Anti-Inflammatory Study and Phytochemical Characterization of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon L. Juices and Their Formulation

Engineered Robust Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Drug-Eluting, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity

Multifunctional nanofibrous architectures have attracted extensive attention for biomedical applications due to their adjustable and versatile properties. Electrospun fabrics stand out as key building blocks for these structures, yet improving their mechanobiological and physicochemical performance is a challenge. Here, we introduce biodegradable engineered hydrophobic/hydrophilic scaffolds consisting of electrospun polylactide nanofibers coated with drug-eluting synthetic (poly(vinyl alcohol)) and natural (starch) polymers. The microstructure of these composite scaffolds was tailored for an increased hydrophilicity, optimized permeability, water retention capacity of up to 5.1 g/g, and enhanced mechanical properties under both dry and wet conditions. Regarding the latter, normalized tensile strengths of up to 32.4 MPa were achieved thanks to the improved fiber interactions and fiber-coating stress transfer. Curcumin was employed as a model drug, and its sustained release in a pure aqueous medium was investigated for 35 days. An in-depth study of the release kinetics revealed the outstanding water solubility and bioavailability of curcumin, owing to its complexation with the hydrophilic polymers and further delineated the role of the hydrophobic nanofibrous network in regulating its release rate. The modified curcumin endowed the composites with antioxidant activities up to 5.7 times higher than that of free curcumin as well as promising anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic activities. The cytocompatibility and cell proliferation capability on human dermal fibroblasts also evidenced the safe use of the constructs. Finally, the fabrics present pH-responsive color-changing behavior easily distinguishable within the pH range of 5-9. Thus, these designs offer a facile and cost-effective roadmap for the fabrication of smart multifunctional biomaterials, especially for chronic wound healing.

Comprehensive insights into rheumatoid arthritis: Pathophysiology, current therapies and herbal alternatives for effective disease management

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by immune response overexpression, causing pain and swelling in the synovial joints. This condition is caused by auto-reactive antibodies that attack self-antigens due to their incapacity to distinguish between self and foreign molecules. Dysregulated activity within numerous signalling and immunological pathways supports the disease's development and progression, elevating its complexity. While current treatments provide some alleviation, their effectiveness is accompanied by a variety of adverse effects that are inherent in conventional medications. As a result, there is a deep-rooted necessity to investigate alternate therapeutic strategies capable of neutralizing these disadvantages. Medicinal herbs display a variety of potent bioactive phytochemicals that are effective in the complementary management of disease, thus generating an enormous potency for the researchers to delve deep into the development of novel phytomedicine against autoimmune diseases, although additional evidence and understanding are required in terms of their efficacy and pharmacodynamic mechanisms. This literature-based review highlights the dysregulation of immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis, analyses the pathophysiology, elucidates relevant signalling pathways involved, evaluates present and future therapy options and underscores the therapeutic attributes of a diverse array of medicinal herbs in addressing this severe disease.

A literature review of bioactive substances for the treatment of periodontitis: In vitro, in vivo and clinical studies

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the tooth that involves a complex interaction of microorganisms and various cell lines around the infected site. To prevent and treat this disease, several options are available, such as scaling, root planning, antibiotic treatment, and dental surgeries, depending on the stage of the disease. However, these treatments can have various side effects, including additional inflammatory responses, chronic wounds, and the need for secondary surgery. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on developing new therapeutic agents for more effective periodontitis treatment. This review explores the latest trends in bioactive substances with therapeutic effects for periodontitis using various search engines. Therefore, this study aimed to suggest effective directions for therapeutic approaches. Additionally, we provide a summary of the current applications and underlying mechanisms of bioactive substances, which can serve as a reference for the development of periodontitis treatments.