Development of guar gum-based dual-layer wound dressing containing Lactobacillus plantarum: Rapid recovery and mechanically flexibility

Adhesive and antibacterial guar gum-based nanocomposite hydrogel for remodeling wound healing microenvironment

Hydrogels are promising wound dressings due to their extracellular matrix-like properties and tunable structure-function characteristics. Besides the physical isolation effect, hydrogel dressings are highly expected to possess tissue-adhesive performance and antibacterial capacity, which are beneficial for their clinical translations. Herein, a guar gum (GG)-based nanocomposite hydrogel was fabricated by mixing methacrylated GG (GGMA), acrylic acid, acrylated 3-aminophenylboronic acid, mangiferin (MF)-loaded cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) micelles (MF@CTAC) and radical initiator. This hydrogel exhibited stable and tunable mechanical property as well as excellent biocompatibility. Borate crosslinking and physical interactions of the hydrogel produced a certain degree of self-healing ability, good tissue adhesive and hemostatic capacity. MF endowed the hydrogel with good antioxidant ability and excellent synergistic antibacterial ability with CATC. In vivo experiments indicated that the hydrogel significantly accelerated wound healing with a narrower wound edge, thicker granulation tissue, maturer epidermis and dermis tissue, higher collagen deposition level, milder inflammatory response, and enhanced angiogenesis. The hydrogel without adding antibiotics and other exogenous active ingredients showed great application potential as a versatile wound dressing material.

Novel Fimasartan Fluidized Solid Dispersion and Its Tablet: Preparation, Crystallinity, Solubility, Dissolution, and Pharmacokinetics in Beagle Dogs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Fimasartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, exhibits low bioavailability due to its poor solubility; consequently, using solubilization technologies is essential to improve its bioavailability. In this study, novel fimasartan fluidized solid dispersion (FFSD) was developed using a fluid bed granulator to enhance the drug solubility and oral bioavailability.

METHODS

An appropriate FFSD was prepared in 50% ethanol using a fluid bed granulator, and its drug dissolution, morphology, and crystallinity were evaluated in comparison to the powdered drug. Moreover, the dissolution in various pH conditions and pharmacokinetics of the FFSD tablet in beagle dogs were investigated compared to the commercial fimasartan tablet.

RESULTS

Among the hydrophilic polymers tested, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) showed the highest solubility. The FFSD, composed of fimasartan, HPMC, and microcrystalline cellulose at the weight ratio of 20:10:25, gave a granular aggregation of several particles with a smooth surface. The drug in this FFSD existed as an amorphous state, leading to a greatly increased drug dissolution. The FFSD tablet was prepared by compressing a mixture of FFSD, mannitol, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate at the weight ratio of 55:40:5:1. The FFSD tablet gave significantly higher drug dissolution, plasma concentrations, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the whole blood concentration-time curve (AUC) values than did the commercial fimasartan tablet. In the beagle dogs, the FFSD tablet (140.39 ± 27.40 ng·h/ml) had about a 1.7-fold higher AUC than the commercial fimasartan tablet (80.58 ± 22.18 ng·h/ml), indicating an enhancement in the bioavailability.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel FFSD tablet could be a potential oral pharmaceutical product with the improved oral bioavailability of fimasartan.

Establishment of nanoparticle screening technique: A pivotal role of sodium carboxymethylcellulose in enhancing oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble aceclofenac

A novel nanoparticle screening technique was established to mostly enhance the aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability of aceclofenac using nanoparticle systems. Among the polymers investigated, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) showed the greatest increase in drug solubility. Utilizing spray-drying technique, the solvent-evaporated solid dispersion (SESD), surface-attached solid dispersion (SASD), and solvent-wetted solid dispersion (SWSD) were prepared using aceclofenac and Na-CMC at a weight ratio of 1:1 in 50 % ethanol, distilled water, and ethanol, respectively. Using Na-CMC as a solid carrier, an aceclofenac-loaded liquid self-emulsifying drug delivery system was spray-dried and fluid-bed granulated together with microcrystalline cellulose, producing a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) and solid self-nanoemulsifying granule system (SNEGS), respectively. Their physicochemical properties and preclinical assessments in rats were performed. All nanoparticles exhibited very different properties, including morphology, crystallinity, and size. As a result, they significantly enhanced the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability in the following order: SNEDDS ≥ SNEGS > SESD ≥ SASD ≥ SWSD. Based on our screening technique, the SNEDDS was selected as the optimal nanoparticle with the highest bioavailability of aceclofenac. Thus, our nanoparticle screening technique should be an excellent guideline for solubilization research to improve the solubility and bioavailability of many poorly water-soluble bioactive materials.

Multifunctional combined drug-loaded nanofibrous dressings with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant stress and microenvironment improvement for diabetic wounds

The treatment of diabetic wounds remains a formidable clinical challenge worldwide. Because of persistent inflammatory reaction, excessive oxidative stress, cell dysfunction, poor blood microcirculation and other microvascular complications, diabetic wounds often fall into inflammatory circulation and are difficult to heal, making patients confront the risk of amputation. In this study, silver complex nanoparticles with Resina Draconis extract and Rhodiola rosea L. extract were loaded in situ onto thermoplastic polyurethane nanofibers to develop a multifunctional electrospun nanofiber wound dressing with excellent mechanical properties, superior water absorption and breathability, good coagulation promoting activity, strong antibacterial performance and antioxidant properties. This wound dressing could effectively enhance the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts, reduce the increased thickness of regenerated epidermis caused by diabetes, and the high expression and high lipid peroxidation levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, TNF α, iNOS and MMP-9, and raise the low expression of VEGF, which shows great potential to accelerate the wound healing of diabetic mouse models. The wound healing rate reached about 87.92%, close to the non-diabetic group. Our findings suggest a breakthrough in diabetic wound care, offering a viable solution to a long-standing medical shackle.

Innovative approaches to wound healing: insights into interactive dressings and future directions

The objective of this review is to provide an up-to-date and all-encompassing account of the recent advancements in the domain of interactive wound dressings. Considering the gap between the achieved and desired clinical outcomes with currently available or under-study wound healing therapies, newer more specific options based on the wound type and healing phase are reviewed. Starting from the comprehensive description of the wound healing process, a detailed classification of wound dressings is presented. Subsequently, we present an elaborate and significant discussion describing interactive (unconventional) wound dressings. Latter includes biopolymer-based, bioactive-containing and biosensor-based smart dressings, which are discussed in separate sections together with their applications and limitations. Moreover, recent (2-5 years) clinical trials, patents on unconventional dressings, marketed products, and other information on advanced wound care designs and techniques are discussed. Subsequently, the future research direction is highlighted, describing peptides, proteins, and human amniotic membranes as potential wound dressings. Finally, we conclude that this field needs further development and offers scope for integrating information on the healing process with newer technologies.

Highly swellable, cytocompatible and biodegradeable guar gum-based hydrogel system for controlled release of bioactive components of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.): Synthesis and evaluation

Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn (liquorice) has been widely used for therapeutic purposes to treat digestive disorders, immunomodulatory disorders, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, viral infections, and cancer. Liquorice contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, including glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Several factors compromise their therapeutic efficacy, such as poor pharmacokinetic profiles and physicochemical properties. Therefore, to improve its overall effectiveness, liquorice solid dispersion (LSD) was incorporated into biopolymer-based guar gum-grafted-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (Guar gum-g-AMPS) hydrogels designed for controlled delivery via the oral route and characterized. The qualitative analysis of LSD revealed 51 compounds. Hydrogel structural properties were assessed for their effect on swelling and release. The highest swelling ratio (6413 %) and drug release (84.12 %) occurred at pH 1.2 compared to pH 7.4 (swelling ratio of 2721 % and drug release of 79.36 %) in 48 h. The hydrogels exhibited high porosity (84.23 %) and biodegradation (9.30 % in 7 days). In vitro hemolysis tests have demonstrated the compatibility of the hydrogel with blood. CCK-8 assay confirmed the biocompatibility of the synthesized hydrogel using osteoblasts and RIN-m5f cells. LSD exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity when loaded into hydrogels after being subjected to protein denaturation experiments. Moreover, LSD-loaded hydrogels have good antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae-Loaded Polyvinylpyrrolidone/SiO2 Nanofiber for Wound Dressing Prepared Using Electrospinning Method

Electrospun nanofibers have been used as wound dressings to protect skin from infection and promote wound healing. In this study, we developed polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/silicon dioxide (SD) composite nanofibers for the delivery of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), which potentially aids in wound healing. PVP/SD composite nanofibers were optimized through electrospinning, and bead-free nanofibers with an average diameter of 624.7 ± 99.6 nm were fabricated. Next, SC, a wound-healing material, was loaded onto the PVP/SD composite nanofibers. SC was encapsulated in nanofibers, and nanofibers were prepared using SC, PVP, SD, water, and ethanol in a ratio of 3:4:0.1:4.8:1.2. The formation of smooth nanofibers with protrusions around SC was confirmed using SEM. Nanofiber dressing properties were physicochemically and mechanically characterized by evaluating SEM, DSC, XRD, and FTIR images, tensile strength, and elongation at break. Additionally, a release test of active substances was performed. The absence of interactions between SC, PVP, and SD was confirmed through physicochemical evaluation, and SEM images showed that the nanofiber dressing contained SC and had a porous structure. It also showed a 100% release of SC within 30 min. Overall, our study showed that SC-loaded PVP/SD composite nanofibers prepared using the electrospinning method are promising wound dressings.

Pimobendan controlled release guar gum printlets: Tailoring drug doses for personalised veterinary medicines

Treating chronic heart diseases in dogs is challenging due to variations in mass within and between species. Pimobendan (PBD), a veterinary drug only, is prescribed in specific cases of chronic heart disease in dogs and is available on the market in only a few different doses. Furthermore, the therapy itself is challenging due to the large size of the chewable tablets and the requirement for twice-daily administration. The development of customised and on-demand PBD medicines by three-dimensional (3D) printing has been proposed to circumvent these disadvantages. In this study, we designed controlled-release flavoured printlets containing PBD. We evaluated the use of two natural polymers, guar or xanthan gums, as the main component of the printing inks. Guar gum showed the better rheological behavior and printability by semisolid extrusion. The printlets were produced in three different shapes and sizes to allow dose customisation. Guar gum printlets showed a PBD controlled release profile, regardless of their shape or size. Therefore, we have demonstrated a novel approach for controlling PBD drug release and tailoring the dose by employing a natural polymer to produce 3D-printed tablets. This study represents a significant step towards the development of 3D-printed guar gum controlled-release formulations for veterinary applications.

Lactobacillus Plantarum Promotes Wound Healing by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Pyroptosis Activation in Diabetic Foot Wounds

Objective

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) impairs the quality of life of diabetic patients and overburdens healthcare systems and society. It is crucial to comprehend the pathophysiology of DFU and develop effective treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus Plantarum (LP) on wound healing in DFU and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

To investigate the effects of LP on wound healing, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and used to assess cell viability, migration, and pyroptosis using CCK-8, cell scratch, and flow cytometry. The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were measured by ELISA. The expression of NLRP3, caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD-N was detected by Western blot. Additionally, NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used to treat a diabetic rat model established by streptozotocin (STZ). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between LP and NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18 in ulcer tissue.

Results

Our data mechanistically demonstrate that AGEs activate the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, leading to an increase in the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 and ultimately promoting cell pyroptosis. Furthermore, we identified that LP inhibits the effects of AGEs by downregulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity. LP facilitated wound healing in diabetic rats and resulted in decreased protein levels of NLRP3 and its downstream target caspase-1 p20. Finally, we observed a negative correlation between LP and NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18 in diabetic foot skin tissue.

Conclusion

Our findings uncovered a novel role of LP in diabetic foot wound healing via regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting this link as a therapeutic target. In future research, it would be valuable to explore the signaling cascades involved in LP-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Porosity controlled soya protein isolate-polyethylene oxide multifunctional dual membranes as smart wound dressings

Multifunctional membranes S7P0.7, S7P3.0, and dual membranes composed of soya protein isolate (SPI) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were produced for wound dressing applications. The internal structure of the membranes was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to be homogeneous and coarser with a porous-like network. S7P3.0 showed the tensile strength of 0.78 ± 0.04 MPa. In the absence of antibiotics, the dual membrane (combination of S7P0.7 and S7P3.0) exhibited potential antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) bacteria. Hemolysis quantitative data presented in the image demonstrates that all samples exhibited hemolysis levels below 5 %. Dual membrane showed 77.93 ± 9.5 % blood uptake which reflects its absorption capacity. The combination of S7P0.7 and S7P3.0 influenced the dual membrane's antibacterial, biocompatibility, and good hemolytic potentials. The dual membranes' promising histology features after implantation suggest they could be used as wound dressings.

Protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels loaded probiotic-mediated therapeutic systems: A review

The natural characteristics of protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels, as a potential drug delivery platform, have attracted extensive attention. Probiotics have attracted renewed interest in drug research because of their beneficial effects on host health. The idea of using probiotics loaded on protein/polysaccharide-based hydrogels as potential drugs to treat different diseases has been put forward and shows great prospects. Based on this, in this review, we highlight the design strategy of hydrogels loaded probiotic-mediated therapy systems and review the potential diseases that have been proved to be treatable in the laboratory, including promoting wound healing and improving intestinal health and vaginal health, and discuss the challenges existing in the current design.

Polysaccharide based transdermal patches for chronic wound healing: Recent advances and clinical perspective

Polysaccharides form a major class of natural polymers with diverse applications in biomedical science and tissue engineering. One of the key thrust areas for polysaccharide materials is skin tissue engineering and regeneration, whose market is estimated to reach around 31 billion USD globally by 2030, with a compounded annual growth rate of 10.46 %. Out of this, chronic wound healing and management is a major concern, especially for underdeveloped and developing nations, mainly due to poor access to medical interventions for such societies. Polysaccharide materials have shown promising results and clinical potential in recent decades with regard to chronic wound healing. Their low cost, ease of fabrication, biodegradability, and ability to form hydrogels make them ideal candidates for managing and healing such difficult-to-heal wounds. The present review presents a summary of the recently explored polysaccharide-based transdermal patches for managing and healing chronic wounds. Their efficacy and potency of healing both as active and passive wound dressings are evaluated in several in-vitro and in-vivo models. Finally, their clinical performances and future challenges are summarized to draw a road map towards their role in advanced wound care.

Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Gellan and Guar Gums in Wound Healing

It is acknowledged that the presence of antioxidants boosts the wound-healing process. Many biopolymers have been explored over the years for their antioxidant potential in wound healing, but limited research has been performed on gum structures and their derivatives. This review aims to evaluate whether the antioxidant properties of gellan and guar gums and wound healing co-exist. PubMed was the primary platform used to explore published reports on the antioxidant wound-healing interconnection, wound dressings based on gellan and guar gum, as well as the latest review papers on guar gum. The literature search disclosed that some wound-healing supports based on gellan gum hold considerable antioxidant properties, as evident from the results obtained using different antioxidant assays. It has emerged that the antioxidant properties of guar gum are overlooked in the wound-healing field, in most cases, even if this feature improves the healing outcome. This review paper is the first that examines guar gum vehicles throughout the wound-healing process. Further research is needed to design and evaluate customized wound dressings that can scavenge excess reactive oxygen species, especially in clinical practice.