Nanoformulated phytochemicals in skin anti-aging research: an updated mini review.

Skin aging is characterized by progressive loss of functionality and regenerative potential of the skin, resulting in the appearance of wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, a decrease of elasticity, dryness, and rough texture. Damage to the skin caused by oxidative stress could substantially be slowed down by the use of phytochemicals that function as natural antioxidants. Although phytochemicals have immense potential as anti-aging medicines, their effectiveness as therapeutic agents is restricted by their poor solubility, biodistribution, stability, and hydrophilicity.

Influence of Chitosan Purification on the Immunomodulator Potential of Chitosan Nanoparticles on Human Monocytes.

The deproteinization of chitosan is a necessary purification process for materials with biomedical purposes; however, chitosan sourcing and purification methods can modify its molecular weight, deacetylation degree, and residual proteins. These factors affect the reactive groups that affect the immunomodulatory activities of cells, particularly macrophages and monocytes; considering this activity is key when developing successful and functional biomaterials. Here, two brands of chitosan were purified and used to synthesize nanoparticles to evaluate their immunomodulatory effect on monocyte and macrophage differentiation.

Evaluation of a mucoadhesive auto-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for oral insulin administration.

This study investigated the potential of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) to optimize the oral bioavailability of insulin. Insulin complexes with phospholipids and enzymatically-modified phospholipids were developed and incorporated into the SNEDDS using Lauroglycol FCC as the oily phase and Cremophor EL and Labrafil M1944CS as the surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. Additionally, mucoadhesive polysaccharides (sodium alginate and guar gum) were added further to enhance the bioavailability of insulin in these systems.

Novel cobalt-based aerogels for uric acid detection in fluids at physiological pH.

A sensor for uric acid (UA) based on the urate oxidase enzyme (UOx) immobilized in novel Co-based aerogels with transition metals synthesized by the sol-gel method was developed and evaluated. The Co-based aerogels: Co, Ni-Co and Pd-Co were physicochemically characterized by XRD and HR-TEM. The surface area values of 53, 57 and 66 m g-1 were determined for Co, Ni-Co and Pd-Co, respectively by N adsorption-desorption technique.

Nanoemulsions of betulinic acid stabilized with modified phosphatidylcholine increase the stability of the nanosystems and the drug's bioavailability.

Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural compound with significant potential for treating various diseases, including cancer and AIDS, and possesses additional anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, its clinical application is limited because of its low solubility in water, which impairs its distribution within the body. To overcome this challenge, nanoemulsions have been developed to improve the bioavailability of such poorly soluble drugs.

Correction: Development and characterization of three-dimensional antibacterial nanocomposite sponges of chitosan, silver nanoparticles and halloysite nanotubes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D4RA04274C.].

Annonaceae acetogenins: A potential treatment for gynecological and breast cancer.

Breast and gynecological cancers are major health concerns due to their increasing incidence rates, and in some cases, their low survival probability. In recent years, multiple compounds of natural origin have been analyzed as alternative treatments for this disease. For instance, Acetogenins are plant secondary metabolites from the Annonaceae family, and its potential anticancer activity has been reported against a wide range of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Development and characterization of three-dimensional antibacterial nanocomposite sponges of chitosan, silver nanoparticles and halloysite nanotubes.

In this work, we developed novel nanocomposite three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds composed of chitosan (CTS), halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with enhanced antimicrobial activity and fibroblast cell compatibility for their potential use in wound dressing applications. A stock CTS-HNT solution was obtained by mixing water-dispersed HNTs with CTS aqueous-acid solution, and then, AgNPs, in different concentrations, were synthesized in the CTS-HNT solution a CTS-mediated reduction method. Finally, freeze-gelation was used to obtain CTS-HNT-AgNP 3D porous scaffolds (sponges).

Development of an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of ascorbic acid and acetaminophen in pharmaceutical samples.

This work presents the modification of glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) by using a dispersion resulting from the non-covalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with polyarginine (polyArg). MWCNT-polyArg is used for the quantification of ascorbic acid (AA) in the presence of acetaminophen (APAP) and viceversa. Since ascorbic acid and acetaminophen are strongly absorbed on GCE/MWCNT-polyArg, they can be detected in the presence of 4.

Hydrogel Based on Chitosan/Gelatin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) for In Vitro Human Auricular Chondrocyte Culture.

Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels provide tissue-like complexities and allow for the spatial orientation of cells, leading to more realistic cellular responses in pathophysiological environments. There is a growing interest in developing multifunctional hydrogels using ternary mixtures for biomedical applications. This study examined the biocompatibility and suitability of human auricular chondrocytes from microtia cultured onto steam-sterilized 3D Chitosan/Gelatin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) (CS/Gel/PVA) hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

Recent Developments in Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Recycling of Bio-Based Elastomers.

In 2021, global plastics production was 390.7 Mt; in 2022, it was 400.3 Mt, showing an increase of 2.

Porous Chitosan Hydrogels Produced by Physical Crosslinking: Physicochemical, Structural, and Cytotoxic Properties.

Chitosan hydrogels are biomaterials with excellent potential for biomedical applications. In this study, chitosan hydrogels were prepared at different concentrations and molecular weights by freeze-drying. The chitosan sponges were physically crosslinked using sodium bicarbonate as a crosslinking agent.

Quercetin and Its Fermented Extract as a Potential Inhibitor of Bisphenol A-Exposed HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells' Viability.

Bisphenol A (BPA) promotes colon cancer by altering the physiological functions of hormones. Quercetin (Q) can regulate signaling pathways through hormone receptors, inhibiting cancer cells. The antiproliferative effects of Q and its fermented extract (FEQ, obtained by Q gastrointestinal digestion and in vitro colonic fermentation) were analyzed in HT-29 cells exposed to BPA.

Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Stressors Generate Synergistic Growth Inhibition in Species through Cell Wall Damage, Osmotic Stress, and Oxidative Stress.

Background: The need to combat and reduce the incidence, virulence, and drug resistance of species belonging to genus, has led to the development of new strategies. Nanotechnology, through the implementation of nanomaterials, has emerged as an infallible tool to treat various diseases caused by pathogens, where its mechanisms of action prevent the development of undesirable pharmacological resistance.

Objective: The antifungal activity and adjuvant properties of biogenic silver nanoparticles in different species (, and ) are evaluated.

Gelatin-Coated Magnetic Nanowires for High-Sensitivity Optical Labels.

The encapsulation of magnetic nickel nanowires (NiNWs) with gelatin is proposed as an alternative for optical label detection. Magnetic nanowires can be detected at very low concentrations using light-scattering methods. This detection capacity could be helpful in applications such as transducers for molecular and biomolecular sensors; however, potential applications require the attachment of specific binding molecules to the nanowire structure.

Enzymatic Crosslinked Hydrogels of Gelatin and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Loaded with Probiotic Bacteria as Oral Delivery System.

Probiotic bacteria are widely used to prepare pharmaceutical products and functional foods because they promote and sustain health. Nonetheless, probiotic viability is prone to decrease under gastrointestinal conditions. In this investigation, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum spp.

Fermentation Extract of Naringenin Increases the Expression of Estrogenic Receptor β and Modulates Genes Related to the p53 Signalling Pathway, miR-200c and miR-141 in Human Colon Cancer Cells Exposed to BPA.

The estrogenic receptor beta (ERβ) protects against carcinogenesis by stimulating apoptosis. Bisphenol A (BPA) is related to promoting cancer, and naringenin has chemoprotective activities both can bind to ERβ. Naringenin in the colon is metabolized by the microbiota.

Chitosan-G-Glycidyl Methacrylate/Au Nanocomposites Promote Accelerated Skin Wound Healing.

Herein, we report the synthesis of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) in chitosan (CTS) solution by chemically reducing HAuCl. CTS was further functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (chitosan-g-glycidyl methacrylate/AuNP, CTS-g-GMA/AuNP) to improve the mechanical properties for cellular regeneration requirements of CTS-g-GMA/AuNP. Our nanocomposites promote excellent cellular viability and have a positive effect on cytokine regulation in the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory response of skin cells.

Extraction of Acetogenins Using Thermosonication-Assisted Extraction from Seeds and Their Antifungal Activity.

The objective of this work was to find the optimal conditions by thermosonication-assisted extraction (TSAE) of the total acetogenin content (TAC) and yield from seeds, assessing the effect of the temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C), sonication amplitude (80, 90, and 100%), and pulse-cycle (0.5, 0.7, and 1 s).

Potential Use of Chitosan-TiO Nanocomposites for the Electroanalytical Detection of Imidacloprid.

The detection of toxic insecticides is a major scientific and technological challenge. In this regard, imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid that is a systemic insecticide that can accumulate in agricultural products and affect human health. This work aims to study the properties of chitosan-TiO nanocomposites in which nanoparticles with high surface area serve as molecular recognition sites for electroanalytical imidacloprid detection.

Tuning HAuCl/Sodium Citrate Stoichiometry to Fabricate Chitosan-Au Nanocomposites.

Nanocomposite engineering of biosensors, biomaterials, and flexible electronics demand a highly tunable synthesis of precursor materials to achieve enhanced or desired properties. However, this process remains limited due to the need for proper synthesis-property strategies. Herein, we report on the ability to synthesize chitosan-gold nanocomposite thin films (CS/AuNP) with tunable properties by chemically reducing HAuCl in chitosan solutions and different HAuCl/sodium citrate molar relationships.

Relaxation Phenomena in Chitosan-Au Nanoparticle Thin Films.

Chitosan-gold nanoparticle (CS/AuNP) thin films were synthesized through the chemical reduction of HAuCl in sodium citrate/chitosan solutions. The dielectric and dynamic mechanical behaviors of CS/AuNP films have been investigated as a function of moisture and HAuCl content. Two relaxation processes in the nanocomposites have been observed.

Chitosan/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds to modulate osteogenic and inflammatory response.

Considerable attention has been given to the use of chitosan (CS)-based materials reinforced with inorganic bioactive signals such as hydroxyapatite (HA) to treat bone defects and tissue loss. It is well known that CS/HA based materials possess minimal foreign body reactions, good biocompatibility, controlled biodegradability and antibacterial property. Herein, the bioactivity of these composite systems was analyzed on in vitro bone cell models for their applications in the field of bone tissue engineering (BTE).