Folic acid-modified photoluminescent dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose crosslinked bionanogels for pH-controlled and tumor-targeted co-drug delivery

This work aimed to fabricate a new photoluminescent bionanogel with both targeted anticancer drug delivery and bioimaging potentials. Briefly, at first photoluminescent carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from the low-cost and more available black pepper with traditional medicinal properties. The as-synthesized dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) was used as a safe crosslinker for gelatin crosslinking in the presence of CDs (CDs/DCMC-Gel). Eventually, the residual amine functional groups of gelatin were used for the conjugation of CDs/DCMC-Gel with folic acid (FA) ((CDs/DCMC-Gel)-FA bionanogels). All employed physicochemical characterization methods approved the (CDs/DCMC-Gel)-FA bionanogels fabrication route. SEM analysis specified the spherical morphology with a diameter of ~70-90 nm for it. Curcumin (CUR) and doxorubicin (DOX) respectively were loaded with drug entrapment efficiency of about 44.0% and 41.4%. The release rate for both drugs in acidic conditions was higher than in physiological conditions. In vitro antitumor experiments; MTT, DAPI staining, cellular uptake, and cell cycle tests showed the superior anticancer effect of the CUR@DOX@(CDs/DCMC-Gel)-FA in comparison with free CUR@DOX. Moreover, the (CDs/DCMC-Gel)-FA acted as a hopeful bio-imaging tool. Taken together, the designed (CDs/DCMC-Gel)-FA could be proposed as a promising nanosystem for efficient chemotherapy.

Hydrogel Films Based on Chitosan and Oxidized Carboxymethylcellulose Optimized for the Controlled Release of Curcumin with Applications in Treating Dermatological Conditions

Cross-linked chitosan (CS) films with aldehyde groups obtained by oxidation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with NaIO4 were prepared using different molar ratios between the CHO groups from oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCOx) and NH2 groups from CS (from 0.25:1 to 2:1). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrated the aldehyde groups' presence in the CMCOx. The maximum oxidation degree was 22.9%. In the hydrogel, the amino groups' conversion index value increased when the -CHO/-NH2 molar ratio, cross-linking temperature, and time increased, while the swelling degree values decreased. The hydrogel films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR analysis. The curcumin encapsulation efficiency decreases from 56.74% to 16.88% when the cross-linking degree increases. The immobilized curcumin release efficiency (REf%) and skin membrane permeability were evaluated in vitro in two different pH solutions using a Franz diffusion cell, and it was found to decrease when the molar ratio -CH=O/NH2 increases. The curcumin REf% in the receptor compartment was higher at pH = 7.4 (18%- for the sample with a molar ratio of 0.25:1) than at pH = 5.5 (16.5%). The curcumin absorption in the skin membrane at pH = 5.5 (47%) was more intense than at pH = 7.4 (8.6%). The curcumin-loaded films' antioxidant activity was improved due to the CS presence.

Mechanical and moisture sensitivity of fully bio-based dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose cross-linked soy protein isolate films

Dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) crosslinked soy protein isolate (SPI) films were prepared by solvent casting method. Effect of DCMC treatment on mechanical properties, water sensitivity, light barrier properties and thermal stability were investigated. Significant increase in tensile strength (TS) was observed (up to 218%), suggesting occurrence of highly effective crosslinking between SPI and DCMC. Significant improvement in TS compared to other dialdehyde polysaccharide crosslinking agents such as dialdehyde starch is likely due to higher compatibility of DCMC with SPI, as was further confirmed by SEM images. Crosslinking also led to reduction in water vapor permeability and moisture content along with an increase of insoluble mass percentage, indicating improvement in water resistance of these bio-based protein films. Thermal stability of protein films also showed improvement post crosslinking of DCMC.