pH-responsive interpenetrating network hydrogel beads of poly(acrylamide)-g-carrageenan and sodium alginate for intestinal targeted drug delivery: synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Core-shell aerogel design for enhanced oral insulin delivery

Current protein-based therapies often rely on intravenous and subcutaneous injections leading to patient discomfort due to the need for frequent administration. Oral administration route presents a more patient-friendly alternative, but overcoming the challenge of low drug bioavailability remains paramount. This limitation is primarily attributed to protein degradation in the harsh gastric environment, enzymatic breakdown, and poor intestinal permeability. With their unique properties, such as high porosity and surface area, and easy scalability, aerogels offer a promising platform for oral delivery of therapeutic proteins. This study focused on the development and characterization of both conventional and core-shell aerogels derived from natural polysaccharides for the oral delivery of insulin, utilizing Humulin R® U-100 as the insulin source for the first time. Aerogels were produced via supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO2) drying of alginate gel beads. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images confirmed that the core-shell aerogels had higher uniformity in size and a more well-defined porous structure in comparison to conventional aerogels. Structural differences of two alginate sources were evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A notable difference in encapsulation efficiencies was observed between conventional (12 %) and core-shell (53 %) aerogels, highlighting the superior carrier characteristics of the latter ones. In vitro insulin release profiles from the core-shell aerogels demonstrated their potential suitability for delivering regular/short-acting insulin therapeutics since only 30 % of insulin was released in Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) after 120 min, whereas 60 % of insulin was released in Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF) within the first hour followed by a sustained release stage.

Eco-friendly nanotechnology in rheumatoid arthritis: ANFIS-XGBoost enhanced layered nanomaterials

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints, which can lead to joint damage and disability over time. Nanotechnology in RA treatment involves using nano-scale materials to improve drug delivery efficiency, specifically targeting inflamed tissues and minimizing side effects. The study aims to develop and optimize a new class of eco-friendly and highly effective layered nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of RA. The study's primary objective is to develop and optimize a new class of layered nanomaterials that are both eco-friendly and highly effective in the targeted delivery of medications for treating RA. Also, by employing a combination of Adaptive Neuron-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning models, the study aims to precisely control nanomaterials synthesis, structural characteristics, and release mechanisms, ensuring delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs directly to the affected joints with minimal side effects. The in vitro evaluations demonstrated a sustained and controlled drug release, with an Encapsulation Efficiency (EE) of 85% and a Loading Capacity (LC) of 10%. In vivo studies in a murine arthritis model showed a 60% reduction in inflammation markers and a 50% improvement in mobility, with no significant toxicity observed in major organs. The machine learning models exhibited high predictive accuracy with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.667, a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.867, and an R2 value of 0.934. The nanomaterials also demonstrated a specificity rate of 87.443%, effectively targeting inflamed tissues with minimal off-target effects. These findings highlight the potential of this novel approach to significantly enhance RA treatment by improving drug delivery precision and minimizing systemic side effects.

Preparation and Evaluation of pH-Sensitive Chitosan/Alginate Nanohybrid Mucoadhesive Hydrogel Beads: An Effective Approach to a Gastro-Retentive Drug Delivery System

BACKGROUND

Despite extensive research over the decades, cancer therapy is still a great challenge because of the non-specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, which could be overcome by limiting the distribution of chemotherapeutic agents toward cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE

To reduce the cytolytic effects against cancer cells, graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) can load anticancer medicines and genetic tools.

METHODOLOGY

During the current study, folic-acid-conjugated graphene oxide (Fa-GO) hybrid mucoadhesive chitosan (CS)-based hydrogel beads were fabricated through an "ion-gelation process", which allows for regulated medication release at malignant pH.

RESULTS

The fabricated chitosan-alginate (SA-CS) hydrogel beads were examined using surface morphology, optical microscopy, XRD, FTIR, and homogeneity analysis techniques. The size analysis indicated that the size of the Fa-GO was up to 554.2 ± 95.14 nm, whereas the beads were of a micrometer size. The folic acid conjugation was confirmed by NMR. The results showed that the craggy edges of the graphene oxide were successfully encapsulated in a polymeric matrix. The mucoadhesive properties were enhanced with the increase in the CS concentration. The nanohybrid SA-CS beads exhibited good swelling properties, and the drug release was 68.29% at pH 5.6 during a 24 h investigation. The accelerated stability study, according to ICH guidelines, indicated that the hydrogel beads have a shelf-life of more than two years.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the achieved results, it can be concluded that this novel gastro-retentive delivery system may be a viable and different way to improve the stomach retention of anticancer agents and enhance their therapeutic effectiveness.

Formation of chlorophyll-anionic polysaccharide complex coacervates to improve chlorophyll color stability: Thermodynamic and kinetic stability studies

Chlorophyll (Chl) is the predominant pigment in green plants that can act as a food color and possesses various functional activities. However, its instability and rapid degradation on heating compromise the sensory qualities of its products. This study aimed to enhance the heat resistance of Chl by forming complex coacervates with two negatively charged polysaccharides, sodium alginate (SA) and K-carrageenan (KC). Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of coacervates between Chl and the polysaccharides, whereas Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction were the primary forces behind complex formation. Electron spin resonance and thermodynamic studies further revealed that these complexes bolstered the thermal stability of Chl, with a maximum improvement of 70.38 % in t1/2 and a reduction of 50.72 % in the degradation rate constant. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of Chl was enhanced up to 35 %. Therefore, this study offers a novel approach to Chl preservation and suggests a viable alternative to artificial pigments in food products.

Fabrication of k-Carrageenan/Alginate/Carboxymethyl Cellulose basedScaffolds via 3D Printing for Potential Biomedical Applications

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology was able to generate great attention because of its unique methodology and for its major potential to manufacture detailed and customizable scaffolds in terms of size, shape and pore structure in fields like medicine, pharmaceutics and food. This study aims to fabricate an ink entirely composed of natural polymers, alginate, k-carrageenan and carboxymethyl cellulose (AkCMC). Extrusion-based 3D printing was used to obtain scaffolds based on a crosslinked interpenetrating polymer network from the alginate, k-carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose and glutaraldehide formulation using CaCl2, KCl and glutaraldehyde in various concentrations of acetic acid. The stabile bonding of the crosslinked scaffolds was assessed using infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) as well as swelling, degradation and mechanical investigations. Moreover, morphology analysis (µCT and SEM) confirmed the 3D printed samples' porous structure. In the AkCMC-GA objects crosslinked with the biggest acetic acid concentration, the values of pores and walls are the highest, at 3.9 × 10-2 µm-1. Additionally, this research proves the encapsulation of vitamin B1 via FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The highest encapsulation efficiency of vitamin B1 was registered for the AkCMC-GA samples crosslinked with the maximum acetic acid concentration. The kinetic release of the vitamin was evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Based on the results of these experiments, 3D printed constructs using AkCMC-GA ink could be used for soft tissue engineering applications and also for vitamin B1 encapsulation.

Exploring carrageenan: From seaweed to biomedicine-A comprehensive review

Biomaterials are pivotal in the realms of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery and serve as fundamental building blocks. Within this dynamic landscape, polymeric biomaterials emerge as the frontrunners, offering unparalleled versatility across physical, chemical, and biological domains. Natural polymers, in particular, captivate attention for their inherent bioactivity. Among these, carrageenan (CRG), extracted from red seaweeds, stands out as a naturally occurring polysaccharide with immense potential in various biomedical applications. CRG boasts a unique array of properties, encompassing antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and antitumor attributes, positioning it as an attractive choice for cutting-edge research in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. This comprehensive review encapsulates the multifaceted properties of CRG, shedding light on the chemical modifications that it undergoes. Additionally, it spotlights pioneering research that harnesses the potential of CRG to craft scaffolds and drug delivery systems, offering high efficacy in the realms of tissue repair and disease intervention. In essence, this review celebrates the remarkable versatility of CRG and its transformative role in advancing biomedical solutions.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Sodium Alginate and k-Carrageenan-Based Scaffolds with Potential Biomedical Applications

This work reports the development of a marine-derived polysaccharide formulation based on k-Carrageenan and sodium alginate in order to produce a novel scaffold for engineering applications. The viscoelastic properties of the bicomponent inks were assessed via rheological tests prior to 3D printing. Compositions with different weight ratios between the two polymers, without any crosslinker, were subjected to 3D printing for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, and the fabrication parameters were optimized to ensure a controlled architecture. Crosslinking of the 3D-printed scaffolds was performed in the presence of a chloride mixture (CaCl2:KCl = 1:1; v/v) of different concentrations. The efficiency of the crosslinking protocol was evaluated in terms of swelling behavior and mechanical properties. The swelling behavior indicated a decrease in the swelling degree when the concentration of the crosslinking agent was increased. These results are consistent with the nanoindentation measurements and the results of the macro-scale tests. Moreover, morphology analysis was also used to determine the pore size of the samples upon freeze-drying and the uniformity and micro-architectural characteristics of the scaffolds. Overall, the registered results indicated that the bicomponent ink, Alg/kCG = 1:1 may exhibit potential for tissue-engineering applications.

Strategies for Anisotropic Fibrillar Hydrogels: Design, Cell Alignment, and Applications in Tissue Engineering

Efficient cellular alignment in biomaterials presents a considerable challenge, demanding the refinement of appropriate material morphologies, while ensuring effective cell-surface interactions. To address this, biomaterials are continuously researched with diverse coatings, hydrogels, and polymeric surfaces. In this context, we investigate the influence of physicochemical parameters on the architecture of fibrillar hydrogels that significantly orient the topography of flexible hydrogel substrates, thereby fostering cellular adhesion and spatial organization. Our Review comprehensively assesses various techniques for aligning polymer fibrils within hydrogels, specifically interventions applied during and after the cross-linking process. These methodologies include mechanical strains, precise temperature modulation, controlled fluidic dynamics, and chemical modulators, as well as the use of magnetic and electric fields. We highlight the intrinsic appeal of these methodologies in fabricating cell-aligning interfaces and discuss their potential implications within the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering, particularly concerning the pursuit of optimal cellular alignment.

Algal Phycocolloids: Bioactivities and Pharmaceutical Applications

Seaweeds are abundant sources of diverse bioactive compounds with various properties and mechanisms of action. These compounds offer protective effects, high nutritional value, and numerous health benefits. Seaweeds are versatile natural sources of metabolites applicable in the production of healthy food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and fertilizers. Their biological compounds make them promising sources for biotechnological applications. In nature, hydrocolloids are substances which form a gel in the presence of water. They are employed as gelling agents in food, coatings and dressings in pharmaceuticals, stabilizers in biotechnology, and ingredients in cosmetics. Seaweed hydrocolloids are identified in carrageenan, alginate, and agar. Carrageenan has gained significant attention in pharmaceutical formulations and exhibits diverse pharmaceutical properties. Incorporating carrageenan and natural polymers such as chitosan, starch, cellulose, chitin, and alginate. It holds promise for creating biodegradable materials with biomedical applications. Alginate, a natural polysaccharide, is highly valued for wound dressings due to its unique characteristics, including low toxicity, biodegradability, hydrogel formation, prevention of bacterial infections, and maintenance of a moist environment. Agar is widely used in the biomedical field. This review focuses on analysing the therapeutic applications of carrageenan, alginate, and agar based on research highlighting their potential in developing innovative drug delivery systems using seaweed phycocolloids.

Study of Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin and Puerarin Inclusion Complexes Encapsulated in Sodium Alginate-Grafted 2-Acrylamido-2-Methyl-1-Propane Sulfonic Acid Hydrogels for Oral Controlled Drug Delivery

Puerarin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunity enhancement, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antitumor, and antimicrobial effects. However, due to its poor pharmacokinetic profile (low oral bioavailability, rapid systemic clearance, and short half-life) and physicochemical properties (e.g., low aqueous solubility and poor stability) its therapeutic efficacy is limited. The hydrophobic nature of puerarin makes it difficult to load into hydrogels. Hence, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-βCD)-puerarin inclusion complexes (PIC) were first prepared to enhance solubility and stability; then, they were incorporated into sodium alginate-grafted 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (SA-g-AMPS) hydrogels for controlled drug release in order to increase bioavailability. The puerarin inclusion complexes and hydrogels were evaluated via FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, and DSC. Swelling ratio and drug release were both highest at pH 1.2 (36.38% swelling ratio and 86.17% drug release) versus pH 7.4 (27.50% swelling ratio and 73.25% drug release) after 48 h. The hydrogels exhibited high porosity (85%) and biodegradability (10% in 1 week in phosphate buffer saline). In addition, the in vitro antioxidative activity (DPPH (71%), ABTS (75%), and antibacterial activity (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) indicated the puerarin inclusion complex-loaded hydrogels had antioxidative and antibacterial capabilities. This study provides a basis for the successful encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs inside hydrogels for controlled drug release and other purposes.

Natural Polymer-Based Graphene Oxide Bio-nanocomposite Hydrogel Beads: Superstructures with Advanced Potentials for Drug Delivery

The current study sought to create graphene oxide-based superstructures for gastrointestinal drug delivery. Graphene oxide has a large surface area that can be used to load anti-cancer drugs via non-covalent methods such as surface adsorption and hydrogen bonding. To enhance the bio-applicability of graphene oxide, nano-hybrids were synthesized by encapsulating the graphene oxide into calcium alginate hydrogel beads through the dripping-extrusion technique. These newly developed bio-nanocomposite hybrid hydrogel beads were evaluated in structural analysis, swelling study, drug release parameters, haemolytic assay, and antibacterial activity. Doxorubicin served as a model drug. The drug entrapment efficiency was determined by UV-spectroscopy analysis and was found to be high at ⁓89% in graphene oxide hybrid hydrogel beads. These fabricated hydrogel beads ensure the drug release from a hybrid polymeric matrix in a more controlled and sustained pattern avoiding the problems associated with a non-hybrid polymeric system. The drug release study of 12 h shows about 83% release at pH 6.8. In vitro drug release kinetics proved that drug release was a Fickian mechanism. The cytotoxic effect of graphene oxide hybrid alginate beads was also determined by evaluating the morphology of bacterial cells and red blood cells after incubation. Additionally, it was determined that the sequential encapsulation of graphene oxide in alginate hydrogel beads hides its uneven edges and lessens the graphene oxide's negative impacts. Also, the antibacterial study and biocompatibility of fabricated hydrogel beads made them potential candidates for gastrointestinal delivery.

Advancements in Polymeric Nanocarriers to Mediate Targeted Therapy against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a destructive disease with a poor prognosis, low survival rate and high rate of metastasis. It comprises 15% of total breast cancers and is marked by deficiency of three important receptor expressions, i.e., progesterone, estrogen, and human epidermal growth factor receptors. This absence of receptors is the foremost cause of current TNBC therapy failure, resulting in poor therapeutic response in patients. Polymeric nanoparticles are gaining much popularity for transporting chemotherapeutics, genes, and small-interfering RNAs. Due to their exclusive properties such as great stability, easy surface modification, stimuli-responsive and controlled drug release, ability to condense more than one therapeutic moiety inside, tumor-specific delivery of payload, enhanced permeation and retention effect, present them as ideal nanocarriers for increasing efficacy, bioavailability and reducing the toxicity of therapeutic agents. They can even be used as theragnostic agents for the diagnosis of TNBC along with its treatment. In this review, we discuss the limitations of already existing TNBC therapies and highlight the novel approach to designing and the functionalization of polymeric nanocarriers for the effective treatment of TNBC.

Intelligent-Responsive Enrofloxacin-Loaded Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Sodium Alginate Composite Core-Shell Nanogels for On-Demand Release in the Intestine

Simple Summary

Novel pharmaceutical formulations are attracting interest in their potential to overcome the poor palatability and strong gastric irritation of enrofloxacin. To overcome the difficulty of treating intestinal Escherichia coli infections, an oral intelligent-responsive chitosan-oligosaccharide (COS)–sodium alginate (SA) composite core-shell nanogel loaded with enrofloxacin was designed and systematically evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that enrofloxacin nanogels were incorporated into the nano-sized cross-linked networks. The physical state and molecular interaction among the components of the nanogel and the enrofloxacin were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, their biocompatible structure, high drug loading efficacy, ideal stability, “on-demand” release at the target site, and antibacterial activity were confirmed. Thus, the present study may serve as a fruitful platform to explore nanogel to resolve the challenge of enrofloxacin formulation development and the fight against intestinal bacterial infections.

Abstract

Enrofloxacin has a poor palatability and causes strong gastric irritation; the oral formulation of enrofloxacin is unavailable, which limits the treatment of Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections via oral administration. To overcome the difficulty in treating intestinal E. coli infections, an oral intelligent-responsive chitosan-oligosaccharide (COS)–sodium alginate (SA) composite core-shell nanogel loaded with enrofloxacin was explored. The formulation screening, characteristics, pH-responsive performance in gastric juice and the intestinal tract, antibacterial effects, therapeutic effects, and biosafety level of the enrofloxacin composite nanogels were investigated. The optimized concentrations of COS, SA, CaCl₂, and enrofloxacin were 8, 8, 0.2, and 5 mg/mL, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency, size, loading capacity, zeta potential, and polydispersity index of the optimized formulation were 72.4 ± 0.8%, 143.5 ± 2.6 nm, 26.6 ± 0.5%, −37.5 ± 1.5 mV, and 0.12 ± 0.07, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that enrofloxacin-loaded nanogels were incorporated into the nano-sized cross-linked networks. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the nanogels were prepared by the electrostatic interaction of the differently charged groups (positive amino groups (-NH₃⁺) of COS and the negative phenolic hydroxyl groups (-COO⁻) of SA). In vitro, pH-responsive release performances revealed effective pH-responsive performances, which can help facilitate targeted “on-demand” release at the target site and ensure that the enrofloxacin has an ideal stability in the stomach and a responsive release in the intestinal tract. The antibacterial activity study demonstrated that more effective bactericidal activity against E. coli could have a better treatment effect than the enrofloxacin solution. Furthermore, the enrofloxacin composite nanogels had great biocompatibility. Thus, the enrofloxacin composite core-shell nanogels might be an oral intelligent-responsive preparation to overcome the difficulty in treating intestinal bacterial infections.

Algal Polysaccharides-Based Hydrogels: Extraction, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked hydrophilic polymer networks with great potential in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressing, agrochemicals application, food packaging, and cosmetics. However, conventional synthetic polymer hydrogels may be hazardous and have poor biocompatibility and biodegradability. Algal polysaccharides are abundant natural products with biocompatible and biodegradable properties. Polysaccharides and their derivatives also possess unique features such as physicochemical properties, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and tunable functionality. As such, algal polysaccharides have been widely exploited as building blocks in the fabrication of polysaccharide-based hydrogels through physical and/or chemical crosslinking. In this review, we discuss the extraction and characterization of polysaccharides derived from algae. This review focuses on recent advances in synthesis and applications of algal polysaccharides-based hydrogels. Additionally, we discuss the techno-economic analyses of chitosan and acrylic acid-based hydrogels, drawing attention to the importance of such analyses for hydrogels. Finally, the future prospects of algal polysaccharides-based hydrogels are outlined.

Advances in the stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogel for controlled release of drugs

The stimuli-responsiveness of injectable hydrogel has been drastically developed for the controlled release of drugs and achieved encouraging curative effects in a variety of diseases including wounds, cardiovascular diseases and tumors. The gelation, swelling and degradation of such hydrogels respond to endogenous biochemical factors (such as pH, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, enzymes, glucose) and/or to exogenous physical stimulations (like light, magnetism, electricity and ultrasound), thereby accurately releasing loaded drugs in response to specifically pathological status and as desired for treatment plan and thus improving therapeutic efficacy effectively. In this paper, we give a detailed introduction of recent progresses in responsive injectable hydrogels and focus on the design strategy of various stimuli-sensitivities and their resultant alteration of gel dissociation and drug liberation behaviour. Their application in disease treatment is also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, classification and properties of hydrogels: their applications in drug delivery and agriculture

Absorbent polymers or hydrogel polymer materials have an enhanced water retention capacity and are widely used in agriculture and medicine. The controlled release of bioactive molecules (especially drug proteins) by hydrogels and the encapsulation of living cells are some of the active areas of drug discovery research. Hydrogel-based delivery systems may result in a therapeutically advantageous outcome for drug delivery. They can provide various sequential therapeutic agents including macromolecular drugs, small molecule drugs, and cells to control the release of molecules. Due to their controllable degradability, ability to protect unstable drugs from degradation and flexible physical properties, hydrogels can be used as a platform in which various chemical and physical interactions with encapsulated drugs for controlled release in the system can be studied. Practically, hydrogels that possess biodegradable properties have aroused greater interest in drug delivery systems. The original three-dimensional structure gets broken down into non-toxic substances, thus confirming the excellent biocompatibility of the gel. Chemical crosslinking is a resource-rich method for forming hydrogels with excellent mechanical strength. But in some cases the crosslinker used in the synthesis of the hydrogels may cause some toxicity. However, the physically cross-linked hydrogel preparative method is an alternative solution to overcome the toxicity of cross-linkers. Hydrogels that are responsive to stimuli formed from various natural and synthetic polymers can show significant changes in their properties under external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, ion changes, and redox potential. Stimulus-responsive hydrogels have a wider range of applications in biomedicine including drug delivery, gene delivery and tissue regeneration. Stimulus-responsive hydrogels loaded with multiple drugs show controlled and sustained drug release and can act as drug carriers. By integrating stimulus-responsive hydrogels, such as those with improved thermal responsiveness, pH responsiveness and dual responsiveness, into textile materials, advanced functions can be imparted to the textile materials, thereby improving the moisture and water retention performance, environmental responsiveness, aesthetic appeal, display and comfort of textiles. This review explores the stimuli-responsive hydrogels in drug delivery systems and examines super adsorbent hydrogels and their application in the field of agriculture.

Fabrication, Evaluation, In Vivo Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Analysis of pH-Sensitive Eudragit S-100-Coated Hydrogel Beads: a Promising Strategy for Colon Targeting

The aim of present research aims to fabricate a system of enteric coating of hydrogel beads with pH-sensitive polymer, which shows solubility at pH > 7, and explore their potential to target the colon for drug delivery. Hydrogel beads were fabricated through the extrusion-dripping technique followed by ion gelation crosslinking. Moreover, freeze-thaw cycle was implemented for crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Ca-alginate blend beads. The oil-in-oil solvent evaporation method was adopted for the Eudragit coating of hydrogel beads using different coat: core ratios (4:1 or 8:1). Coated and uncoated hydrogel beads were evaluated by in vitro physicochemical properties, swelling and drug release behaviours, and in vivo pharmacokinetics, swelling, and toxicity evaluation. Diclofenac sodium was loaded as an experimental drug. Drug entrapment efficiency for the PVA/Ca-alginate beads was calculated as 98%, and for Ca-alginate beads, it came out to a maximum of 74%. Drug release study at various pH suggested that, unlike uncoated hydrogel beads, the coated beads delay the release of diclofenac sodium in low pH of the gastric and intestinal environment, thus targeting the colon for the drug release. It was concluded that Eudragit S-100-coated hydrogel beads could serve as a more promising and reliable way to target the colon for drug delivery.Graphical abstract.

Recent Advances in Chemically-Modified and Hybrid Carrageenan-Based Platforms for Drug Delivery, Wound Healing, and Tissue Engineering

Recently, many studies have focused on carrageenan-based hydrogels for biomedical applications thanks to their intrinsic properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, resembling native glycosaminoglycans, antioxidants, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and anticoagulant properties. They can easily change to three-dimensional hydrogels using a simple ionic crosslinking process. However, there are some limitations, including the uncontrollable exchange of ions and the formation of a brittle hydrogel, which can be overcome via simple chemical modifications of polymer networks to form chemically crosslinked hydrogels with significant mechanical properties and a controlled degradation rate. Additionally, the incorporation of various types of nanoparticles and polymer networks into carrageenan hydrogels has resulted in the formation of hybrid platforms with significant mechanical, chemical and biological properties, making them suitable biomaterials for drug delivery (DD), tissue engineering (TE), and wound healing applications. Herein, we aim to overview the recent advances in various chemical modification approaches and hybrid carrageenan-based platforms for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Seaweed Polysaccharide Based Products and Materials: An Assessment on Their Production from a Sustainability Point of View

Among the various natural polymers, polysaccharides are one of the oldest biopolymers present on the Earth. They play a very crucial role in the survival of both animals and plants. Due to the presence of hydroxyl functional groups in most of the polysaccharides, it is easy to prepare their chemical derivatives. Several polysaccharide derivatives are widely used in a number of industrial applications. The polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, etc., have several applications but due to some distinguished characteristic properties, seaweed polysaccharides are preferred in a number of applications. This review covers published literature on the seaweed polysaccharides, their origin, and extraction from seaweeds, application, and chemical modification. Derivatization of the polysaccharides to impart new functionalities by chemical modification such as esterification, amidation, amination, C-N bond formation, sulphation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and graft copolymerization is discussed. The suitability of extraction of seaweed polysaccharides such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate using ionic solvent systems from a sustainability point of view and future prospects for efficient extraction and functionalization of seaweed polysaccharides is also included in this review article.

A polymer hybrid film based on poly(vinyl cinnamate) and poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) for controlled flurbiprofen release

A crosslinked polymer hybrid film, ipn-poly(vinyl cinnamate-graft-2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate)-v-poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) was synthesized by UV initiation using poly(vinyl cinnamate) (polyVCi), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) crosslinker. Benzophenone (Ph₂CO), was used as the photoinitiator. The synthesis was optimized by changing the concentration of HEMA, Ph₂CO, EGDMA, and UV irradiation time. PolyVCi undergoes photocrosslinking by 2 + 2 photocylo addition while the monomer/crosslinker couple, HEMA/EGDMA, undergoes free radical polymerization and crosslinking to form EGDMA crosslinked polyHEMA. Hence, simultaneous interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) formation occurs. The IPN consists of dual network of photocrosslinked polyVCi and EGDMA crosslinked polyHEMA chains. Grafting of HEMA/EGDMA chains on the polyVCi backbone also occur during network formation. The chemical functionalities present in the polyVCi/polyHEMA/polyEGDMA IPN films obtained were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. The contact angle measurements show enhanced wettability of the IPN film compared to polyVCi surface. TGA analysis confirms thermal stability of the films. Swelling behavior of the films examined in water and in ethanol reveals the effects of the chemical natures of polyVCi and polyHEMA as well as that of crosslinking on the hydrophilicity of the film. The films were tested as drug release matrices using flurbiprofen. The drug was loaded into the film matrix during IPN formation under UV irradiation. PolyVCi/polyHEMA/polyEGDMA IPN proved to be a suitable release matrix for flurbiprofen demonstrating controlled release behavior and zero-order release kinetics. The release mechanism was confirmed by its Ritger-Peppas “n” value (1.00 to 1.42), which indicates super case II release.

A Critical Review on the Synthesis of Natural Sodium Alginate Based Composite Materials: An Innovative Biological Polymer for Biomedical Delivery Applications

Sodium alginate (Na-Alg) is water-soluble, neutral, and linear polysaccharide. It is the derivative of alginic acid which comprises 1,4-β-d-mannuronic (M) and α-l-guluronic (G) acids and has the chemical formula (NaC6H7O6). It shows water-soluble, non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-immunogenic properties. It had been used for various biomedical applications, among which the most promising are drug delivery, gene delivery, wound dressing, and wound healing. For different biomedical applications, it is used in different forms with the help of new techniques. That is the reason it had been blended with different polymers. In this review article, we present a comprehensive overview of the combinations of sodium alginate with natural and synthetic polymers and their biomedical applications involving delivery systems. All the scientific/technical issues have been addressed, and we have highlighted the recent advancements.

Carrageenan: Drug Delivery Systems and Other Biomedical Applications

Marine resources are today a renewable source of various compounds, such as polysaccharides, that are used in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and food fields. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on carrageenan-based biomaterials due to their multifunctional qualities, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, in addition to bioactive attributes, such as their antiviral, antibacterial, antihyperlipidemic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulating properties. They have been applied in pharmaceutical formulations as both their bioactive and physicochemical properties make them suitable biomaterials for drug delivery, and recently for the development of tissue engineering. This article provides a review of recent research on the various types of carrageenan-based biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Oral delivery of insulin with intelligent glucose-responsive switch for blood glucose regulation

BACKGROUND

The traditional treatment for diabetes usually requires frequent insulin injections to maintain normoglycemia, which is painful and difficult to achieve blood glucose control.

RESULTS

To solve these problems, a non-invasive and painless oral delivery nanoparticle system with bioadhesive ability was developed by amphipathic 2-nitroimidazole-L-cysteine-alginate (NI-CYS-ALG) conjugates. Moreover, in order to enhance blood glucose regulation, an intelligent glucose-responsive switch in this nanoparticle system was achieved by loading with insulin and glucose oxidase (GOx) which could supply a stimulus-sensitive turnover strategy. In vitro tests illustrated that the insulin release behavior was switched "ON" in response to hyperglycemic state by GOx catalysis and "OFF" by normal glucose levels. Moreover, in vivo tests on type I diabetic rats, this system displayed a significant hypoglycemic effect, avoiding hyperglycemia and maintaining a normal range for up to 14 h after oral administration.

CONCLUSION

The stimulus-sensitive turnover strategy with bioadhesive oral delivery mode indicates a potential for the development of synthetic GR-NPs for diabetes therapy, which may provide a rational design of proteins, low molecular drugs, as well as nucleic acids, for intelligent releasing via the oral route.

Revealing importance of particles' surface functionalization on the properties of magnetic alginate hydrogels

Iron/silica core-shell microparticles (IMPs) were functionalized by different functional groups including amine, glycidoxy, phenyl, and thiocyanate. Many of the IMPs modifications are reported for the first time. The resulting surface chemistry turned out to affect the properties of magnetic alginate hydrogels fabricated from sodium alginate and dispersed IMPs. Differences in magnetorheological properties of the obtained magnetic hydrogels can be at least partially attributed to the interactions between alginate and surface functionalities of IMPs. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to get detailed insight into those interactions in order to link them with the observed macroscopic properties of the obtained hydrogels. For example, amine groups on the IMPs surface resulted in well-formed hydrogels while the presence of thiocyanate or phenyl groups - in poorly formed ones. This observation can be used for tuning the properties of various carbohydrate-based hydrogels.

New Developments in Medical Applications of Hybrid Hydrogels Containing Natural Polymers

New trends in biomedical applications of the hybrid polymeric hydrogels, obtained by combining natural polymers with synthetic ones, have been reviewed. Homopolysaccharides, heteropolysaccharides, as well as polypeptides, proteins and nucleic acids, are presented from the point of view of their ability to form hydrogels with synthetic polymers, the preparation procedures for polymeric organic hybrid hydrogels, general physico-chemical properties and main biomedical applications (i.e., tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, etc.).

Carrageenan: A Wonder Polymer from Marine Algae for Potential Drug Delivery Applications

BACKGROUND

With the advancement in the field of medical science, the idea of sustained release of the therapeutic agents in the patient's body has remained a major thrust for developing advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs). The critical requirement for fabricating these DDSs is to facilitate the delivery of their cargos in a spatio-temporal and pharmacokinetically-controlled manner. Albeit the synthetic polymer-based DDSs normally address the above-mentioned conditions, their potential cytotoxicity and high cost have ultimately constrained their success. Consequently, the utilization of natural polymers for the fabrication of tunable DDSs owing to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic nature can be regarded as a significant stride in the field of drug delivery. Marine environment serves as an untapped resource of varied range of materials such as polysaccharides, which can easily be utilized for developing various DDSs.

METHODS

Carrageenans are the sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from the cell wall of red seaweeds. They exhibit an assimilation of various biological activities such as anti-thrombotic, anti-viral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. The main aim of the presented review is threefold. The first one is to describe the unique physicochemical properties and structural composition of different types of carrageenans. The second is to illustrate the preparation methods of the different carrageenan-based macro- and micro-dimensional DDSs like hydrogels, microparticles, and microspheres respectively. Fabrication techniques of some advanced DDSs such as floating hydrogels, aerogels, and 3-D printed hydrogels have also been discussed in this review. Next, considerable attention has been paid to list down the recent applications of carrageenan-based polymeric architectures in the field of drug delivery.

RESULTS

Presence of structural variations among the different carrageenan types helps in regulating their temperature and ion-dependent sol-to-gel transition behavior. The constraint of low mechanical strength of reversible gels can be easily eradicated using chemical crosslinking techniques. Carrageenan based-microdimesional DDSs (e.g. microspheres, microparticles) can be utilized for easy and controlled drug administration. Moreover, carrageenans can be fabricated as 3-D printed hydrogels, floating hydrogels, and aerogels for controlled drug delivery applications.

CONCLUSION

In order to address the problems associated with many of the available DDSs, carrageenans are establishing their worth recently as potential drug carriers owing to their varied range of properties. Different architectures of carrageenans are currently being explored as advanced DDSs. In the near future, translation of carrageenan-based advanced DDSs in the clinical applications seems inevitable.

Magnetic Driven Nanocarriers for pH-Responsive Doxorubicin Release in Cancer Therapy

Doxorubicin is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs, but side effects and selectivity problems create a demand for alternative drug delivery systems. Herein we describe a hybrid magnetic nanomaterial as a pH-dependent doxorubicin release carrier. This nanocarrier comprises magnetic iron oxide cores with a diameter of 10 nm, enveloped in a hybrid material made of siliceous shells and ĸ-carrageenan. The hybrid shells possess high drug loading capacity and a favorable drug release profile, while the iron oxide cores allows easy manipulation via an external magnetic field. The pH responsiveness was assessed in phosphate buffers at pH levels equivalent to those of blood (pH 7.4) and tumor microenvironment (pH 4.2 and 5). The nanoparticles have a loading capacity of up to 12.3 wt.% and a release profile of 80% in 5 h at acidic pH versus 25% at blood pH. In vitro drug delivery tests on human breast cancer and non-cancer cellular cultures have shown that, compared to the free drug, the loaded nanocarriers have comparable antiproliferative effect but a less intense cytotoxic effect, especially in the non-cancer cell line. The results show a clear potential for these new hybrid nanomaterials as alternative drug carriers for doxorubicin.

Specialty Tough Hydrogels and Their Biomedical Applications

Hydrogels have long been explored as attractive materials for biomedical applications given their outstanding biocompatibility, high water content, and versatile fabrication platforms into materials with different physiochemical properties and geometries. Nonetheless, conventional hydrogels suffer from weak mechanical properties, restricting their use in persistent load-bearing applications often required of materials used in medical settings. Thus, the fabrication of mechanically robust hydrogels that can prolong the lifetime of clinically suitable materials under uncompromising in vivo conditions is of great interest. This review focuses on design considerations and strategies to construct such tough hydrogels. Several promising advances in the proposed use of specialty tough hydrogels for soft actuators, drug delivery vehicles, adhesives, coatings, and in tissue engineering settings are highlighted. While challenges remain before these specialty tough hydrogels will be deemed translationally acceptable for clinical applications, promising preliminary results undoubtedly spur great hope in the potential impact this embryonic research field can have on the biomedical community.

Advancement in the Biomedical Applications of the (Nano)gel Structures Based on Particular Polysaccharides

(Nano)gels from macromolecular compounds-natural, synthetic, or a combination thereof, suitable crosslinkers-and conferred characteristics-such as degradability, size, charge, amphiphilicity, responsiveness, and softness-are capable of responding to the challenges imposed by bioengineering applications. Polysaccharide-based gels have received particular attention in this field. This review addresses recent advancement in the use of (nano)gel structures prepared only from compounds based on gellan gum, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, carrageenan, guar gum, galactose, or agarose, which represent an important part of the special class of natural polymers, the polysaccharides. Also, future trends are taken into discussion regarding the (nano)gels' use in biomedical applications such as biomimetics, biosensors, artificial muscles, and chemical separations in relation with their ability to be used as a vehicle for various biomolecules due to their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.

Development of Capsaicin Loaded Hydrogel Beads for In vivo Lipid Lowering Activities of Hyperlipidemic Rats

Objective:

The presence of capsaicin in the diet has been revealed to enhance energy expenditure and it has been used in anti-obesity therapy. The present work investigated the potential antihyperlipidemic effect of capsaicin loaded hydrogel beads on hyperlipidemic rats. Hydrogels are three dimensional, hydrophilic, polymeric networks capable of imbibing large amounts of water or biological fluids.

Methods:

Capsaicin loaded hydrogel beads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method using Aluminium Chloride (AlCl₃) as a cross-linking agent. The characterization of hydrogel beads was carried out by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis.

Results:

The surface morphology revealed that the prepared beads were spherical in shape. XRD and DSC study of the hydrogel beads revealed that the drug was homogeneously dispersed in the hydrogel matrix. The beads showed pH sensitive behavior and when the medium pH was changed from 1.2 to 7.4, the capsaicin release was considerably increased. 100mg/kg body weight of Triton was injected intraperitoneally in rats to induce hyperlipidemia and it showed elevated levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Capsaicin loaded hydrogel beads were administered to normal and hyperlipidemic rats for 7 days and the prepared hydrogel beads were significantly reduced high lipid profile in comparison to free capsaicin.

Conclusion:

The results clearly demonstrated that hydrogel beads can be used as a potential carrier for delivery of capsaicin to reduce lipid profile.