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Abstract: Background: Iron nanoparticles (INPs) are usually prepared from inorganic sources, but we have prepared it from goat blood using incineration method. These INPs are then coated with chitosan (C) and coupled with folic acid (F) to form bionanocomposite for folate receptors. Methods: The bionanocomposite was characterized for its physicochemical properties and cancer cell targeting studies using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging analyses. Results: The results have shown that the particle size of the INP-CF was found to be 80–300nm and confirmed the presence of chitosan and folic acid in the bionanocomposite. Cancer and normal mouse embryonic cell line study confirmed the internalization of INP-CF and this phenomenon was also supported by physicochemical studies. Conclusion: Thus, nanobiocomposite prepared using natural sources as a raw material will be beneficial compared to commercially available synthetic sources and can be used as receptor targeting agent for cancer treatment. This nanobiocomposite when coupled with substances such as monoclonal antibodies might act as a theranostic nanoagent for cancer therapy in the years to come. General significance: The prepared novel nanobiocomposite containing INPs isolated from natural source may be used as multifunctional agent due its paramagnetic property apart from its drug delivery effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Composites, in film form, containing physiologically clotted fibrin, chitosan and gelatin were prepared and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. The films were characterised for their IR spectroscopy, water absorption capacity (WAC) at different pH conditions, mechanical properties and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fibrin+gelatin films gave higher WAC values in all the pH ranges (2,7 and 10) studied. However, with the addition of chitosan, the WAC values of the composite decreased. This was attributed to the crosslinking of glutaraldehyde with the hydrophilic groups available on chitosan and gelatin/fibrin. The amount of individual constituents, which gave maximum tensile strength to the FCG composite, was optimized. SEM pictures of the FCG have exhibited the fibrous and porous nature of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical-sized bone defects are augmented with cell free and cell loaded constructs to bridge bone defects. Improving the properties of three-dimensional scaffolds with multiple polymers and others is of growing interest in recent decades. Chitosan (CS), a natural biopolymer has limitations for its use in bone regeneration, and its properties can be enhanced with other materials. In the present study, the composite scaffolds containing CS, gelatin (Gn) and graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated through freeze-drying. These scaffolds (GO/CS/Gn) were characterized by the SEM, Raman spectra, FT-IR, EDS, swelling, biodegradation, protein adsorption and biomineralization studies. The inclusion of GO in the CS/Gn scaffolds showed better physico-chemical properties. The GO/CS/Gn scaffolds were cyto-friendly to rat osteoprogenitor cells, and they promoted differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. The scaffolds also accelerated bridging of the rat tibial bone defect with increased collagen deposition in vivo . Hence, these results strongly suggested the potential nature of GO/CS/Gn scaffolds for their application in bone tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaffold based bone tissue engineering utilizes a variety of biopolymers in different combinations aiming to deliver optimal properties required for bone regeneration. In the current study, we fabricated bio-composite scaffolds containing chitosan (CS), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with varied concentrations of mesoporous wollastonite (m-WS) particles by the freeze drying method. The CS/CMC/m-WS scaffolds were characterized by the SEM, EDS and FT-IR studies. Addition of m-WS particles had no effect on altering the porosity of the scaffolds. m-WS particles at 0.5% concentration in the CS/CMC scaffolds showed significant improvement in the bio-mineralization and protein adsorption properties. Addition of m-WS particles in the CS/CMC scaffolds significantly reduced their swelling and degradation properties. The CS/CMC/m-WS scaffolds also showed cyto-friendly nature to human osteoblastic cells. The osteogenic potential of CS/CMC/m-WS scaffolds was confirmed by calcium deposition and expression of an osteoblast specific microRNA, pre-mir-15b. Thus, the current investigations support the use of CS/CMC/m-WS scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterials are used in regenerative medicine, implantable materials, controlled release carriers or scaffolds for tissue engineering. In the present study, the composites containing regenerated cellulose (RC) and chitosan (Ch) impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) with and without antibiotic gentamicin (G) were prepared. The composites prepared were characterized for their physico-chemical and mechanical properties and the results have shown the composite nature. RC–Ch–Ag and RC–Ch–Ag–G composites were used as wound dressing materials in experimental wounds of rats. The healing pattern of the wounds was evaluated by planimetric studies, macroscopic observations, biochemical studies and mechanical properties. The results have shown faster healing pattern in the wounds treated with RC–Ch–Ag and RC–Ch–Ag–G composites compared to untreated control. This study revealed that RC–Ch–Ag composite might be a potential, economical wound dressing material and may be tried on the clinical wounds of animals before being applied on humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The positive attributes of excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability of biopolymers with versatile biological activities have provided ample opportunities for further development of functional biomaterials of high potential in various fields. The biopolymers used in this study, i.e. chitosan and sago starch are abundantly available in nature and can be used in various biomedical applications. In the present study, the composite films of chitosan (Ch) and sago starch (SG) impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) with and without antibiotic gentamicin (G) were prepared by solvent casting method. The films prepared were characterized for their physic-chemical properties using conventional methods. The results obtained showed that with the increase of chitosan content in the composite results in decrease in its water absorption capacity. The FTIR and SEM studies have shown the composite nature of the films prepared. Ch-SG-AgNP and Ch-SG-AgNP-G composites were used as wound dressing materials in experimental wounds of rats. The healing pattern of the wounds was evaluated by planimetric studies, macroscopic observations, biochemical studies and histopathological observations. The results have shown faster healing pattern in the wounds treated with Ch-SG-AgNP and Ch-SG-AgNP-G composites compared to untreated control. This study suggests that Ch-SG-AgNP film may be a potential candidate as a dressing material for wound healing applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we report the preparation of magnetic iron nanoparticles (INPs) from goat blood using incineration method. FT-IR and XRD studies have confirmed that the prepared nanoparticles were INPs. These INPs were coated with a mixture of chitosan and gelatin to prepare INP–CG nanobiocomposite and the TEM picture of these composite particles has shown an average particle size of 80–300nm. MRI scan exhibited magnetic property and VSM studies revealed a magnetic saturation of 18.97emu/g. This may be used as a MRI contrast agent to enhance cellular imaging and as magnetic nanocarrier for targeted delivery of drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]