4 Generation Biomaterials Based on PVDF-Hydroxyapatite Composites Produced by Electrospinning: Processing and Characterization.

Biomaterials that effectively act in biological systems, as in treatment and healing of damaged or lost tissues, must be able to mimic the properties of the body's natural tissues in its various aspects (chemical, physical, mechanical and surface). These characteristics influence cell adhesion and proliferation and are crucial for the success of the treatment for which a biomaterial will be required. In this context, the electrospinning process has gained prominence in obtaining fibers of micro- and nanometric sizes from polymeric solutions aiming to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Treatment of chronic wounds with methylene blue photodynamic therapy: A case report.

Methylene blue (MB) mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment for different kinds of skin lesions and ulcers. Our case report aims to assess its potential in treating diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Patients presented with complex chronic wounds larger than 40 cm with low healing potential.

Photoactivity of hypericin: from natural product to antifungal application.

Considering the multifaceted and increasing application of photodynamic therapy (PDT), in recent years the antimicrobial employment of this therapy has been highlighted, because of the antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal activities that have already been demonstrated. In this context, research focussed on antimycological action, especially for treatment of superficial infections, presents promising growth due to the characteristics of these infections that facilitate PDT application as new therapeutic options are needed in the field of medical mycology. Among the more than one hundred classes of photosensitizers the antifungal action of hypericin (Hyp) stands out due to its ability to permeate the lipid membrane and accumulate in different cytoplasmic organelles of eukaryotic cells.

Nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

The antifungal application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely explored. According to superficial nature of tinea capitis and the facility of application of light sources, the use of nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with PDT (P123-Hy-PDT) has been a poweful tool to treat this pathology. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of P123-Hy-PDT against planktonic cells and in a murine model of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis.

Mucoadhesive polymeric films comprising polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and poloxamer 407 for pharmaceutical applications.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been extensively studied for their use in film formation. Poloxamer 407 (P407) is a block copolymer that has thermo-responsive and surfactant properties when used in pharmaceutical systems. These polymers are already used in liquid or semi-solid systems for ocular and parenteral drug delivery.

Selective photodynamic effects on cervical cancer cells provided by P123 Pluronic®-based nanoparticles modulating hypericin delivery.

At present, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer among women worldwide with no effective treatment options. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hypericin (HYP) encapsulated on Pluronic® P123 (HYP/P123) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a comprehensive panel of human cervical cancer-derived cell lines, including HeLa (HPV 18-positive), SiHa (HPV 16-positive), CaSki (HPV 16 and 18-positive), and C33A (HPV-negative), compared to a nontumorigenic human epithelial cell line (HaCaT). Were investigated: (i) cell cytotoxicity and phototoxicity, cellular uptake and subcellular distribution; (ii) cell death pathway and cellular oxidative stress; (iii) migration and invasion.

Hypericin-mediated photoinactivation of polymeric nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus.

Photoinactivation is a promising technique for Staphylococcus aureus control. This microorganism causes foodborne diseases (DTAs) and forms biofilms that are highly resistant and difficult to eradicate. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic activity of hypericin (HYP) in polymeric nanoparticles (Pluronic® P123) against S.

Hypericin photodynamic activity. Part III: in vitro evaluation in different nanocarriers against trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas is a parasitic endemic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It represents a strong threat to public health due to its strong resistance against commonly available drugs. We studied the in vitro ability to inactivate the trypomastigote form of this parasite using photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms (or antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy, aPDT).

Selective Photodynamic Effects on Breast Cancer Cells Provided by p123 Pluronic®- Based Nanoparticles Modulating Hypericin Delivery.

Background: Breast cancer is the most relevant type of cancer and the second cause of cancer- related deaths among women in general. Currently, there is no effective treatment for breast cancer although advances in its initial diagnosis and treatment are available. Therefore, the value of novel anti-tumor therapeutic modalities remains an immediate unmet need in clinical practice.

Optimized protocol for multigram preparation of emodin anthrone, a precursor in the hypericin synthesis.

Emodin reduction to emodin anthrone comprise one of three process steps involved in the hypericin synthesis, a powerful natural photosensitiser found in plants of the genus Hypericum. In this communication, an optimized protocol was established for emodin reduction enabling an efficient multigram preparation of emodin anthrone. A screening of reducing agent (SnCl·2HO and HCl) under different reaction times was employed in micro-scale and monitored by electronic absorption spectroscopy technique.

Response surface method optimization of a novel Hypericin formulation in P123 micelles for colorectal cancer and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

The photodynamic properties of Hypericin (Hyp) may be used as an alternative treatment for malignancies of the lower gastrointestinal tract and for the prevention of surgical-site infection; however, its use in photodynamic therapy has been limited because of its poor hydrosolubility. Therefore, in order to improve its water solubility and its photodynamic effect, Hyp was encapsulated in Pluronic P123 (P123) and the photodynamic effects against intestinal and epidermal bacteria and against two lineages of intestinal colon carcinoma cells were investigated. Two response surface methods (RSM) were used to achieve the best in vitro photodynamic activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus: in the first (full 2 RSM), Hyp concentration (HC*), incubation time (IT*) and LED-light time (LT*) were considered as the independent variables and E.