pH responsive tragacanth gum and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride)-g-poly(caprolactone) conetwork microgel for in vitro quercetin release

Preparation and antitumor study of intelligent injectable hydrogel: Carboxymethyl chitosan-aldehyde gum Arabic composite graphene oxide hydrogel

In this study, we used polyaldehyde gum Arabic (OGA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) as a gel matrix to form an injectable self-healing hydrogel by Schiff-base bonding. Further, graphene oxide (GO) was loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) to the hydrogel, which resulted in a CMCS-OGA/GO@DOX hydrogel. We achieved a DOX drug loading capacity of 43.80 ± 1.13 %. Rheological studies showed that GO hydrogels have improved mechanical properties. The in vitro release profile showed pH responsiveness with 88.21 % DOX release at pH 5.5. Biocompatibility studies showed that the hydrogel composition had good cytocompatibility with L929 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed a cell survival rate of 93.88 % within 48 h. The DOX-loaded hydrogel exhibited higher cell mortality in breast cancer cells (4 T1), with an inhibition rate of 79.4 % at 48 h. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining experiments on 4 T1 cells showed that when loaded with the same DOX concentration, the hydrogel significantly reduced the toxic effects on normal cells, whereas it had significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. This result indicates that the prepared GO hydrogel drug delivery system can serve as a novel approach for localized breast cancer treatment.

Chitosan-based intelligent polymeric networks for site-specific colon medication delivery: A comprehensive study on controlled release of diloxanide furoate and network formation dynamics

Oral medications are prone to gastric degradation and enzymatic inactivation, diminishing their efficacy. This study investigates a solution by developing intelligent polymeric networks, incorporating chitosan, methacrylic acid, N, N, methylene bisacrylamide, and montmorillonite clay, to enable the controlled release of Diloxanide Furoate (DF), an anti-protozoal drug. Employing a swelling-assisted diffusion technique, drug loading percentages varied from 63.96 % to 76.82 % among different formulations. Increased chitosan and methacrylic acid content enhanced drug loading, while N, N, methylene bisacrylamide and montmorillonite clay demonstrated an inverse relationship affecting diffusion and swelling. Equilibrium swelling studies unveiled formulation-dependent behaviors, with chitosan reducing swelling and methacrylic acid promoting it. Higher N, N, methylene bisacrylamide concentrations decreased swelling, indicating a denser cross-linked structure, while montmorillonite clay reduced hydrophilicity and swelling capacity. Further analyses confirmed successful gel formation, particularly in formulations with higher chitosan, methacrylic acid, and N, N, methylene bisacrylamide content, while montmorillonite clay limited gel fraction due to restricted polymer chain mobility. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analyses supported network development, enhancing thermal stability and cross-linking density. This research underscores the flexibility of polymeric networks for precise drug delivery, offering potential advancements in targeted therapies for various medical conditions.

Chitosan coated graphene oxide incorporated sodium alginate hydrogel beads for the controlled release of amoxicillin

Biopolymers are crucial in pharmaceuticals, particularly for controlled drug release. In this study, we loaded the broad-spectrum antibacterial drug amoxicillin into sodium alginate, a well-known biopolymer. Graphene oxide was incorporated into the composite, and the hydrogel beads were coated with chitosan for its mucoadhesive properties. Various composites were formulated by adjusting the weight percentage of graphene oxide (GO). The fabricated beads demonstrated controlled and sustained drug release, with 98 % of the loaded drug molecules released over 24 h at gastric pH. The antibacterial test using the disc diffusion technique confirmed the drug release, exhibiting greater effectiveness against the gram-positive bacterium S. aureus than the gram-negative bacterium E. coli. The drug release data were optimized using zero order, first order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. The experimental data were best fit to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model with a relatively higher correlation coefficient value. Biocompatibility was evaluated through a cell viability test using mouse fibroblast cell lines (L929). The MTT viability assay confirmed high levels of cytocompatibility, even at higher concentrations (100 μg/mL), with 98.15 % viable cells. These results highlight the potential of the fabricated beads as an effective amoxicillin drug delivery system with biomedical applications.

Quercetin-loaded sodium alginate/collagen/h-boron nitride potential wound dressings prepared using the Box-Behnken experimental design

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Natural and synthetic biocompatible polymers have received significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their rapid and effective healing properties in the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction of onions, the preparation of sodium alginate/collagen/hydrogen boron nitride (NaAlg/Col/h-BN) membranes using the Box-Behnken experimental design, and determine the optimal conditions for quercetin release. The study also aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the prepared membranes and their therapeutic properties.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antimicrobial activities were tested against Gram-negative (Gr-) Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes, Gram-positive (Gr+) Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 pathogens. In vitro release studies were conducted to examine the therapeutic properties of the prepared membranes. The optimum conditions for the extraction of onions and the preparation of NaAlg/Col/h-BN membranes were found to be EtOH = 75 mL, t = 2 h, T = 45°C, and NaAlg = 1.0 g, Col = 2.0 g, and h-BN = 6% wt, respectively. The prepared membranes exhibited serious antimicrobial properties against S. aureus and C. albicans. The membranes also promoted the controlled release of quercetin for 24 h in vitro, indicating their potential as a new approach in wound treatment.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that quercetin-filled NaAlg/Col/h-BN membranes have promising therapeutic properties for wound healing. The membranes exhibited significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and their controlled release of quercetin suggests their potential for use in wound healing applications.

A review on tragacanth gum: A promising natural polysaccharide in drug delivery and cell therapy

Tragacanth is an abundant natural gum extracted from wounds created in some plants and is dried for use in various applications from industry to biomedicines. It is a cost-effective and easily accessible polysaccharide with desirable biocompatibility and biodegradability, drawing much attention for use in new biomedical applications such as wound healing and tissue engineering. Moreover, this anionic polysaccharide with a highly branched structure has been used as an emulsifier and thickening agent in pharmaceutical applications. In the following, this gum has been interested as an appealing biomaterial for producing engineering tools in drug delivery. Furthermore, the biological properties of tragacanth gum have made it a favorable biomaterial in cell therapies, especially for bone tissue engineering. This review aims to discuss the recent studies on this natural gum as a potential carrier for different drugs and cells.

Al3+/Ca2+ cross-linked hydrogel matrix tablet of etherified tara gum for sustained delivery of tramadol hydrochloride in gastrointestinal milieu

Tara gum (TG) was derivatized to carboxymethyl TG (CMTG) and then cross-linked with Al³⁺/Ca²⁺ ions to prepare Al/Ca cross-linked CMTG matrices for sustained delivery of Tramadol Hydrochloride (TH), a highly water-soluble drug. The effect of Al³⁺/Ca²⁺ ions concentration on swelling, erosion, and drug release behavior from Al/Ca-CMTG matrices was investigated. Al-CMTG matrices had greater cross-linking density, produced a more rigid and denser hydrogel layer than Ca-CMTG matrices. The rate of swelling, erosion, and in vitro drug release from Al-CMTG matrices was slower than from Ca-CMTG matrices. The most important finding of our study indicated that at the same concentration of cross-linking ions, the release of TH from Al-CMTG matrices was slower compared to Ca-CMTG matrices. The optimized formulation containing 9 % w/w AlCl₃ in CMTG matrices released TH in a sustained manner up to 12 h in the gastrointestinal milieu. Moreover, it was observed that the prepared optimized formulation exhibited a more sustained release of TH compared to the marketed product.

A Novel Superabsorbent Polymer from Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Tragacanth Gum with Glutaraldehyde: Synthesis, Characterization, and Swelling Properties

Nowadays, current global environmental problems include measures to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of chemicals from petroleum sources and, therefore, the use of materials from natural resources is increasingly recommended. In this context, natural-based superabsorbent polymers derived from polypeptides and polysaccharides have undergone chemical and biochemical modifications to improve their ability to absorb and retain large amounts of liquids. In the present paper, a new process has been used to overcome the side effects of radical polymerization in the manufacture of conventional polyacrylate superabsorbents (SAPs). Tragacanth gum (TG) was selected to prepare a new superabsorbent material (CMTG-GA) based on carboxymethyl tragacanth (CMTG) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). The characterization of the polymer was carried out by FTIR, TGA, XRD, and SEM. The effect of the amount of crosslinking agent and the pH on the water absorption capacity was also examined. Subsequently, swelling studies were performed using free swelling capacity (FSC) and centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) techniques in distilled water, tap water, and saline solution. The results showed that the CRC of the new material is not less than 42.1 g/g, which was observed for a ratio of 20% by weight of GA to CMTG. Likewise, the maximum absorption results were 43.9 and 32.14 g/g, respectively, for FSC and CRC at pH 8.0. In addition, a comparison of the swelling capacities of the synthesized product with a commercial SAP extracted from a baby diaper, well known in the Moroccan market, showed that the performances were very similar.

Catechin or quercetin guests in an intrinsically microporous polyamine (PIM-EA-TB) host: accumulation, reactivity, and release

Microporous polymer materials based on molecularly "stiff" structures provide intrinsic microporosity, typical micropore sizes of 0.5 nm to 1.5 nm, and the ability to bind guest species. The polyamine PIM-EA-TB contains abundant tertiary amine sites to interact via hydrogen bonding to guest species in micropores. Here, quercetin and catechin are demonstrated to bind and accumulate into PIM-EA-TB. Voltammetric data suggest apparent Langmuirian binding constants for catechin of 550 (±50) × 103 M-1 in acidic solution at pH 2 (PIM-EA-TB is protonated) and 130 (±13) × 103 M-1 in neutral solution at pH 6 (PIM-EA-TB is not protonated). The binding capacity is typically 1 : 1 (guest : host polymer repeat unit), but higher loadings are readily achieved by host/guest co-deposition from tetrahydrofuran solution. In the rigid polymer environment, bound ortho-quinol guest species exhibit 2-electron 2-proton redox transformation to the corresponding quinones, but only in a thin mono-layer film close to the electrode surface. Release of guest molecules occurs depending on the level of loading and on the type of guest either spontaneously or with electrochemical stimuli.

Shear sensitive injectable hydrogels of cross-linked tragacanthic acid for ocular drug delivery: Rheological and biological evaluation

Drug delivery to posterior segment of eye has always been challenging. The aim of the present study was to provide a novel injectable, shear sensitive hydrogel based on tragacanthic acid (TA) with three kinds of acetate salts as cross-linker. Rheological properties by strain and shear stress sweep measurements and also dynamic rheological experiments including frequency and time sweep measurements were studied. Biological studies comprising, cell culture, Draize test on rabbit eyes and histopathological tests were done. The results showed the optimized hydrogel was biocompatible, injectable and owning acceptable firmness in rest state after injection. Healing time of the hydrogel was 46 s and was shear-sensitive. It showed no cytotoxicity on HUVEC cells. No allergic reaction was seen in Draize test and histological examination showed integrity of the retinal layers with no evidence of pathological changes, such as deformations, degeneration, or inflammation. TA hydrogel is promising in ocular drug delivery.

Recent Advances in Natural Gum-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: A Review

The engineering of tissues under a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment is a great challenge and needs a suitable supporting biomaterial-based scaffold that may facilitate cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation for proper tissue regeneration or organ reconstruction. Polysaccharides as natural polymers promise great potential in the preparation of a three-dimensional artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) (i.e., hydrogel) via various processing methods and conditions. Natural polymers, especially gums, based upon hydrogel systems, provide similarities largely with the native ECM and excellent biological response. Here, we review the origin and physico-chemical characteristics of potentially used natural gums. In addition, various forms of scaffolds (e.g., nanofibrous, 3D printed-constructs) based on gums and their efficacy in 3D cell culture and various tissue regenerations such as bone, osteoarthritis and cartilage, skin/wound, retinal, neural, and other tissues are discussed. Finally, the advantages and limitations of natural gums are precisely described for future perspectives in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the concluding remarks.

Novel pH-sensitive alginate hydrogel delivery system reinforced with gum tragacanth for intestinal targeting of nutraceuticals

The present study utilizes the novel combination of Gum tragacanth (GT) and sodium alginate (SA) to reinforce SA hydrogel beads. The composite hydrogel beads were encapsulated with phenolic compounds extracted from Basella sps. The rheological studies conferred increased elastic property of GT incorporated formulations. Higher swelling behavior was observed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) with increasing GT content in SA formulations. SA-GT composite hydrogels revealed increased encapsulation efficiency with sustained release of phenolic compounds in SIF. GT incorporated hydrogel beads exhibited increased biodegradation (up to 82% weight loss) in biodegradation media (in vitro). FTIR study found no molecular interaction between SA and GT. TGA analysis revealed that GT incorporation did not affect the thermal behavior of SA. Furthermore, SA-GT encapsulated hydrogels showed remarkable cytotoxicity against osteosarcoma cells. Thus our findings suggest SA-GT gel formulation could be used as a promising delivery system for drugs and nutraceutical compounds.

Recent progress in the industrial and biomedical applications of tragacanth gum: A review

Natural polymers have distinct advantages over synthetic polymers because of their abundance, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Tragacanth gum, an anionic polysaccharide, is a natural polymer which is derived from renewable sources. As a biomaterial, tragacanth gum has been used in industrial settings such as food packaging and water treatment, as well as in the biomedical field as drug carriers and for wound healing purposes. The present review provides an overview on the state-of-the-art in the field of tragacanth gum applications. The structure, properties, cytotoxicity, and degradability as well as the recent advances in industrial and biomedical applications of tragacanth gum are reviewed to offer a backdrop for future research.

Investigation of the blends of chitosan and tragacanth as potential drug carriers for the delivery of ibuprofen in the intestine

This study provides a new potential hydrogel for the intestinal delivery of ibuprofen.

Design and construction of self-hidden and pH-reversed targeting drug delivery nanovehicles via noncovalent interactions to overcome drug resistance

A convenient one-step method was used to construct self-hidden and pH-reversed targeting drug delivery nanovehicles using the host–guest interaction between β-CD and Ad, and borate formation between PBA and serinol.

Synthesis and characterization of pH-responsive nanohydrogels as biocompatible drug carriers based on chemically modified tragacanth gum polysaccharide

In this work, the preparation and application of pH-responsive nanohydrogels based on tragacanth gum polysaccharide and glycidyl methacrylate were investigated.