JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION

An overview of nanostructured lipid carriers containing phytoconstituents
Nagpure S, Jain S and Deshmane S
The phytochemicals offer enormous therapeutic promise for treating a variety of illnesses, without serious side effects. Every country is resorting to self-medication in the form of herbal medicines in an effort to obtain healthcare beyond the conventional bounds of modern medicine. Bioavailability and site-specific targeting are the only factors that determine its effectiveness. Poor absorption rate of phytoconstituents is due to low lipid solubility, large molecular weight, and presence of multi-ring polyphenols in their structures. A combination of solid and liquid lipids in an appropriate ratio becomes nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) that overcomes the limitations of poor absorption. In this review, NLC containing various phytoconstituents are overviewed with special emphasis on methods of preparation, various examples of solid and liquid lipids and outcomes which improved absorptions, bioavailability, minimum particle size, appropriate polydispersibility index and entrapment efficiencies. So, to encourage their continued usage in the future, this study will give a synopsis of the present status of NLCs containing phytoconstituents, including their formulations, modern processes, and uses in oral drug administration.
Alginate-gelatin-carboxymethylcellulose bioink designing and bioprinting to improve fibroblast cell niche
Kalhori D, Goharpey F and Solati-Hashjin M
Most bioinks used in extrusion-based bioprinting are derived from natural hydrogels. Among these, alginate-gelatin blends are widely used but suffer from limited stability and suboptimal mechanical properties. In this study, a tricomponent bioink consisting of alginate, gelatin, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is developed to address these limitations. To retain gelatin's cell-adhesive RGD sequences while minimizing rapid deterioration, the gelatin content was reduced compared to alginate-gelatin bioinks to preserve structural integrity and support cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation. The inclusion of CMC further enhanced the mechanical, rheological, and physical properties of the hydrogel. Four formulations with varying alginate and CMC concentrations were prepared and designated as D-1, D-2, D-3, and D-4. Among these, the D-4 formulation exhibited the highest compressive modulus and shear-thinning properties. NIH-3T3 fibroblasts were incorporated into each bioink formulation to assess cell viability, attachment, and proliferation. The D-4 bioprinted construct demonstrated a 21% increase in cell viability compared to the D-1 sample and a threefold increase in fibroblast proliferation relative to the control. These findings indicated that the alginate-gelatin-CMC bioink significantly improved the mechanical and biological performance over conventional alginate-gelatin formulations, offering a promising cell niche for skin tissue engineering applications.
Development and characterization of barley starch nanoformulation of folic acid using mild alkali hydrolysis technique
Ambre P, N Yadav BK and Fernandes C
Anaemia, especially folate deficient anaemia, continues to be a worldwide health issue, disproportionately impacting pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. Despite being a conventional treatment strategy, folic acid (FA) supplementation is hindered by its volatility in gastric environments and suboptimal intestinal absorption, which restricts clinical efficacy. This work focuses on preparation and characterization of barley starch-based nanoparticles as an innovative oral delivery vehicle for FA to improve its stability, bioavailability, and sustained release. The optimised formulation (15 min sonication) produced nanoparticles with an average size of 201.9 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.382, and a zeta potential of -29.1 mV, indicating nanoscale homogeneity and colloidal stability. Entrapment efficiency and drug loading were 97.12% and 98.28%, respectively. Spectroscopic (FTIR), thermal (DSC), and crystallographic (XRD) investigations validated molecular connections between FA and starch, with reduced crystallinity, indicating effective encapsulation. release showed persistent folic acid release (52% over 24 h), aligning most closely with a first-order kinetic model. intestinal permeation experiments demonstrated a 1.92-fold increase in FA permeability from FASN relative to the pure drug solution, whereas stability testing validated exceptional physicochemical stability for three months at both 25 °C/60% RH and 40 °C/75% RH. These data indicate that FASN is a promising oral nanocarrier for folic acid administration, providing protection against stomach degradation, enhancing intestinal absorption, and improving therapeutic efficacy in managing folate shortage.
Enhanced cardioprotective efficacy of loaded polydopamine nanoparticles for targeted therapy of myocardial infarction
Zhang M, Zhang Z, Hu J and Zhou S
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a predominant cause of mortality and heart failure in cardiovascular disorders. This article presents a novel polydopamine (PD) nanoparticles, tagged with cyclic RGD peptides (RP), for the targeted delivery of (RO) (RP-PD@RO NPs). RO is a therapeutic accessory for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. RP-PD@RO NPs were developed and characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), zeta potentials, and FT-IR spectral analysis. The cell viability was investigated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis. The migration ability was assessed through wound assays and migration assays. MI targeted therapy was examined using wild-type C57 BL/6J mice. The expression of specific proteins was confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PD is an efficient carrier recognized for its superior surface modifiability and cytocompatibility. RO was incorporated into PD π-π stacking, while RP was conjugated a Michael addition process, yielding stable RP-PD@RO NPs with a mean diameter of 204.51 ± 3.52 nm. Targeting investigations have shown a 2.19-fold enhancement in the efficiency of NPs accumulation within cellular uptake. The study revealed a 1.46-fold enhancement in cell proliferation, a 1.48-fold rise in the rate of angiogenesis, and a notable decrease in the MI site. These data indicate that RP-PD@RO NPs can reduce the MI site and enhance endothelial cell (EC) function targeted distribution.
Synthesis and functional assessment of gelatin-stabilized silver nanoparticles: a study on their ionic stability, free radical scavenging, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity
Shittu RO and Pwavodi PC
Over the past few decades, there has been much interest in developing biocompatible, multifunctional nanoparticles for medicinal uses. In this study, gelatin-stabilized silver nanoparticles, Gel-AgNP, were synthesized using a green chemical reduction method and thoroughly characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The ionic stability of the produced nano-particles was tested in the presence of sodium chloride to determine their colloidal nature under physiological environments. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of Gel-AgNP was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (HO). The agar disk diffusion method wasused to assess their antibacterial activity against bacterial strains. The Gel-AgNP showed a surface plasmon resonance around 440 nm. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis revealed a hydrodynamic diameter of 107.9 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.27, and a zeta potential of +11.03 mV. Ionic stability revealed an increment in size from 107 to 237 nm as NaCl concentration was increased from 25 to 150 mM.. Gel-AgNP demonstrated strong antioxidant capacity with IC values of 132 µg/mL for DPPH and 133 µg/mL for HO, after comparison with 550 and 210 µg/mL for gelatin alone. The disk diffusion assay revealed inhibition zones of 5-10 mm for , 2-7 mm for E. feacalis. 20 µg/mL doses possessed moderate sensitivity in , whereas was inhibited only at 20 µg/mL. These findings lend credence to the Gel-AgNP potential in biological applications, particularly in producing antioxidant-rich antibacterial nanocomposites.
A biocompatible Ag NP/SA.GL hydrogel for enhanced delivery and sustained release of doxorubicin in cancer treatment
Ganjali M, Ganjali M, Sereshki SMA, Aghabarari B, Serajion R, Marashi SMB and Ahmadinasab N
This research focused on the development of a hydrogel of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GL) for the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. Doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, was selected as a model drug and successfully loaded into the hydrogel. By incorporating Ag NPs and DOX, the hydrogel enables tumor-specific targeting of the drug and controlled release. The characterization of synthesized silver nano-particles (AgNPs) by laser ablation method was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation by detecting a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at approximately 420 nm, which is characteristic of AgNPs. TEM imaging provided detailed morphological analysis, revealing spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 20 nm. The structural and chemical properties of DOX-loaded Ag NPs/SA.GL hydrogel was analyzed by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The hydrogel did not show an initial explosive release of DOX, with only about 5% of the drug being released within the first 24 min. The drug release was rapid in the initial phase before slowing down over time, with the cumulative release pattern following this trend. At a pH of 7.4, approximately 60% of DOX was released from the Ag-NPs/SA.GL hydrogel. In addition, the encapsulation efficiency of DOX within the hydrogel was approximately 15%, highlighting its strong ability to retain the drug. These results suggest that Ag NPs/SA.GL hydrogels loaded with DOX are promising for targeted drug delivery and cancer treatment applications.
Scaffold fiber polycaprolactone/collagen/elastin as artificial anterior cruciate ligament
Aminatun , Sahira NM, Raharjo AC, Octavia AA, Faizah AC, Widiyanti P, R DI, Hadi S and Che Abdullah CA
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a crucial intra-articular ligament of the knee, connecting the tibia to the femur and playing a vital role in stabilizing and protecting the joint. Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament frequently lead to instability within the knee joint, as well as tears in the meniscus and development of osteoarthritis. This research investigates the impact of polycaprolactone (PCL)/collagen/elastin compositions on various parameters, including functional groups, fiber diameter, degradation rate, mechanical properties, cell viability, and proliferation. The analysis conducted through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) unequivocally validated the existence of functional groups associated with PCL, collagen, and elastin across all samples examined. The diameters of the fibers varied between 26 and 425 nanometers across a total of five samples. The PCL/collagen/elastin composition 50/35/15 in %wt, respectively (B2 sample), demonstrated superior characteristics, featuring a tensile strength of 3.390 ± 0.276 MPa, a fiber diameter of 109 ± 70 nm, porosity of 84.00 ± 1.73%, and a degradation period of 115 days. investigations employing the MTT Assay revealed a progressive enhancement in cell viability across days 1, 3, and 5, suggesting a vigorous process of cell proliferation. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated an increase in cell counts on day 5 relative to day 1, whereas SEM imaging illustrated a consistent pattern of cell attachment and distribution across scaffolds to facilitate cell proliferation and interaction, thereby promoting formation of new tissue. The PCL/collagen/elastin fiber scaffolds demonstrate notable biocompatibility and hold significant potential for advancement as artificial ACLs.
Folic acid-anchored liposomes in cancer therapy: a next-generation nanoplatform for precision drug delivery and tumor targeting
Gomte SS, Shewale RS, Avaghade MM, Vidhate MK and Jain A
Targeted drug delivery (TDD) has emerged as a potential strategy for cancer management by selectively delivering therapeutic agents directly to the targeted site. The current trends in TDD for cancer therapy, focus on the use of various ligands, such as hyaluronic acid, folic acid (FA), carbohydrates, peptides, antibodies, and aptamers to enhance drug delivery precision. Liposomes, a type of vesicular nanocarrier, allow the encapsulation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents, thereby enabling the targeted delivery of a wide range of anticancer compounds. These versatile carriers exhibit exceptional biodegradability, biocompatibility, eased scalability, and facile surface modification. Given the high expression of folate receptors (FR) on cancer cells, these receptors represent a favorable target for the active targeting of chemotherapeutic agents. In the engineering of FA into liposomal formulations, researchers can develop an optimistic strategy for cancer management. The present article provides a brief overview of the fundamental aspects of FA and liposomes and focusing on the application of folate-targeted liposomes in the management of various cancers, such as breast, lung, skin, liver, brain, and colorectal cancer (CRC) is explored. The challenges associated with the delivery of folate-engineered liposomes in cancer management are also highlighted in this article.
Patent prospecting in advanced wound healing technologies: an overview of the innovation landscape for wound treatment
Malta-Santos H, Saraiva Hodel KV, Souza da Hora H, Moraes Dos Santos Fonseca L, Pardo Campos Godoy AL, Mania E and Machado B
Dressings are essential medical devices in the treatment of wounds. The great diversity of skin lesions has led to the development of different therapeutic approaches involved in optimizing re-epithelialization. Advances in the field's technologies have led to an increase in therapeutic patents with various applications, including complex lesions that are difficult to heal. This article presents an analysis of patents and scientific publications on the development of innovative dressings for the treatment of complex dermal lesions, using Derwent World Patents Index (DWPI) database. The study provides an overview of materials, drugs, and nanotechnologies used in dressings, as well as their applications. Finally, the patent analysis enabled a comprehensive examination of trends, places of protection, market dynamics, and technological domains, providing valuable information on the advances and therapeutic potential of dressings. The development of new technologies associated with wound dressings applied to the treatment of injuries demonstrates the expressive interest of the scientific community, indicating advances in the sector. The incorporation and combination of diverse technologies employed in currently developed and investigational dressings demonstrate the emergence of increasingly efficient products, enhancing accessibility to therapies and contributing to the population's quality of life.
Fabrication and evaluation of sodium alginate-metformin loaded biopolymeric microsphere coated with chitosan for sustained drug release for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Mohanta A, Mandal D, Chatterjee S, De A, Tudu M, Priya K and Samanta A
The main objective of this present study was to develop sodium alginate-based metformin hydrochloride loaded and chitosan coated microsphere for effective treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prepared microspheres were formulated with different concentration of drug and polymer ratio and CaCl was used as a crosslinking agent. Ionotropic gelation technique was adopted to prepare the microsphere in eight different drug polymer ratios. The microspheres were characterized by moisture content, microsphere size, swelling ratio, drug entrapment efficiency, drug release profile for optimization purpose. Optimized formulation (F8) was further evaluated for surface morphology, FTIR, XRD, thermal analysis (TGA, DSC), antioxidant activity, antidiabetic activity, and cytotoxicity studies. The microspheres were spherical in shape with shiny appearance. The average diameter of prepared microsphere was 792 ± 28.06 μm in diameter. The percentage of drug entrapment efficiency was observed in the range of 22.50 ± 2.05 to 65.41 ± 4.12%. F8 provides 39.22 ± 0.22% sustained drug release after 8 h. This approach of the fabrication of biopolymeric oral dosage form may be inspiring globally for green manufacturing of sustained release microsphere through quality-driven development.
forming ROS-scavenging hydrogel with STING inhibitor delivery promotes bone mesenchymal stem cells osteogenic differentiation via regulating macrophage M2 polarization
Sun Z, Li X, Sun X, Chen L, Wang Z, Feng X, Wang L, Jin W, Sun X and Lu J
Bone regeneration is frequently impaired by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prolonged inflammation, which disrupt the immune microenvironment and hinder osteogenesis. The stimulator of interferon gene (STING) pathway is an innate immune pathway and a critical mediator of the inflammatory response, has been increasingly implicated in inflammatory bone loss and impaired repair. While STING inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy, its effective implementation within the bone microenvironment requires spatiotemporally controlled delivery. Here, we developed an injectable and photocrosslinkable hydrogel system (GMPP+H151) that integrates ROS-responsive scavenging with targeted STING inhibition to synergistically guide immune microenvironment remodeling and bone regeneration. The GMPP hydrogel was fabricated through dual crosslinking of phenylboronic acid (PBA)-modified gelatin (GelMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), endowing it with self-healing properties and ROS-scavenging capacity. H151, a small molecule inhibitor of STING, was caged by PBA chemistry for on-demand release under oxidative stress. The GMPP+H151 can significantly reduce ROS levels in macrophages and promote their phenotypic differentiation from M1 to M2 by suppressing the STING pathway, downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and upregulating anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, it efficiently enhanced survival, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), leading to increased expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN). This study presents a smart, multifunctional hydrogel drug delivery system that integrates immunomodulation and osteoinduction, offering a promising strategy for promoting osteogenic differentiation and bone defect repair.
3D printing innovations in catheter design to reduce catheter-associated infections: a scoping review
Koduganti RG, Prabhu K, Bashir A and Kumar P
Catheter-associated infections (CAIs) remain a significant healthcare challenge, driven by biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and design limitations of conventional catheters. While coatings and sterilization methods have advanced, long-term infection prevention is often inadequate. This scoping review, conducted using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analyzed 36 peer-reviewed studies selected from 545 records retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Eight innovation domains were identified: 3D printing technologies, antimicrobial coatings, surface engineering, biodegradable materials, AI-assisted design, sterilization compatibility, regulatory challenges, and economic feasibility. Findings indicate that 3D-printed catheters can integrate personalized geometries, targeted antimicrobial delivery, and improved biocompatibility. However, clinical adoption is hindered by methodological heterogeneity, limited long-term trials, and regulatory barriers. This review underscores the transformative potential of 3D printing in catheter design and infection control, while emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized evaluation, and robust regulatory frameworks to translate laboratory innovations into real-world healthcare solutions.
Global research trends in biomaterials over the past 20 years: a bibliometric and visualization study
Meng F, Quan R, Cui Z, Guo H, Tian X, Guo L and Wang Z
As an interdisciplinary discipline bridging medicine and engineering, Biomaterials have garnered increasing research attention in recent years, with evolving research hotspots. This study analyzed 122,146 publications in Biomaterials from the Web of Science Core Collection database using VOSviewer software for bibliometric analysis over the past 20 years. Results revealed sustained rapid growth in publications, with China and the United States of America as leading contributors, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences consistently ranking as the top institution. Keyword analysis demonstrated a thematic evolution: the first phase focused on technological exploration topic like 'tissue engineering', 'hydrogels', 'nanoparticles', while the second phase emphasized application-oriented topics like 'antibacterial' and 'wound healing', highlighting the discipline's shift from fundamental research to practical medical applications. The findings can delineate developmental trajectories and emerging frontiers in Biomaterials, offering empirical insights for researchers to identify trends and guide future directions in the discipline.
Nanogenetics in diabetes: converging nanoscale platforms and gene modulation for metabolic reprogramming
Tiwari R, Jahnavi P, Singh G, Dey P, Mehta FF, Choudhury T, Thajudeen KY, Bhandari AK and Sharma P
Diabetes is still a global health crisis characterized by progressive dysfunction of the β-cells, insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation. Classical pharmacotherapies have the benefit of symptomatic control without long-term metabolic reprogramming. The convergence of nanotechnology and gene modulation- here termed nanogenetics- a precise, durable way to reprogram glucose-homeostasis pathways. This critical review outlines the mechanistic foundations of nanogenetic interventions in the β-cells, hepatocytes, adipose tissue, and immune-metabolic interfaces. We offer an advanced taxonomy of nanoscale platforms (lipid, polymeric, inorganic, exosomal, and stimuli-responsive carriers) in combination with gene-editing modalities (RNA interference, CRISPR, epigenome editing, and synthetic gene circuits). The mapping of translational pipelines between organoids and humanized models to current clinical trials is done keeping in mind delivery issues, safety, manufacturing requirements and ethical aspects. Mechanistic insights are further improved with multi-omics profiling, high-end imaging, and computational digital twins. Through technological innovations and translational breakthroughs, a procession of nanogenetics-based long-term remission- and, eventually, curative interventions against diabetes is outlined.
Nanoparticles-loaded nanofiber topical patch of 5-fluorouracil: fabrication, characterization, and preclinical assessment in skin cancer
N Yadav BK and Patel GC
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal skin cells. It is mostly caused by unrepaired deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage to skin cells, which results in mutations, or genetic flaws, that cause skin cells to reproduce rapidly and develop malignant tumors. This study aimed to develop and analyze nanoparticle-loaded multilayered nanofibers (M-NFs) for the treatment of skin cancer. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was chosen as the chemotherapy medication. Poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were created utilizing a double emulsion technique. The 2 fractional factorial design was used to test a variety of process and formulation parameters. The resultant nanoparticles were assessed for zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, particle size, shape. The optimized drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticle had a particle size of 178.4 ± 6.1 nm, a zeta potential of -28.2 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 86.12% ± 2.1%. Transmission electron microscopy images showed uniformly sized spherical particles. Additional drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were integrated into M-NFs. The produced nanofibers were thoroughly characterized, and comparative drug diffusion tests were conducted. drug diffusion studies of drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles into M-NFs demonstrated regulated release for up to 7 d. Further effectiveness, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry studies were performed on SCID mice. According to the findings, the growth of skin cancer tumors has been steadily reduced, indicating that there are effective treatments for skin cancer. Developed multilayered electrospun nanofiber system demonstrates superior sustained release, enhanced drug localization, and improved cytotoxic efficacy compared to conventional nanofiber-only or nanoparticle-only formulations. This addition effectively underscores the novelty and therapeutic advantage of our integrated delivery platform.
Lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles for co-delivery of curcumin and β-caryophyllene-potential applications in chronic wound care
Hemmingsen LM, Boracchia L, Hagen NE, Vasskog T, Guareschi F, Sonvico F and Škalko-Basnet N
Chronic skin wounds pose a significant challenge due to persistent inflammation, elevated oxidative stress, and high susceptibility to microbial colonization. To support wound healing, this study investigated lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles co-loaded with curcumin and β-caryophyllene, two natural compounds with complementary anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antimicrobial properties. Co-loading curcumin and β-caryophyllene produced near-spherical nanoparticles with consistent size distribution (200-240 nm) and favourable surface charge (+30-35 mV) for topical applications. The release studies showed gradual, sustained curcumin release over 24 h, with encapsulation modestly affecting permeation. Furthermore, ABTS and DPPH assays revealed strong radical scavenging activity of curcumin, comparable to vitamin E and slightly lower than vitamin C, supporting its potential to mitigate oxidative damage in chronic wounds. Anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed nitric oxide inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-induced murine macrophages, where co-loaded nanoparticles significantly reduced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity testing showed that while free curcumin reduced cell viability, the encapsulated compound was notably non-toxic. The nanoparticles also demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against , reducing bacterial growth to nearly zero in the co-loaded formulation. These findings highlight curcumin and β-caryophyllene co-loaded lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles as a promising platform for topical chronic wound treatment, offering dual delivery and synergistic effects against inflammation, oxidative stress, and infection. To our knowledge, this is the first study to co-deliver curcumin and β-caryophyllene in lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles, enabling a unified antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial strategy for chronic wound therapy.
Polymer for advanced wound healing: design and mechanism
Zhang X, Zhang Q and Chen C
Smart and rapid wound healing has long been a significant challenge for the medical community. Recent advancements in biomaterials and manufacturing technologies are overcoming the limitations of traditional wound dressings. Notably, reversible light-responsive azobenzene derivatives in elastomer form are emerging as intelligent materials for this purpose. Their reversible photoisomerization properties have extensive applications in wound healing. This study systematically reviews the design principles, strategies, and mechanisms of smart elastomers based on drugs, as well as their applications in various stages of wound healing. When classifying drugs-releasing elastomers by response factors and loaded drugs, we emphasize design strategies based on physical blending and temperature or light microenvironments. Comparing smart elastomers to traditional polymer dressings, this review highlights how the dual presence of photoisomerization and dynamic bonds grants these polymers non-contact, reversible, intelligent adhesive properties. This unique combination enhances drugs delivery efficiency at wound sites while minimizing patient discomfort. The review discusses the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of smart elastomers in wound healing, offering new insights into intelligent drugs delivery systems for wound treatment.
Drug delivery and biomedical applications of tamarind seed xyloglucan and its derivatives: a review
Manna S, Sarkar S, Paul P, Sahu R, Dua TK and Nandi G
The recent trend in the field of drug delivery suggests the need for versatile polymers mainly based on natural resources. Tamarind seed xyloglucan (TSX) is a polysaccharide, obtained from the dried seeds of . TSX has found its application in the pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries. Over the past two decades, researchers have shown more interest in this neutral hemicellulose, depending on its physicochemical behavior as an effective drug carrier. This bio-polysaccharide contains a glucan backbone attached to two side chains, galactose and xylose. TSX exhibits gel-forming ability and mucoadhesive behavior. It also offers structural modification of TSX, including graft copolymerization, carboxymethylation, thiolation, sulphation, alkylamination, etc. Depending on modifications, the TSX derivatives are reported to have enhanced viscosity, enhanced mucoadhesive nature, and increased swelling behavior. The chemical modification can also control the rate of hydrolysis and microbial degradation. The applications of native and modified TSX are described in this review, along with several commonly used modification techniques.
The fabrication and evaluation of novel decellularized extracellular matrix modified TiO incorporated polycaprolactone: gelatin electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration
Hooshyar M, Rezaei A and Barforooshande Roodsari L
In this study, polycaprolactone/gelatin (PG) scaffolds were produced using electrospinning and modified with titanium dioxide (TiO) and decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to improve their biological and mechanical properties. TiO was incorporated into the scaffolds using two approaches: blending within the electrospinning solution and surface coating, and their properties were compared. The morphological observations, elemental mapping, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful scaffold fabrication of uniform elemental distribution all over the scaffolds. The incorporation of TiO affects the Young's modulus of the scaffolds. The surface modification with dECM was more uniform when the TiO was applied as a coating. Moreover, the TiO coating and dECM modification of polycaprolactone/gelatin scaffold (PGsTd) reduced the contact angle from 127.5° to 25.5°, indicating higher hydrophilicity and promoting swelling capacity. After 14 days, 65.69 ± 5.4% of the PGsTd scaffold was degraded. Furthermore, the cell viability assays and morphological observations confirmed the excellent ability of this scaffold to promote cell adhesion, spreading, and viability. These findings suggested the high potential of PGsT for application in tissue engineering, especially in bone tissue repair.
Bioplastics: paving the green path forward
Singh R, Solanki S, Sharma S and Sillanpää M
This review investigates the domain of bioplastics, introducing bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. It explores a range of feedstocks employed in bioplastic production, including plant-based polymers, microbial-synthesized biopolymers, and materials sourced from agricultural and industrial waste. Numerous methodologies have been examined in terms of their capacity to strengthen the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of bioplastics, striving to address the performance gap with traditional plastics. The review paper also examines the producers' ability to manage biodegradability and recyclability and their consilience with current waste management systems. Additionally, the study surveys patterns in other sectors about contemporary and developing usage of bioplastics from various sectors, factoring in factors such as production cost-effectiveness, capacity to scale, and compliance with applicable regulations. By consolidating existing research, this review provides an extensive assessment of bioplastics development, emphasizing their potential as eco-friendly alternatives within a closed-loop economy model.
Anti-staphylococcal chitosan-alginate-lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin wound dressings for infected wound healing
Abhilash AM, Dinesan A, Vinod V, Biswas R and Rangasamy J
() is a common cause of wound infections, resulting in symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and formation of pus. This group of bacteria has evolved resistance to several antibiotics used in human therapies, making it difficult to treat. Additionally, their ability to form biofilm on wound surfaces shields the bacteria from the host immune system and antibiotics, thereby hindering the healing process. To address this issue, we have developed and characterized a chitosan-alginate composite dressing incorporating lysostaphin (LST) and lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin (LPRF) to treat infections and enhance wound healing. LST exhibits potent antibacterial activity against various strains of , whereas LPRF promotes slow and sustained release of growth factors, namely PDGF, IGF and EGF. The prepared dressings were porous and FT-IR analysis confirms the incorporation of LST and LPRF into the chitosan-alginate dressing. Swelling and degradation studies of the prepared dressings showed better swelling ratio and controlled degradation. The prepared dressing is biocompatible and showed L929 cell attachment. Furthermore, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of CA-LPRF-LST dressing was studied against and clinical isolates of MRSA, which showed inhibition and biofilm disruption. Based on these studies, the developed CA-LPRF-LST dressing demonstrates promising antibacterial properties against and biocompatibility by L929, suggesting its potential as for further investigation as a treatment for wound infections and healing.