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A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials for Drug Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2024 | Viewed by 8354

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Dr. Izabell Craciunescu

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Guest Editor

Physics of Nanostructured Systems Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: electrochemistry; synthesis of polymeric materials and composites; synthesis of magnetic clusters; synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites

Dr. Lucian Barbu

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Guest Editor

Integrated Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: electron microscopy (TEM/SEM/EDX); cell biology; structure; ultrastructure and chemical composition of samples from material science and life science

Dr. Cristina Coman

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; nanobiointeractions; bioactive compounds; phytotoxicity; cytotoxicity; molecular spectroscopies; liquid chromatography
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that nanoparticles and nanocomposite materials have a very broad applicability in a variety of fields. Bionanomaterials are used in specific fields, such as medical, biological, electrical, mechanical, and energetics. The speed with which these materials develop makes it necessary to constantly update information related to new types of materials with specific properties for nanotechnological applications in general, as well as for particular bioapplications.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a recent overview of bionanomaterials, their distinct types, synthesis procedures, and new and/or specific properties and characteristics, which are essential for desired bioapplications. Therefore, we propose as main objective a broad interdisciplinary discussion related to the synthesis and characterization of bionanomaterials from both application and fundamental points of view. There will be a special interest for new preparation methods of multifunctional composite hybrid materials, new and/or improved properties of these materials, as well as innovative applications.

We invite manuscripts that focus on a wide range of issues and concerns regarding bionanomaterials including synthesis, specific properties, and biomedical application, but not limited to this.

Dr. Izabell Craciunescu
Dr. Lucian Barbu
Dr. Cristina Coman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nanoparticles
nanocomposites
biomaterials
biomedical application
biomaterial synthesis
characterization

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 3189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Liquiritin and Other Phenolics from Glycyrrhiza glabra and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

by Ali O. E. Eltahir, Kim L. Lategan, Oladipupo M. David, Edmund J. Pool, Robert C. Luckay and Ahmed A. Hussein

J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15040095 - 06 Apr 2024

Viewed by 776

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are the main phytochemical constituents of many higher plants. They play an important role in synthesizing metal nanoparticles using green technology due to their ability to reduce metal salts and stabilize them through physical interaction/conjugation to the metal surface. Six pure phenolic compounds were isolated from licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and employed in synthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The isolated compounds were identified as liquiritin (1), isoliquiritin (2), neoisoliquiritin (3), isoliquiritin apioside (4), liquiritin apioside (5), and glabridin (6). The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV, zeta sizer, HRTEM, and IR and tested for their stability in different biological media. The phenolic isolates and their corresponding synthesized NP conjugates were tested for their potential in vitro cytotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in both normal and inflammation-induced settings, where inflammatory biomarkers were stimulated using lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. LPS, functioning as a mitogen, promotes cell growth by reducing apoptosis, potentially contributing to observed outcomes. Results indicated that all six pure phenolic isolates inhibited cell proliferation. The AuNP conjugates of all the phenolic isolates, except liquiritin apioside (5), inhibited cell viability. LPS initiates inflammatory markers by binding to cell receptors and setting off a cascade of events leading to inflammation. All the pure phenolic isolates, except isoliquiritin, neoisoliquiritin, and isoliquiritin apioside inhibited the inflammatory activity of RAW cells in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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13 pages, 2362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Highly Hydrophilic Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Macrophage Function and Survival

by Efterpi Korakaki, Yannis Vasileios Simos, Niki Karouta, Konstantinos Spyrou, Panagiota Zygouri, Dimitrios Panagiotis Gournis, Konstantinos Ioannis Tsamis, Haralambos Stamatis, Evangelia Dounousi, Patra Vezyraki and Dimitrios Peschos

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(10), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14100514 - 12 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1309

Abstract

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have garnered significant attention in the medical sector due to their exceptional superparamagnetic properties and reliable tracking capabilities. In this study, we investigated the immunotoxicity of SPIONs with a modified surface to enhance hydrophilicity and prevent aggregate formation. The synthesized SPIONs exhibited a remarkably small size (~4 nm) and underwent surface modification using a novel “haircut” reaction strategy. Experiments were conducted in vitro using a human monocytic cell line (THP-1). SPIONs induced dose-dependent toxicity to THP-1 cells, potentially by generating ROS and initiating the apoptotic pathway in the cells. Concentrations up to 10 μg/mL did not affect the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κB, or TLR-4 proteins. The results of the present study demonstrated that highly hydrophilic SPIONs were highly toxic to immune cells; however, they did not activate pathways of inflammation and immune response. Further investigation into the mechanisms of cytotoxicity is warranted to develop a synthetic approach for producing effective, highly hydrophilic SPIONs with little to no side effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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14 pages, 3667 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

3,4-Dihydroxiphenylacetic Acid-Based Universal Coating Technique for Magnetic Nanoparticles Stabilization for Biomedical Applications

by Alevtina Semkina, Aleksey Nikitin, Anna Ivanova, Nelly Chmelyuk, Natalia Sviridenkova, Polina Lazareva and Maxim Abakumov

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14090461 - 06 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1186

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles based on iron oxide attract researchers’ attention due to a wide range of possible applications in biomedicine. As synthesized, most of the magnetic nanoparticles do not form the stable colloidal solutions that are required for the evaluation of their interactions with cells or their efficacy on animal models. For further application in biomedicine, magnetic nanoparticles must be further modified with biocompatible coating. Both the size and shape of magnetic nanoparticles and the chemical composition of the coating have an effect on magnetic nanoparticles’ interactions with living objects. Thus, a universal method for magnetic nanoparticles’ stabilization in water solutions is needed, regardless of how magnetic nanoparticles were initially synthesized. In this paper, we propose the versatile and highly reproducible ligand exchange technique of coating with 3,4-dihydroxiphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), based on the formation of Fe-O bonds with hydroxyl groups of DOPAC leading to the hydrophilization of the magnetic nanoparticles’ surfaces following phase transfer from organic solutions to water. The proposed technique allows for obtaining stable water–colloidal solutions of magnetic nanoparticles with sizes from 21 to 307 nm synthesized by thermal decomposition or coprecipitation techniques. Those stabilized by DOPAC nanoparticles were shown to be efficient in the magnetomechanical actuation of DNA duplexes, drug delivery of doxorubicin to cancer cells, and targeted delivery by conjugation with antibodies. Moreover, the diversity of possible biomedical applications of the resulting nanoparticles was presented. This finding is important in terms of nanoparticle design for various biomedical applications and will reduce nanomedicines manufacturing time, along with difficulties related to comparative studies of magnetic nanoparticles with different magnetic core characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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15 pages, 5184 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Biosynthesis of Functional Silver Nanoparticles Using Callus and Hairy Root Cultures of Aristolochia manshuriensis

by Yulia A. Yugay, Maria R. Sorokina, Valeria P. Grigorchuk, Tatiana V. Rusapetova, Vladimir E. Silant’ev, Anna E. Egorova, Peter A. Adedibu, Olesya D. Kudinova, Elena A. Vasyutkina, Vladimir V. Ivanov, Alexander A. Karabtsov, Dmitriy V. Mashtalyar, Anton I. Degtyarenko, Olga V. Grishchenko, Vadim V. Kumeiko, Victor P. Bulgakov and Yury N. Shkryl

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14090451 - 01 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1529

Abstract

This study delves into the novel utilization of Aristolochia manshuriensis cultured cells for extracellular silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis without the need for additional substances. The presence of elemental silver has been verified using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, while distinct surface plasmon resonance peaks were revealed by UV-Vis spectra. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the AgNPs, ranging in size from 10 to 40 nm, exhibited a spherical morphology. Fourier-transform infrared analysis validated the abilty of A. manshuriensis extract components to serve as both reducing and capping agents for metal ions. In the context of cytotoxicity on embryonic fibroblast (NIH 3T3) and mouse neuroblastoma (N2A) cells, AgNPs demonstrated varying effects. Specifically, nanoparticles derived from callus cultures exhibited an IC₅₀ of 2.8 µg/mL, effectively inhibiting N2A growth, whereas AgNPs sourced from hairy roots only achieved this only at concentrations of 50 µg/mL and above. Notably, all studied AgNPs’ treatment-induced cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells, yielding IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.2 to 36.3 µg/mL. Furthermore, the findings unveiled the efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs against pathogenic microorganisms impacting both plants and animals, including Agrobacterium rhizogenes, A. tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. These findings underscore the effectiveness of biotechnological methodologies in offering advanced and enhanced green nanotechnology alternatives for generating nanoparticles with applications in combating cancer and infectious disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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17 pages, 4111 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Anti-Tumor Activity of Novel Nimotuzumab-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Agent against Skin and Lung Cancers

by Mohammad Anisuzzman, Varsha Komalla, Mariam Abdulaziz M. Tarkistani and Veysel Kayser

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(8), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14080407 - 01 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1695

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is vital for many different types of cancer. Nimotuzumab (NmAb), an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb), is used against some of EGFR-overexpressed cancers in various countries. It targets malignant cells and is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis. We hypothesized that mAb-nanoparticle conjugation would provide an enhanced therapeutic efficacy, and hence we conjugated NmAb with 27 nm spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form AuNP-NmAb nanoconjugates. Using biophysical and spectroscopic methods, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the AuNP-NmAb complex was characterized. Furthermore, in vitro studies were performed using a medium-level EGFR-expressing skin cancer cell (A431, EGFR^medium) and low-level EGFR-expressing lung cancer cell (A549, EGFR^low) to evaluate anti-tumor and cellular uptake efficiency via MTT assay and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS), respectively. In comparison to NmAb monotherapy, the AuNP-NmAb treatment drastically reduced cancer cell survivability: for A431 cells, the IC₅₀ value of AuNP-NmAb conjugate was 142.7 µg/mL, while the IC₅₀ value of free NmAb was 561.3 µg/mL. For A549 cells, the IC₅₀ value of the AuNP-NmAb conjugate was 163.6 µg/mL, while the IC₅₀ value of free NmAb was 1,082.0 µg/mL. Therefore, this study highlights the unique therapeutic potential of AuNP-NmAb in EGFR+ cancers and shows the potential to develop other mAb nanoparticle complexes for a superior therapeutic efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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15 pages, 4982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Potential of Rice Straw Nanofiber-Reinforced HDPE for Biomedical Applications: Investigating Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics

by Mohamed Taha, Ahmed Fouly, Hany S. Abdo, Ibrahim A. Alnaser, Ragab Abouzeid and Ahmed Nabhan

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(7), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14070366 - 12 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1086

Abstract

The efficient utilization of rice waste has the potential to significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by minimizing the waste impact on the environment. Through repurposing such waste, novel materials can be developed for various biomedical applications. This approach not only mitigates waste, but it also promotes the adoption of sustainable materials within the industry. In this research, rice-straw-derived nanofibers (RSNFs) were utilized as a reinforcement material for high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The rice-straw-derived nanofibers were incorporated at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 4 wt.%) into the HDPE. The composites were fabricated using twin-screw extrusion (to ensure homogenous distribution) and the injection-molding process (to crease the test samples). Then, the mechanical strengths and frictional performances of the bio-composites were assessed. Different characterization techniques were utilized to investigate the morphology of the RSNFs. Thermal analyses (TGA/DTG/DSC), the contact angle, and XRD were utilized to study the performances of the HDPE/RSNF composites. The study findings demonstrated that the addition of RSNFs as a reinforcement to the HDPE improved the hydrophilicity, strength, hardness, and wear resistance of the proposed bio-composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: Fabrication, Properties and Biomedical Application)

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