LHRH-conjugated, PEGylated, poly-lactide-co-glycolide nanocapsules for targeted delivery of combinational chemotherapeutic drugs Docetaxel and Quercetin for prostate cancer.

One of the major challenges in effective cancer chemotherapy is the severe systemic cytotoxicities of anticancer drugs on healthy tissues. The present study reports chemically modified polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) encapsulating combination of chemotherapeutic drugs Docetaxel (DTX) and Quercetin (QU) for its active targeting to prostate cancer (PCa). The active targeting was achieved by conjugating Luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) ligand to poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a spacer.

Poly (vinylpyrrolidone)‑iodine engineered poly (ε-caprolactone) nanofibers as potential wound dressing materials.

Facilitating the process of wound healing and effective treatment of wounds remains a serious challenge in healthcare. Wound dressing materials play a major role in the protection of wounds and in accelerating the natural healing process. In the present study, novel core/shell (c/s) nanofibrous mats of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)‑iodine (PVPI) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated using a co-axial electrospinning process followed by their surface modification with poly-l-lysine.

Electrospun polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite/ZnO nanofibers as potential biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration.

Fabricating a bioartificial bone graft possessing structural, mechanical and biological properties mimicking the real bone matrix is a major challenge in bone tissue engineering. Moreover, the developed materials are prone to microbial invasion leading to biomaterial centered infections which might limit their clinical translation. In the present study, biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds of Poly ɛ-caprolactone (PCL)/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) were electrospun with 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt% and 30wt% of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in order to understand the optimal concentration range of (ZnO) nanoparticles balancing both biocompatibility and osteoregeneration.

Clopidogrel eluting electrospun polyurethane/polyethylene glycol thromboresistant, hemocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds.

Biomaterials used as blood-contacting material must be hemocompatible and exhibit lower thrombotic potential while maintaining hemostasis and angiogenesis. With the aim of developing thromboresistant, hemocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds, polyurethane/polyethylene glycol scaffolds incorporated with 1, 5, and 10 wt% Clopidogrel were fabricated and evaluated for their physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and antithrombotic potential. The results of physicochemical characterization revealed the fabrication of nanometer-sized scaffolds with smooth surfaces.

Quercetin modulates Wnt signaling components in prostate cancer cell line by inhibiting cell viability, migration, and metastases.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a plastic transition in tumor progression during which cancer cells undergo dramatic changes acquiring highly invasive properties. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an inducer of EMT in epithelial cells and is obligatory for acquiring invasive phenotype in carcinoma. TGF-β plays a vital role in metastasis and tumorigenesis in prostate cancer, and mutations in the components of Wnt signaling pathways are associated with various kinds of cancers including prostate cancer.

Modulation of cellular responses on engineered polyurethane implants.

An in vivo rat cage implant system was used to study the effect of polyurethane surface chemistries on protein adsorption, macrophage adhesion, foreign-body giant cell formation (FBGCs), cellular apoptosis, and cytokine response. Polyurethanes with zwitterionic, anionic, and cationic chemistries were developed. The changes in the surface topography of the materials were determined using atomic force microscopy and the wettability by dynamic contact angle measurements.

Physicochemical characterisation and biological evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine engineered polyurethane (Tecoflex(®)).

Bacterial adhesion and encrustation are the known causes for obstruction or blockage of urethral catheters and ureteral stents, which often hinders their effective use within the urinary tract. In this in vitro study, polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) complex modified polyurethane (Tecoflex(®)) systems were created by physically entrapping the modifying species during the reversible swelling of the polymer surface region. The presence of the PVP-I molecules on this surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR, AFM and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by water contact angle measurements.

In vivo modulation of foreign body response on polyurethane by surface entrapment technique.

Implanted polymeric materials, such as medical devices, provoke the body to initiate an inflammatory reaction, known as the foreign body response (FBR), which causes several complications. In this study, polyurethane (Tecoflex®, PU) surface modified with the nonionic surfactant Tween80® (PU/T80) and the cell adhesive PLL-RGD peptide (PU/PLL-RGD) by a previously described entrapment technique were implanted in the peritoneal cavity of Wistar rats for 30 days. Implants were retrieved and examined for tissue reactivity and cellular adherence by various microscopic and analytical techniques.

Surface engineering of polycaprolactone by biomacromolecules and their blood compatibility.

Improving blood compatibility of biodegradable polymers is an area of intensive research in blood contacting devices. In this study, curdlan sulphate and heparin-modified poly (caprolactone) (PCL) hybrids were developed by physically entrapping these molecules on the PCL surface. This modification technique was performed by reversible gelation of the PCL surface region following exposure to a solvent and nonsolvent mixture.

The biocompatibility of sulfobetaine engineered polymethylmethacrylate by surface entrapment technique.

Sulfobetaine-modified polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) systems were created by physically entrapping the zwitterionic species on the PMMA surface. The presence of the sulfobetaine molecules on these surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by dynamic contact angle measurements. The short-term (4 h) adhesion of two bacterial species (gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on these surfaces were studied.

The biocompatibility of sulfobetaine engineered poly (ethylene terephthalate) by surface entrapment technique.

Sulfobetaine-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) systems were created by physically entrapping the zwitterionic species on the PET surface. The presence of the sulfobetiane molecules on these surfaces were verified by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDAX analysis, while wettability of the films was investigated by water contact angle measurements. The blood compatibility of the modified films was evaluated by platelet adhesion in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

TecoflexTM functionalization by curdlan and its effect on protein adsorption and bacterial and tissue cell adhesion.

Curdlan modified polyurethane was created by physically entrapping the former on TecoflexTM surface. ATR-FT-IR, SEM-EDAX and AFM analysis revealed the formation of stable thin curdlan layer on the film. Contact-angle measurements showed that the modified film was highly hydrophilic.