Rosemary is one of the most important medicinal plants for natural therapy due to its multiple pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, antitumor, hepato- and nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, antihypertensive, anti-ischemic, hypoglycemic, radioprotective, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiallergic, and wound healing properties. Our study reports for the first time, over a 12-month period, the identification and quantification of polyphenols and the investigation of the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of the L. species harvested at flowering from the flora of southwestern Romania (Oltenia Region).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: , a medicinal plant used in Romanian ethnopharmacology, has been proven to have remarkable biological activity. The escalating concerns surrounding antimicrobial resistance led to a special attention being paid to new efficient antimicrobial agents based on medicinal plants and nanotechnology. We report the preparation of a novel, simple phytocarrier that harnesses the bioactive properties of and silver nanoparticles (HS-Ag system).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymers derived from natural biomass have emerged as a valuable resource in the field of biomedicine due to their versatility. Polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, and lignin have demonstrated promising results in various applications, including drug delivery design. However, several challenges need to be addressed to realize the full potential of these polymers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of our research was the development of prolonged delivery systems for therapeutic agents with various properties (prevention and treatment of bone diseases, anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant) that would ensure sustained therapeutic levels of the active principle, above the minimum inhibitory concentration, without reaching toxic levels over a long period of time as alternatives to conventional routes of administration. PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid), a biodegradable and biocompatible synthetic polymer, FDA approved, with a 65:35 lactic acid (LA): glycolic acid (GA) copolymer ratio, was chosen as delivery system. Our studies have shown that in PBS it undergoes two simultaneous degradation processes, hydrolysis and autohydrolysis, degrading completely in about 40 days.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe nutritional role of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in the plant-animal-human food chain is highly topical worldwide research. Our data indicated that Zn-B complex (ZBC)-based dietary supplements can be used as stable non-toxic formulations, with high intestinal absorption rate, inducing alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) expression for longevity and healthy life. ZBC is metabolized by hydrolysis, mainly at the absorption site (intestinal level), and most of it is excreted in the urine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNowadays, the state-of-the-art discoveries in the field of delivery systems for therapeutic purposes have redefined the importance of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanocomposites. The study aimed to obtain a biocomposite material, with improved properties of its constituents [zinc-boron (Zn-B) complex and PLGA], by a simple, cost-effective method. The water∕oil∕water double emulsion technique allowed the adjustment of the synthesis parameters, to maximize the degree of Zn-B complex encapsulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMany studies have suggested that the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is involved in an extensive spectrum of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiomyopathy, obesity, and diabetes. Further, healthy aging and longevity appear to be closely related to NAD and its related metabolites, including nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). As a dietary supplement, NR appears to be well tolerated, having better pharmacodynamics and greater potency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch on the use of boron (B) in the field of oral health has gained momentum in recent years, with various studies on the possibilities of using various B-containing compounds (BCCs). A multitude of applications have been discovered, from cariostatic activity to anti-inflammatory and antifungal activity, paving the way for other new research directions. B is a microelement that is commonly found in the human diet, and present throughout the body, with the highest concentration in the structure of bones, teeth, and gastrointestinal mucus gel layer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe current treatment of osteomyelitis includes systemic antibiotic therapy and a debridement procedure of the formed biofilm and necrotic tissue. Moreover, cements and three-dimensional scaffolds are used both for the delivery of therapeutic agents and as fillers for bone defects. The aim of our research was to test, on cellular cultures, the biocompatibility of a previously synthesized microporous biocomposite containing hydroxyapatite and a collagen matrix including a therapeutic agent (ciprofloxacin and gentamicin).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBoron (B) is considered a prebiotic chemical element with a role in both the origin and evolution of life, as well as an essential micronutrient for some bacteria, plants, fungi, and algae. B has beneficial effects on the biological functions of humans and animals, such as reproduction, growth, calcium metabolism, bone formation, energy metabolism, immunity, and brain function. Naturally organic B (NOB) species may become promising novel prebiotic candidates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe main objective of this study was to synthesize hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin composites using a chemical precipitation method and to evaluate the properties and in vitro release profile of the drug from the hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin composites. Composite characterization was achieved by FT-IR, XRD and DLS. Ciprofloxacin determination was accomplished by HPLC, resulting in good incorporation efficiency of the drug (18.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose-Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that appears as a complication after a fracture or orthopedic surgery. Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can be used in local drug delivery systems for the treatment of bone related infections due to its bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to include ciprofloxacin in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres.
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