Thermoplastic starch/polyvinyl alcohol blends modification by citric acid-glycerol polyesters.

Thermoplastic starch/polyvinyl alcohol (TPS/PVA) films have limitations for being used in long-term applications due to starch retrogradation. This leads to plasticizer migration, especially when low molecular weight plasticizers such as glycerol, are used. In this work, we employed mixtures of oligomers based on glycerol citrates with higher molecular weight than glycerol as plasticizers for potato-based TPS/PVA blends obtained by melt-mixing.

Folic Acid-Modified Ibrutinib-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles for Cancer Cell Therapy with Over-Expressed Folate Receptor.

The anticancer drug ibrutinib (IB), also known as PCI-32765, is a compound that irreversibly inhibits Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and was initially developed as a treatment option for B-cell lineage neoplasms. Its action is not limited to B-cells, as it is expressed in all hematopoietic lineages and plays a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. However, clinical trials with the drug have resulted in conflicting outcomes against solid tumors.

Study of the Plasticization Effect of 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate in TPS/PVA Biodegradable Blends Produced by Melt-Mixing.

The first step towards the production and marketing of bioplastics based on renewable and sustainable materials is to know their behavior at a semi-industrial scale. For this reason, in this work, the properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films plasticized by a green solvent, as the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][Ac]) ionic liquid, produced by melt-mixing were studied. These blends were prepared with a different content of [Emim][Ac] (27.

Accelerated Simple Preparation of Curcumin-Loaded Silk Fibroin/Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications.

The development of new biomaterials from natural fibres in the field of biomedicine have attracted great interest in recent years. One of the most studied fibres has been silk fibroin produced by the Bombyx mori worm, due to its excellent mechanical properties and its biodegradability and bioavailability. Among the different biomaterials that can be prepared from silk fibroin, hydrogels have attracted considerable attention due to their potential use in different fields, such as scaffolding, cell therapy and biomedical application.

Synthesis of Cellulose Nanoparticles from Ionic Liquid Solutions for Biomedical Applications.

A method for the synthesis of cellulose nanoparticles using the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate has been optimised. The use of a highly biocompatible biopolymer such as cellulose, together with the use of an ionic liquid, makes this method a promising way to obtain nanoparticles with good capability for drug carrying. The operating conditions of the synthesis have been optimised based on the average hydrodynamic diameter, the polydispersity index, determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the Z-potential, obtained by phase analysis light scattering (PALS), to obtain cellulose nanoparticles suitable for use in biomedicine.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Ruthenium (II) Complexes of Stoichiometry [Ru(-Cymene)ClL] and Their Cytotoxicity against HeLa-Type Cancer Cells.

When the [Ru(-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl] complex is made to react, in dichloromethane, with the following ligands: 2-aminobenzonitrile (2abn), 4-aminobenzonitrile (4abn), 2-aminopyridine (2ampy) and 4-aminopyridine (4ampy), after addition of hexane, the following compounds are obtained: [Ru(-cymene)Cl(2abn)] , [Ru(-cymene)Cl(4abn)] , [Ru(-cymene)Cl(2ampy] and [Ru(-cymene)Cl(μ-(4ampy)] . All the compounds are characterized by elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, COSY H-H, high-resolution mass spectrometry (ESI), thermogravimetry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (the crystal structure of is reported and compared with the closely related literature of ). The cytotoxicity effects of complexes were described for cervical cancer HeLa cells via 3-(4.

The Effect of Sterilization on the Characteristics of Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles.

In recent years, silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) have been consolidated as drug delivery systems (DDSs) with multiple applications in personalized medicine. The design of a simple, inexpensive, and scalable preparation method is an objective pursued by many research groups. When the objective is to produce nanoparticles suitable for biomedical uses, their sterility is essential.

Antitumor Activity of Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles on HeLa and MCF-7 Cells.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), one of the most important polyphenol-based antioxidants, has drawn increasing attention because of its remarkable bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize RA-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles (RA-SFNs) in terms of their physical-chemical features and composition, and to investigate their antitumor activity against human cervical carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7). Compared with the free form, RA bioavailability was enhanced when the drug was adsorbed onto the surface of the silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs).

Exploring the effect of humidity on thermoplastic starch films using the quartz crystal microbalance.

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is used as a non-destructive and efficient characterization tool for thin thermoplastic starch (TPS) films. Thin TPS films (1-2 μm) were prepared with 30% (w/w starch) plasticizers using either glycerol or an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidiazolium acetate ([emim][Ac]), as the plasticizer. The differences in the mechanical properties and environmental effects on the plasticized TPS films were explored.

-Cymene Complexes of Ruthenium(II) as Antitumor Agents.

In this work, the cytotoxic behavior of six ruthenium(II) complexes of stoichiometry [(η--cymene)RuClL] (I-VI), L = 4-cyanopyridine (I), 2-aminophenol (II), 4-aminophenol (III), pyridazine (IV), and [(--cymene)RuClL]PF; L = cyanopyridine (V), L = 2-aminophenol(VI) towards three cell lines was studied. Two of them, HeLa and MCF-7, are human carcinogenic cells from cervical carcinoma and human breast cancer, respectively. A comparison with healthy cells was carried out with BGM cells which are monkey epithelial cells of renal origin.

Direct Quantification of Drug Loading Content in Polymeric Nanoparticles by Infrared Spectroscopy.

Nanotechnology has enabled the development of novel therapeutic strategies such as targeted nanodrug delivery systems, control and stimulus-responsive release mechanisms, and the production of theranostic agents. As a prerequisite for the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems, the amount of loaded drug must be precisely quantified, a task for which two approaches are currently used. However, both approaches suffer from the inefficiencies of drug extraction and of the solid-liquid separation process, as well as from dilution errors.

On the Secondary Structure of Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles Obtained Using Ionic Liquids: An Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

Silk fibroin from caterpillar is an outstanding biocompatible polymer for the production of biomaterials. Its impressive combination of strength, flexibility, and degradability are related to the protein's secondary structure, which may be altered during the manufacture of the biomaterial. The present study looks at the silk fibroin secondary structure during nanoparticle production using ionic liquids and high-power ultrasound using novel infrared spectroscopic approaches.

Improving Anticancer Therapy with Naringenin-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles.

Naringenin (NAR), a flavonoid present in a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anticancer activity. Nevertheless, its application in cancer therapy is limited due to its low bioavailability at the tumour site because of its poor solubility in water and slow dissolution rate. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of NAR, emergent research is looking into using nanocarriers.

Revealing the Influence of the Degumming Process in the Properties of Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles.

Several studies have stated that the process used for sericin removal, or degumming, from silk cocoons has a strong impact in the silk fibroin integrity and consequently in their mechanical or biochemical properties after processing it into several biomaterials (e.g. fibers, films or scaffolds) but still, there is a lack of information of the impact on the features of silk nanoparticles.

Influence of Starch Composition and Molecular Weight on Physicochemical Properties of Biodegradable Films.

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) films are considered one of the most promising alternatives for replacing synthetic polymers in the packaging field due to the starch biodegradability, low cost, and abundant availability. However, starch granule composition, expressed in terms of amylose content and phosphate monoesters, and molecular weight of starch clearly affects some film properties. In this contribution, biodegradable TPS films made from potato, corn, wheat, and rice starch were prepared using the casting technique.

Density and refractive index data of binary and ternary mixtures of imidazolium-based ionic liquids, -hexane and organic compounds involved in the kinetic resolution of rac-2-pentanol.

This data article is related to the subject of the research article "Extraction of Organic Compounds Involved in the Kinetic Resolution of rac-2-Pentanol from n-Hexane by Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids: Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium" (Montalbán et al., 2018) [1]. It contains experimental data of density and refractive index of binary and ternary mixtures of imidazolium-based ionic liquids, -hexane and organic compounds involved in the kinetic resolution of -2-pentanol (-2-pentanol, vinyl butyrate, -2-pentyl butyrate or butyric acid) measured at 303.

Production of Curcumin-Loaded Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy.

Curcumin, extracted from the rhizome of , has been widely used in medicine for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. However, its bioavailability during treatments is poor because of its low solubility in water, slow dissolution rate and rapid intestinal metabolism. For these reasons, improving the therapeutic efficiency of curcumin using nanocarriers (e.

Chitosan as stabilizing agent for negatively charged nanoparticles.

Chitosan is a biocompatible polysaccharide with positive Z potential which can stabilize negative charged nanoparticles. Silk fibroin nanoparticles and citrate gold nanoparticles, both with negative Z potential, but they form aggregates at physiological ionic strength. In this work, we study the behavior of chitosan in solution when the ionic strength of the medium is increased and how the concentration of chitosan and the proportion of the two components (chitosan and AuNP or SFN) significantly affect the stability and size of the nanocomposites formed.

Silk fibroin nanoparticles: Efficient vehicles for the natural antioxidant quercetin.

This article describes how silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) are capable of adsorbing and releasing quercetin (Q) and how its integrity is highly preserved, as confirmed by antioxidant activity assays. Q loading onto SFNs was optimized in terms of the Q/SFN ratio (w/w), time of adsorption and solvent mixture. Quercetin-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles (QSFNs) were characterized using the dynamic light scattering technique to measure the diameter (Z-Average) and Z-potential (ζ).

Development of Poly(lactide-co-glicolide) Nanoparticles Incorporating Morphine Hydrochloride to Prolong its Circulation in Blood.

Background: Formulations incorporating nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used to prolong drug release. In this regard, poly(lactide-co-glicolide) (PLGA) is often used in their preparation due to its high degree of biocompatibility and biodegradability. In the present study, morphine HCl is incorporated in PLGA-NPs and different preparation alternatives are evaluated for their effects on the properties, stability and capacity of encapsulation.

Assessing chemical toxicity of ionic liquids on Vibrio fischeri: Correlation with structure and composition.

One of the most important properties of ionic liquids is their non-volatility, making them potentially "green" alternatives to volatile organic compounds. However, they are widely soluble in water, meaning that they can be released into aquatic ecosystems and so contribute to water pollution. Nevertheless, although the toxicity of ILs has been widely assessed in the literature, the information is still scarce due to the great number of ionic liquids that have been synthesized.