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Zakzak K, Semenescu AD, Moacă EA, Predescu I, Drăghici G, Vlaia L, Vlaia V, Borcan F, Dehelean CA. Comprehensive Biosafety Profile of Carbomer-Based Hydrogel Formulations Incorporating Phosphorus Derivatives. Gels 2024; 10:477. [PMID: 39057500 PMCID: PMC11276259 DOI: 10.3390/gels10070477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Determining the safety of a newly developed experimental product is a crucial condition for its medical use, especially for clinical trials. In this regard, four hydrogel-type formulations were manufactured, all of which were based on carbomer (Blank-CP940) and encapsulated with caffeine (CAF-CP940), phosphorus derivatives (phenyl phosphinic (CAF-S1-CP940) and 2-carboxyethyl phenyl phosphinic acids (CAF-S2-CP940)). The main aim of this research was to provide a comprehensive outline of the biosafety profile of the above-mentioned hydrogels. The complex in vitro screening (cell viability, cytotoxicity, morphological changes in response to exposure, and changes in nuclei morphology) on two types of healthy skin cell lines (HaCaT-human keratinocytes and JB6 Cl 41-5a-murine epidermal cells) exhibited a good biosafety profile when both cell lines were treated for 24 h with 150 μg/mL of each hydrogel. A comprehensive analysis of the hydrogel's impact on the genetic profile of HaCaT cells sustains the in vitro experiments. The biosafety profile was completed with the in vivo and in ovo assays. The outcome revealed that the developed hydrogels exerted good biocompatibility after topical application on BALB/c nude mice's skin. It also revealed a lack of toxicity after exposure to the hen's chicken embryo. Further investigations are needed, regarding the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacy and safety for long-term use and potential clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Zakzak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (K.Z.); (L.V.)
| | - Alexandra-Denisa Semenescu
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-D.S.); (I.P.); (G.D.); (C.-A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elena-Alina Moacă
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-D.S.); (I.P.); (G.D.); (C.-A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iasmina Predescu
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-D.S.); (I.P.); (G.D.); (C.-A.D.)
| | - George Drăghici
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-D.S.); (I.P.); (G.D.); (C.-A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lavinia Vlaia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (K.Z.); (L.V.)
- Formulation and Technology of Drugs Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Vicenţiu Vlaia
- Formulation and Technology of Drugs Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin Borcan
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Cristina-Adriana Dehelean
- Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-D.S.); (I.P.); (G.D.); (C.-A.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Onyango LA, Liang J. Manuka honey as a non-antibiotic alternative against Staphylococcus spp. and their small colony variant (SCVs) phenotypes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1380289. [PMID: 38868298 PMCID: PMC11168119 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1380289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The antibiotic resistance (ABR) crisis is an urgent global health priority. Staphylococci are among the problematic bacteria contributing to this emergency owing to their recalcitrance to many clinically important antibiotics. Staphylococcal pathogenesis is further complicated by the presence of small colony variants (SCVs), a bacterial subpopulation displaying atypical characteristics including retarded growth, prolific biofilm formation, heightened antibiotic tolerance, and enhanced intracellular persistence. These capabilities severely impede current chemotherapeutics, resulting in chronic infections, poor patient outcomes, and significant economic burden. Tackling ABR requires alternative measures beyond the conventional options that have dominated treatment regimens over the past 8 decades. Non-antibiotic therapies are gaining interest in this arena, including the use of honey, which despite having ancient therapeutic roots has now been reimagined as an alternative treatment beyond just traditional topical use, to include the treatment of an array of difficult-to-treat staphylococcal infections. This literature review focused on Manuka honey (MH) and its efficacy as an anti-staphylococcal treatment. We summarized the studies that have used this product and the technologies employed to study the antibacterial mechanisms that render MH a suitable agent for the management of problematic staphylococcal infections, including those involving staphylococcal SCVs. We also discussed the status of staphylococcal resistance development to MH and other factors that may impact its efficacy as an alternative therapy to help combat ABR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Onyango
- Department of Biology, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, Canada
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Wang S, Qiu Y, Zhu F. An updated review of functional ingredients of Manuka honey and their value-added innovations. Food Chem 2024; 440:138060. [PMID: 38211407 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Manuka honey (MH) is a highly prized natural product from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium flowers. Increased competition on the global market drives MH product innovations. This review updates comparative and non-comparative studies to highlight nutritional, therapeutic, bioengineering, and cosmetic values of MH. MH is a good source of phenolics and unique chemical compounds, such as methylglyoxal, dihydroxyacetone, leptosperin glyoxal, methylsyringate and leptosin. Based on the evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, multifunctional bioactive compounds of MH have exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities. There are controversial topics related to MH, such as MH grading, safety/efficacy, implied benefits, and maximum levels of contaminants concerned. Artificial intelligence can optimize MH studies related to chemical analysis, toxicity prediction, multi-functional mechanism exploration and product innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunan Wang
- Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Niagara College, 135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0, Canada; School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Yi Qiu
- Division of Engineering Science, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Fan Zhu
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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Purcea Lopes PM, Moldovan D, Fechete R, Mare L, Barbu-Tudoran L, Sechel N, Popescu V. Characterization of a Graphene Oxide-Reinforced Whey Hydrogel as an Eco-Friendly Absorbent for Food Packaging. Gels 2023; 9:gels9040298. [PMID: 37102911 PMCID: PMC10138084 DOI: 10.3390/gels9040298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents a structural analysis of a whey and gelatin-based hydrogel reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) by ultraviolet and visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed barrier properties in the UV range for the reference sample (containing no graphene oxide) and the samples with minimal GO content of 0.66×10−3% and 3.33×10−3%, respectively, in the UV-VIS and near-IR range; for the samples with higher GO content, this was 6.67×10−3% and 33.33×10−3% as an effect of the introduction of GO into the hydrogel composite. The changes in the position of diffraction angles 2θ from the X-ray diffraction patterns of GO-reinforced hydrogels indicated a decrease in the distances between the turns of the protein helix structure due to the GO cross-linking effect. Transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) was used for GO, whilst scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the composite characterization. A novel technique for investigating the swelling rate was presented by performing electrical conductivity measurements, the results of which led to the identification of a potential hydrogel with sensor properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pompilia Mioara Purcea Lopes
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dumitrita Moldovan
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Fechete
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Liviu Mare
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
- Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Niculina Sechel
- Materials Science and Engineering Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Popescu
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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