Glassy-like Metal Oxide Particles Embedded on Micrometer Thicker Alginate Films as Promising Wound Healing Nanomaterials

Micrometer-thicker, biologically responsive nanocomposite films were prepared starting from alginate-metal alkoxide colloidal solution followed by sol-gel chemistry and solvent removal through evaporation-induced assembly. The disclosed approach is straightforward and highly versatile, allowing the entrapment and growth of a set of glassy-like metal oxide within the network of alginate and their shaping as crake-free transparent and flexible films. Immersing these films in aqueous medium triggers alginate solubilization, and affords water-soluble metal oxides wrapped in a biocompatible carbohydrate framework. Biological activity of the nano-composites films was also studied including their hemolytic activity, methemoglobin, prothrombin, and thrombine time. The effect of the films on fibroblasts and keratinocytes of human skin was also investigated with a special emphasis on the role played by the incorporated metal oxide. This comparative study sheds light on the crucial biological response of the ceramic phase embedded inside of the films, with titanium dioxide being the most promising for wound healing purposes.

Vanadium: Risks and possible benefits in the light of a comprehensive overview of its pharmacotoxicological mechanisms and multi-applications with a summary of further research trends

BACKGROUND

Vanadium (V) is an element with a wide range of effects on the mammalian organism. The ability of this metal to form organometallic compounds has contributed to the increase in the number of studies on the multidirectional biological activity of its various organic complexes in view of their application in medicine.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims at summarizing the current state of knowledge of the pharmacological potential of V and the mechanisms underlying its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity as well as the mechanisms of appetite regulation related to the possibility of using this element in the treatment of obesity. The toxicological potential of V and the mechanisms of its toxic action, which have not been sufficiently recognized yet, as well as key information about the essentiality of this metal, its physiological role, and metabolism with certain aspects on the timeline is collected as well. The report also aims to review the use of V in the implantology and industrial sectors emphasizing the human health hazard as well as collect data on the directions of further research on V and its interactions with Mg along with their character.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Multidirectional studies on V have shown that further analyses are still required for this element to be used as a metallodrug in the fight against certain life-threatening diseases. Studies on interactions of V with Mg, which showed that both elements are able to modulate the response in an interactive manner are needed as well, as the results of such investigations may help not only in recognizing new markers of V toxicity and clarify the underlying interactive mechanism between them, thus improving the medical application of the metals against modern-age diseases, but also they may help in development of principles of effective protection of humans against environmental/occupational V exposure.

Vanadium Pentoxide-Enwrapped Polydiphenylamine/Polyurethane Nanocomposite: High-Performance Anticorrosive Coating

Nanocomposite coatings with synergistic properties hold a potential in long-term corrosion protection for carbon steel. Polydiphenylamine (PDPA) and vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) have rarely been used as a corrosion inhibitor. Moreover, oleo polyurethanes are always demanded in the field of anticorrosive coatings. In view of this, we have synthesized safflower oil polyurethane (SFPU) and their nanocomposites using V₂O₅-enwrapped PDPA (V₂O₅-PDPA) as nanofiller. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of these coatings. Corrosion resistance performance of these coatings in 5 wt % NaCl solution was determined by electrochemical measurements and salt spray tests. These studies exhibited very low I_corr (7.45 × 10^-11 A cm^-2), high E_corr (-0.04 V), impedance (1.69 × 10¹¹ Ω cm²), and phase angle (84°) after the exposure of 30 days. An immersion test, in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution for 24 h, was also performed to investigate the effect of oxidizing acid on the surface of coatings. These results revealed the superior anticorrosive activity of nanocomposite coatings compared to those of plain SFPU and other such reported systems. The superior anticorrosive property of the proposed nanocomposite coatings provides a new horizon in the development of high-performance anticorrosive coatings for various industries.