Fabrication and characterization of boric acid-crosslinked ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol films as potential drug release systems for topical drug delivery.

In this study, boric acid (BA) is employed as a crosslinking agent to improve the characteristics of two commonly used polymeric films, ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), for topical drug delivery applications. The developed films are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The results show that the surfaces of the prepared films are even and transparent, except for the BA-modified EC sample.

Fabrication and characterization of tretinoin-loaded nanofiber for topical skin delivery.

Background: Tretinoin or all-trans retinoic acid is used in the treatment of acne vulgaris and photo-aging. This work aims to develop tretinoin-loaded nanofibers as a potential anti-acne patch and to investigate its physicochemical characteristics.

Method: Nanofibers were produced via electrospinning method and surface topography was evaluated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).

Spreading, proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells on chitosan scaffolds immobilized with RGD or fibronectin.

Nowadays, human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) became more attractive for therapeutic purposes because of their high proliferation and differentiation potential. Thus, coupling the desired cellular characteristics of hDPSCs with good biomaterial properties of the chitosan scaffolds provide an interesting approach for tissue engineering applications. On the other hand, scaffold surface modification is also needed to promote stem cell adhesion since chitosan lacks adhesion motifs to support direct cell anchorage.