The preparation of lactoferrin/magnesium silicate lithium injectable hydrogel and application in promoting wound healing

Nanoclay Hydrogel Microspheres with a Sandwich-Like Structure for Complex Tissue Infection Treatment

Addressing complex tissue infections remains a challenging task because of the lack of effective means, and the limitations of traditional bioantimicrobial materials in single-application scenarios hinder their utility for complex infection sites. Hence, the development of a bioantimicrobial material with broad applicability and potent bactericidal activity is necessary to treat such infections. In this study, a layered lithium magnesium silicate nanoclay (LMS) is used to construct a nanobactericidal platform. This platform exhibits a sandwich-like structure, which is achieved through copper ion modification using a dopamine-mediated metallophenolic network. Moreover, the nanoclay is encapsulated within gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel microspheres for the treatment of complex tissue infections. The results demonstrate that the sandwich-like micro- and nanobactericidal hydrogel microspheres effectively eradicated Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, the hydrogel microspheres upregulated the expression levels of osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis-related genes in these cells. In vivo experiments validated the efficacy of sandwich-like micro- and nanobactericidal hydrogel microspheres when injected into deep infected tissues, effectively eliminating bacteria and promoting robust vascular regeneration and tissue repair. Therefore, these innovative sandwich-like micro- and nanobacteriostatic hydrogel microspheres show great potential for treating complex tissue infections.

Laponite/lactoferrin hydrogel loaded with eugenol for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected chronic skin wound healing

Severe bacterial infections can give rise to protracted wound healing processes, thereby posing a significant risk to a patient's well-being. Consequently, the development of a versatile hydrogel dressing possessing robust bioactivity becomes imperative, as it holds the potential to expedite wound healing and yield enhanced clinical therapeutic outcomes. In this context, the present study involves the formulation of an injectable multifunctional hydrogel utilizing laponite (LAP) and lactoferrin (LF) as foundational components and loaded with eugenol (EG). This hydrogel is fabricated employing a straightforward one-pot mixing approach that leverages the principle of electrostatic interaction. The resulting LAP/LF/EG2% composite hydrogel can be conveniently injected to address irregular wound geometries effectively. Once administered, the hydrogel continually releases lactoferrin and eugenol, mitigating unwarranted oxidative stress and eradicating bacterial infections. This orchestrated action culminates in the acceleration of wound healing specifically in the context of MRSA-infected wounds. Importantly, the LAP/LF/EG2% hydrogel exhibits commendable qualities including exceptional injectability, potent antioxidant attributes, and proficient hemostatic functionality. Furthermore, the hydrogel composition notably encourages cellular migration while maintaining favorable cytocompatibility. Additionally, the hydrogel manifests noteworthy bactericidal efficacy against the formidable multidrug-resistant MRSA bacterium. Most significantly, this hydrogel formulation distinctly expedites the healing of MRSA-infected wounds by promptly inducing hemostasis, curbing bacterial proliferation, and fostering angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization processes. As such, the innovative hydrogel material introduced in this investigation emerges as a promising dressing for the facilitation of bacterial-infected wound healing and consequent tissue regeneration.

The Potential of Sheep or Camel Milk Constituents to Contribute to Novel Dressings for Diabetic Wounds

Impaired wound healing is a complication of diabetes, which constitutes a serious problem in clinical practice. Currently, there is a high demand on the market for local treatment options for difficult-to-heal wounds caused by diabetes. The development of dressings that accelerate wound healing has recently been the subject of much research. Sheep and camel milk is gaining importance due to the content of many bioactive substances with health-promoting effects, such as insulin, LF, proline, or CLA. Sheep and camel milk proteins are a promising source of insulin, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive peptides. Numerous studies show that local administration of insulin has a significant impact on the healing of diabetic wounds. Sheep and camel milk, due to the highest LF content among ruminants, reduces autoimmune inflammatory processes and protects against bacterial and viral infections in the wound environment. Sheep's milk has the highest content of proline and CLA, and their addition to a hydrogel dressing can help in the development of an effective dressing material. The production of hydrogel dressings containing sheep and camel milk, which are naturally rich in the bioactive substances presented in this review, may be a promising step in the market of specialized dressings for difficult-to-heal diabetic wounds.

Clove Essential Oil Pickering Emulsions Stabilized with Lactoferrin/Fucoidan Complexes: Stability and Rheological Properties

Although studies have shown that lactoferrin (LF) and fucoidan (FD) can be used to stabilize Pickering emulsions, there have been no studies on the stabilization of Pickering emulsions via the use of LF-FD complexes. In this study, different LF-FD complexes were obtained by adjusting the pH and heating the LF and FD mixture while using different mass ratios, and the properties of the LF-FD complexes were investigated. The results showed that the optimal conditions for preparing the LF-FD complexes were a mass ratio of 1:1 (LF to FD) and a pH of 3.2. Under these conditions, the LF-FD complexes not only had a uniform particle size of 133.27 ± 1.45 nm but also had good thermal stability (the thermal denaturation temperature was 110.3 °C) and wettability (the air-water contact angle was 63.9 ± 1.90°). The concentration of the LF-FD complexes and the ratio of the oil phase influenced the stability and rheological properties of the Pickering emulsion such that both can be adjusted to prepare a Pickering emulsion with good performance. This indicates that LF-FD complexes represent promising applications for Pickering emulsions with adjustable properties.