Journal of Functional Biomaterials

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25 pages, 10370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring Microemulsification Techniques for the Encapsulation of Diverse Cargo: A Systematic Analysis of Poly (Urea-Formaldehyde) Microcapsules

by Sivashankari P. Rajasekaran, Bao Huynh and Ana Paula P. Fugolin

J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(5), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15050117 - 27 Apr 2024

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Abstract

Cargo encapsulation through emulsion-based methods has been pondered over the years. Although several microemulsification techniques have been employed for the microcapsule’s synthesis, there are still no clear guidelines regarding the suitability of one technique over the others or the impacts on the morphological [...] Read more.

Cargo encapsulation through emulsion-based methods has been pondered over the years. Although several microemulsification techniques have been employed for the microcapsule’s synthesis, there are still no clear guidelines regarding the suitability of one technique over the others or the impacts on the morphological and physicochemical stability of the final particles. Therefore, in this systematic study, we investigated the influence of synthesis parameters on the fabrication of emulsion-based microcapsules concerning morphological and physicochemical properties. Using poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules as a model system, and after determining the optimal core/shell ratio, we tested three different microemulsification techniques (magnetic stirring, ultrasonication, and mechanical stirring) and two different cargo types (100% TEGDMA (Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and 80% TEGDMA + 20% DMAM (N,N-Dimethylacrylamide)). The resulting microcapsules were characterized via optical and scanning electron microscopies, followed by size distribution analysis. The encapsulation efficiency was obtained through the extraction method, and the percentage reaction yield was calculated. Physicochemical properties were assessed by incubating the microcapsules under different osmotic pressures for 1 day and 1, 2, or 4 weeks. The data were analyzed statistically with one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests (α = 0.05). Overall, the mechanical stirring resulted in the most homogeneous and stable microcapsules, with an increased reaction yield from 100% to 50% in comparison with ultrasonication and magnetic methods, respectively. The average microcapsule diameter ranged from 5 to 450 µm, with the smallest ones in the ultrasonication and the largest ones in the magnetic stirring groups. The water affinities of the encapsulated cargo influenced the microcapsule formation and stability, with the incorporation of DMAM leading to more homogeneous and stable microcapsules. Environmental osmotic pressure led to cargo loss or the selective swelling of the shells. In summary, this systematic investigation provides insights and highlights commonly overlooked factors that can influence microcapsule fabrication and guide the choice based on a diligent analysis of therapeutic niche requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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17 pages, 3600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Biomolecule Ovomucin–Chitosan Oligosaccharide Self-Assembly Nanogel for Lutein Application Enhancement: Characterization, Environmental Stability and Bioavailability

by Qi Xu, Haoye Teng, Xuanchen Li, Zhenqing Zhang, Yumeng Han and Haixin Sun

J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(4), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15040111 - 21 Apr 2024

Viewed by 331

Abstract

As an essential nutrient, lutein (LUT) has the ability to aid in the prevention of eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. However, the application of LUT is largely restricted by its poor solubility and susceptibility to oxidative degradation. Thus, in this study, LUT-loaded [...] Read more.

As an essential nutrient, lutein (LUT) has the ability to aid in the prevention of eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. However, the application of LUT is largely restricted by its poor solubility and susceptibility to oxidative degradation. Thus, in this study, LUT-loaded nanogel (OVM-COS-LUT) was prepared by a self-assembly of ovomucin (OVM) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) to enhance the effective protection and bioavailability of LUT. The nanogel had excellent dispersion (PDI = 0.25) and an 89.96% LUT encapsulation rate. XRD crystal structure analysis confirmed that the encapsulated LUT maintained an amorphous morphology. In addition, the nanogel showed satisfactory stability with pH levels ranging from 2 to 9 and high ionic strengths (>100 mM). Even under long-term storage, the nanogel maintained an optimistic stabilization and protection capacity; its effective retention rates could reach 96.54%. In vitro, digestion simulation showed that the bioaccessibility and sustained release of OVM-COS-LUT nanogel was superior to that of free LUT. The nanogel provided significant antioxidant activity, and no significant harmful effects were detected in cytotoxicity analyses at higher concentrations. In summary, OVM-COS-LUT can be utilized as a potential safe oral and functional carrier for encapsulating LUT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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18 pages, 3072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Nanosuspension of Artemisia absinthium Extract as Novel Drug Delivery System to Enhance Its Bioavailability and Hepatoprotective Potential

by Nazish Jahan, Fareeha Kousar, Khalil Ur Rahman, Syeeda Iram Touqeer and Naseem Abbas

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(8), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14080433 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1415

Abstract

A nanosuspension of Artemisia absinthium extract was formulated and characterized for the enhancement of bioavailability and better hepatoprotective efficacy. The nanosuspension of A. absinthium extract was formulated using an antisolvent precipitation technique, and various formulation parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). [...] Read more.

A nanosuspension of Artemisia absinthium extract was formulated and characterized for the enhancement of bioavailability and better hepatoprotective efficacy. The nanosuspension of A. absinthium extract was formulated using an antisolvent precipitation technique, and various formulation parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized nanosuspension was characterized using AFM and FT–IR spectroscopy. The drug-release profile and oral bioavailability of the optimized nanosuspension were assessed with reference to coarse suspension. The DPPH radical scavenging method was used to measure the nanosuspension’s antioxidant activity, and its in vivo hepatoprotective potential was assessed against CCl4-induced hepatic injury in rats. The developed optimized nanosuspension had suitable zeta potential of −11.9 mV, PDI of 0.285, and mean particle size of 253.8 nm. AFM study demonstrated a homogeneous population of nanoparticles with average size of 25 nm. The formulated nanosuspension of A. absinthium showed faster dissolution rate and 1.13-fold enhanced bioavailability as compared to the coarse suspension (plant extract). Furthermore, the nanoformulation had stronger antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential as compared to the unprocessed coarse extract. These results demonstrated that nanosuspension is a promising strategy for improving the oral bioavailability and bioactivities of A. absinthium extract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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23 pages, 8382 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Biological Activity and Thrombogenic Properties of Oxide Nanotubes on the Ti-13Nb-13Zr Biomedical Alloy

by Agnieszka Stróż, Maciej Gawlikowski, Katarzyna Balin, Patrycja Osak, Julian Kubisztal, Maciej Zubko, Joanna Maszybrocka, Karolina Dudek and Bożena Łosiewicz

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(7), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14070375 - 18 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1177

Abstract

The success of implant treatment is dependent on the osseointegration of the implant. The main goal of this work was to improve the biofunctionality of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr implant alloy by the production of oxide nanotubes (ONTs) layers for better anchoring in the bone [...] Read more.

The success of implant treatment is dependent on the osseointegration of the implant. The main goal of this work was to improve the biofunctionality of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr implant alloy by the production of oxide nanotubes (ONTs) layers for better anchoring in the bone and use as an intelligent carrier in drug delivery systems. Anodization of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy was carried out in 0.5% HF, 1 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 2% NH₄F, and 1 M ethylene glycol + 4 wt.% NH₄F electrolytes. Physicochemical characteristics of ONTs were performed by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning Kelvin probe (SKP). Water contact angle studies were conducted using the sitting airdrop method. In vitro biological properties and release kinetics of ibuprofen were investigated. The results of TEM and XPS studies confirmed the formation of the single-walled ONTs of three generations on the bi-phase (α + β) Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy. The ONTs were composed of oxides of the alloying elements. The proposed surface modification method ensured good hemolytic properties, no cytotoxity for L-929 mouse cells, good adhesion, increased surface wettability, and improved athrombogenic properties of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy. Nanotubular surfaces allowed ibuprofen to be released from the polymer matrix according to the Gallagher–Corrigan model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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24 pages, 5203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ellagic Acid Inclusion Complex-Loaded Hydrogels as an Efficient Controlled Release System: Design, Fabrication and In Vitro Evaluation

by Chengqun Yu, Abid Naeem, Yali Liu and Yongmei Guan

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(5), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14050278 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1708

Abstract

Oxidants play a crucial role in the development of oxidative stress, which is linked to disease progression. Ellagic acid is an effective antioxidant with applications in the treatment and prevention of several diseases, since it neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. However, [...] Read more.

Oxidants play a crucial role in the development of oxidative stress, which is linked to disease progression. Ellagic acid is an effective antioxidant with applications in the treatment and prevention of several diseases, since it neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. However, it has limited application due to its poor solubility and oral bioavailability. Since ellagic acid is hydrophobic, it is difficult to load it directly into hydrogels for controlled release applications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to first prepare inclusion complexes of ellagic acid (EA) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and then load them into carbopol-934-grafted-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (CP-g-AMPS) hydrogels for orally controlled drug delivery. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to validate ellagic acid inclusion complexes and hydrogels. There was slightly higher swelling and drug release at pH 1.2 (42.20% and 92.13%) than at pH 7.4 (31.61% and 77.28%), respectively. Hydrogels had high porosity (88.90%) and biodegradation (9.2% per week in phosphate-buffered saline). Hydrogels were tested for their antioxidant properties in vitro against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Additionally, the antibacterial activity of hydrogels was demonstrated against Gram-positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and Gram-negative bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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12 pages, 5451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Hydrophilic, Antibacterial Chitosan-Based Coating Prepared by Ultrasonic Atomization Assisted LbL Assembly Technique

by Xiaoyu Wang, Yuyang Zhou, Melissa Johnson, Cameron Milne, Sigen A, Yening Li, Wenxin Wang, Nan Zhang and Qian Xu

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14010043 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2145

Abstract

To explore the potential applicability of chitosan (CTS), we prepared aldehyde chitosan (CTS-CHO) with chitosan and sodium periodate via oxidation reaction and then a chitosan-based hydrophilic and antibacterial coating on the surface of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) film was developed and characterized. The [...] Read more.

To explore the potential applicability of chitosan (CTS), we prepared aldehyde chitosan (CTS-CHO) with chitosan and sodium periodate via oxidation reaction and then a chitosan-based hydrophilic and antibacterial coating on the surface of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) film was developed and characterized. The oxidation degree was determined by Elemental analyser to be 12.53%, and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the structure of CTS-CHO. It was evident that CTS-CHO is a biocompatible coating biomaterial with more than 80% cell viability obtained through the Live/Dead staining assay and the alamarBlue assay. The hydrophilic and antibacterial CTS-CHO coating on the PLA surface was prepared by ultrasonic atomization assisted LbL assembly technique due to Schiff’s base reaction within and between layers. The CTS-CHO coating had better hydrophilicity and transparency, a more definite industrialization potential, and higher antibacterial activity at experimental concentrations than the CTS coating. All of the results demonstrated that the ultrasonic atomization-assisted LbL assembly CTS-CHO coating is a promising alternative for improving hydrophilicity and antibacterial activity on the PLA surface. The functional groups of CTS-CHO could react with active components with amino groups via dynamic Schiff’s base reaction and provide the opportunity to create a drug releasing surface for biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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19 pages, 5861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Multilayer Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Electrospun Patches for Buccal Drug Delivery

by Jorge Teno, Maria Pardo-Figuerez, Kelly J. Figueroa-Lopez, Cristina Prieto and Jose M. Lagaron

J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(4), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13040170 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2546

Abstract

Bacterial infections in the oral cavity can become a serious problem causing pain, sores and swelling for several weeks. This type of infection could be alleviated using mucoadhesive delivery systems, allowing local administration of the antibiotic to inhibit bacterial spreading. This work reports [...] Read more.

Bacterial infections in the oral cavity can become a serious problem causing pain, sores and swelling for several weeks. This type of infection could be alleviated using mucoadhesive delivery systems, allowing local administration of the antibiotic to inhibit bacterial spreading. This work reports the development of a multilayer antibiotic patch containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPX)-loaded electrospun fibers for the treatment of such infections. For this, the release kinetics of the CPX-loaded fibers was modulated using different ratios of polyester blends. The selected reservoir layer was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These analyses confirmed the presence and good distribution of the drug in the fibers and that the drug is in an amorphous state within the reservoir layer. To enhance mucoadhesion whilst ensuring drug directionality, the reservoir layer was assembled to a backing and an adhesive layer. This multilayer patch was assessed in terms of in vitro drug release, adhesion and antimicrobial properties. The multilayer strategy showed excellent antimicrobial properties over time and also a strong adhesion patch time in the volunteers for an average of 7 h. These results highlight the capabilities of multilayer electrospun patches as platforms to treat oral infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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Review

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22 pages, 3275 KiB

Open AccessReview

Drug Delivery Application of Functional Nanomaterials Synthesized Using Natural Sources

by Mekala Veerapandian, Subramaniyan Ramasundaram, Peter Jerome, Gayathri Chellasamy, Saravanan Govindaraju, Kyusik Yun and Tae Hwan Oh

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(8), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14080426 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2660

Abstract

Nanomaterials (NMs) synthesized from natural sources have been attracting greater attention, due to their intrinsic advantages including biocompatibility, stimuli-responsive property, nontoxicity, cost-effectiveness, and non-immunogenic characteristics in the biological environment. Among various biomedical applications, a breakthrough has been achieved in the development of drug [...] Read more.

Nanomaterials (NMs) synthesized from natural sources have been attracting greater attention, due to their intrinsic advantages including biocompatibility, stimuli-responsive property, nontoxicity, cost-effectiveness, and non-immunogenic characteristics in the biological environment. Among various biomedical applications, a breakthrough has been achieved in the development of drug delivery systems (DDS). Biocompatibility is necessary for treating a disease safely without any adverse effects. Some components in DDS respond to the physiological environment, such as pH, temperature, and functional group at the target, which facilitates targeted drug release. NM-based DDS is being applied for treating cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and dermal and ophthalmic diseases. Metal nanomaterials and carbon quantum dots are synthesized and stabilized using functional molecules extracted from natural sources. Polymers, mucilage and gums, exosomes, and molecules with biological activities are directly derived from natural sources. In DDS, these functional components have been used as drug carriers, imaging agents, targeting moieties, and super disintegrants. Plant extracts, biowaste, biomass, and microorganisms have been used as the natural source for obtaining these NMs. This review highlights the natural sources, synthesis, and application of metallic materials, polymeric materials, carbon dots, mucilage and gums, and exosomes in DDS. Aside from that, challenges and future perspectives on using natural resources for DDS are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery)

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