Development and Characterization of Dual-Loaded Niosomal Ion-Sensitive In Situ Gel for Ocular Delivery.

The study investigates the development and characterization of dual-loaded niosomes incorporated into ion-sensitive in situ gel as a potential drug delivery platform for ophthalmic application. Cannabidiol (CBD) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) simultaneously loaded niosomes were prepared via the thin film hydration (TFH) method followed by pulsatile sonication and were subjected to comprehensive physicochemical evaluation. The optimal composition was included in a gellan gum-based in situ gel, and the antimicrobial activity, in vitro toxicity in a suitable corneal epithelial model (HaCaT cell line), and antioxidant potential of the hybrid system were further assessed.

Nanosized Complexes of the Proteolytic Enzyme Serratiopeptidase with Cationic Block Copolymer Micelles Enhance the Proliferation and Migration of Human Cells.

In this study, we describe the preparation of the cationic block copolymer nanocarriers of the proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase (SER). Firstly, an amphiphilic poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-b-PCL-b-PDMAEMA) triblock copolymer was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Then, cationic micellar nanocarriers consisting of a PCL hydrophobic core and a PDMAEMA hydrophilic shell were formed by the solvent evaporation method.

Antimicrobial Activity of (Former ) and Related to Recognized Antimicrobial Bioactive Compounds.

With the increasing rate of the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, natural products gain our attention as potential drug candidates. Apart from being used as nutraceuticals and for biotechnological purposes, microalgae and phytoplankton have well-recognized antimicrobial compounds and proved anti-infectious potential. In this review, we comprehensively outline the antimicrobial activity of one genus of cyanobacteria (, formerly ) and of eukaryotic microalgae ().

Incorporation of Resveratrol-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Complexes into Hydrogel Formulation for Wound Treatment.

Resveratrol could be applied in wound healing therapies because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. However, the main limitation of resveratrol is its low aqueous solubility. In this study, resveratrol was included in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complexes and further formulated in Pluronic F-127 hydrogels for wound treatment therapy.

Polycarbonate-Based Copolymer Micelles as Biodegradable Carriers of Anticancer Podophyllotoxin or Juniper Extracts.

Podophyllotoxin (PPT) is used in the industrial production of efficient anticancer, antiviral and other drugs. or are natural sources of PPT, but at present they are considered as endangered species. Their PPT content is variable, depending on the growing conditions.

Functional Hydrogels for Delivery of the Proteolytic Enzyme Serratiopeptidase.

Hydrogels are superior wound dressings because they can provide protection and hydration of the wound, as well as the controlled release of therapeutic substances to aid tissue regeneration and the healing process. Hydrogels obtained from natural precursors are preferred because of their low cost, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. We describe the synthesis of novel functional hydrogels based on two natural products-citric acid (CA) and pentane-1,2,5-triol (PT, a product from lignocellulose processing) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-600)-via an environment friendly approach.

Biopolymeric Nanogel as a Drug Delivery System for Doxorubicin-Improved Drug Stability and Enhanced Antineoplastic Activity in Skin Cancer Cells.

In this study, doxorubicin was loaded in a chitosan-albumin nanogel with the aim of improving its stability and exploring the potential of the system in the treatment of skin cancer. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the encapsulation of the drug. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the spherical shape of the nanogel particles.

Automated facial expression measurement in a longitudinal sample of 4- and 8-month-olds: Baby FaceReader 9 and manual coding of affective expressions.

Facial expressions are among the earliest behaviors infants use to express emotional states, and are crucial to preverbal social interaction. Manual coding of infant facial expressions, however, is laborious and poses limitations to replicability. Recent developments in computer vision have advanced automated facial expression analyses in adults, providing reproducible results at lower time investment.

Photodynamic Inactivation of Bovine Coronavirus with the Photosensitizer Toluidine Blue O.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the group of enveloped positive-sense single-strand RNA viruses and are causative agents of respiratory, gastro-intestinal, and central nervous systems diseases in many host species, i.e., birds, mammals, and humans.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation of Isolated from Pig Farms and Surroundings in Bulgaria.

() is a ubiquitous microorganism with pathogenic and saprophytic clones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence, virulence, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of in three industrial farms in Bulgaria, as well as their adjacent sites related to the utilization of manure (feces, wastewater in a separator, lagoons, means of transport, and soils). The isolation of single bacterial cultures was performed via standard procedures with modifications, and isolates were identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Prenylated Acylphloroglucinols from L.

Two new bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane type bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives (BPAPs), olympiforin A and B as well as three known prenylated phloroglucinols, were isolated from the aerial parts of L.

Outstanding Antibacterial Activity of -Comparison of the Antimicrobial Effects of Extracts and Fractions from Four Species Growing in Bulgaria with a Focus on Prenylated Phloroglucinols.

Microbial infections are by no means a health problem from a past era due to the increasing antimicrobial resistance of infectious strains. Medicine is in constant need of new drugs and, recently, plant products have had a deserved renaissance and garnered scientific recognition. The aim of this work was to assess the antimicrobial activity of ten active ingredients from four species growing in Bulgaria, as well as to obtain preliminary data on the phytochemical composition of the most promising samples.

Advantageous Combinations of Nanoencapsulated Oregano Oil with Selected Antibiotics for Skin Treatment.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of combinations between encapsulated oregano oil and the most commonly applied antibiotics (ciprofloxacin or gentamicin) against skin infections. In particular, chitosan-alginate nanoparticles loaded with oregano oil and the selected antibiotics were included in methylcellulose hydrogels. Consistency, spreadability, pH of the hydrogel and in vitro release rate of the oil were considered appropriate for topical application.

Micellar Curcumin Substantially Increases the Antineoplastic Activity of the Alkylphosphocholine Erufosine against TWIST1 Positive Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare form of cancer with local as well as systemic manifestations. Concomitant bacterial infections increase morbidity and mortality rates due to impaired skin barrier and immune deficiency. In the current study, we demonstrated that the in vitro anti-lymphoma potential of erufosine is diminished by TWIST1 expression and micellar curcumin substantially increases its antineoplastic activity.

New Potential Pharmacological Targets of Plant-Derived Hydroxyanthraquinones from spp.

The increased use of polyphenols nowadays poses the need for identification of their new pharmacological targets. Recently, structure similarity-based virtual screening of DrugBank outlined pseudopurpurin, a hydroxyanthraquinone from spp., as similar to gatifloxacin, a synthetic antibacterial agent.

Polymeric Microneedles for Transdermal Delivery of Rivastigmine: Design and Application in Skin Mimetic Model.

In the last years, microneedles (MNs) have been considered a valuable, painless, and minimally invasive approach for controlled transdermal drug delivery (TDD). Rivastigmine (RV), a drug administered to patients suffering from dementia, is currently delivered by oral or transdermal routes; however, both present limitations, mainly gastrointestinal adverse symptoms or local skin irritation and drug losses, respectively, for each route. Given this, the objective of the present work was to develop and evaluate the potential of polymeric MNs for RV transdermal delivery in a controlled manner.

Formulation and Evaluation of Hybrid Niosomal In Situ Gel for Intravesical Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Gentamicin Sulfate.

The current study describes the elaboration of a hybrid drug delivery platform for an intravesical application based on curcumin/gentamicin sulfate simultaneously loaded niosomes incorporated into thermosensitive in situ gels. Series of niosomes were elaborated via the thin film hydration method, evaluating the impact of non-ionic surfactants', cholesterol's, and curcumin's concentration. The formulation composed of equimolar ratio of Span 60, Tween 60, and 30 mol% cholesterol was selected as the optimal composition, due to the high entrapment efficiency values obtained for both drugs, and appropriate physicochemical parameters (morphology, size, PDI, and zeta potential), therefore, was further incorporated into Poloxamers (407/188) and Poloxamers and chitosan based in situ gels.

In Vitro Study of the Biological Potential of Wastewater Obtained after the Distillation of Four Bulgarian Oil-Bearing Roses.

The wastewater after rose oil distillation is usually discharged into the drainage systems and it represents a serious environmental problem. While being rich in polyphenols, which have beneficial biological activity and application in the pharmaceutical industry, limited research has been carried out about the biological activity of the specific wastewaters per se. Wastewaters after distillation of the four Bulgarian oil-bearing roses Mill.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential of Microalgae in the Context of Integral Biorefinery Concept.

Small-scale photobioreactors (PBRs) in the inoculum stage were designed with internal (red or green) and external white LED light as an initial step of a larger-scale installation aimed at fulfilling the integral biorefinery concept for maximum utilization of microalgal biomass in a multifunctional laboratory. The specific growth rate of (Turpin) Kützing biomass for given cultural conditions was analyzed by using MAPLE software. For the determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids, chlorophyll "a" and "b", carotenoids and lipids, UHPLC-HRMS, ISO-20776/1, ISO-10993-5 and CUPRAC tests were carried out.

In Vitro Antineoplastic and Antiviral Activity and In Vivo Toxicity of L. Extracts.

This study evaluated the in vitro antineoplastic and antiviral potential and in vivo toxicity of twelve extracts with different polarity obtained from the herbaceous perennial plant L. (). In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by ISO 10993-5/2009 on bladder cancer, (T-24 and BC-3C), liver carcinoma (HEP-G2) and normal embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines.

Improvement of the Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano Oil by Encapsulation in Chitosan-Alginate Nanoparticles.

Oregano oil (OrO) possesses well-pronounced antimicrobial properties but its application is limited due to low water solubility and possible instability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to incorporate OrO in an aqueous dispersion of chitosan-alginate nanoparticles and how this will affect its antimicrobial activity. The encapsulation of OrO was performed by emulsification and consequent electrostatic gelation of both polysaccharides.

Redox-Modulating Capacity and Antineoplastic Activity of Wastewater Obtained from the Distillation of the Essential Oils of Four Bulgarian Oil-Bearing Roses.

The wastewater from the distillation of rose oils is discharged directly into the soil because it has a limited potential for future applications. The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the chromatographic profile, redox-modulating capacity, and antineoplastic activity of wastewater obtained by distillation of essential oils from the Bulgarian L., Mill.

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Isolated from Swine Faeces and Lagoons in Bulgaria.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide health problem affecting humans, animals, and the environment within the framework of the "One Health" concept. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic strains of the species (), their AMR profile, and biofilm-forming potential. The isolated strains from three swine faeces and free lagoons (ISO 16654:2001/Amd 1:2017) were confirmed using Phoenix M50 and 16S rDNA PCR.