Cross-linked chitosan/lysozyme hydrogels with inherent antibacterial activity and tuneable drug release properties for cutaneous drug administration

Keratin Formed Bioadhesive Ophthalmic Gel for the Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treatment

Keratin has the potential to function as the gel matrix in an ophthalmic formulation for the encapsulation of the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin. The quality of this formulation was thoroughly evaluated through various analyses, such as in vitro release assessment, rheological examination, intraocular retention studies in rabbits, assessment of bacteriostatic efficacy, and safety evaluations. It is worth mentioning that the gel demonstrated shear thinning properties and exhibited characteristics of an elastic solid, thereby confirming its structural stability. The gel demonstrated a notable affinity for mucosal surfaces in comparison to traditional azithromycin aqueous solutions. In vitro release testing revealed that drug release transpired via diffusion mechanisms, following a first-order kinetic release pattern. Additionally, the formulated gel exhibited remarkable antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bacteriostatic evaluations. Lastly, safety assessments confirmed that the gel eye drops induced minimal irritation and displayed no apparent cytotoxicity, indicating their good safety and biocompatibility for ocular application. Thus, these findings indicated that the prepared azithromycin gel eye drops complied with the requisite standards for ophthalmic preparations.

Functional electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, properties, and applications in wound-healing process

Electrostatic spinning as a technique for producing nanoscale fibers has recently attracted increasing attention due to its simplicity, versatility, and loadability. Nanofibers prepared by electrostatic spinning have been widely studied, especially in biomedical applications, because of their high specific surface area, high porosity, easy size control, and easy surface functionalization. Wound healing is a highly complex and dynamic process that is a crucial step in the body's healing process to recover from tissue injury or other forms of damage. Single-component nanofibers are more or less limited in terms of structural properties and do not fully satisfy various needs of the materials. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature on the use of electrostatically spun nanofibers to promote wound healing, to overview the infinite possibilities for researchers to tap into their biomedical applications through functional composite modification of nanofibers for advanced and multifunctional materials, and to propose directions and perspectives for future research.

Enantioselective effects of chiral prothioconazole and its metabolites: Oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and lysozyme activity

Chiral pesticides may exhibit enantioselectivity in terms of bioconcentration, environmental fate, and reproductive toxicity. Here, chiral prothioconazole and its metabolites were selected to thoroughly investigate their enantioselective toxicity and mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels. Multispectral techniques revealed that the interaction between chiral PTC/PTCD and lysozyme resulted in the formation of a complex, leading to a change in the conformation of lysozyme. Meanwhile, the effect of different conformations of PTC/PTCD on the conformation of lysozyme differed, and its metabolites were able to exert a greater effect on lysozyme compared to prothioconazole. Moreover, the S-configuration of PTCD interacted most strongly with lysozyme. This conclusion was further verified by DFT calculations and molecular docking as well. Furthermore, the oxidative stress indicators within HepG2 cells were also affected by chiral prothioconazole and its metabolites. Specifically, S-PTCD induced more substantial perturbation of the normal oxidative stress processes in HepG2 cells, and the magnitude of the perturbation varied significantly among different configurations (P > 0.05). Overall, chiral prothioconazole and its metabolites exhibit enantioselective effects on lysozyme conformation and oxidative stress processes in HepG2 cells. This work provides a scientific basis for a more comprehensive risk assessment of the environmental behaviors and effects caused by chiral pesticides, as well as for the screening of highly efficient and less biotoxic enantiomeric monomers.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of recombinant human lysozyme: a review on wound management system with antibacterial

Lysozyme, a natural antibacterial enzyme protein, possesses the ability to dissolve the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, demonstrating broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Despite its significant potential in treating wound infections and promoting wound healing, its widespread clinical application has yet to be realized. Current research is primarily focused on carrier-based delivery systems for lysozyme. In this review, we discuss four delivery systems that can be employed for lysozyme in wound healing treatment, specifically hydrogels, nanofilms, electrospun fibrous membranes, and modified-lysozyme composite systems. These systems not only enhance the stability of lysozyme but also enable its controlled and sustained release at wound sites, potentially overcoming some of the challenges associated with its direct application. Lastly, we delve into the perspectives and challenges related to the use of these delivery systems, hoping to spur further research and innovation in this promising field.