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Cognitive decline, a common consequence of aging, detrimentally affects independence, physical activity, and social interactions. This decline encompasses various cognitive functions, including processing speed, memory, language, and executive functioning. This trial aimed to investigate, with a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 96 healthy older adults, the efficacy of once-daily 250 mg of a standardized grape (Vitis vinifera L.) juice extract (Cognigrape®) in improving short- and long-term cognitive functions. The results revealed significant improvements across multiple cognitive domains, notably immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language, and attention, with improvements occurring within just 14 days, which continued to improve after 84 days of supplementation. The extract exhibited statistically significant enhancements in the Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS), "Esame Neuropsicologico Breve 2 (ENB-2), and Modified Bells Test (MBT) scores, with the latter test revealing a significant improvement in selective attention within just 90 min of the first dose. These positive results highlight the potential this natural grape extract has on improving cognitive function both acutely and chronically in a healthy aging population, which in turn supports a longer health span, at least cognitively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) represent an emerging focus for many researchers and they are becoming progressively crucial in the development of new treatments. Great attention is given to all the challenges that a drug has to overcome during its journey across barriers and tissues and all the pharmacokinetics modulations that are needed in order to reach the targeting sites. The goal of these pathways is the delivery of drugs in a controlled way, optimizing their bioavailability and minimizing side effects. Recent innovations in DDSs include various nanotechnology-based approaches, such as nanoparticles, nanofibers and micelles, which provide effective targeted delivery and sustained release of therapeutics. In this context, protein-based drug delivery systems are gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical field due to their potential to revolutionize targeted and efficient drug delivery. As natural biomolecules, proteins offer distinct advantages, including safety, biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them a fascinating alternative to synthetic polymers. Moreover, protein-based carriers, including those derived from gelatin, albumin, collagen, gliadin and silk proteins, demonstrate exceptional stability under physiological conditions, and they allow for controlled and sustained drug release, enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current trends, challenges, and future perspectives in protein-based drug delivery, focusing on the types of proteins adopted and the techniques that are being developed to enhance their functionality in terms of drug affinity and targeting capabilities, underscoring their potential to significantly impact modern therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in gut microbiota composition and function. Opuntia ficus-indica extract has been shown to modulate gut microbiota by improving SCFA production in vivo and gastrointestinal discomfort (GD) in humans. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of OdiliaTM on gastrointestinal health by changing the microbial diversity of species involved in inflammation, immunity, oxidation, and the brain–gut–muscle axis. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 80 adults with gut dysbiosis. The intervention consisted of a 300 mg daily intake of OdiliaTM (n = 40) or maltodextrin as a placebo (n = 40), administered for 8 weeks. Intervention effect was evaluated using 16S metagenomics and GIQLI/GSAS scores at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks. Eight weeks of OdiliaTM supplementation positively modulates gut microbiota composition with a significant reduction in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (p = 0.0012). Relative abundances of beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Clostridium_XIVa) were significantly increased (p < 0.001), in contrast to a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory bacteria (p < 0.001). Accordingly, GIQLI and GSAS scores revealed successful improvement in GD. OdiliaTM may represent an effective and well-tolerated treatment in subjects with gut dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional wound dressings may lack suitability for diverse wound types and individual patient requirements. In this context, this study aimed to innovate wound care by developing a 3D-printed patch using alginate and pectin and incorporating Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) as an active ingredient. Different polymer-to-plasticizer ratios were systematically examined to formulate a printable ink with optimal viscosity. The resultant film, enriched with OLE, exhibited a substantial polyphenolic content of 13.15 ± 0.41 mg CAE/g, showcasing significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Notably, the film demonstrated potent scavenging abilities against DPPH, ABTS, and NO radicals, with IC50 values of 0.66 ± 0.07, 0.47 ± 0.04, and 2.02 ± 0.14 mg/mL, respectively. In vitro release and diffusion studies were carried out and the release profiles revealed an almost complete release of polyphenols from the patch within 48 h. Additionally, the fabricated film exhibited the capacity to enhance cell motility and accelerate wound healing, evidenced by increased collagen I expression in BJ fibroblast cells. Structural assessments affirmed the ability of the patch to absorb exudates and maintain the optimal moisture balance, while biocompatibility studies underscored its suitability for biomedical applications. These compelling findings endorse the potential application of the developed film in advanced wound care, with the prospect of tailoring patches to individual patient needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterials are at the forefront of the future, finding a variety of applications in the biomedical field, especially in wound healing, thanks to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties. Wounds spontaneously try to heal through a series of interconnected processes involving several initiators and mediators such as cytokines, macrophages, and fibroblasts. The combination of biopolymers with wound healing properties may provide opportunities to synthesize matrices that stimulate and trigger target cell responses crucial to the healing process. This review outlines the optimal management and care required for wound treatment with a special focus on biopolymers, drug-delivery systems, and nanotechnologies used for enhanced wound healing applications. Researchers have utilized a range of techniques to produce wound dressings, leading to products with different characteristics. Each method comes with its unique strengths and limitations, which are important to consider. The future trajectory in wound dressing advancement should prioritize economical and eco-friendly methodologies, along with improving the efficacy of constituent materials. The aim of this work is to give researchers the possibility to evaluate the proper materials for wound dressing preparation and to better understand the optimal synthesis conditions as well as the most effective bioactive molecules to load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked structures with physicochemical properties similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM). By changing the hydrogel's material type, crosslinking, molecular weight, chemical surface, and functionalization, it is possible to mimic the mechanical properties of native tissues. Hydrogels are currently used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields for drug delivery systems, wound dressings, tissue engineering, and contact lenses. Lately, research has been focused on hydrogels from natural sources. Polysaccharides have drawn attention in recent years as a promising material for biological applications, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and excellent mechanical properties. Polysaccharide-based hydrogels can be used as drug delivery systems for the efficient release of various types of cancer therapeutics, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and minimizing potential side effects. This review summarizes hydrogels' classification, properties, and synthesis methods. Furthermore, it also covers several important natural polysaccharides (chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, cellulose, and carrageenan) widely used as hydrogels for drug delivery and, in particular, their application in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular recognition is a useful property shared by various molecules, such as antibodies, aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). It allows these molecules to be potentially involved in many applications including biological and pharmaceutical research, diagnostics, theranostics, therapy and drug delivery. Antibodies, naturally produced by plasma cells, have been exploited for this purpose, but they present noticeable drawbacks, above all production cost and time. Therefore, several research studies for similar applications have been carried out about MIPs and the main studies are reported in this review. MIPs, indeed, are more versatile and cost-effective than conventional antibodies, but the lack of toxicity studies and their scarce use for practical applications, make it that further investigations on this kind of molecules need to be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest towards textile-based drug delivery systems is due to their potential innovative medical and well-being applications. In recent years, the technique of encapsulation or inclusion of the medicine/active principle into a polymer functional matrix has been employed in order to obtain textile materials with controlled drug release. In this study, a sol–gel-based coating was developed and used as an entrapping polymeric cross-linked network for a N-Palmitoyl-ethanolamine (PEA) derivative, 2-methyl-pentadecanoic acid (4-nitro-phenyl)-amide or N-Palmitoyl-(4-nitro-phenyl)-amine (PNPA), whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have already been shown. A wide series of chemical-physical methods have been used to characterize the silica-based functional sol and to ascertain the efficient and temporary deposit of PNPA on the sol–gel coated cotton fabrics. The medicine release system achieved was shown to ensure biocompatibility, PNPA reservoir and its subsequent releasing under the action of cutaneous stimuli, thus providing useful insights in the design of medical textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present research work was the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with a rod-like geometry via "mesophase polymerization". The ternary lyotropic system consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), water, and decanol was chosen to prepare a hexagonal mesophase to direct the morphology of the synthesized imprinted polymers using theophylline, methacrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a drug model template, a functional monomer, and a crosslinker, respectively. The obtained molecularly imprinted microrods (MIMs) were assessed by performing binding experiments and in vitro release studies, and the obtained results highlighted good selective recognition abilities and sustained release properties. In conclusion, the adopted synthetic strategy involving a lyotropic mesophase system allows for the preparation of effective MIPs characterized by a rod-like morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium barbarum (Goji) fruits are mainly cultivated in northwestern China and are well known for their beneficial and healthy effects. In this work, the biological and functional properties of Calabrian Goji extract, obtained from Goji berries cultivated in the Sibari Plain (in the Italian region of Calabria), were demonstrated. In order to evaluate the use of this extract as a food supplement for cognitive and mental disorders, the quantification of Carotenoids as Zeaxanthin equivalents was made. The antioxidant activity was investigated by evaluating the scavenging properties against 2,20-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,20-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and by performing the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was quantified by bleaching test and the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme and to scavenge nitric oxide radical was also evaluated. All the results were compared to those obtained from a Chinese Goji extract used as a reference. Based on the reported data, Calabrian Goji might be used as a food supplement with a possible application in cognitive disorders, mental impairments and other neurodegenerative diseases, due to its biological properties and the high levels of Carotenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quest for alternative drugs with respect to the well-known cis-platin and its derivatives, which are still used in more than 50% of the treatment regimens for patients suffering from cancer, is highly needed. In this context organometallic compounds, which are defined as metal complexes containing at least one direct covalent metal-carbon bond, have recently been found to be promising anticancer drug candidates. A series of new metallocene complexes with scandium, yttrium, and neodymium have been prepared and characterized. Some of these compounds show a very interesting anti-proliferative activity in triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA.MB231) and the non-hormone sensitive prostate cancer cell line (DU145). Moreover, the interaction of some of them with biological membranes, evaluated using liposomes as bio-membrane mimetic model systems, seems to be relevant. The biological activity of these compounds, particularly those based on yttrium, already effective at low concentrations on both cancer cell lines, should be taken into account with regard to new therapeutic approaches in anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the feasibility of caffeic acid grafted PLGA (g-CA-PLGA) to design biodegradable sterile microspheres for the delivery of proteins. Ovalbumin (OVA) was selected as model compound because of its sensitiveness of γ-radiation. The adopted grafting procedure allowed us to obtain a material with good free radical scavenging properties, without a significant modification of Mw and Tg of the starting PLGA (Mw PLGA = 26.3 ± 1.3 kDa vs. Mw g-CA-PLGA = 22.8 ± 0.7 kDa ; Tg PLGA = 47.7 ± 0 . 8 °C vs. Tg g-CA-PLGA = 47.4 ± 0.2 °C). By using a W1/O/W2 technique, g-CA-PLGA improved the encapsulation efficiency (EE), suggesting that the presence of caffeic residues improved the compatibility between components (EEPLGA = 35.0% ± 0.7% vs. EE g-CA-PLGA = 95.6% ± 2.7%). Microspheres particle size distribution ranged from 15 to 50 μm. The zeta-potential values of placebo and loaded microspheres were -25 mV and -15 mV, respectively. The irradiation of g-CA-PLGA at the dose of 25 kGy caused a less than 1% variation of Mw and the degradation patterns of the non-irradiated and irradiated microspheres were superimposable. The OVA content in g-CA-PLGA microspheres decreased to a lower extent with respect to PLGA microspheres. These results suggest that g-CA-PLGA is a promising biodegradable material to microencapsulate biological drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was the synthesis, characterization and efficacy evaluation of new biocompatible antioxidant polymers linking trans-ferulic acid or a-lipoic acid. In particular, ferulic or lipoic acid were introduced in the preformed polymeric backbone. The new antioxidant biopolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The degree of functionalization (moles of antioxidant per gram of polymer) was determined by the Gaur-Gupta method for free amino group determination and by the Folin method for the phenolic groups. Their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation were estimated in rat liver microsomal membranes induced in vitro by tert-BOOH (tert-butyl hydroperoxide), as a source of free radicals. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging effect was also evaluated. The obtained systems, with different solubility, showed strong antioxidant and antiradical activities, suggesting potential use as packaging materials for foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the synthesized polymers was also evaluated on Caco-2 cell cultures in order to verify their biocompatibility when exposed to an absorptive epithelial cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of a novel functional biomaterial for wound healing treatment was carried out by adopting a free-radical grafting procedure in aqueous media. With this aim, ciprofloxacin (CFX) was covalently incorporated into collagen (T1C) chains employing an ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide redox pair as biocompatible initiator system. The covalent insertion of CFX in the polymeric chains was confirmed by FT-IR and UV analyses, while an antibacterial assay demonstrated the activity of the synthesized conjugate against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, microorganisms that commonly infect wounds. A catechin blended conjugate was also tested in order to evaluate the ability to influence fibroblast cell growth. The observed antibacterial activity and stimulation of fibroblast growth support the applicability of CFX-T1C conjugate in wound treatment encouraging the healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, molecularly imprinted nanospheres for controlled/sustained release of quercetin were synthesized employing methacrylic acid and ethylene glycoldymethacrylate as functional monomer and crosslinking agent, respectively. One pot precipitation polymerization was chosen as polymerization technique to obtain nanosized materials with spherical shape. Morphological and hydrophilic properties by scanning electron microscopy and water content measurements were determined, and recognition and selectivity properties of the imprinted materials were tested using the template quercetin and its structural analogue, the flavonoid catechin. Finally, the applicability of the obtained materials as drug delivery devices was evaluated by performing in vitro release studies in plasma simulating fluids and cytotoxicity testson HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the efficacy of fig syrup, a Mediterranean fig derivative, as a nutraceutical supplement, was demonstrated. Fig syrup is a fruit concentrate used as a common ingredient in the preparation of typical foods, and particularly in cakes. In vitro assays were performed to determine the amount of nutraceutical ingredients, such as phenolic compounds (3.92 mg equivalent of gallic acid per g) and flavonoids (0.35 mg equivalent of catechin per g), while HPLC analyses provided specific information about the composition of antioxidants in the syrup. Furthermore, total antioxidant activity, scavenging properties against DPPH and peroxyl radicals, and the anticholinesterase activity, clearly showed the efficacy of the syrup in preventing damage induced by free radicals and, thus, the applicability of this food derivative as a nutraceutical supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin, a main bioactive component of the Curcuma longa L. rhizome, is a phenolic compound that exerts a wide range of beneficial effects, acting as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. This review summarizes recent data on curcumin's ability to interfere with the multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and the migration of several cancer cell types. However, although curcumin displays anticancer potential, its clinical application is limited by its low absorption, rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, several curcumin-based derivatives/analogues and different drug delivery approaches have been developed. Here, we also report the anticancer mechanisms and pharmacokinetic characteristics of some derivatives/analogues and the delivery systems used. These strategies, although encouraging, require additional in vivo studies to support curcumin clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that several papers such as "Smooth Muscle Cell Functionality on Collagen Immobilized Polycaprolactone Nanowire Surfaces," "A Novel Glass Polyalkenoate Cement for Fixation and Stabilisation of the Ribcage, Post Sternotomy Surgery: An ex-Vivo Study," and "Antimicrobial, Mechanical and Thermal Studies of Silver Particle-Loaded Polyurethane" were awarded the Best Paper Award 2015 by "Journal of Functional Biomaterials".

The impaired ability to feed properly, evident in oncologic, elderly, and dysphagic patients, may result in malnutrition and sarcopenia. Increasing the consumption of dietary proteins by functional foods and enriching their composition by adding beneficial nutrients may represent an adjuvant therapy. We aimed to evaluate the safety and the positive effects of a standard diet (SD) supplemented with whey-derived protein puddings (WDPP), with appropriate rheological properties, and hemp seed oil (HSO), rich in polyphenols. Rats were assigned to SD, WDPP, WDPP plus hemp seed oil (HSOP), and HSO supplemented diets for eight weeks. "Anthropometric", metabolic, and biochemical variables, oxidative stress, tissue injury, liver histology, and cardiac susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion were analyzed. All the supplementations did not induce significant changes in biochemical and metabolic variables, also in relation to glucose tolerance, and livers did not undergo morphological alteration and injury. An improvement of cardiac post-ischemic function in the Langendorff perfused heart model and a reduction of infarct size were observed in WDPP and HSOP groups, thanks to their antioxidant effects and the activation of Akt- and AMPK-dependent protective pathways. Data suggest that (i) functional foods enriched with WDPP and HSOP may be used to approach malnutrition and sarcopenia successfully under disabling conditions, also conferring cardioprotection, and that (ii) adequate rheological properties could positively impact dysphagia-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer represents the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Various therapeutics are currently used in order to halt the progression of breast tumor, even though certain side effects may limit the beneficial effects. In recent years, many efforts have been addressed to the usefulness of natural compounds as anticancer agents due to their low toxicity. Resveratrol, a stilbene found in grapes, berries, peanuts and soybeans, has raised a notable interest for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Here, we report the design, the synthesis and the characterization of the anticancer activity of a small series of imino N-aryl-substituted compounds that are analogues of resveratrol. In particular, the most active compound, named 3, exhibited anti-tumor activity in diverse types of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of the human topoisomerase II and the induction of apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the abovementioned compound maybe considered as a promising agent in more comprehensive treatments of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionic gelation technique allows us to obtain nanoparticles able to function as carriers for hydrophobic anticancer drugs, such as 5-fluoruracil (5-FU). In this study, reticulated chitosan– docosahexaenoic acid (Chi–DHAr) nanoparticles were synthesized by using a chemical reaction between amine groups of chitosan (Chi) and carboxylic acids of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the presence of a link between Chi and DHA was confirmed by FT-IR, while the size and morphology of the obtained Chi-DHAr nanoparticles was evaluated with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Drug-loading content (DLC) and drug-loading efficiency (DLE) of 5-FU in Chi-DHAr nanoparticles were 33.74 ± 0.19% and 7.9 ± 0.26%, respectively, while in the non-functionalized nanoparticles (Chir + 5FU), DLC, and DLE were in the ranges of 23.73 ± 0.14%, 5.62%, and 0.23%, respectively. The in vitro release profile, performed in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37 °C, indicated that the synthetized Chi–DHAr nanoparticles provided a sustained release of 5-FU. Based on the obtained regression coefficient value (R2), the first order kinetic model provided the best fit for both Chir and Chi-DHAr nanoparticles. Finally, cytotoxicity studies of chitosan, 5-FU, Chir, Chir + 5-FU, Chi-DHAr, and Chi-DHAr + 5-FU nanoparticles were conducted. Overall, Chi-DHAr nanoparticles proved to be much more biocompatible than Chir nanoparticles while retaining the ability to release the drug with high efficiency, especially towards specific types of cancerous cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At this time, Parisi et al. at the Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences of the University of Calabria, are developing "monoclonal-type" plastic antibodies based on MIPs able to selectively bind a portion of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block its function and, thus, the infection process (Figure 1) [[14]]. The coronavirus spike protein is a surface protein that mediates host recognition and attachment. [Extracted from the article]

Cytotoxic agents that are used conventionally in cancer therapy present limitations that affect their efficacy and safety profile, leading to serious adverse effects. In the aim to overcome these drawbacks, different approaches have been investigated and, among them, theranostics is attracting interest. This new field of medicine combines diagnosis with targeted therapy; therefore, the aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) selective for the anticancer drug Sunitinib (SUT) for the development of a novel theranostic system that is able to integrate the drug controlled release ability of MIPs with Rhodamine 6G as a fluorescent marker. MIPs were synthesized by precipitation polymerization and then functionalized with Rhodamine 6G by radical grafting. The obtained polymeric particles were characterized in terms of particles size and distribution, ξ-potential and fluorescent, and hydrophilic properties. Moreover, adsorption isotherms and kinetics and in vitro release properties were also investigated. The obtained binding data confirmed the selective recognition properties of MIP, revealing that SUT adsorption better fitted the Langmuir model, while the adsorption process followed the pseudo-first order kinetic model. Finally, the in vitro release studies highlighted the SUT controlled release behavior of MIP, which was well fitted with the Ritger-Peppas kinetic model. Therefore, the synthesized fluorescent MIP represents a promising material for the development of a theranostic platform for Sunitinib controlled release and self-monitoring in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene; RSV) is a natural nonflavonoid polyphenol present in many species of plants, particularly in grapes, blueberries, and peanuts. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that in addition to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective actions, it exhibits antitumor properties. In mammalian models, RSV is extensively metabolized and rapidly eliminated and therefore it shows a poor bioavailability, in spite it of its lipophilic nature. During the past decade, in order to improve RSV low aqueous solubility, absorption, membrane transport, and its poor bioavailability, various methodological approaches and different synthetic derivatives have been developed. In this review, we will describe the strategies used to improve pharmacokinetic characteristics and then beneficial effects of RSV. These methodological approaches include RSV nanoencapsulation in lipid nanocarriers or liposomes, nanoemulsions, micelles, insertion into polymeric particles, solid dispersions, and nanocrystals. Moreover, the biological results obtained on several synthetic derivatives containing different substituents, such as methoxylic, hydroxylic groups, or halogens on the RSV aromatic rings, will be described. Results reported in the literature are encouraging but require additional in vivo studies, to support clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was the development of a "smart bandage" for the topical administration of diclofenac, in the treatment of localized painful and inflammatory conditions, incorporating Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) for the controlled release of this anti-inflammatory drug. For this purpose, MIP spherical particles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization, loaded with the therapeutic agent and incorporated into the bandage surface. Batch adsorption binding studies were performed to investigate the adsorption isotherms and kinetics and the selective recognition abilities of the synthesized MIP. In vitro diffusion studies were also carried out using Franz cells and the obtained results were reported as percentage of the diffused dose, cumulative amount of diffused drug, steady-state drug flux and permeability coefficient. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the developed device was evaluated using the EPISKIN™ model. The Scatchard analysis indicated that the prepared MIP is characterized by the presence of specific binding sites for diclofenac, which are not present in the corresponding non-imprinted polymer, and the obtained results confirmed both the ability of the prepared bandage to prolong the drug release and the absence of skin irritation reactions. Therefore, these results support the potential application of the developed "smart bandage" as topical device for diclofenac sustained release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair loss represents a condition that adversely affects the social life of patients. The most common cause is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), which is a genetically determined progressive hair-loss condition involving 5α-reductase. In this study, a novel anti-baldness agent based on Interconnected PolymerS TeChnology (IPSTiC), which is an effective strategy for the delivery of bioactive molecules, was developed. This product (IPSTiC patch hair) is based on a polymeric blend consisting of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and soybean proteins and is able to improve efficacy and stability of bioactive ingredients such as Origanum vulgare leaf extract, Camellia Sinensis leaf extract, and Capsicum Annuum fruit extract. The efficacy of the developed anti-baldness agent was investigated by performing several tests including NO radical and 5α-reductase inhibition assays, stability studies under different conditions, and in vitro diffusion studies using Franz cells. The biocompatibility of IPSTiC patch hair was also evaluated by in vitro analysis of the pro-sensitising potential and EPISKIN model. The obtained results confirmed both the efficacy and safety of IPSTiC patch hair supporting the potential use of this product in the topical treatment of AGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present research work was the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with a rod-like geometry via "mesophase polymerization". The ternary lyotropic system consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), water, and decanol was chosen to prepare a hexagonal mesophase to direct the morphology of the synthesized imprinted polymers using theophylline, methacrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a drug model template, a functional monomer, and a crosslinker, respectively. The obtained molecularly imprinted microrods (MIMs) were assessed by performing binding experiments and in vitro release studies, and the obtained results highlighted good selective recognition abilities and sustained release properties. In conclusion, the adopted synthetic strategy involving a lyotropic mesophase system allows for the preparation of effective MIPs characterized by a rod-like morphology., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of employing Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) as a controlled release device for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in biological fluids, especially gastrointestinal ones, compared to Non Imprinted Polymers (NIPs). MIPs were synthesized using methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinking agent. The capacity of the polymer to recognize and to bind the template selectively in both organic and aqueous media was evaluated. An in vitro release study was performed both in gastrointestinal and in plasma simulating fluids. The imprinted polymers bound much more 5-Fu than the corresponding non-imprinted ones and showed a controlled/sustained drug release, with MIPs release rate being indeed much more sustained than that obtained from NIPs. These polymers represent a potential valid system for drug delivery and this study indicates that the selective binding characteristic of molecularly imprinted polymers is promising for the preparation of novel controlled release drug dosage form.