Particulate systems based on pectin/chitosan association for the delivery of manuka honey components and platelet lysate in chronic skin ulcers

Sustainable whey proteins-nanostructured zinc oxide-based films for the treatment of chronic wounds: New insights from biopharmaceutical studies

Chronic wounds represent silent epidemic affecting a large portion of the world population, especially the elders; in this context, the development of advanced bioactive dressings is imperative to accelerate wound healing process, while contrasting or preventing infections. The aim of the present work was to provide a deep characterization of the functional and biopharmaceutical properties of a sustainable thin and flexible films, composed of whey proteins alone (WPI) and added with nanostructured zinc oxide (WPZ) and intended for the management of chronic wounds. The potential of whey proteins-based films as wound dressings has been confirmed by their wettability, hydration properties, elastic behavior upon hydration, biodegradation propensity and, when added with nanostructured zinc oxide, antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In-vitro experiments, performed on normal human dermal fibroblasts, confirmed film cytocompatibility, also revealing the possible role of Zn2+ ions in promoting fibroblast proliferation. Finally, in-vivo studies on rat model confirmed film suitability to act as wound dressing, since able to ensure a regular healing process while providing effective protection from infections. In particular, both films WPI and WPZ are responsible for the formation in the wound bed of a continuous collagen layer similar to that of healthy skin.

Recent progress and treatment strategy of pectin polysaccharide based tissue engineering scaffolds in cancer therapy, wound healing and cartilage regeneration

Natural polymers and its mixtures in the form of films, sponges and hydrogels are playing a major role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels have been extensively investigated as standalone materials for drug delivery purposes as they enable effective encapsulation and sustained release of drugs. Biopolymers are widely utilised in the fabrication of hydrogels due to their safety, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and regulated breakdown by human enzymes. Among all the biopolymers, polysaccharide-based polymer is well suited to overcome the limitations of traditional wound dressing materials. Pectin is a polysaccharide which can be extracted from different plant sources and is used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications including cartilage regeneration. Pectin itself cannot be employed as scaffolds for tissue engineering since it decomposes quickly. This article discusses recent research and developments on pectin polysaccharide, including its types, origins, applications, and potential demands for use in AI-mediated scaffolds. It also covers the materials-design process, strategy for implementation to material selection and fabrication methods for evaluation. Finally, we discuss unmet requirements and current obstacles in the development of optimal materials for wound healing and bone-tissue regeneration, as well as emerging strategies in the field.

In situ gastric floating gel of atazanavir sulphate for sustained release: formulation, optimization and evaluation

Aim: Atazanavir sulphate belongs to BCS class II drug, its oral bioavailability is limited due to its rapid first-pass metabolism and P-gp efflux. Materials & methods: The in situ floating gel using the complexed drug was prepared by ion gelation method and optimized the formulation as per 32 full factorial design. Results: Floating lag time of optimized formulation was found to be 18 s and percentage drug release of 94.18 ± 0.18 % at the end of 16 h. The concentration of gelling polymer affects drug release and a floating lag time and vice versa. Conclusion: In situ floating gel of atazanavir sulphate was found promising to sustain drug release due to an increased gastric residence time, which leads to enhanced potential therapy.

Pectin Nanoparticle-Loaded Soft Coral Nephthea sp. Extract as In Situ Gel Enhances Chronic Wound Healing: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies

This study shed light for the first time on the in vivo diabetic wound healing potential activity of natural marine soft coral polymeric nanoparticle in situ gel using an excision wound model. A Nephthea sp. methanol-methylene chloride extract loaded with pectin nanoparticles (LPNs) was created. For the preparation of in situ gel, ion-gelation techniques, the entrapment efficiency, the particle size, the polydispersity index, the zeta potential, the in-vitro drug release, and a transmission electron microscope were used and the best formula was selected. Using (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS), 27 secondary metabolites responsible for extract biological activity were identified. Isolation and identification of arachidic acid, oleic acid, nervonic acid, and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) of Nephthea sp. was firstly reported here using NMR and mass spectral analyses. Moreover, LPN in situ gel has the best effects on regulating the proinflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) that were detected on days 7 and 15. The results were confirmed with an in vitro enzymatic inhibitory effect of the extract against glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), with IC₅₀ values of 0.178 ± 0.009 and 0.258 ± 0.011 µg/mL, respectively. The molecular docking study showed a free binding energy of -9.6 kcal/mol for chabrolosteroid E, with the highest binding affinity for the enzyme (GSK-3), while isogosterone B had -7.8 kcal/mol for the enzyme (MMP-1). A pharmacokinetics study for chabrolohydroxybenzoquinone F and isogosterone B was performed, and it predicted the mode of action of wound healing activity.

Effect of Chitosan on Rheological, Mechanical, and Adhesive Properties of Pectin-Calcium Gel

In the present study, chitosan was included in the pectin ionotropic gel to improve its mechanical and bioadhesive properties. Pectin-chitosan gels P-Ch0, P-Ch1, P-Ch2, and P-Ch3 of chitosan weight fractions of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 were prepared and characterized by dynamic rheological tests, penetration tests, and serosal adhesion ex vivo assays. The storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) values, gel hardness, and elasticity of P-Ch1 were significantly higher than those of P-Ch0 gel. However, a further increase in the content of chitosan in the gel significantly reduced these parameters. The inclusion of chitosan into the pectin gel led to a decrease in weight and an increase in hardness during incubation in Hanks' solution at pH 5.0, 7.4, and 8.0. The adhesion of P-Ch1 and P-Ch2 to rat intestinal serosa ex vivo was 1.3 and 1.7 times stronger, whereas that of P-Ch3 was similar to that of a P-Ch0 gel. Pre-incubation in Hanks' solution at pH 5.0 and 7.4 reduced the adhesivity of gels; however, the adhesivity of P-Ch1 and P-Ch2 exceeded that of P-Ch0 and P-Ch3. Thus, serosal adhesion combined with higher mechanical stability in a wide pH range appeared to be advantages of the inclusion of chitosan into pectin gel.

Biomaterials for Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration: A Focus on Italian Research in the Field

Tissue repair and regeneration is an interdisciplinary field focusing on developing bioactive substitutes aimed at restoring pristine functions of damaged, diseased tissues. Biomaterials, intended as those materials compatible with living tissues after in vivo administration, play a pivotal role in this area and they have been successfully studied and developed for several years. Namely, the researches focus on improving bio-inert biomaterials that well integrate in living tissues with no or minimal tissue response, or bioactive materials that influence biological response, stimulating new tissue re-growth. This review aims to gather and introduce, in the context of Italian scientific community, cutting-edge advancements in biomaterial science applied to tissue repair and regeneration. After introducing tissue repair and regeneration, the review focuses on biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterials such as collagen, polysaccharides, silk proteins, polyesters and their derivatives, characterized by the most promising outputs in biomedical science. Attention is pointed out also to those biomaterials exerting peculiar activities, e.g., antibacterial. The regulatory frame applied to pre-clinical and early clinical studies is also outlined by distinguishing between Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products and Medical Devices.

Human platelet lysate - A potent (and overlooked) orthobiologic

The knowledge of the essential role of platelets in tissue healing is gradually increasing and as regenerative medicine prompts new solutions, platelet-derived bioproducts have been proposed as a potential tool in this field. In orthopaedics and sports medicine, the use of PRP has been rapidly increasing in popularity as patients seek novel non-surgical approaches to acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. The concept of having platelets as a secretory organ other than a mere sponge-like coagulation component opens up new frontiers for the use of the platelet secretome. Platelet lysate is a solution saturated by growth factors, proteins, cytokines, and chemokines involved in crucial healing processes and is administered to treat different diseases such as alopecia, oral mucositis, radicular pain, osteoarthritis, and cartilage and tendon disorders. For this purpose, the abundant presence of growth factors and chemokines stored in platelet granules can be naturally released by different strategies, mostly through lyophilization, thrombin activation or ultrasound baths (ultrasonication). As a result, human platelet lysate can be produced and applied as a pure orthobiologic. This review outlines the current knowledge about human platelet lysate as a powerful adjuvant in the orthobiological use for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, without however failing to raise some of its most applicable basic science.

Chitosan/Hyaluronic acid/Alginate and an assorted polymers loaded with honey, plant, and marine compounds for progressive wound healing-Know-how

Biomaterials are being extensively used in regenerative medicine including tissue engineering applications, as these enhance tissue development, repair, and help in the process of angiogenesis. Wound healing is a crucial biological process of regeneration of ruptured tissue after getting injury to the skin and other soft tissue in humans and animals. Besides, the accumulation of microbial biofilms around the wound surface can increase the risk and physically obstruct the wound healing activity, and may even lead to amputation. Hence, in both acute and chronic wounds, prominent biomaterials are required for wound healing along with antimicrobial agents. This review comprehensively addresses the antimicrobial and wound healing effects of chitosan, chitin, cellulose acetate, hyaluronic acid, pullulan, bacterial cellulose, fibrin, alginate, etc. based wound dressing biomaterials fabricated with natural resources such as honey, plant bioactive compounds, and marine-based polymers. Due to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, bioactive compounds derived from honey, plants, and marine resources are commonly used in biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Different types of polymer-based biomaterials including hydrogel, film, scaffold, nanofiber, and sponge dressings fabricated with bioactive agents including honey, curcumin, tannin, quercetin, andrographolide, gelatin, carrageenan, etc., can exhibit significant wound healing process in, diabetic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and burns, and help in cartilage repair along with good biocompatibility and antimicrobial effects. Among the reviewed biomaterials, carbohydrate polymers such as chitosan-based biomaterials are prominent and widely used for wound healing applications followed by hyaluronic acid and alginate-based biomaterials loaded with honey, plant, and marine compounds. This review first provides an overview of the vast natural resources used to formulate different biomaterials for the treatment of antimicrobial, acute, and chronic wound healing processes.

Bioactive compounds in Apis mellifera monofloral honeys

Honey is a natural product with a sweet flavor. Honey is made by the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) from the nectar of flowers or other plant secretions that are collected near the hive. These products are mixed with bee saliva and stored. Several studies have demonstrated that honey exhibits antioxidant, antimicrobial, nematicidal, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. These properties are influenced by the plants from which the secretions are harvested, from the naturally occurring compounds present in the nectar. Studies of the properties and applications of honey have distinguished honey from other natural products due to the presence of certain compounds and due its bioactive properties. The focus of this review is to discuss the identified and isolated compounds from monofloral honey produced by A. mellifera, with specific emphasis on antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of honey and its therapeutic health benefits.

The Effect of a Polyester Nanofibrous Membrane with a Fibrin-Platelet Lysate Coating on Keratinocytes and Endothelial Cells in a Co-Culture System

Chronic wounds affect millions of patients worldwide, and it is estimated that this number will increase steadily in the future due to population ageing. The research of new therapeutic approaches to wound healing includes the development of nanofibrous meshes and the use of platelet lysate (PL) to stimulate skin regeneration. This study considers a combination of a degradable electrospun nanofibrous blend of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLCL/PCL) membranes (NF) and fibrin loaded with various concentrations of PL aimed at the development of bioactive skin wound healing dressings. The cytocompatibility of the NF membranes, as well as the effect of PL, was evaluated in both monocultures and co-cultures of human keratinocytes and human endothelial cells. We determined that the keratinocytes were able to adhere on all the membranes, and their increased proliferation and differentiation was observed on the membranes that contained fibrin with at least 50% of PL (Fbg + PL) after 14 days. With respect to the co-culture experiments, the membranes with fibrin with 20% of PL were observed to enhance the metabolic activity of endothelial cells and their migration, and the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. The results suggest that the newly developed NF combined with fibrin and PL, described in the study, provides a promising dressing for chronic wound healing purposes.

Super Activated Platelet Lysate, a Novel Autologous Platelet Lysate, Regulates the Expression of Inflammasome and Cytokine in the Experimental Periodontitis in Rats

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of inflammasome and cytokine on experimental periodontitis with super activated platelet lysate (SPL) in rats.

Methods

Periodontitis was induced by submerging cotton ligatures on the right side of the maxillary second molar in 36 Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: the rats received no treatment (control group); local injection with sterile saline (ligature+saline group) and local injection with SPL (ligature+SPL group). After treatments, the alveolar bone level and inflammation of periodontal tissue were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning and histological examination, respectively. The expression of inflammasome and cytokine was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay.

Results

Compared with the control group, the bone loss significantly increased by 0.9 mm in the ligature+saline group and 0.4 mm in the ligature+SPL group (P < 0.001). 0.5 mm reduction in the bone loss was founded in the ligature+SPL group compared with the ligature+saline group (P < 0.001). The gene expression of CCL2, CXCL2, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1α, IL-1β, CXCL10, CXCL16, CCL5 was significantly reduced in the ligature+SPL group compared with the ligature+saline group (P < 0.05). Compared with the ligature+saline group, the expression for inflammasome NLRP3, AIM2, CASP1 was both downregulated in the ligature+SPL group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our present study demonstrated local injection of SPL regulated the expression of inflammasome and cytokine and had a visible effect of relieving inflammation in the experimental periodontitis in rats.

Nanocellulose in Drug Delivery and Antimicrobially Active Materials

In recent years, nanocellulose (NC) has also attracted a great deal of attention in drug delivery systems due to its unique physical properties, specific surface area, low risk of cytotoxicity, and excellent biological properties. This review is focused on nanocellulose based systems acting as carriers to be used in drug or antimicrobial delivery by providing different but controlled and sustained release of drugs or antimicrobial agents, respectively, thus showing potential for different routes of applications and administration. Microorganisms are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and because, generally, the used metal or metal oxide nanoparticles at some concentration have toxic effects, more research has focused on finding biocompatible antimicrobial agents that have been obtained from natural sources. Our review contains the latest research from the last five years that tested nanocellulose-based materials in the field of drug delivery and antimicrobial activity.

Recent Advances in the Development of In Situ Gelling Drug Delivery Systems for Non-Parenteral Administration Routes

In situ gelling drug delivery systems have gained enormous attention over the last decade. They are in a sol-state before administration, and they are capable of forming gels in response to different endogenous stimuli, such as temperature increase, pH change and the presence of ions. Such systems can be administered through different routes, to achieve local or systemic drug delivery and can also be successfully used as vehicles for drug-loaded nano- and microparticles. Natural, synthetic and/or semi-synthetic polymers with in situ gelling behavior can be used alone, or in combination, for the preparation of such systems; the association with mucoadhesive polymers is highly desirable in order to further prolong the residence time at the site of action/absorption. In situ gelling systems include also solid polymeric formulations, generally obtained by freeze-drying, which, after contact with biological fluids, undergo a fast hydration with the formation of a gel able to release the drug loaded in a controlled manner. This review provides an overview of the in situ gelling drug delivery systems developed in the last 10 years for non-parenteral administration routes, such as ocular, nasal, buccal, gastrointestinal, vaginal and intravesical ones, with a special focus on formulation composition, polymer gelation mechanism and in vitro release studies.

Glycyrrhetinic Acid Liposomes and Hyalurosomes on Spanish Broom, Flax, and Hemp Dressings to Heal Skin Wounds

The focus of this work was to prepare Spanish Broom, flax, and hemp dressings impregnated with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) liposomes or hyalurosomes to promote the healing process and protect the skin wounds. Vesicles were prepared by the film hydration method and characterized in terms of size, particle size distribution, ζ potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and biocompatibility on 3T3 fibroblasts. Loaded liposomes and hyalurosomes showed nanometric size (355 ± 19 nm and 424 ± 32 nm, respectively), good size distribution (lower than 0.3), and appropriate encapsulation efficiency (58.62 ± 3.25% and 59.22 ± 8.18%, respectively). Hyalurosomes showed good stability during the storage period, which can be correlated to the negative ζ potential, and allowed a fast and complete release of GA. Preliminary biological studies revealed that both kinds of loaded vesicles were not cytotoxic and that hyalurosomes could exert a slight stimulating effect on fibroblast proliferation. Finally, in vitro release studies from the different dressings impregnated with the loaded vesicles demonstrated that a high amount of GA could be reached at the wound site after 60 min from application. In conclusion, the results suggested that the developed dressings, especially those impregnated with hyalurosomes, can be efficiently used to promote the healing process.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/pectin/ZnO porous films for wound healing

Three-dimensional (3D) porous films based on chitosan/pectin/ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared for wound healing by the freeze-drying method. The chemical nature, composition and morphology of these films were revealed by FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM and BET analysis. SEM micrographs showed a decrease in the pore size and porosity of chitosan/pectin/ZnO films when increasing the content of ZnO NPs. The developed films presented the swelling degree and water retention ability in the range of 189-465 and 230-390%, respectively. Moreover, they showed an improved compression strength and controlled degradation in the lysozyme-containing medium in comparison with control. MTT assay demonstrated the biocompatibility of chitosan/pectin/ZnO films against the primary human dermal fibroblast cells (HFCs). Among the developed chitosan/pectin/ZnO films, CPZnO-2 films presented the increased rate of cell proliferation and migration. Also, they exhibited antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi. These results suggested that chitosan/pectin/ZnO films could be safe, convenient and effective for wound healing.

Biocompatible Gels of Chitosan-Buriti Oil for Potential Wound Healing Applications

The buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) can be associated with polymeric matrices for biomedical applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan gel (CG) associated with buriti oil (CGB) as a healing agent. The fatty acids and volatile compounds composition of buriti oil were performed and the composite gels were characterized using FTIR and thermal analysis. Biological tests including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing effects were also investigated. Buriti oil is composed of oleic and palmitic acids, and the main volatile compounds were identified. The buriti oil did not show antimicrobial activity, on the other hand, the composite gel (chitosan and oil) proved to be efficient against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia at the 10 mg/mL. Similar behavior was observed for antioxidant activity, determined by the β-carotene bleaching assay, composite gels presenting higher activity and buriti oil showed anti-inflammatory activity, which may be related to the inhibition of the release of free radicals. Regarding wound healing performed using in vivo testing, the composite gel (CGB) was found to promote faster and complete wound retraction. The results indicated that the gel chitosan–buriti oil has a set of properties that improve its antibacterial, antioxidant and healing action, suggesting that this material can be used to treat skin lesions.

Platelet-inspired therapeutics: current status, limitations, clinical implications, and future potential

Recent research has been successful in demonstrating the importance of the addition of platelets to the field of cell-mediated therapeutics, by making use of different platelet forms to design modalities able to positively impact a wide range of diseases. A key obstacle hindering the success of conventional therapeutic interventions is their inability to produce targeted treatment, resulting in a number of systemic side effects and a longer duration for the onset of action to occur. An additional challenge facing current popular therapeutic interventions is biocompatibility of the system, resulting in the decline of patient compliance to treatment. In an attempt to address these challenges, the past few decades have been witness to the discovery and innovation of precision therapy, in order to achieve targeted treatment for an array of conditions, thereby superseding alternative mechanisms of treatment. Platelet-mediated therapeutics, as well as employing platelets as drug delivery vehicles, are key components in advancing precision therapy within research and in clinical settings. This novel approach is designed with the objective that the platelets retain their original structure and functions within the body, thereby mitigating biocompatibility challenges. In this article, we review the current significant impact that the addition of platelet-inspired systems has made on the field of therapeutics; explore certain limitations of each system, together with ideas on how to overcome them; and discuss the clinical implications and future potential of platelet-inspired therapeutics. Graphical abstract.

Bioactive Medications for the Delivery of Platelet Derivatives to Skin Wounds

Chronic wounds are the result of alterations in the complex series of events of physiological wound healing. In particular, the prolonged inflammation results in increased protease activity, in the deg-radation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and of growth factors (GFs). The relevance of platelet GFs in maintaining and restoring the complex equilibrium of different moments in wound healing is well recog-nized. Moreover, the observed decrease of their levels in chronic wounds suggested a possible therapeutic role of the external application to the wounds. It has been also pointed out that tissue regeneration can be more efficiently obtained by the synergic use of different GFs. Platelet derivatives such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet lysate (PL) are able to release GFs in a balanced pool. Their therapeutic use in regenerative medicine and wound healing has been therefore more and more frequently proposed in clini-cal trials and in the literature. The development of a suitable formulation able to control the GFs release rate, to protect the GFs, and to assure their prolonged contact with the wound site, is of paramount im-portance for the therapeutic success. The present review considers some formulation approaches for PRP and PL application to wounds

An In Situ Gelling System for the Local Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The Loading of Maqui (Aristotelia Chilensis) Berry Extract as an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent

The aim of the present work was the development of an innovative in situ gelling system, to be applied on the mucosa of the distal colon via rectal route. The system consisted of three polymers having different functions: gellan (GG), able to jellify in presence of ions; methylcellulose (MC), a thermosensitive polymer with a gelation temperature close to 50 °C; and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), a mucoadhesive polymer. The three polymers were able to act synergistically, increasing the permanence of the vehicle on the mucosa and forming a protective gel layer. A DoE approach, "simplex centroid mixture design," was used to identify the optimal quantitative composition of the vehicle. The response variables considered were: vehicle viscosity at room temperature; increase in vehicle viscosity on increasing temperature (from room to physiological value) and upon dilution with simulated colonic fluid (SCF); and viscoelastic behavior, thixotropic area, and mucoadhesion properties of the gel formed at 37 °C upon dilution in SCF. The optimized vehicle was loaded with maqui berry extract (MBE), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. MBE loading (0.5% w/w) into the vehicle improved rheological and mucoadhesive properties of the formulation. Both MBE and the optimized vehicle were not cytotoxic towards human fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the optimized vehicle did not affect MBE antioxidant properties.

Novel therapeutic approaches in utilizing platelet lysate in regenerative medicine: Are we ready for clinical use?

Hemoderivative materials are used to treat different diseases. These derivatives include platelet-rich plasma, serum, platelet gel, and platelet lysate (PL). Among them, PL contains more growth factors than the others and its production is inexpensive and easy. PL is one of the proper sources of platelet release factors. It is used in cells growth and proliferation and is a good alternative to fetal bovine serum. In recent years, the clinical use of PL has gained more appeal by scientists. PL is a solution saturated by growth factors, proteins, cytokines, and chemokines and is administered to treat different diseases such as wound healing, bone regeneration, alopecia, oral mucositis, radicular pain, osteoarthritis, and ocular diseases. In addition, it can be used in cell culture for cell therapy and tissue transplantation purposes. Platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor β, and vascular endothelial growth factor are key PL growth factors playing a major role in cell proliferation, wound healing, and angiogenesis. In this paper, we scrutinized recent advances in using PL and PL-derived growth factors to treat diseases and in regenerative medicine, and the ability to replace PL with other hemoderivative materials.

Honey Evaluation Using Electronic Tongues: An Overview

Honey-rich composition in biologically active compounds makes honey a food products highly appreciated due to the nutritional and healthy properties. Food-manufacturing is very prone to different types of adulterations and fraudulent labelling making it urgent to establish accurate, fast and cost-effective analytical techniques for honey assessment. In addition to the classical techniques (e.g., physicochemical analysis, microscopy, chromatography, immunoassay, DNA metabarcoding, spectroscopy), electrochemical based-sensor devices have arisen as reliable and green techniques for food analysis including honey evaluation, allowing in-situ and on-line assessment, being a user-friendly procedure not requiring high technical expertise. In this work, the use of electronic tongues, also known as taste sensor devices, for honey authenticity and assessment is reviewed. Also, the versatility of electronic tongues to qualitative (e.g., botanical and/or geographical origin assessment as well as detection of adulteration) and quantitative (e.g., assessment of adulterants levels, determination of flavonoids levels or antibiotics and insecticides residues, flavonoids) honey analysis is shown. The review is mainly focused on the research outputs reported during the last decade aiming to demonstrate the potentialities of potentiometric and voltammetric multi-sensor devices, pointing out their main advantages and present and future challenges for becoming a practical quality analytical tool at industrial and commercial levels.

A novel dressing for the combined delivery of platelet lysate and vancomycin hydrochloride to chronic skin ulcers: Hyaluronic acid particles in alginate matrices

The aim of the present work was to develop a medication allowing for the combined delivery of platelet lysate (PL) and an anti-infective model drug, vancomycin hydrochloride (VCM), to chronic skin ulcers. A simple method was set up for the preparation of hyaluronic acid (HA) core-shell particles, loaded with PL and coated with calcium alginate, embedded in a VCM containing alginate matrix. Two different CaCl₂ concentrations were investigated to allow for HA/PL core-shell particle formation. The resulting dressings were characterized for mechanical and hydration properties and tested in vitro (on fibroblasts) and ex-vivo (on skin biopsies) for biological activity. They were found of sufficient mechanical strength to withstand packaging and handling stress and able to absorb a high amount of wound exudate and to form a protective gel on the lesion area. The CaCl₂ concentration used for shell formation did not affect VCM release from the alginate matrix, but strongly modified the release of PGFAB (chosen as representative of growth factors present in PL) from HA particles. In vitro and ex vivo tests provided sufficient proof of concept of the ability of dressings to improve skin ulcers healing.

Association of Alpha Tocopherol and Ag Sulfadiazine Chitosan Oleate Nanocarriers in Bioactive Dressings Supporting Platelet Lysate Application to Skin Wounds

Chitosan oleate was previously proposed to encapsulate in nanocarriers some poorly soluble molecules aimed to wound therapy, such as the anti-infective silver sulfadiazine, and the antioxidant α tocopherol. Because nanocarriers need a suitable formulation to be administered to wounds, in the present paper, these previously developed nanocarriers were loaded into freeze dried dressings based on chitosan glutamate. These were proposed as bioactive dressings aimed to support the application to wounds of platelet lysate, a hemoderivative rich in growth factors. The dressings were characterized for hydration capacity, morphological aspect, and rheological and mechanical behavior. Although chitosan oleate nanocarriers clearly decreased the mechanical properties of dressings, these remained compatible with handling and application to wounds. Preliminary studies in vitro on fibroblast cell cultures demonstrated good compatibility of platelet lysate with nanocarriers and bioactive dressings. An in vivo study on a murine wound model showed an accelerating wound healing effect for the bioactive dressing and its suitability as support of the platelet lysate application to wounds.

Synergistic effect of human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on chronic wounds through hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α induction

Chronic skin ulcers and burns require advanced treatments. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) are effective in treating these pathologies. Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 (BMP-2) is known to enhance angiogenesis. We investigated whether recombinant human hBMP-2 potentiates the effect of MSCs on wound healing. Severe ulceration was induced in rats by irradiation and treated by co-infusion of MSCs with hBMP-2 into the ulcerated area which accelerated wound healing. Potentiation of the effect of MSCs by hBMP-2 on endothelial repair improved skin healing. HBMP-2 and MSCs synergistically, in a supra additive or enhanced manner, renewed tissue structures, resulting in normalization of the epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, collagen fibre density, and blood vessels. Co-localization of MSCs with CD31 + cells suggests recruitment of endothelial cells at the site of injection. HBMP-2 and MSCs enhanced angiogenesis and induced micro-vessel formation in the dermis where hair follicles were regenerated. HBMP-2 acts by causing hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α) expression which impacts endothelial tube formation and skin repair. This effect is abolished by siRNA. These results propose that new strategies adding cytokines to MSCs should be evaluated for treating radiation-induced dermatitis, burns, and chronic ulcers in humans.