Electrospun poly(L-lactide) fiber with ginsenoside rg3 for inhibiting scar hyperplasia of skin

Preparation and evaluation of proliposomes formulation for enhancing the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides

Background

This research main objective was to evaluate a proliposomes (PLs) formulation for the enhancement of oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, using ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) as a marker.

Methods

A novel PLs formulation was prepared using a modified evaporation-on-matrix method. Soy phosphatidylcholine, Rg3-enriched extract, poloxamer 188 (Lutrol® F 68) and sorbitol were mixed and dissolved using a aqueous ethanolic solution, followed by the removal of ethanol and lyophilization. The characterization of Rg3-PLs formulations was performed by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in vitro release. The enhancement of oral bioavailability was investigated and analyzed by non-compartmental parameters after oral administration of the formulations.

Results

PXRD of Rg3-PLs indicated that Rg3 was transformed from crystalline into its amorphous form during the preparation process. The Rg3-encapsulated liposomes with vesicular-shaped morphology were generated after the reconstitution by gentle hand-shaking in water; they had a mean diameter of approximately 350 nm, a negative zeta potential (-28.6 mV) and a high entrapment efficiency (97.3%). The results of the in vitro release study exhibited that significantly more amount of Rg3 was released from the PLs formulation in comparison with that from the suspension of Rg3-enriched extract (control group). The pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of PLs formulation in rats showed an approximately 11.8-fold increase in the bioavailability of Rg3, compared to that of the control group.

Conclusion

The developed PLs formulation could be a favorable delivery system to improve the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, including Rg3.

A comprehensive and systemic review of ginseng-based nanomaterials: Synthesis, targeted delivery, and biomedical applications

Among 17 Panax species identified across the world, Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng), Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), and Panax notoginseng (Chinese ginseng) are highly recognized for the presence of bioactive compound, ginsenosides and their pharmacological effects. P. ginseng is widely used for synthesis of different types of nanoparticles compared to P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng. The use of nano-ginseng could increase the oral bioavailability, membrane permeability, and thus provide effective delivery of ginsenosides to the target sites through transport system. In this review, we explore the synthesis of ginseng nanoparticles using plant extracts from various organs, microbes, and polymers, as well as their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we highlight transporters involved in transport of ginsenoside nanoparticles to the target sites. Size, zeta potential, temperature, and pH are also discussed as the critical parameters affecting the quality of ginseng nanoparticles synthesis.

Polymer-Based Wound Dressings Loaded with Ginsenoside Rg3

The skin, the largest organ in the human body, mainly plays a protective role. Once damaged, it can lead to acute or chronic wounds. Wound healing involves a series of complex physiological processes that require ideal wound dressings to promote it. The current wound dressings have characteristics such as high porosity and moderate water vapor permeability, but they are limited in antibacterial properties and cannot protect wounds from microbial infections, which can delay wound healing. In addition, several dressings contain antibiotics, which may have bad impacts on patients. Natural active substances have good biocompatibility; for example, ginsenoside Rg3 has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and other biological activities, which can effectively promote wound healing. Some researchers have developed various polymer wound dressings loaded with ginsenoside Rg3 that have good biocompatibility and can effectively promote wound healing and reduce scar formation. This article will focus on the application and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3-loaded dressings in wounds.

Recent Advances in Designing Fibrous Biomaterials for the Domain of Biomedical, Clinical, and Environmental Applications

Unique properties and potential applications of nanofibers have emerged as innovative approaches and opportunities in the biomedical, healthcare, environmental, and biosensor fields. Electrospinning and centrifugal spinning strategies have gained considerable attention among all kinds of strategies to produce nanofibers. These techniques produce nanofibers with high porosity and surface area, adequate pore architecture, and diverse chemical compositions. The extraordinary characteristics of nanofibers have unveiled new gates in nanomedicine to establish innovative fiber-based formulations for biomedical use, healthcare, and a wide range of other applications. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of nanofibers and their broad range of applications, including drug delivery, biomedical scaffolds, tissue/bone-tissue engineering, dental applications, and environmental remediation in a single place. The review begins with a brief introduction followed by potential applications of nanofibers. Finally, the future perspectives and current challenges of nanofibers are demonstrated. This review will help researchers to engineer more efficient multifunctional nanofibers with improved characteristics for their effective use in broad areas. We strongly believe this review is a reader's delight and will help in dealing with the fundamental principles and applications of nanofiber-based scaffolds. This review will assist students and a broad range of scientific communities to understand the significance of nanofibers in several domains of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, biotechnology, and environmental remediation, which will set a benchmark for further research.

A Review of Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid Treatment and Prevention in the Pediatric Population: Where Are We Now?

Significance: This body of work gives a concise and comprehensive overview for the clinician and scientist on the latest treatment modalities for hypertrophic scars (HTS) and keloids in the pediatric population, as well as the most promising methods of prevention currently being investigated. This review will serve as a guide to the clinician for treatment selection and as an efficient tool for the scientist to achieve a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature to guide their future experiments aimed at pathologic scar prevention. Recent Advances: Current studies in the literature suggest carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser and E-light (bipolar radiofrequency, intense pulsed light, and cooling) are two of the most effective treatment modalities for HTS, while surgical excision+CO₂ laser+triamcinolone injection was one of the most successful treatments for keloids. In animal models, drug impregnated electrospun nanofiber dressings offer encouraging results for HTS prevention, while Kelulut honey showed promising results for keloid prevention. Critical Issues: Treatment outcome reproducibility is hindered by small cohorts of patients, inadequate-follow up, and variability in assessment tools. Prevention studies show multiple ways of achieving the same result, yet fall short of complete prevention. Furthermore, some studies that have purported full prevention have not been validated. Future Directions: To establish a standard of care, large clinical trials of the most successful modalities in small cohorts are needed. The key for prevention will be validation in animal models of the most successful methods, followed by translational and clinical studies.

Bioactive Polymeric Materials for the Advancement of Regenerative Medicine

Biopolymers are widely accepted natural materials in regenerative medicine, and further development of their bioactivities and discoveries on their composition/function relationships could greatly advance the field. However, a concise insight on commonly investigated biopolymers, their current applications and outlook of their modifications for multibioactivity are scarce. This review bridges this gap for professionals and especially freshmen in the field who are also interested in modification methods not yet in commercial use. A series of polymeric materials in research and development uses are presented as well as challenges that limit their efficacy in tissue regeneration are discussed. Finally, their roles in the regeneration of select tissues including the skin, bone, cartilage, and tendon are highlighted along with modifiable biopolymer moieties for different bioactivities.

Bioinspired Functional Black Phosphorus Electrospun Fibers Achieving Recruitment and Biomineralization for Staged Bone Regeneration

The ideal bone repair material should firstly recognize and recruit osteoblast precursor cells to initiate the repair process, then promote the differentiation of osteoblasts and accelerate the mineralization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, a bioinspired staged bone regeneration strategy which loads bone morphogenetic protein₂ (BMP₂ )-modified black phosphorus (BP@BMP₂ ) nanosheets to a polylactic acid (PLLA) electrospun fibrous scaffold, with a combination of recruiting osteoblast precursor cells and biomineralization properties for bone regeneration, is constructed successfully by micro-sol electrospinning technique. BP, acting as carriers, can not only provide a negative surface and a strong BMP₂ loading ability but can also promote biomineralization in a 3D manner on the electrospun fibrous scaffold, while the BMP₂ is to target osteoblast precursor cells for recruitment and osteogenesis differentiation, which endows BP@BMP₂ nanosheets with staged bone regeneration ability. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo data showed that the BP@BMP₂ loaded electrospun fibrous scaffold have good biocompatibility and a strong osteogenesis ability resulting in rapid new bone tissue regeneration. Altogether, this newly developed bioinspired BMP₂ -modified BP electrospun fiber with staged bone regeneration properties via recruiting osteoblast precursor cells to the bone injured site and accelerating biomineralization can be a promising approach in physiologic bone repair.

Poly(2-oxazoline) Matrices with Temperature-Dependent Solubility-Interactions with Water and Use for Cell Culture

In this work, we studied the stability of matrices with temperature-dependent solubility and their interactions with water at physiological temperature for their application in cell culture in vitro. Gradient copolymers of 2-isopropyl- with 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline (P(iPrOx-nPrOx)) were used to prepare the matrices. The comonomer ratio during polymerization was chosen such that the cloud point temperature (T_CP) of the copolymer was below 37 °C while the glass transition (T_g) was above 37 °C. The role of the support for matrices in the context of their stability in aqueous solution was examined. Therefore, matrices in the form of both self-supported bulk polymer materials (fibrillar mats and molds) and polymer films supported on the silica slides were examined. All of the matrices remained undissolved when incubated in water at a temperature above T_CP. For the self-supported mats and molds, we observed the loss of shape stability, but, in the case of films supported on silica slides, only slight changes in morphology were observed. For a more in-depth investigation of the origin of the shape deformation of self-supported matrices, we analyzed the wettability, thickness, and water uptake of films on silica support because the matrices remained undeformed under these conditions. It was found that, above the T_CP of P(iPrOx-nPrOx), the wettability of the films decreased, but at the same time the films absorbed water and swelled. We examined how this specific behavior of the supported films influenced the culture of fibroblasts. The temperature-dependent solubility of the matrices and the possibility of noninvasive cell separation were also examined.

Processing of (Co)Poly(2-oxazoline)s by Electrospinning and Extrusion from Melt and the Postprocessing Properties of the (Co)Polymers

Poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) matrices in the form of non-woven fibrous mats and three-dimensional moulds were obtained by electrospinning and fused deposition modelling (FDM), respectively. To obtain these materials, poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPrOx) and gradient copolymers of 2-isopropyl- with 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline (P(iPrOx-nPrOx)), with relatively low molar masses and low dispersity values, were processed. The conditions for the electrospinning of POx were optimised for both water and the organic solvent. Also, the FDM conditions for the fabrication of POx multi-layer moulds of cylindrical or cubical shape were optimised. The properties of the POx after electrospinning and extrusion from melt were determined. The molar mass of all (co)poly(2-oxazoline)s did not change after electrospinning. Also, FDM did not influence the molar masses of the (co)polymers; however, the long processing of the material caused degradation and an increase in molar mass dispersity. The thermal properties changed significantly after processing of POx what was monitored by increase in enthalpy of exo- and endothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve. The influence of the processing conditions on the structure and properties of the final material were evaluated having in a mind their potential application as scaffolds.

Ginsenosides: potential therapeutic source for fibrosis-associated human diseases

Tissue fibrosis is an eventual pathologic change of numerous chronic illnesses, which is characterized by resident fibroblasts differentiation into myofibroblasts during inflammation, coupled with excessive extracellular matrix deposition in tissues, ultimately leading to failure of normal organ function. Now, there are many mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis, which facilitate the discovery of effective antifibrotic drugs. Moreover, many chronic diseases remain a significant clinical unmet need. For the past five years, many research works have undoubtedly addressed the functional dependency of ginsenosides in different types of fibrosis and the successful remission in various animal models treated with ginsenosides. Caveolin-1, interleukin, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), liver X receptors (LXRs), Nrf2, microRNA-27b, PPARδ-STAT3, liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-AMPK, and TGF-β1/Smads are potential therapy targeting using ginsenosides. Ginsenosides can play a targeting role and suppress chronic inflammatory response, collagen deposition, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as myofibroblast activation to attenuate fibrosis. In this report, our aim was to focus on the therapeutic prospects of ginsenosides in fibrosis-related human diseases making use of results acquired from various animal models. These findings should provide important therapeutic clues and strategies for the exploration of new drugs for fibrosis treatment.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Prolongs Survival of the Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model by Inducing Apoptosis and Inhibiting Angiogenesis

Aim

Microvessel density is a marker of tumor angiogenesis activity for development and metastasis. Our preliminary study showed that ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross-link for apoptosis induction and antiangiogenesis effect of Rg3 on orthotopic HCC in vivo.

Methods

The murine HCC cells Hep1-6 were implanted in the liver of mouse. With oral feeding of Rg3 (10 mg/kg once a day for 30 days), the quantitative analysis of apoptosis was performed by using pathology and a transmission electron microscope and microvessel density was quantitatively measured by immunohistochemical staining of the CD105 antibody. The mice treated with Rg3 (n = 10) were compared with the control (n = 10) using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Animal weight and tumor weight were measured to determine the toxicity of Rg3 and antitumor effect on an orthotopic HCC tumor model.

Results

With oral feeding of Rg3 daily in the first 30 days on tumor implantation, Rg3 significantly decreased the orthotopic tumor growth and increased the survival of animals (P < 0.05). Rg3-treated mice showed a longer survival than the control (P < 0.05). Rg3 treatment induced apoptosis and inhibited angiogenesis. They contributed to the tumor shrinkage. Rg3 initialized the tumor apoptotic progress, which then weakened the tumor volume and its capability to produce the vascularized network for further growth of the tumor and remote metastasis.

Conclusion

Rg3 inhibited the activation of microtumor vessel formation in vivo besides its apoptosis induction. Rg3 may be used as an adjuvant agent in the clinical HCC treatment regimen.

Controlled and tuneable drug release from electrospun fibers and a non-invasive approach for cytotoxicity testing

Electrospinning is an attractive method to generate drug releasing systems. In this work, we encapsulated the cell death-inducing drug Diclofenac (DCF) in an electrospun poly-L-lactide (PLA) scaffold. The scaffold offers a system for a sustained and controlled delivery of the cytotoxic DCF over time making it clinically favourable by achieving a prolonged therapeutic effect. We exposed human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to the drug-eluting scaffold and employed multiphoton microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. These methods were suitable for non-invasive and marker-independent assessment of the cytotoxic effects. Released DCF induced changes in cell morphology and glycolytic activity. Furthermore, we showed that drug release can be influenced by adding dimethyl sulfoxide as a co-solvent for electrospinning. Interestingly, without affecting the drug diffusion mechanism, the resulting PLA scaffolds showed altered fibre morphology and enhanced initial DCF burst release. The here described model could represent an interesting way to control the diffusion of encapsulated bio-active molecules and test them using a marker-independent, non-invasive approach.

Electrospun polymeric micro/nanofibrous scaffolds for long-term drug release and their biomedical applications

Electrospun polymeric micro/nanofibrous scaffolds have been investigated extensively as drug delivery platforms capable of controlled and sustained release of therapeutic agents in situ. Such scaffolds exhibit excellent physicochemical and biological properties and can encapsulate and release various drugs in a controlled fashion. This article reviews recent advances in the design and manufacture of electrospun scaffolds for long-term drug release, placing particular emphasis on polymer selection, types of incorporated drugs and the latest drug-loading techniques. Finally, applications of such devices in traumatic or disease states requiring effective and sustained drug action are discussed and critically appraised in their biomedical context.

Bioactive polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering

A variety of engineered scaffolds have been created for tissue engineering using polymers, ceramics and their composites. Biomimicry has been adopted for majority of the three-dimensional (3D) scaffold design both in terms of physicochemical properties, as well as bioactivity for superior tissue regeneration. Scaffolds fabricated via salt leaching, particle sintering, hydrogels and lithography have been successful in promoting cell growth in vitro and tissue regeneration in vivo. Scaffold systems derived from decellularization of whole organs or tissues has been popular due to their assured biocompatibility and bioactivity. Traditional scaffold fabrication techniques often failed to create intricate structures with greater resolution, not reproducible and involved multiple steps. The 3D printing technology overcome several limitations of the traditional techniques and made it easier to adopt several thermoplastics and hydrogels to create micro-nanostructured scaffolds and devices for tissue engineering and drug delivery. This review highlights scaffold fabrication methodologies with a focus on optimizing scaffold performance through the matrix pores, bioactivity and degradation rate to enable tissue regeneration. Review highlights few examples of bioactive scaffold mediated nerve, muscle, tendon/ligament and bone regeneration. Regardless of the efforts required for optimization, a shift in 3D scaffold uses from the laboratory into everyday life is expected in the near future as some of the methods discussed in this review become more streamlined.

Targeted killing of myofibroblasts by biosurfactant di-rhamnolipid suggests a therapy against scar formation

Pathological myofibroblasts are often involved in skin scarring via generating contractile force and over-expressing collagen fibers, but no compound has been found to inhibit the myofibroblasts without showing severe toxicity to surrounding physiological cells. Here we report that di-rhamnolipid, a biosurfactant secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showed potent effects on scar therapy via a unique mechanism of targeted killing the myofibroblasts. In cell culture, the fibroblasts-derived myofibroblasts were more sensitive to di-rhamnolipid toxicity than fibroblasts at a concentration-dependent manner, and could be completely inhibited of their specific functions including α-SMA expression and collagen secretion/contraction. The anti-fibrotic function of di-rhamnolipid was further verified in rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models by presenting the significant reduction of scar elevation index, type I collagen fibers and α-SMA expression. In this regard, di-rhamnolipid treatment could be suggested as a therapy against skin scarring.

Lumican alleviates hypertrophic scarring by suppressing integrin-FAK signaling

Hypertrophic scarring (HS) is an overcompensation of wound healing that increases the risk of cosmetic disfigurement and functional impairment. No gold standard has been established for the treatment or prevention of HS. Our study aims to elucidate the expression and function of lumican in the pathogenesis of HS as well as the underlying mechanism involved in this procedure. An animal model of HS (rabbit ear) was established, and the Ad-lumican vectors were locally injected. Primary fibroblasts isolated from patients with hypertrophic burn scars were used in vitro. Histological and molecular changes in HS pathogenesis were evaluated. The results showed that lumican is significantly reduced in HS tissues and fibroblasts from HS patients as compared to normal skin or cells. Lumican levels were further suppressed in response to TGF-β stimulation. However, lumican upregulation effectively thinned the scar area and inhibited fibroblast proliferation and the cell cycle. Meanwhile, Ad-lumican administration suppressed the deposition of extracellular matrix, such as collagen and CTGF. Ad-lumican injected animals or fibroblasts presented comparable integrin α₂β₁ expression while greatly reduced phosphorylation of FAK compared to the negative control. Moreover, Ad-lumican administration largely enhanced the binding of lumican to integrin α₂β₁ and may thus inhibit the signaling propagation of collagen-integrin α₂β₁. Overall, the restoration of lumican levels contributed to suppressing the HS progression by inhibiting collagen-integrin α₂β₁-FAK signaling.

Establishing correlations in the en-mass migration of dermal fibroblasts on oriented fibrillar scaffolds

Wound healing proceeds via fibroblast migration along three dimensional fibrillar substrates with multiple angles between fibers. We have developed a technique for preparation of three dimensional fibrillar scaffolds with where the fiber diameters and the angles between adjacent fiber layers could be precisely controlled. Using the agarose droplet method we were able to make accurate determinations of the dependence of the migration speed, focal adhesion distribution, and nuclear deformation on the fiber diameter, fiber spacing, and angle between adjacent fiber layers. We found that on oriented single fiber layers, whose diameters exceeded 1 μm, large focal adhesion complexes formed in a linear arrangement along the fiber axis and cell motion was highly correlated. On multi layered scaffolds most of the focal adhesion sites reformed at the junction points and the migration speed was determined by the angle between adjacent fiber layers, which followed a parabolic function with a minimum at 30°. On these surfaces we observed a 25% increase in the number of focal adhesion points and a similar decrease in the degree of nuclear deformation, both phenomena associated with decreased mobility. These results underscore the importance of substrate morphology on the en-mass migration dynamics.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

En-mass fibroblast migration is an essential component of the wound healing process which can determine rate and scar formation. Yet, most publications on this topic have focused on single cell functions. Here we describe a new apparatus where we designed three dimensional fibrillar scaffolds with well controlled angles between junction points and highly oriented fiber geometries. We show that the motion of fibroblasts undergoing en-mass migration on these scaffolds can be controlled by the substrate topography. Significant differences in cell morphology and focal adhesions was found to exist between cells migrating on flat versus fibrillar scaffolds where the migration speed was found to be a function of the angle between fibers, the fiber diameter, and the distance between fibers.

Astragulus polysaccharide-loaded fibrous mats promote the restoration of microcirculation in/around skin wounds to accelerate wound healing in a diabetic rat model

Tissue engineering scaffolds (TES) can carry numerous biomacromolecules and cells, and they have been widely used in diabetic skin wound healing with positive effects. However, the bioactive retention of biomacromolecules and cells during fabrication and storage is still a factor restricting their use. Moreover, impaired blood supply in/around poorly healing diabetic skin wounds has not been considered. In the present study, a bioactive natural substance of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), which has stable and confirmed effects on endothelial protection, was embedded into fibrous TES by electrospinning. The administration of APS-loaded TES on the skin wound in a diabetic rat model led to a dose-dependent promotion in skin blood flow around wounds and an increase in endoglin expression and microvessel density in regenerated skin tissues. Furthermore, the higher loading of APS in TES led to faster collagen synthesis, appendage and epidermal differentiation, and wound closure. In summary, the combination of APS with TES is a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic skin wound healing, as it not only mimics the ultrastructure of extracellular matrixes but also restores skin microcirculation.

Medicinal plants for the treatment of hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scar is a complication of wound healing and has a high recurrence rate which can lead to significant abnormity in aesthetics and functions. To date, no ideal treatment method has been established. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism of hypertrophic scarring has not been clearly defined. Although a large amount of scientific research has been reported on the use of medicinal plants as a natural source of treatment for hypertrophic scarring, it is currently scattered across a wide range of publications. Therefore, a systematic summary and knowledge for future prospects are necessary to facilitate further medicinal plant research for their potential use as antihypertrophic scar agents. A bibliographic investigation was accomplished by focusing on medicinal plants which have been scientifically tested in vitro and/or in vivo and proved as potential agents for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. Although the chemical components and mechanisms of action of medicinal plants with antihypertrophic scarring potential have been investigated, many others remain unknown. More investigations and clinical trials are necessary to make use of these medical plants reasonably and phytotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach against hypertrophic scars.

Association of CD14 and TLR4 with LPS-stimulated human normal skin fibroblasts in immunophenotype changes and secretion of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ

OBJECTIVES

We attempted to explore the association of CD14 and TLR4 with LPS-stimulated human normal skin fibroblasts in immunophenotype changes and secretion of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ, and to expand the current knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie LPS-induced scar formation.

METHODS

We randomized the human normal skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro into four groups. The expression profile of immune phenotypes was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Ultrastructure of cells was observed by use of transmission electron microscopy. Secretion status of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ was inspected using ELISA assay.

RESULTS

Compared with group A, the expressions of α-SMA and α1 (I) procollagen in groups B, C, D were lower, and it in group D were the lowest in all groups. The cells in group A were diversification under the electron microscope, and the ratio of the nuclear to plasma of the fibroblasts was large, with unregular nuclear membrane, more Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and microfilament and canaliculus appeared. The ultrastructure of the fibroblasts in group B, C, D was spindle and the nuclear was large, with regular nuclear membrane, more Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum. ELISA assay indicated that the secretion of TGF-β1 markedly lowered in groups B, C, D in comparison to group A, with the most marked decline observed in group D. Interestingly, we found significantly increased IFN-γ secretion in groups B, C, D (P < 0.05), with the latter group showing the most notable increase (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that both combined and isolated use of CD14 and TLR4 significantly reduce α-SMA expression levels, the number of α1 (I) pro-collagen positive cells, and TGF-β secretion, while substantially increased IFN-γ secretion. The reduction and increase are especially notable when pretreating with CD14 and TLR4 combined. Here we thus draw a conclusion that both CD14 and TLR4 are associated with the immunophenotype changes and secretion of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ in LPS-stimulated human normal skin fibroblasts.

Ginsenoside 20(S)‑Rg3 inhibits the Warburg effect through STAT3 pathways in ovarian cancer cells

Cancer cells prefer to metabolize glucose through aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect. It plays a crucial role in proliferation and progression of cancer cells. However, the complete mechanism remains elusive. In recent studies, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling has been discovered to have roles in cancer‑associated changes in metabolism. In this study, we find that the ginsenoside 20(S)‑Rg3, a pharmacologically active component of the traditional Chinese herb Panax ginseng, inhibits glycolysis in ovarian cancer cells by regulating hexokinase 2 (HK2) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). We also show that 20(S)‑Rg3 regulates HK2 through downregulation of p‑STAT3 (Tyr705). Furthermore, overexpression of STAT3 in ovarian cancer cells weakened the suppression of Warburg effect induced by 20(S)‑Rg3. Importantly, 20(S)‑Rg3 treatment represses HK2 expression in nude mouse xenograft models of ovarian cancer. Taken together, our results show that 20(S)‑Rg3 inhibits the Warburg effect by targeting STAT3/HK2 pathway in ovarian cancer cells, highlighting the potentiality of 20(S)‑Rg3 to be used as a therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.

Wound healing: an update

Wounds, both chronic and acute, continue to be a tremendous socioeconomic burden. As such, technologies drawn from many disciplines within science and engineering are constantly being incorporated into innovative wound healing therapies. While many of these therapies are experimental, they have resulted in new insights into the pathophysiology of wound healing, and in turn the development of more specialized treatments for both normal and abnormal wound healing states. Herein, we review some of the emerging technologies that are currently being developed to aid and improve wound healing after cutaneous injury.

Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 targets HIF-1α to block hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer cells

The prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer has remained poor mainly because of aggressive cancer progression. Since epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism mediating invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, targeting the EMT process with more efficacious and less toxic compounds to inhibit metastasis is of great therapeutic value for the treatment of ovarian cancer. We have found for the first time that the ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, a pharmacologically active component of the traditional Chinese herb Panax ginseng, potently blocks hypoxia-induced EMT of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies confirm the mode of action of 20(S)-Rg3, which reduces the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) by activating the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to promote HIF-1α degradation. A decrease in HIF-1α in turn leads to up-regulation, via transcriptional suppression of Snail, of the epithelial cell-specific marker E-cadherin and down-regulation of the mesenchymal cell-specific marker vimentin under hypoxic conditions. Importantly, 20(S)-Rg3 effectively inhibits EMT in nude mouse xenograft models of ovarian cancer, promising a novel therapeutic agent for anticancer therapy.

Biological augmentation of rotator cuff repair using bFGF-loaded electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) fibrous membranes

Clinically, rotator cuff tear (RCT) is among the most common shoulder pathologies. Despite significant advances in surgical techniques, the re-tear rate after rotator cuff (RC) repair remains high. Insufficient healing capacity is likely the main factor for reconstruction failure. This study reports on a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-loaded electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) fibrous membrane for repairing RCT. Implantable biodegradable bFGF-PLGA fibrous membranes were successfully fabricated using emulsion electrospinning technology and then characterized and evaluated with in vitro and in vivo cell proliferation assays and repairs of rat chronic RCTs. Emulsion electrospinning fabricated ultrafine fibers with a core-sheath structure which secured the bioactivity of bFGF in a sustained manner for 3 weeks. Histological observations showed that electrospun fibrous membranes have excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks after in vivo RCT repair surgery, electrospun fibrous membranes significantly increased the area of glycosaminoglycan staining at the tendon-bone interface compared with the control group, and bFGF-PLGA significantly improved collagen organization, as measured by birefringence under polarized light at the healing enthesis compared with the control and PLGA groups. Biomechanical testing showed that the electrospun fibrous membrane groups had a greater ultimate load-to-failure and stiffness than the control group at 4 and 8 weeks. The bFGF-PLGA membranes had the highest ultimate load-to-failure, stiffness, and stress of the healing enthesis, and their superiority compared to PLGA alone was significant. These results demonstrated that electrospun fibrous membranes aid in cell attachment and proliferation, as well as accelerating tendon-bone remodeling, and bFGF-loaded PLGA fibrous membranes have a more pronounced effect on tendon-bone healing. Therefore, augmentation using bFGF-PLGA electrospun fibrous membranes is a promising treatment for RCT.

Fast-dissolving core-shell composite microparticles of quercetin fabricated using a coaxial electrospray process

This study reports on novel fast-dissolving core-shell composite microparticles of quercetin fabricated using coaxial electrospraying. A PVC-coated concentric spinneret was developed to conduct the electrospray process. A series of analyses were undertaken to characterize the resultant particles in terms of their morphology, the physical form of their components, and their functional performance. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies revealed that the microparticles had spherical morphologies with clear core-shell structure visible. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction verified that the quercetin active ingredient in the core and sucralose and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) excipients in the shell existed in the amorphous state. This is believed to be a result of second-order interactions between the components; these could be observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro dissolution and permeation studies showed that the microparticles rapidly released the incorporated quercetin within one minute, and had permeation rates across the sublingual mucosa around 10 times faster than raw quercetin.

Use of ginsenoside Rg3-loaded electrospun PLGA fibrous membranes as wound cover induces healing and inhibits hypertrophic scar formation of the skin

Prevention of hypertrophic scar formation of the skin requires a complex treatment process, which mainly includes promoting skin regeneration in an early stage while inhibiting hypertrophic formation in a later stage. Electrospinning PLGA with the three-dimensional micro/nano-fibrous structure and as drugs carrier, could be used as an excellent skin repair scaffold. However, it is difficult to combine the advantage of nanofibrous membranes and drug carriers to achieve early and late treatment. In this study, Ginsenoside-Rg3 (Rg3) loaded hydrophilic poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) electrospun fibrous membranes coated with chitosan (CS) were fabricated by combining electrospinning and pressure-driven permeation (PDP) technology. The PDP method was able to significantly improve the hydrophilicity of electrospun fibrous membranes through surface coating of the hydrophilic fibers with CS, while maintaining the Rg3 releasing rate of PLGA electrospun fibrous membranes. Experimental wounds of animal covered with PDP treated fibrous membranes completely re-epithelialized and healed 3-4 days earlier than the wounds in control groups. Scar elevation index (SEI) measurements and histologic characteristics revealed that Rg3 significantly inhibited scar formation 28 days post-surgery. Moreover, RT-PCR assays and western blot analysis revealed that at day 28 after wound induction the expression of VEGF, mRNA and Collagen Type I in the scars treated with Rg3 was decreased compared to control groups. Taken together PLGA-Rg3/CS electrospun fibrous membranes induced repair of tissue damage in the early stage and inhibited scar formation in the late stage of wound healing. These dual-functional membranes present a combined therapeutic approach for inhibiting hypertrophic scars of the skin.