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Dermatology and cosmetology currently prioritize healthy, youthful-looking skin. As a result, research is being conducted worldwide to uncover natural substances and carriers that allow for controlled release, which could aid in the battle against a variety of skin illnesses and slow the aging process. This study examined the biological and physicochemical features of novel hydrogels containing cannabidiol (CBD) and α-terpineol (TER). The hydrogels were obtained from ε-caprolactone (CL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymers, diethylene glycol (DEG), poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF), 1,6-diisocyanatohexane (HDI), and chitosan (CHT) components, whereas the biodegradable oligomers were synthesized using the enzyme ring-opening polymerization (e-ROP) method. The in vitro release rate of the active compounds from the hydrogels was characterized by mainly first-order kinetics, without a "burst release". The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-aging qualities of the designed drug delivery systems (DDSs) were evaluated. The findings indicate that the hydrogel carriers that were developed have the ability to scavenge free radicals and impact the activity of antioxidant enzymes while avoiding any negative effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Furthermore, they have anti-inflammatory qualities by impeding protein denaturation as well as the activity of proteinase and lipoxygenase. Additionally, their ability to reduce the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and inhibit the activity of collagenase and elastase has been demonstrated. Thus, the developed hydrogel carriers may be effective systems for the controlled delivery of CBD, which may become a valuable tool for cosmetologists and dermatologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous starch can be applied as an adsorbent and encapsulant for bioactive substances in the food and pharmaceutical industries. By using appropriate modification methods (chemical, physical, enzymatic, or mixed), it is possible to create pores on the surface of the starch granules without disturbing their integrity. This paper aimed to analyze the possibility of obtaining a porous structure for native corn, potato, and pea starches using a combination of ultrasound, enzymatic digestion, and freeze-drying methods. The starch suspensions (30%, w/w) were treated with ultrasound (20 kHz, 30 min, 20 °C), then dried and hydrolyzed with amyloglucosidase (1000 U/g starch, 50 °C, 24 h, 2% starch suspension). After enzyme digestion, the granules were freeze-dried for 72 h. The structure of the native and modified starches were examined using VIS spectroscopy, SEM, ATR-FTIR, and LTNA (low-temperature nitrogen adsorption). Based on the electrophoretic mobility measurements of the starch granules using a laser Doppler velocimeter, zeta potentials were calculated to determine the surface charge level. Additionally, the selected properties such as the water and oil holding capacities, least gelling concentration (LGC), and paste clarity were determined. The results showed that the corn starch was the most susceptible to the combined modification methods and was therefore best suited for the production of porous starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]