm, which was optimal for killing bacteria. Antibacterial tests usedEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureusdemonstrated that little nano silver was required to eliminate bacteria. Finally, in the rat full-thickness skin wound model, the composite sponge dressing can promote wound healing in a short time. In summary, CS-PVA-Cur@Ag wound dressing could protect from bacterial infection and accelerate wound healing. Thus, it had high potential application value for wound dressing.

Optimizing Wound Healing: Examining the Influence of Biopolymers Through a Comprehensive Review of Nanohydrogel-Embedded Nanoparticles in Advancing Regenerative Medicine

Nanohydrogel wound healing refers to the use of nanotechnology-based hydrogel materials to promote the healing of wounds. Hydrogel dressings are made up of a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or other fluids. Nanohydrogels take this concept further by incorporating nanoscale particles or structures into the hydrogel matrix. These nanoparticles can be made of various materials, such as silver, zinc oxide, or nanoparticles derived from natural substances like chitosan. The inclusion of nanoparticles can provide additional properties and benefits to the hydrogel dressings. Nanohydrogels can be designed to release bioactive substances, such as growth factors or drugs, in a controlled manner. This allows for targeted delivery of therapeutics to the wound site, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Nanoparticles can reinforce the structure of hydrogels, improving their mechanical strength and stability. Nanohydrogels often incorporate antimicrobial nanoparticles, such as silver or zinc oxide. These nanoparticles have shown effective antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. By incorporating them into hydrogel dressings, nanohydrogels can help prevent or reduce the risk of infection in wounds. Nanohydrogels can be designed to encapsulate and release bioactive substances, such as growth factors, peptides, or drugs, in a controlled and sustained manner. This targeted delivery of therapeutic agents promotes wound healing by facilitating cell proliferation, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue regeneration. The unique properties of nanohydrogels, including their ability to maintain a moist environment and deliver bioactive agents, can help accelerate the wound healing process. By creating an optimal environment for cell growth and tissue repair, nanohydrogels can promote faster and more efficient healing of wounds.

Deinococcus wulumuqiensis R12 synthesized silver nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity for synergistic antibacterial application

The use of a combination of several antibacterial agents for therapy holds great promise in reducing the dosage and side effects of these agents, improving their efficiency, and inducing potential synergistic therapeutic effects. Herein, this study provides an innovative antibacterial treatment strategy by synergistically combining R12-AgNPs with H2O2 therapy. R12-AgNPs were simply produced with the supernatant of an ionizing radiation-tolerant bacterium Deinococcus wulumuqiensis R12 by one-step under room temperature. In comparison with chemically synthesized AgNPs, the biosynthesized AgNPs presented fascinating antibacterial activity and peroxidase-like properties, which endowed it with the capability to catalyze the decomposition of H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radical. After the combination of R12-AgNPs and H2O2, an excellent synergistic bacteriostatic activity was observed for both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, especially at low concentrations. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity tests showed R12-AgNPs had good biocompatibility. Thus, this work presents a novel antibacterial agent that exhibits favorable synergistic antibacterial activity and low toxicity, without the use of antibiotics or a complicated synthesis process.

An Electroconductive and Antibacterial Adhesive Nanocomposite Hydrogel for High-Performance Skin Wound Healing

Multifunctional hydrogel adhesives inhibiting infections and enabling the electrical stimulation (ES) of tissue reparation are highly desirable for the healing of surgical wounds and other skin injuries. Herein, a therapeutic nanocomposite hydrogel is designed by integrating β-cyclodextrin-embedded Ag nanoparticles (CDAgNPs) in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix enhanced with free β-cyclodextrin (CD) and an atypical macromolecule made of β-glucan grafted with hyaluronic acid (HAG). The main objective is to develop a biocompatible dressing combining the electroconductivity and antibacterial activity of CDAgNPs with the cohesiveness and porosity of PVA and the anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and cell proliferation-promoting properties of HAG. The last component, CD, is added to strengthen the network structure of the hydrogel. PVA/CD/HAG/CDAgNP exhibited excellent adhesion strength, biocompatibility, electroconductivity, and antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria. In addition, the nanocomposite hydrogel has a swelling ratio and water retention capacity suitable to serve as a wound dressing. PVA/CD/HAG/CDAgNP promoted the proliferation of fibroblast in vitro, accelerated the healing of skin wounds in an animal model, and is hemostatic. Upon ES, the PVA/CD/HAG/CDAgNP nanocomposite hydrogel became more efficient both in vitro and in vivo further speeding up the skin healing process thus demonstrating its potential as a next-generation electroconductive wound dressing.

Fabrication of Cu/ZnO-loaded chitosan hydrogel for an effective wound dressing material to advanced wound care and healing efficiency after caesarean section surgery

Wound infections and delayed complications after caesarean section surgical procedure to mothers would have a prevalence of discomfort, stress and dissatisfaction in the postpartum period. In this report, one-pot synthesis is used for the preparation of chitosan (CS)-based copper nanoparticles (nCu), which was used for the preparation of zinc oxide (ZnO) hydrogel as wound dressing materials after surgery. The antibacterial activity of (CS-nCu/ZnO) developed hydrogels was studied zone of inhibition, against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the CS-nCu/ZnO hydrogel demonstrated that nanoformulated hydrogel materials have provided excellent bactericidal action against clinically approved bacterial pathogens. The biocompatibility and in vitro wound healing potential of the developed wound closure materials were studied by MTT assay and wound scratch assay methods, respectively. The MTT assay and cell migration assay results demonstrated that CS-nCu/ZnO hydrogel material induces cell compatibility and effective cell proliferation ability. These findings suggest that the CS-nCu/ZnO hydrogel outperforms CS-ZnO in terms of wound healing and could be used as a wound closure material in caesarean section wound treatment.

Biohybrid Nanoparticle-Based In Situ Monitoring of In Vivo Drug Delivery

Nanomaterials have gained huge attention worldwide owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics which enable their applications in the field of biomedicine and drug delivery systems. Although nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) have better target specificity and bioavailability than traditional drug delivery systems, their behavior and clearance mechanisms in living subjects remain unclear. In this regard, the importance of bioimaging methods has come to the forefront for investigating the biodistribution of nanocarriers and discovering drug release mechanisms in vivo. In this review, we introduce several examples of biohybrid nanoparticles and their clinical applications, focusing on their advantages and limitations. The various bioimaging methods for monitoring the fate of nanodrugs in biological systems and the future perspectives of NDDSs have also been discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) modified polymeric composite for effective treatment of wound healing by transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS)

The present study aimed to fabricate a novel polymeric spongy composite to enhance skin regeneration composed of Nystatin (antifungal agent) and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNps). Different formulations (F1-F8) were developed & characterized by using various analytical techniques. AgNps synthesized by chemical reduction method showed spherical morphology 2 µm in size showed by SEM and XRD. A fine porous structure of gel embedded with AgNps having an amorphous structure with 10 % crystallinity due to AgNps was found. IR spectra revealed no chemical interaction between polymers and Nystatin. An increase in thermal stability of formulation was observed till 700 ℃ analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Cytotoxic analysis on L929 mouse skin fibroblast cells showed a decrease in cell viability as Ag concentration increased (inactivating Fibroblast and keratinocytes) while 10 mg composition was found safest concentration (94%). Optimized formulation (F2) presented in-vitro drug release up to 90.59% ± 0.76 at pH 7.4, swelling studies (87.5% ± 0.57), water retention (26.60 ± 0.34), pH (5.31 ± 0.03). In the animal burn model, the group that received CHG/Ag/Nystatin healed the wound significantly (p < 0.05). These results suggested that optimized carrier can be used for other anti-fungal drugs facilitating the early healing of the wound.

Marine Biomaterials: Hyaluronan

The marine-derived hyaluronic acid and other natural biopolymers offer exciting possibilities in the field of biomaterials, providing sustainable and biocompatible alternatives to synthetic materials. Their unique properties and abundance in marine sources make them valuable resources for various biomedical and industrial applications. Due to high biocompatible features and participation in biological processes related to tissue healing, hyaluronic acid has become widely used in tissue engineering applications, especially in the wound healing process. The present review enlightens marine hyaluronan biomaterial providing its sources, extraction process, structures, chemical modifications, biological properties, and biocidal applications, especially for wound healing/dressing purposes. Meanwhile, we point out the future development of wound healing/dressing based on hyaluronan and its composites and potential challenges.

Antimicrobial efficacy of composite irrigation solution against dominant pathogens in seawater immersion wound and in vivo wound healing assessment

Seawater immersion wound is inevitably accompanied by bacterial infection. Effective irrigation is critical for bacterial infection prevention and wound healing. In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of a designed composite irrigation solution against several dominant pathogens in seawater immersion wounds was evaluated, and in vivo wound healing assessment was conducted in a rat model. According to the time-kill result, the composite irrigation solution exhibits excellent and rapid bactericidal effect against Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus within 30 s of treatment while eliminating Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and the mixed microbes after 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, and 12 h of treatment, respectively. Significant bacterial count reduction of Staphylococcus aureus was observed after 5 h treatment. In addition to its skin non-irritating attribute, the in vivo wound healing results further demonstrated that the irrigation solution showed high repair efficiency in the skin defect model inoculated with the mixed microbes. The wound healing rate was significantly higher than that of the control and normal saline groups. It could also effectively reduce the number of viable bacteria on the wound surface. The histological staining indicated that the irrigation solution could reduce inflammatory cells and promote collagen fibers and angiogenesis, thereby promoting wound healing. We believed that the designed composite irrigation solution has great potential for application in the treatment of seawater immersion wounds.

Assessment of antimicrobial activity of chitosan/silver nanoparticles hydrogel and cryogel microspheres

This research investigates the synthesis and characterization of hydrogel and cryogel microspheres that are doped with green synthesised silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs). Also, the study assesses the antibacterial activity of hydrogel and cryogel microspheres by comparing them with commercial antibiotics. The porous structure of CS and the adequate dispersion of AgNPs were confirmed by SEM and EDX techniques, respectively. The disk diffusion method and the optical density measurement (OD600) confirm the outstanding antimicrobial activity of CS-AgNPs hydrogel and cryogel microspheres in comparison to antibiotics for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The CS-AgNPs microspheres demonstrate promising antimicrobial and biocompatible agents for medical field applications.

Preparation and evaluation of chitosan- and hyaluronic acid-grafted pullulan succinate films for skin wound healing

A novel wound dressing that possesses antibacterial properties and accelerates skin wound repair was developed by physically blending hyaluronic acid-grafted pullulan succinate (HA-st-Pu) with chitosan (CS). The HA-st-Pu polymer was synthesized and characterized, and then CS/HA-st-Pu film dressings were prepared by a freeze-drying method. The novel film wound dressings exhibited a three-dimensional cavity structure under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a better swelling ratio than CS, HA and Pu alone, absorbing a large amount of liquid and effectively maintaining the moist environment of the wound. CS/HA-st-Pu materials had no cytotoxicity and increased cell proliferation when coincubated with L929 cells. Moreover, CS/HA-st-Pu wound dressings exhibited a certain antibacterial capability against E. coli and S. aureus. In rat skin wound healing, CS/HA-st-Pu film dressings outperformed both the control and market band-aid groups with respect to the reduction of inflammation and acceleration of wound closure.

Macroporous Hyaluronic Acid/Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complex-Based Hydrogels Loaded with Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation

The aim of the study was to fabricate and characterize composite macroporous hydrogels based on a hyaluronic acid/chitosan (Hyal/Ch) polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) loaded with homogeneously distributed hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp), and to evaluate them in vitro using mouse fibroblasts (L929), osteoblast-like cells (HOS) and human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC). Hydrogel morphology as a function of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticle content was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The mean pore size in the Hyal/Ch hydrogel was 204 ± 25 μm. The entrapment of nHAp (1 and 5 wt. %) into the Hyal/Ch hydrogel led to a mean pore size decrease (94 ± 2 and 77 ± 9 μm, relatively). Swelling ratio and weight loss of the hydrogels in various aqueous media were found to increase with an enhancement of a medium ionic strength. Cell morphology and localization within the hydrogels was studied by CLSM. Cell viability depended upon the nHAp content and was evaluated by MTT-assay after 7 days of cultivation in the hydrogels. An increase of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loading in a range of 1–10 wt. % resulted in an enhancement of cell growth and proliferation for all hydrogels. Maximum cell viability was obtained in case of the Hyal/Ch/nHAp-10 sample (10 wt. % nHAp), while a minimal cell number was found for the Hyal/Ch/nHAp-1 hydrogel (1 wt. % nHAp). Thus, the proposed simple original technique and the design of PEC hydrogels could be promising for tissue engineering, in particular for bone tissue repair.

Recent Progress on Hyaluronan-Based Products for Wound Healing Applications

Hyaluronic acid (HA) based nanocomposites are considered excellent for improving wound healing. HA is biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, biologically active, has hemostatic ability, and resists bacterial adhesion. HA-based nanocomposites promote wound healing in four different sequential phases hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. The unique biological characteristics of HA enable it to serve as a drug, an antibacterial agent, and a growth factor, which combine to accelerate the healing process. In this review, we focus on the use of HA-based nanocomposites for wound healing applications and we describe the importance of HA for the wound healing process in each sequential phase, such as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) or metal oxide nanoparticles (MO-NPs) loaded with HA nanocomposite are used for wound healing applications. Insights into important antibacterial mechanisms are described in HA nanocomposites. Furthermore, we explain antibiotics loaded with HA nanocomposite and its combination with the MNPs/MO-NPs used for wound healing applications. In addition, HA derivatives are discussed and used in combination with the other polymers of the composite for the wound healing process, as is the role of the polymer in wound healing applications. Finally, HA-based nanocomposites used for clinical trials in animal models are presented for wound healing applications.

Insights into the Role of Natural Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Wound Dressings in Biomedical Applications

Acute skin damage caused by burns or cuts occurs frequently in people's daily lives. Such wounds are difficult to heal normally and have persistent inflammation. Wound dressings not only improve the speed of wound healing, but also protect and cover the wound well. Hydrogels have the characteristics of good flexibility, high water content, and good biocompatibility, and are widely used in biomedicine and other fields. Common hydrogels are mainly natural hydrogels and synthetic hydrogels. Hydrogels cross-linked using different raw materials and different methods have different performance characteristics. Natural hydrogels prepared using polysaccharides are simple to obtain and have good biocompatibility, but are inferior to synthetic hydrogels in terms of mechanical properties and stability, and a single polysaccharide hydrogel cannot meet the component requirements for wound healing. Therefore, functional composite hydrogels with high mechanical properties, high biocompatibility, and high antibacterial properties are the current research hotspots. In this review, several common polysaccharides for hydrogel synthesis and the synthesis methods of polysaccharide hydrogels are introduced, and functional composite hydrogel dressings from recent years are classified. It is hoped that this can provide useful references for relevant research in this field.

Silver Nanoparticles and Its Mechanistic Insight for Chronic Wound Healing: Review on Recent Progress

Wounds are structural and functional disruptions of skin that occur because of trauma, surgery, acute illness, or chronic disease conditions. Chronic wounds are caused by a breakdown in the finely coordinated cascade of events that occurs during healing. Wound healing is a long process that split into at least three continuous and overlapping processes: an inflammatory response, a proliferative phase, and finally the tissue remodeling. Therefore, these processes are extensively studied to develop novel therapeutics in order to achieve maximum recovery with minimum scarring. Several growth hormones and cytokines secreted at the site of lesions tightly regulates the healing processes. The traditional approach for wound management has been represented by topical treatments. Metal nanoparticles (e.g., silver, gold and zinc) are increasingly being employed in dermatology due to their favorable effects on healing, as well as in treating and preventing secondary bacterial infections. In the current review, a brief introduction on traditional would healing approach is provided, followed by focus on the potential of wound dressing therapeutic techniques functionalized with Ag-NPs.

A Critical Review of Analytical Applications of Chitosan as a Sustainable Chemical with Functions Galore

Biomass and biowastes stand as sustainable and cost-effective environmentally benign alternative feedstock. Chitosan is a biocompatible, bioactive, and biodegradable biopolymer derived from chitin to achieve eight aspects out of the 12 green chemistry principles. Chitosan got significant attention in several fields including chemical analysis, in addition to chemical functionally, which enabled its use as adsorbent and its structural crosslinking using various crosslinkers. The physicochemical, technological, and optical properties of chitosan have been extensively exploited in analysis. Mainly, deacetylation degree and molecular weight are controlling its properties and hence controlling its functions. This review presents a structure, properties, and functions relationships of chitosan. It also aims to provide an overview of the different functions that chitosan can serve in each analytical technique such as supporting matrix, catalyst…etc. The contribution of chitosan in improving the ecological performance is discussed in each technique.

Chitosan/guar gum-based thermoreversible hydrogels loaded with pullulan nanoparticles for enhanced nose-to-brain drug delivery

The biopolymers-based two-fold system could provide a sustained release platform for drug delivery to the brain resisting the mucociliary clearance, enzymatic degradation, bypassing the first-pass hepatic metabolism, and BBB thus providing superior bioavailability through intranasal administration. In this study, poloxamers PF-127/PF-68 grafted chitosan HCl-co-guar gum-based thermoresponsive hydrogel loaded with eletriptan hydrobromide laden pullulan nanoparticles was synthesized and subjected to dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, stability studies, mucoadhesive strength and time, gel strength, cloud point assessment, rheological assessment, ex-vivo permeation, cell viability assay, histology studies, and in-vivo Pharmacokinetics studies, etc. It is quite evident that CSG-EH-NPs T-Hgel has an enhanced sustained release drug profile where approximately 86 % and 84 % of drug released in phosphate buffer saline and simulated nasal fluid respectively throughout 48 h compared to EH-NPs where 99.44 % and 97.53 % of the drug was released in PBS and SNF for 8 h. In-vivo PKa parameters i.e., mean residence time (MRT) of 11.9 ± 0.83 compared to EH-NPs MRT of 10.2 ± 0.92 and area under the curve (AUC_tot) of 42,540.5 ± 5314.14 comparing to AUC_tot of EH-NPs 38,026 ± 6343.1 also establish the superiority of CSG-EH-NPs T-Hgel.

Facile fabrication of green synthesized silver-decorated magnetic particles for coating of bioactive packaging

To avoid bacterial and viral infections on food products, the use of antibacterial and antiviral packaging offers great benefit to the food industry. In this study, the coating of paper packaging with silver-decorated magnetic particles (Ag@Fe₃O₄) was developed. The Ag@Fe₃O₄ was prepared by a facile and environmentally friendly method using extracted spent coffee grounds (ex-SCG). The effects of Ag@Fe₃O₄ content on properties of coated paper were investigated. The overall properties of coated paper improved when the Ag@Fe₃O₄ content increased up to 0.15%w/v. An increase in tensile strength of 154.01% and a decrease in water vapor permeability of 48.50% were found in coated paper with 0.15%w/v Ag@Fe₃O₄. Furthermore, the coated paper also exhibited the synergistic effect on antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The release of metal ions in food simulants and kinetic release parameters were also studied. The release of silver ions and ferrous ions in food simulants met the requirement of overall migration limit of the European Standard. The paper coated with 0.15%w/v Ag@Fe₃O₄ had better capabilities to maintain quality and extend shelf-life of tomatoes. The obtained Ag@Fe₃O₄ coated paper is promising for bioactive food packaging to retain food freshness.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10570-022-04636-0.

Antibacterial biomaterials for skin wound dressing

Bacterial infection and the ever-increasing bacterial resistance have imposed severe threat to human health. And bacterial contamination could significantly menace the wound healing process. Considering the sophisticated wound healing process, novel strategies for skin tissue engineering are focused on the integration of bioactive ingredients, antibacterial agents included, into biomaterials with different morphologies to improve cell behaviors and promote wound healing. However, a comprehensive review on anti-bacterial wound dressing to enhance wound healing has not been reported. In this review, various antibacterial biomaterials as wound dressings will be discussed. Different kinds of antibacterial agents, including antibiotics, nanoparticles (metal and metallic oxides, light-induced antibacterial agents), cationic organic agents, and others, and their recent advances are summarized. Biomaterial selection and fabrication of biomaterials with different structures and forms, including films, hydrogel, electrospun nanofibers, sponge, foam and three-dimension (3D) printed scaffold for skin regeneration, are elaborated discussed. Current challenges and the future perspectives are presented in this multidisciplinary field. We envision that this review will provide a general insight to the elegant design and further refinement of wound dressing.

Preparation and Characterization of Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Cutaneous Wound Healing

Natural hydrogels are growing in interest as a priority for wound healing. Plant polysaccharides have a variety of biological pharmacological activities, and chitosan hydrogels have proven strong antimicrobial effects, but hydrogels prepared with polysaccharides alone have certain deficiencies. Polysaccharides from flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LP) and the aerial parts of Mentha canadensis L. (MP) were extracted and oxidized by sodium periodate (NaIO₄) and then cross-linked with oxidized-carboxymethylated chitosan (O-CCS) to develop oxidized plant- polysaccharides-chitosan hydrogels (OPHs). SEM observation showed that OPHs had porous interior structures with interconnecting pores. The OPHs showed good swelling, water-retention ability, blood coagulation, cytocompatibility properties, and low cytotoxicity (classed as grade 1 according to United States Pharmacopoeia), which met the requirements for wound dressings. Then the cutaneous wound-healing effect was evaluated in BALB/C mice model, after 7 days treatment, the wound-closure rate of OPHs groups were all greater than 50%, and after 14 days, all were greater than 90%, while the value of the control group was only 72.6%. Of them, OPH-2 and OPH-3 were more favorable to the wound-healing process, as the promotion was more significant. The plant polysaccharides and CS-based hydrogel should be a candidate for cutaneous wound dressings.

Recent progress of collagen, chitosan, alginate and other hydrogels in skin repair and wound dressing applications

Human understanding of skin is constantly ongoing. Great progress has been made in skin repair, wound dressing regeneration biomaterials research in recent years. This review introduced the clinical research and guiding principles of skin repair, wound dressing biomaterials at home and abroad, introduced the classification of various skin repair and wound dressing, listed the composition and performance of different dressing biomaterials, including traditional, natural, synthetic, tissue-engineered dressing materials were extensively reviewed. The biological molecular structures and biological function characteristics of different dressing biomaterials are comprehensively reviewed. Collagen, chitosan, alginate hydrogels et al. as the most popular biological macromolecules in skin repair and wound dressing applications were reviewed. The future development direction is also prospected. This paper reviews the research progress of advanced functional skin repair and wound dressing, which provides a reference for the modifications and applications of wound dressings.

Hyaluronic Acid-Silver Nanocomposites and Their Biomedical Applications: A Review

For the last years scientific community has witnessed a rapid development of novel types of biomaterials, which properties made them applicable in numerous fields of medicine. Although nanosilver, well-known for its antimicrobial, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, as well as hyaluronic acid, a natural polysaccharide playing a vital role in the modulation of tissue repair, signal transduction, angiogenesis, cell motility and cancer metastasis, are both thoroughly described in the literature, their complexes are still a novel topic. In this review we introduce the most recent research about the synthesis, properties, and potential applications of HA-nanosilver composites. We also make an attempt to explain the variety of mechanisms involved in their action. Finally, we present biocompatible and biodegradable complexes with bactericidal activity and low cytotoxicity, which properties suggest their suitability for the prophylaxis and therapy of chronic wounds, as well as analgetic therapies, anticancer strategies and the detection of chemical substances and malignant cells. Cited studies reveal that the usage of hyaluronic acid-silver nanocomposites appears to be efficient and safe in clinical practice.

Marine Polysaccharides for Wound Dressings Application: An Overview

Wound dressings have become a crucial treatment for wound healing due to their convenience, low cost, and prolonged wound management. As cutting-edge biomaterials, marine polysaccharides are divided from most marine organisms. It possesses various bioactivities, which allowing them to be processed into various forms of wound dressings. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the application of marine polysaccharides in wound dressings is particularly important for the studies of wound therapy. In this review, we first introduce the wound healing process and describe the characteristics of modern commonly used dressings. Then, the properties of various marine polysaccharides and their application in wound dressing development are outlined. Finally, strategies for developing and enhancing marine polysaccharide wound dressings are described, and an outlook of these dressings is given. The diverse bioactivities of marine polysaccharides including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic properties, etc., providing excellent wound management and accelerate wound healing. Meanwhile, these biomaterials have higher biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to synthetic ones. On the other hand, marine polysaccharides can be combined with copolymers and active substances to prepare various forms of dressings. Among them, emerging types of dressings such as nanofibers, smart hydrogels and injectable hydrogels are at the research frontier of their development. Therefore, marine polysaccharides are essential materials in wound dressings fabrication and have a promising future.

Hyaluronic-Acid-Based Organic-Inorganic Composites for Biomedical Applications

Applications of natural hyaluronic acid (HYH) for the fabrication of organic-inorganic composites for biomedical applications are described. Such composites combine unique functional properties of HYH with functional properties of hydroxyapatite, various bioceramics, bioglass, biocements, metal nanoparticles, and quantum dots. Functional properties of advanced composite gels, scaffold materials, cements, particles, films, and coatings are described. Benefiting from the synergy of properties of HYH and inorganic components, advanced composites provide a platform for the development of new drug delivery materials. Many advanced properties of composites are attributed to the ability of HYH to promote biomineralization. Properties of HYH are a key factor for the development of colloidal and electrochemical methods for the fabrication of films and protective coatings for surface modification of biomedical implants and the development of advanced biosensors. Overcoming limitations of traditional materials, HYH is used as a biocompatible capping, dispersing, and structure-directing agent for the synthesis of functional inorganic materials and composites. Gel-forming properties of HYH enable a facile and straightforward approach to the fabrication of antimicrobial materials in different forms. Of particular interest are applications of HYH for the fabrication of biosensors. This review summarizes manufacturing strategies and mechanisms and outlines future trends in the development of functional biocomposites.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Scaffolds as Potential Bioactive Wound Dressings

The negative factors that result in delayed and prolonged wound healing process include microbial pathogens, excess wound exudates, underlying conditions, smoking, obesity, etc. Most of the currently used wound dressings demonstrate an inadequate capacity to treat wounds resulting from the factors mentioned above. The commonly used wound dressings include hydrogels, films, hydrocolloids, foams, fibers, sponges, dermal patches, bandages, etc. These wound dressings can be loaded with various types of bioactive agents (e.g., antibiotics, nanoparticles, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.) to improve their therapeutic outcomes. Biopolymers offer interesting properties suitable for the design of wound dressings. This review article will be based on hyaluronic-acid-based scaffolds loaded with therapeutic agents for the treatment of wounds.

Synthetic, Natural, and Semisynthetic Polymer Carriers for Controlled Nitric Oxide Release in Dermal Applications: A Review

Nitric oxide (NO•) is a free radical gas, produced in the human body to regulate physiological processes, such as inflammatory and immune responses. It is required for skin health; therefore, a lack of NO• is known to cause or worsen skin conditions related to three biomedical applications- infection treatment, injury healing, and blood circulation. Therefore, research on its topical release has been increasing for the last two decades. The storage and delivery of nitric oxide in physiological conditions to compensate for its deficiency is achieved through pharmacological compounds called NO-donors. These are further incorporated into scaffolds to enhance therapeutic treatment. A wide range of polymeric scaffolds has been developed and tested for this purpose. Hence, this review aims to give a detailed overview of the natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic polymeric matrices that have been evaluated for antimicrobial, wound healing, and circulatory dermal applications. These matrices have already set a solid foundation in nitric oxide release and their future perspective is headed toward an enhanced controlled release by novel functionalized semisynthetic polymer carriers and co-delivery synergetic platforms. Finally, further clinical tests on patients with the targeted condition will hopefully enable the eventual commercialization of these systems.

Integrating biometallurgical recovery of metals with biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles

Industrial activities, such as mining, electroplating, cement production, and metallurgical operations, as well as manufacturing of plastics, fertilizers, pesticides, batteries, dyes or anticorrosive agents, can cause metal contamination in the surrounding environment. This is an acute problem due to the non-biodegradable nature of metal pollutants, their transformation into toxic and carcinogenic compounds, and bioaccumulation through the food chain. At the same time, platinum group metals and rare earth elements are of strong economic interest and their recovery is incentivized. Microbial interaction with metals or metals-bearing minerals can facilitate metals recovery in the form of nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles are gaining increasing attention due to their unique characteristics and application as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents, biocatalysts, in targeted drug delivery, for wastewater treatment, and in water electrolysis. Ideally, metal nanoparticles should be homogenous in shape and size, and not toxic to humans or the environment. Microbial synthesis of nanoparticles represents a safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and physical methods. In this review article, we mainly focus on metal and metal salts nanoparticles synthesized by various microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae, and yeasts, as well as their advantages in biomedical, health, and environmental applications.

Natural Inorganic Ingredients in Wound Healing

Background:

One of the major clinical challenges is to achieve a rapid and efficient treatment of complex chronic wounds. Nowadays, most wound dressings currently available are unable to find a solution the challenges of resistance to bacterial infection, protein adsorption and increased levels of exudates. Natural inorganic ingredients (clay minerals, metal cations, zeolites, etc) could be the key to solve the problem satisfactorily. Some of these materials have shown biocompatibility and ability to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation and cellular differentiation and uptake. Besides, some natural inorganic ingredients effectively retain drugs, allowing the design of drug delivery matrices.

Objective:

possibilities of natural inorganic ingredients in wound healing treatments have been reviewed, the following sections have been included: 1. Introduction 2. Functions of Inorganic Ingredients in wound healing 2.1. Antimicrobial effects 2.2. Hemostatic effects 3. Clay minerals for wound healing 3.1. Clay minerals 3.2. Clay mineral semisolid formulations 3.3. Clay/polymer composites and nanocomposites 3.4. Clay minerals in wound dressings 4. Other inorganic materials for wound healing 4.1. Zeolites 4.2. Silica and other silicates 4.3. Other minerals 4.4. Transition metals 5. Conclusion

Conclusion:

inorganic ingredients possess useful features in the development of chronic wounds advanced treatments. They improve physical (mechanical resistance and water vapor transmission), chemical (release of drugs, hemostasis and/or adsorption of exudates and moisture) and biological (antimicrobial effects and improvement of healing) properties of wound dressings. In summary, inorganic ingredients have proved to be a promising and easily accessible products in the treatment of wounds and, more importantly, chronic wounds.

Wound dressings functionalized with silver nanoparticles: promises and pitfalls

Infections are the main reason why most people die from burns and diabetic wounds. The clinical challenge for treating wound infections through traditional antibiotics has been growing steadily and has now reached a critical status requiring a paradigm shift for improved chronic wound care. The US Centers for Disease Control have predicted more deaths from antimicrobial-resistant bacteria than from all types of cancers combined by 2050. Thus, the development of new wound dressing materials that do not rely on antibiotics is of paramount importance. Currently, incorporating nanoparticles into scaffolds represents a new concept of 'nanoparticle dressing' which has gained considerable attention for wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been categorized as metal-based nanoparticles and are intriguing materials for wound healing because of their excellent antimicrobial properties. Ag-NPs embedded in wound dressing polymers promote wound healing and control microorganism growth. However, there have been several recent disadvantages of using Ag-NPs to fight infections, such as bacterial resistance. This review highlights the therapeutic approaches of using wound dressings functionalized with Ag-NPs and their potential role in revolutionizing wound healing. Moreover, the physiology of the skin and wounds is discussed to place the use of Ag-NPs in wound care into perspective.

Bioplatform Fabrication Approaches Affecting Chitosan-Based Interpolymer Complex Properties and Performance as Wound Dressings

Chitosan can form interpolymer complexes (IPCs) with anionic polymers to form biomedical platforms (BMPs) for wound dressing/healing applications. This has resulted in its application in various BMPs such as gauze, nano/microparticles, hydrogels, scaffolds, and films. Notably, wound healing has been highlighted as a noteworthy application due to the remarkable physical, chemical, and mechanical properties enabled though the interaction of these polyelectrolytes. The interaction of chitosan and anionic polymers can improve the properties and performance of BMPs. To this end, the approaches employed in fabricating wound dressings was evaluated for their effect on the property-performance factors contributing to BMP suitability in wound dressing. The use of chitosan in wound dressing applications has had much attention due to its compatible biological properties. Recent advancement includes the control of the degree of crosslinking and incorporation of bioactives in an attempt to enhance the physicochemical and physicomechanical properties of wound dressing BMPs. A critical issue with polyelectrolyte-based BMPs is that their effective translation to wound dressing platforms has yet to be realised due to the unmet challenges faced when mimicking the complex and dynamic wound environment. Novel BMPs stemming from the IPCs of chitosan are discussed in this review to offer new insight into the tailoring of physical, chemical, and mechanical properties via fabrication approaches to develop effective wound dressing candidates. These BMPs may pave the way to new therapeutic developments for improved patient outcomes.

Hydrogel Dressings for Advanced Wound Management

BACKGROUND

Composed in a large extent of water and due to their nonadhesiveness, hydrogels found their way to the wound dressing market as materials that provide a moisture environment for healing while being comfortable to the patient. Hydrogels' exploitation is constantly increasing after evidences of their even broader therapeutic potential due to resemblance to dermal tissue and ability to induce partial skin regeneration. The innovation in advanced wound care is further directed to the development of so-called active dressings, where hydrogels are combined with components that enhance the primary purpose of providing a beneficial environment for wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to concisely describe the relevance of hydrogel dressings as platforms for delivery of active molecules for improved management of difficult- to-treat wounds. The emphasis is on the most recent advances in development of stimuli- responsive hydrogels, which allow for control over wound healing efficiency in response to different external modalities. Novel strategies for monitoring of the wound status and healing progress based on incorporation of sensor molecules into the hydrogel platforms are also discussed.