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Aim: To assess the efficacy of heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB) in promoting alveolar bone healing after tooth extraction in rats., Materials and Methods: The upper right incisors of 48 Wistar rats were extracted. Toothless sockets were filled with HFB (HFBG, n = 24) or blood clot (BCG, n = 24). The tooth extraction sites were subjected to micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical (for Runt-related transcription factor 2/Runx2 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase/TRAP) analyses on days 0, 7, 14 and 42 after extraction., Results: Socket volume remained similar between days 0 and 14 (69 ± 5.4 mm 3 ), except in the BCG on day 14, when it was 10% lower (p = .043). Although the number of Runx2+ osteoblasts was high and similar in both groups (34 × 10 2  cells/mm 2 ), the HFBG showed lower inflammatory process and osteoclast activity than BCG at 7 days. On day 14, the number of Runx2+ osteoblasts remained high and similar to the previous period in both groups. However, osteoclast activity increased. This increase was 55% lower in the HFBG than BCG. In the BCG, the presence of an inflammatory process and larger and numerous osteoclasts on day 14 led to resorption of the alveolar bone ridge and newly formed bone. On day 42, numbers of Runx2+ osteoblast and TRAP+ osteoclasts decreased dramatically in both groups. Although the BCG exhibited a more mature cortical bone formation, it exhibited a higher socket reduction (28.3 ± 6.67%) and smaller bone volume (37 ± 5.8 mm 3 ) compared with HFBG (socket reduction of 14.8 ± 7.14% and total bone volume of 46 ± 5.4 mm 3 )., Conclusions: HFB effectively suppresses osteoclast activity and reduces alveolar bone resorption compared with blood clot, thus preventing three-dimensional bone loss, particularly during the early healing period. HFB emerges as a promising biopharmaceutical material for enhancing healing processes after tooth extraction., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively investigated for their potential in nanomedicine. There is a significant level of enthusiasm about the potential of NPs to bring out a transformative impact on modern healthcare. NPs can serve as effective wound dressings or delivery vehicles due to their antibacterial and pro-wound-healing properties. Biopolymer-based NPs can be manufactured using various food-grade biopolymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers, each offering distinct properties suitable for different applications which include collagen, polycaprolactone, chitosan, alginate, and polylactic acid, etc. Their biodegradable and biocompatible nature renders them ideal nanomaterials for applications in wound healing. Additionally, the nanofibers containing biopolymer-based NPs have shown excellent anti-bacterial and wound healing activity like silver NPs. These NPs represent a paradigm shift in wound healing therapies, offering targeted and personalized solutions for enhanced tissue regeneration and accelerated wound closure. The current review focuses on biopolymer NPs with their applications in wound healing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, the development of new type wound dressings has gradually attracted more attention. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer material with various unique properties, such as ultrafine 3D nanonetwork structure, high water retention capacity, and biocompatibility. These properties allow BC to be used independently or in combination with different components (such as biopolymers and nanoparticles) to achieve diverse effects. This means that BC has great potential as a wound dressing. However, systematic summaries for the production and commercial application of BC-based wound dressings are still lacking. Therefore, this review provides a detailed introduction to the production fermentation process of BC, including various production strains and their biosynthetic mechanisms. Subsequently, with regard to the functional deficiencies of bacterial cellulose as a wound dressing, recent research progress in this area is enumerated. Finally, prospects are discussed for the low-cost production and high-value-added product development of BC-based wound dressings., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The aim of the research was to study the framework ability of the fibrous non-woven PCL matrices we've created during the restoration of bone tissue.There were performed some spectroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical, radiological and clinical analyses of the effectiveness of microfibrous non-woven PCL polycaprolactone matrices developed by us, in the work. The obtained results of morphological studies of bone tissue in the experiment of the implantation of a fibrous matrix indicated an increase in reparative osteogenesis in the form of an increase in osteoid areas up to 34.38% (p<0.05) at an early period. The analysis of clinical data showed the effectiveness of the frame developed by us, which was confirmed by the absence of pronounced compaction of bone tissue in group III, in contrast to group II, where, on the contrary, the use of granulate based on hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate has led to a significant increase in density indices of 974.53+19.74 HU p<0.05, which did not exceed 36.8% of indices of the group III 615.17+24.53 HU p<0.05.The matrix material developed by us is not only a means of delivering some other substances and materials into the damaged area, but also serves as a kind of framework for the restoration of bone tissue.

Applications of nanotechnology have increased the importance of research and nanocarriers, which have revolutionized the method of drug delivery to treat several diseases, including cancer, in the past few years. Cancer, one of the world's fatal diseases, has drawn scientists' attention for its multidrug resistance to various chemotherapeutic drugs. To minimize the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents on healthy cells and to develop technological advancement in drug delivery systems, scientists have developed an alternative approach to delivering chemotherapeutic drugs at the targeted site by integrating it inside the nanocarriers like synthetic polymers, nanotubes, micelles, dendrimers, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), lipid nanoparticles, nano-biopolymeric substances, etc., which has shown promising results in both preclinical and clinical trials of cancer management. Besides that, nanocarriers, especially biopolymeric nanoparticles, have received much attention from researchers due to their cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, treatment efficacy, and ability to target drug delivery by crossing the blood-brain barrier. This review emphasizes the fabrication processes, the therapeutic and theragnostic applications, and the importance of different biopolymeric nanocarriers in targeting cancer both in vitro and in vivo , which conclude with the challenges and opportunities of future exploration using biopolymeric nanocarriers in onco-therapy with improved availability and reduced toxicity.

Peripheral nerve injuries are common neurological disorders, and the available treatment options, such as conservative management and surgical repair, often yield limited results. However, there is growing interest in the potential of using chitosan-based biopolymers as a novel therapeutic approach to treating these injuries. Chitosan-based biopolymers possess unique characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to stimulate cell proliferation, making them highly suitable for repairing nerve defects and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Furthermore, these biopolymers can be utilized in drug delivery systems to control the release of therapeutic agents and facilitate the growth of nerve cells. This comprehensive review focuses on the latest advancements in utilizing chitosan-based biopolymers for peripheral nerve regeneration. By harnessing the potential of chitosan-based biopolymers, we can pave the way for innovative treatment strategies that significantly improve the outcomes of peripheral nerve injury repair, offering renewed hope and better prospects for patients in need.

Introduction: Researchers aim for new heights in wound healing to produce wound dressings with unique features. Natural, synthetic, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymers especially in the nanoscale are being employed to support and provide efficient wound management. Economical and environmentally friendly sustainable wound management alternatives are becoming an urgent issue to meet future needs. Nanofibrous mats possess unique properties for ideal wound healing. They mimic the physical structure of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), promote hemostasis, and gas permeation. Their interconnected nanoporosity prevents wound dehydration and microbial infiltration., Purpose: To prepare and evaluate a novel verapamil HCl-loaded environmentally friendly composite, with biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers suitable for application as wound dressings providing adequate wound healing with no scar formation., Methods: Composite nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of a blend of the natural biocompatible polymers, sodium alginate (SA) or zein (Z) together with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Composite nanofibers were characterized in terms of morphology, diameter, drug entrapment efficiency, and release. In vivo study of the therapeutic efficacy of verapamil HCl-loaded nanofibers on a Sprague Dawley rat model with dermal burn wound was investigated in terms of percent wound closure, and presence of scars., Results: Combining PVA with SA or Z improved the electrospinnability and properties of the developed nanofibers. Verapamil HCl-loaded composite nanofibers showed good pharmaceutical attributes favorable for wound healing including, fiber diameter ∼150 nm, high entrapment efficiency (∼80-100%) and biphasic controlled drug release for 24 h. In vivo study demonstrated promising potentials for wound healing without scaring., Conclusion: The developed nanofibrous mats combined the beneficial properties of the biopolymers and verapamil HCl to provide an increased functionality by exploiting the unique advantages of nanofibers in wound healing at a small dose proved to be insufficient in case of the conventional dosage form., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no relevant financial or non-financial conflict of interests to disclose., (© 2023 Barakat et al.)

The diseases caused by microorganisms are innumerable existing on this planet. Nevertheless, increasing antimicrobial resistance has become an urgent global challenge. Thus, in recent decades, bactericidal materials have been considered promising candidates to combat bacterial pathogens. Recently, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been used as green and biodegradable materials in various promising alternative applications, especially in healthcare for antiviral or antiviral purposes. However, it lacks a systematic review of the recent application of this emerging material for antibacterial applications. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this review is to provide a critical review of the state of the art recent development of PHA biopolymers in terms of cutting-edge production technologies as well as promising application fields. In addition, special attention was given to collecting scientific information on antibacterial agents that can potentially be incorporated into PHA materials for biological and durable antimicrobial protection. Furthermore, the current research gaps are declared, and future research perspectives are proposed to better understand the properties of these biopolymers as well as their possible applications.

Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases and affects a large proportion of the population worldwide. Conventional treatments in the management include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Although being well-accepted, they have many lacunas in the form of severe side effect resulting from lack of targeted delivery. Antibody biopolymer conjugates are a novel method which is an add-on to older methods of immunization. It is used in various diseases and disorders. It ensures the targeted delivery of molecules to increase its efficacy and reduce unwanted effects of the molecule/drug to normal cells. It shows miraculous results in the treatment and management of several cancers even in advanced stages. Herein, we present the chemistry between biopolymer and antibody, their effects on cancer as well as the basic differences between antibody-drug conjugates and antibody-biopolymer conjugates.

As the clinical complications induced by microbial infections are known to have life-threatening side effects, conventional anti-infective therapy is necessary, but not sufficient to overcome these issues. Some of their limitations are connected to drug-related inefficiency or resistance and pathogen-related adaptive modifications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for advanced antimicrobials and antimicrobial devices. A challenging, yet successful route has been the development of new biostatic or biocide agents and biomaterials by considering the indisputable advantages of biopolymers. Polymers are attractive materials due to their physical and chemical properties, such as compositional and structural versatility, tunable reactivity, solubility and degradability, and mechanical and chemical tunability, together with their intrinsic biocompatibility and bioactivity, thus enabling the fabrication of effective pharmacologically active antimicrobial formulations. Besides representing protective or potentiating carriers for conventional drugs, biopolymers possess an impressive ability for conjugation or functionalization. These aspects are key for avoiding malicious side effects or providing targeted and triggered drug delivery (specific and selective cellular targeting), and generally to define their pharmacological efficacy. Moreover, biopolymers can be processed in different forms (particles, fibers, films, membranes, or scaffolds), which prove excellent candidates for modern anti-infective applications. This review contains an overview of antimicrobial polyester-based formulations, centered around the effect of the dimensionality over the properties of the material and the effect of the production route or post-processing actions.

Introduction: Traditional therapies used to treat chronic wounds are often expensive and, in general, are not adequate to support healing. A promising alternative to conventional dressings is the autologous biopolymer FM, full of cytokines and growth factors that accelerate the healing process of wounds of various etiologies., Materials and Methods: The authors report 3 cases in which FM was used to treat chronic oncological wounds that had been conventionally treated for more than 6 months with no sign of healing., Results: Among the 3 reported cases, there was complete healing of 2 wounds. The other lesion did not heal, mainly due to the location (at the base of the skull). However, it significantly reduced its area, extension, and depth. No adverse effects or hypertrophic scar formation were recorded, and the patients reported an absence of pain from the second week of FM application., Conclusions: The proposed FM dressing approach was effective in healing and speeding up tissue regeneration. It can also be considered one of the most versatile delivery systems to the wound bed, as it is an excellent carrier of growth factors and leukocytes.

Wound dressing design is a dynamic and rapidly growing field of the medical wound-care market worldwide. Advances in technology have resulted in the development of a wide range of wound dressings that treat different types of wounds by targeting the four phases of healing. The ideal wound dressing should perform rapid healing; preserve the body's water content; be oxygen permeable, non-adherent on the wound and hypoallergenic; and provide a barrier against external contaminants-at a reasonable cost and with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Therefore, choosing the best dressing should be based on what the wound needs and what the dressing does to achieve complete regeneration and restoration of the skin's structure and function. Biopolymers, such as alginate (ALG), chitosan (Cs), collagen (Col), hyaluronic acid (HA) and silk fibroin (SF), are extensively used in wound management due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and similarity to macromolecules recognized by the human body. However, most of the formulations based on biopolymers still show various issues; thus, strategies to combine them with molecular biology approaches represent the future of wound healing. Therefore, this article provides an overview of biopolymers' roles in wound physiology as a perspective on the development of a new generation of enhanced, naturally inspired, smart wound dressings based on blood products, stem cells and growth factors.

Background: Intestinal fat absorption shifting (IFAS) can be achieved with a polyglucosamine biopolymer (BP) able to retain most fats in the gut so that they are available to the intestinal microbiota (shift). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the standard management (SM) of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease prevention on intima-media thickness (IMT) in comparison with SM combined with BP., Methods: Two groups (SM and SM+3 g BP/day) were compared. They consisted of 86 and 81 subjects respectively treated for 6 months. Anthropometric variables, vital signs, fat mass, lipid profile, oxidative stress, carotid IMT, granulations at the IM layer and near-wall low density bubbles were measured., Results: Seventy-eight cases in the SM group and 81 in the SM+BP group completed the management period. Compliance was optimal (>97%) with no side effects. The anthropometric variables, vital signs, fat mass and oxidative stress were significantly lower only in the SM+BP group (P<0.05). Cholesterol and triglyceride levels improved with BP use (P<0.05). The changes in IMT were reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the SM+BP group only. The same was true for intimal granulation/bubbles., Conclusions: The preliminary results suggest that the IFAS caused by BP has a positive effect on IMT and arterial wall structure (thickness and low-density bubbles) even during a short period of management. The intestinal fat shifting and reduction in oxidative stress seem to limit lipid oxidation and deposition on the arterial wall.

Introduction: KSI-301 is an intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent in clinical trials for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Its antibody-biopolymer conjugate structure is designed to decrease clearance from the eye and increase the duration of the effect., Areas Covered: This article briefly discusses the impact and mechanisms of nAMD, DME, and RVO and evaluates currently approved anti-VEGF therapies. It progresses to examine a new agent, KSI-301 and the results from numerous clinical trials in these disease areas., Expert Opinion: Despite varied results in the phase 2b/3 study for nAMD, there is potential for KSI-301 to serve as a durable therapy for VEGF-mediated retinal disorders. Ongoing phase 3 trials for nAMD, DME, and RVO will provide additional evidence on its efficacy, duration, and safety profiles.

Bioadhesives have been widely used in healthcare and biomedical applications due to their ease-of-operation for wound closure and repair compared to conventional suturing and stapling. However, several challenges remain for developing ideal bioadhesives, such as unsatisfied mechanical properties, non-tunable biodegradability, and limited biological functions. Considering these concerns, naturally derived biopolymers have been considered good candidates for making bioadhesives owing to their ready availability, facile modification, tunable mechanical properties, and desired biocompatibility and biodegradability. Over the past several years, remarkable progress has been made on biopolymer-based adhesives, covering topics from novel materials designs and advanced processing to clinical translation. The developed bioadhesives have been applied for diverse applications, including tissue adhesion, hemostasis, antimicrobial, wound repair/tissue regeneration, and skin-interfaced bioelectronics. Here in this comprehensive review, recent progress on biopolymer-based bioadhesives is summarized with focuses on clinical translations and multifunctional bioadhesives. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities such as weak adhesion strength at the hydrated state, mechanical mismatch with tissues, and unfavorable immune responses are discussed with an aim to facilitate the future development of high-performance biopolymer-based bioadhesives., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: The global healthcare sector has been dealing with a situation known as a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) since the end of 2019. Covid-19 is an acronym for Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease- 2019). It causes a respiratory infection that includes cold, sneezing and coughing, and pneumonia. In the case of an animal, it causes diarrhea and upper respiratory diseases. Covid-19 transmitted human to human via airborne droplets. First Covid-19 emerged in Wuhan market China and it spread rapidly throughout the World. As we know nanoparticles are a novel drug delivery system. They have various advantageous effects like increasing the efficacy of the drug, safety, etc. In this review, we study about the nanoparticles and summarize how it is effective during drug delivery system in Covid-19. Chitosan is a much focused biopolymeric nanoparticle. It delivers drugs to the specific target site. In a recent health crisis, chitosan nanoparticles are one of the ways to release drugs of Covid-19, and specifically in the lungs of the affected patients. We studied and extracted our data from various research papers, review papers, and some other articles., Objective: The main goal is to study the nanoparticles and their future aspects which is an effective drug delivery system in Covid-19., Methods: The bibliographic search was done through a systematic search. The terms "Nanoparticles", "Covid-19 ", "Drug delivery" etc. were used to search the databases/search engines like "Google Scholar", "NCBI", "PubMed", "Science Direct" etc. These databases and search engines used here perform the limited criteria of search to conduct a systematic literature survey for the study and report writing. All the text from the articles and research papers were studied and analyzed. The various articles and research papers were used in writing this report and all of which are mentioned in the reference section of this report., Conclusion: Our current studies reveal that nanoparticles may prove very helpful in the delivery of drugs for Covid-19 treatment. Many cases showed that patients, where drugs are delivered with the help of nanoparticles, produced very few side effects., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Wounds affect one's quality of life and should be managed on a patient-specific approach, based on the particular healing phase and wound condition. During wound healing, exudate is produced as a natural response towards healing. However, excessive production can be detrimental, representing a challenge for wound management. The design and development of new healing devices and therapeutics with improved performance is a constant demand from the healthcare services. Aerogels can combine high porosity and low density with the adequate fluid interaction and drug loading capacity, to establish hemostasis and promote the healing and regeneration of exudative and chronic wounds. Bio-based aerogels, i.e., those produced from natural polymers, are particularly attractive since they encompass their intrinsic chemical properties and the physical features of their nanostructure. In this work, the emerging research on aerogels for wound treatment is reviewed for the first time. The current scenario and the opportunities provided by aerogels in the form of films, membranes and particles are identified to face current unmet demands in fluid managing and wound healing and regeneration.

Although nanotechnology-driven drug delivery systems are relatively new, they are rapidly evolving since the nanomaterials are deployed as effective means of diagnosis and delivery of assorted therapeutic agents to targeted intracellular sites in a controlled release manner. Nanomedicine and nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are rapidly developing as they play crucial roles in the development of therapeutic strategies for various types of cancer and malignancy. Nevertheless, high costs, associated toxicity and production of complexities are some of the critical barriers for their applications. Green nanomedicines have continually been improved as one of the viable approaches towards tumor drug delivery, thus making a notable impact on which considerably affect cancer treatment. In this regard, the utilization of natural and renewable feedstocks as a starting point for the fabrication of nanosystems can considerably contribute to the development of green nanomedicines. Nanostructures and biopolymers derived from natural and biorenewable resources such as proteins, lipids, lignin, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, gum, pectin, alginate, and chitosan play vital roles in the development of cancer nanotherapy, imaging and management. This review uncovers recent investigations on diverse nanoarchitectures fabricated from natural and renewable feedstocks for the controlled/sustained and targeted drug/gene delivery systems against cancers including an outlook on some of the scientific challenges and opportunities in this field. Various important natural biopolymers and nanomaterials for cancer nanotherapy are covered and the scientific challenges and opportunities in this field are reviewed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Biomaterials have had an increasingly important role in recent decades, in biomedical device design and the development of tissue engineering solutions for cell delivery, drug delivery, device integration, tissue replacement, and more. There is an increasing trend in tissue engineering to use natural substrates, such as macromolecules native to plants and animals to improve the biocompatibility and biodegradability of delivered materials. At the same time, these materials have favourable mechanical properties and often considered to be biologically inert. More importantly, these macromolecules possess innate functions and properties due to their unique chemical composition and structure, which increase their bioactivity and therapeutic potential in a wide range of applications. While much focus has been on integrating these materials into these devices via a spectrum of cross-linking mechanisms, little attention is drawn to residual bioactivity that is often hampered during isolation, purification, and production processes. Herein, we discuss methods of initial material characterisation to determine innate bioactivity, means of material processing including cross-linking, decellularisation, and purification techniques and finally, a biological assessment of retained bioactivity of a final product. This review aims to address considerations for biomaterials design from natural polymers, through the optimisation and preservation of bioactive components that maximise the inherent bioactive potency of the substrate to promote tissue regeneration.

Few therapeutic options exist for treatment of IC/BPS. A novel high MW GAG biopolymer ("SuperGAG") was synthesized by controlled oligomerization of CS, purified by TFF and characterized by SEC-MALLS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The modified GAG biopolymer was tested in an OVX female rat model in which bladder permeability was induced by a 10-minute intravesicular treatment with dilute (1 mg/ml) protamine sulfate and measured by classical Ussing Chamber TEER measurements following treatment with SuperGAG, chondroitin sulfate, or saline. The effect on abrogating the abdominal pain response was assessed using von Frey filaments. The SuperGAG biopolymer was then investigated in a second, genetically modified mouse model (URO-MCP1) that increasingly is accepted as a model for IC/BPS. Permeability was induced with a brief exposure to a sub-noxious dose of LPS and was quantified using contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI). The SuperGAG biopolymer restored impermeability to normal levels in the OVX rat model as measured by TEER in the Ussing chamber and reduced the abdominal pain response arising from induced permeability. Evaluation in the URO-MCP1 mouse model also showed restoration of bladder impermeability and showed the utility of CE-MRI imaging for evaluating the efficacy of agents to restore bladder impermeability. We conclude novel high MW SuperGAG biopolymers are effective in restoring urothelial impermeability and reducing pain produced by loss of the GAG layer on the urothelium. SuperGAG biopolymers could offer a novel and effective new therapy for IC/BPS, particularly if combined with MRI to assess the efficacy of the therapy., (© 2021 The Authors. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, British Pharmacological Society and American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.)

Aim: Cell-based therapy has emerged as promising strategy for chronic and impaired wounds treatment. Current research is focused on developing biomaterial systems that act as a niche for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to promote wound healing through paracrine molecular cascading. This study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of Velgraft, a ready-to-use biodegradable artificial skin substitute, on excision wound in goats., Materials and Methods: Twelve male goats were randomized divided in to three groups of four animals each. After infliction of surgical wound, Velgraft and Soframycin were applied on wounds of the animals of Groups II and III while Group I (sham operated) served as control. Wound diameters were measured at pre-defined time-points for determination of progressive wound healing up to 28 days. Skin sections were stained using Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for examining the histoarchitectural changes, Masson trichome staining for ascertaining collagen synthesis and immunohistochemistry for expression of CD31, VEGF and TGF-β1 proteins to determine post-treatment angiogenesis in the inflicted wounds., Results: Velgraft application appreciably enhanced wound closure by day 21 which was confirmed through restoration of the normal skin architecture as evident based on histopathological examination and characterized by complete regeneration of epidermal layers, collagen fibers, blood capillaries and hair follicular formation. Stimulation of angiogenesis markers was also observed at different time-points post-Velgraft application; which is suggestive of the improved angiogenesis and vasculogenesis., Conclusion: Velgraft facilitates wound healing by augmenting early wound closure, enhancing collagen synthesis and deposition, trichosis development and promoting revascularization and epidermal layers restoration., (Copyright © 2020 Tissue Viability Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chitosan, collagen, gelatin, polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates are notable examples of biopolymers, which are essentially bio-derived polymers produced by living cells. With the right techniques, these biological macromolecules can be exploited for nanotechnological advents, including for the fabrication of nanocarriers. In the world of nanotechnology, it is highly essential (and optimal) for nanocarriers to be biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic for safe in vivo applications, including for drug delivery, cancer immunotherapy, tissue engineering, gene delivery, photodynamic therapy and many more. The recent advancements in understanding nanotechnology and the physicochemical properties of biopolymers allows us to modify biological macromolecules and use them in a multitude of fields, most notably for clinical and therapeutic applications. By utilizing chitosan, collagen, gelatin, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates and various other biopolymers as synthesis ingredients, the 'optimal' properties of a nanocarrier can easily be attained. With emphasis on the aforementioned biological macromolecules, this review presents the various biopolymers utilized for nanocarrier synthesis along with their specific synthetization methods. We further discussed on the characterization techniques and related applications for the synthesized nanocarriers., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Since the specific proteins (carbohydrate antigens, ligands and interleukins) get raised up in body tissue or fluids in cancer cases, early detection of them will provide an effective treatment and survival rate. Sensitive and accurate determination of multiple cancer proteins can be engaged in chorus by simultaneous/multiplex detection in the biomedical fields. Bioassaying technology is one of the non-invasive, high-sensitive, and economical methods. Currently, extensive application of nanomaterial (biocompatible polymers, metallic and metal oxide) in bioassays resulted in ultra-high sensitive and selective diagnosis. This review article focuses on types of multiplex bioassays for delicate and specific determination of cancer proteins for diagnostic aims. It also covers two modes of multiplex bioassays as multi labeled bioassays and spatially-separated test zones (multi-electrode mode). In this review, the nanotechnological, structural, and technical perspectives in the multiplex analysis of cancer proteins were discussed. Finally, the use of different types of nanomaterials, polysaccharides, biopolymers and their advantages in signal amplification are discussed., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The mineralized tissues (alveolar bone and cementum) are the major components of periodontal tissues and play a critical role to anchor periodontal ligament (PDL) to tooth-root surfaces. The integrated multiple tissues could generate biological or physiological responses to transmitted biomechanical forces by mastication or occlusion. However, due to periodontitis or traumatic injuries, affect destruction or progressive damage of periodontal hard tissues including PDL could be affected and consequently lead to tooth loss. Conventional tissue engineering approaches have been developed to regenerate or repair periodontium but, engineered periodontal tissue formation is still challenging because there are still limitations to control spatial compartmentalization for individual tissues and provide optimal 3D constructs for tooth-supporting tissue regeneration and maturation. Here, we present the recently developed strategies to induce osteogenesis and cementogenesis by the fabrication of 3D architectures or the chemical modifications of biopolymeric materials. These techniques in tooth-supporting hard tissue engineering are highly promising to promote the periodontal regeneration and advance the interfacial tissue formation for tissue integrations of PDL fibrous connective tissue bundles (alveolar bone-to-PDL or PDL-to-cementum) for functioning restorations of the periodontal complex.

Topical anesthetics are widely applied in order to relieve the discomfort and anxiety caused by needle insertion and other painful superficial interventions at the oral cavity. So far, there are no commercially available effective topical anesthetic formulations for that purpose, and the most of developments are related to hydrophilic and low mucoadhesive forms. Therefore, we have prepared different hybrid nanofilms composed of biopolymer matrices (chitosan, pectin, and chitosan-pectin) blended with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) loading the eutectic mixture of 5% lidocaine-prilocaine (LDC-PLC), in order to fulfill this gap in the market. These dual systems were processed as hybrid nanofilms by the solvent/casting method, and its mucoadhesive, structural and mechanical properties were detailed. The most appropriate hybrid nanofilm combined the advantages of both pectin (PCT) and NLC components. The resultant material presented sustained LDC-PLC release profile for more than 8 h; permeation across porcine buccal mucosa almost twice higher than control and non-cytotoxicity against 3T3 and HACAT cell lines. Then, the in vivo efficacy of PCT/NLC formulation was compared to biopolymer film and commercial drug, exhibiting the longest-lasting anesthetic effect (> 7 h), assessed by tail flick test in mice. These pectin-based hybrid nanofilms open perspectives for clinical trials and applications beyond Dentistry.

Polysaccharide (PS) nanoparticles (NP) are fascinating materials that combine huge application potential with the unique beneficial features of natural biopolymers. Different types of PS-NP can be distinguished depending on the basic preparation principles (top-down vs bottom-up vs coating of nanomaterials) and the material from which they are obtained (native PS vs chemically modified PS derivatives vs nanocomposites). This review provides a comprehensive overview of an approach towards PS-NP that has gained rapidly increasing interest within the last decade; the nanoself-assembling of hydrophobic PS derivatives. This facile process is easy to perform and offers a broad structural diversity in terms of the PS backbone and the additional functionalities that can be introduced. Fundamental principles of different NP preparation techniques along with useful characterization methods are presented in this work. A comprehensive summary of PS-NP prepared by different techniques and with various PS backbones and types/amounts of hydrophobic substituents is given. The intention is to demonstrate how different parameters determine the size, size distribution, and zeta-potential of the particles. Moreover, application trends in biomedical areas are highlighted in which tailored functional PS-NP are evaluated and constantly developed further., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Rationale : Intraoperative bleeding impairs physicians' ability to visualize the surgical field, leading to increased risk of surgical complications and reduced outcomes. Bleeding is particularly challenging during endoscopic-assisted surgical resection of hypervascular tumors in the head and neck. A tool that controls bleeding while marking tumor margins has the potential to improve gross tumor resection, reduce surgical morbidity, decrease blood loss, shorten procedure time, prevent damage to surrounding tissues, and limit postoperative pain. Herein, we develop and characterize a new system that combines pre-surgical embolization with improved visualization for endoscopic fluorescence image-guided tumor resection. Methods : Silk-elastinlike protein (SELP) polymers were employed as liquid embolic vehicles for delivery of a clinically used near-infrared dye, indocyanine green (ICG). The biophysical properties of SELP, including gelation kinetics, modulus of elasticity, and viscosity, in response to ICG incorporation using rheology, were characterized. ICG release from embolic SELP was modeled in tissue phantoms and via fluorescence imaging. The embolic capability of the SELP-ICG system was then tested in a microfluidic model of tumor vasculature. Lastly, the cytotoxicity of the SELP-ICG system in L-929 fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was assessed. Results : ICG incorporation into SELP accelerated gelation and increased its modulus of elasticity. The SELP embolic system released 83 ± 8% of the total ICG within 24 hours, matching clinical practice for pre-surgical embolization procedures. Adding ICG to SELP did not reduce injectability, but did improve the gelation kinetics. After simulated embolization, ICG released from SELP in tissue phantoms diffused a sufficient distance to deliver dye throughout a tumor. ICG-loaded SELP was injectable through a clinical 2.3 Fr microcatheter and demonstrated deep penetration into 50-µm microfluidic-simulated blood vessels with durable occlusion. Incorporation of ICG into SELP improved biocompatibility with HUVECs, but had no effect on L-929 cell viability. Principle Conclusions : We report the development and characterization of a new, dual-functional embolization-visualization system for improving fluorescence-imaged endoscopic surgical resection of hypervascular tumors., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial syndrome that drives to uncontrollable cell division, genetic alterations, and functional alteration. In the present work, we evaluated the immunomodulatory properties of P-mapa, a compound extracted from Aspergillus oryzae fungus, versus Fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in chemically induced CRC. CRC was induced by DMH in F344 rats. Animals of treated groups receive weekly 15 mg/Kg of 5-FU or 5 mg/Kg of P-mapa, over 10 weeks. Tissues were stained for aberrant crypt foci (ACF) counting and histopathology evaluation, immunostained for TLR4 pathways and quantified for TNFα Cytokine assay. DMH was efficient to induce hyperplastic lesions and ACF. Both treatments reduced significantly ACF formation and tumor aggressiveness. Immunohistochemistry for TLR4 signaling reveals that both treatments had no effect over the TLR4-NFκB signaling pathway. On the other hand, both succeed in increase interferon signaling, with activation of the TRIF-IRF3 pathway and consequently inducing IFNγ synthesis. The present results show the immunomodulatory properties of P-mapa in chemically induced CRC model. P-mapa induced a significant increase in Type-I IFNs synthesis and subsequently immune cell recruitment, resulting in an increase of IFNγ concentration in colorectal mucosa and its inhibitory effects over tumoral growth. In this scenario, P-mapa showed an interesting antitumoral effect by inhibiting tumor growth., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: to evaluate the use of a bacterial cellulose biopolymer film and gel dressing in the treatment of patients with ischemic wounds submitted to lower limb revascularization., Methods: we conducted a randomized clinical trial in the Angiology and Vascular Surgery outpatient clinic of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco, between January 2017 and December 2018. We followed 24 patients after lower limb revascularization, divided into two groups: Experimental, treated with bacterial cellulose biopolymer film and gel, and Control, treated with essential fatty acids. Patients attended weekly appointments to change dressings and had their wound healing processes evaluated over a period of 90 days., Results: the reduction of the ischemic wounds' areas after 30 days was 4.3cm2 (55%) on average for the experimental group, and the 5.5cm2 (48.5%) for the control group (p>0.05). The complete healing rate at 90 days was 34.8%, 50% in the experimental group and 18.2% in the control group (p=0.053)., Conclusion: the bacterial cellulose biopolymer film associated with gel can be used as a dressing in the treatment of ischemic wounds of patients undergoing revascularization of the lower limbs.

Proteins, nucleic acids, lipid vesicles, and carbohydrates are the major classes of biomacromolecules that function to sustain life. Biology also uses post-translation modification to increase the diversity and functionality of these materials, which has inspired attaching various other types of polymers to biomacromolecules. These polymers can be naturally (carbohydrates and biomimetic polymers) or synthetically derived and have unique properties with tunable architectures. Polymers are either grafted-to or grown-from the biomacromolecule's surface, and characteristics including polymer molar mass, grafting density, and degree of branching can be controlled by changing reaction stoichiometries. The resultant conjugated products display a chimerism of properties such as polymer-induced enhancement in stability with maintained bioactivity, and while polymers are most often conjugated to proteins, they are starting to be attached to nucleic acids and lipid membranes (cells) as well. The fundamental studies with protein-polymer conjugates have improved our synthetic approaches, characterization techniques, and understanding of structure-function relationships that will lay the groundwork for creating new conjugated biomacromolecular products which could lead to breakthroughs in genetic and tissue engineering.

Cryogels are a subset of hydrogels synthesized under sub-zero temperatures: initially solvents undergo active freezing, which causes crystal formation, which is then followed by active melting to create interconnected supermacropores. Cryogels possess several attributes suited for their use as bioscaffolds, including physical resilience, bio-adaptability, and a macroporous architecture. Furthermore, their structure facilitates cellular migration, tissue-ingrowth, and diffusion of solutes, including nano- and micro-particle trafficking, into its supermacropores. Currently, subsets of cryogels made from both natural biopolymers such as gelatin, collagen, laminin, chitosan, silk fibroin, and agarose and/or synthetic biopolymers such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly-vinyl alcohol, and poly(ethylene glycol) have been employed as 3D bioscaffolds. These cryogels have been used for different applications such as cartilage, bone, muscle, nerve, cardiovascular, and lung regeneration. Cryogels have also been used in wound healing, stem cell therapy, and diabetes cellular therapy. In this review, we summarize the synthesis protocol and properties of cryogels, evaluation techniques as well as current in vitro and in vivo cryogel applications. A discussion of the potential benefit of cryogels for future research and their application are also presented., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Sugar-based biopolymers have been recognized as attractive materials to develop macromolecule- and nanoparticle-based cancer imaging and therapy. However, traditional biopolymer-based imaging approaches rely on the use of synthetic or isotopic labeling, and because of it, clinical translation often is hindered. Recently, a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST), has emerged, which allows the exploitation of sugar-based biopolymers as MRI agents by their hydroxyl protons-rich nature. In the study, we reviewed recent studies on the topic of CEST MRI detection of sugar-based biopolymers. The CEST MRI property of each biopolymer was briefly introduced, followed by the pre-clinical and clinical applications. The findings of these preliminary studies imply the enormous potential of CEST detectable sugar-based biopolymers in developing highly sensitive and translatable molecular imaging agents and constructing image-guided biopolymer-based drug delivery systems. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and objectives : Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, an alarming but expected increase. In comparison to other types of cancer, malignant bone tumors are unusual and their treatment is a real challenge. This paper's main purpose is the study of the potential application of composite scaffolds based on biopolymers and calcium phosphates with the inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles in combination therapy for malignant bone tumors. Materials and Methods: The first step was to investigate if X-rays could modify the scaffolds' properties. In vitro degradation of the scaffolds exposed to X-rays was analyzed, as well as their interaction with phosphate buffer solutions and cells. The second step was to load an anti-tumoral drug (doxorubicin) and to study in vitro drug release and its interaction with cells. The chemical structure of the scaffolds and their morphology were studied. Results: Analyses showed that X-ray irradiation did not influence the scaffolds' features. Doxorubicin release was gradual and its interaction with cells showed cytotoxic effects on cells after 72 h of direct contact. Conclusions : The obtained scaffolds could be considered in further studies regarding combination therapy for malignant bone tumors.

Uncontrollable bleeding is a major problem in surgical procedures and after major trauma. Existing hemostatic agents poorly control hemorrhaging from traumatic arterial and cardiac wounds because of their weak adhesion to wet and mobile tissues. Here we design a photo-reactive adhesive that mimics the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. This biomacromolecule-based matrix hydrogel can undergo rapid gelling and fixation to adhere and seal bleeding arteries and cardiac walls after UV light irradiation. These repairs can withstand up to 290 mm Hg blood pressure, significantly higher than blood pressures in most clinical settings (systolic BP 60-160 mm Hg). Most importantly, the hydrogel can stop high-pressure bleeding from pig carotid arteries with 4~ 5 mm-long incision wounds and from pig hearts with 6 mm diameter cardiac penetration holes. Treated pigs survived after hemostatic treatments with this hydrogel, which is well-tolerated and appears to offer significant clinical advantage as a traumatic wound sealant.

Injuries to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) cause neuropathies that lead to weakness and paralysis, poor or absent sensation, unpleasant and painful neuropathies, and impaired autonomic function. In this regard, implanted artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) used to bridge an injured site may provide appropriate biochemical and biophysical guidance cues required to stimulate regeneration across a nerve gap and restore the function of PNS. Advanced conduit design and fabrication techniques have made it possible to fabricate autograft-like structures in the NGCs with incredible precision. To this end, strategies involving the use of biopolymers, cells, growth factors, and physical stimuli have been developed over the past decades and have led to the development of varying NGCs, from simple hollow tubes to complex conduits that incorporate one or more guidance cues. This paper briefly reviews the recent progress in the development of these NGCs for nerve regeneration, focusing on the design and fabrication of NGCs, as well as the influence of biopolymers, cells, growth factors, and physical stimuli. The advanced techniques used to fabricate NGCs that incorporate cells/growth factors are also discussed, along with their merits and flaws. Key issues and challenges with regard to the development of NGCs have been identified and discussed, and recommendations for future research have been included., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Wound is a growing healthcare challenge affecting several million worldwide. Lifestyle disorders such as diabetes increases the risk of wound complications. Effective management of wound is often difficult due to the complexity in the healing process. Addition to the conventional wound care practices, the bioactive polymers are gaining increased importance in wound care. Biopolymers are naturally occurring biomolecules synthesized by microbes, plants and animals with highest degree of biocompatibility. The bioactive properties such as antimicrobial, immune-modulatory, cell proliferative and angiogenic of the polymers create a microenvironment favorable for the healing process. The versatile properties of the biopolymers such as cellulose, alginate, hyaluronic acid, collagen, chitosan etc have been exploited in the current wound care market. With the technological advances in material science, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, and bioengineering; the functional and structural characteristics of biopolymers can be improved to suit the current wound care demands such as tissue repair, restoration of lost tissue integrity and scarless healing. In this review we highlight on the sources, mechanism of action and bioengineering approaches adapted for commercial exploitation.

Objective: to evaluate, through Doppler flowmetry, venography, histology and clinical evolution, the use of sugarcane biopolymer (BP) tubular grafts in the reconstruction of femoral veins in dogs., Methods: we submitted eight adult dogs to femoral vein reconstruction, on the left with BP tubular graft and on the right with autologous vein. In the postoperative period, the animals underwent clinical evaluation and femoral vein Doppler flowmetry. After 360 days, we reoperated the dogs and submitted them to femoral vein phlebography with iodinated contrast. We removed the segments of the femoral veins containing the grafts and sent them for histopathological evaluation., Results: the dogs did not present hemorrhage, hematoma, surgical wound infection or operated limb edema. One animal had superficial venous dilatation in the left inguinal region. Phlebography performed 360 days after the first surgery showed that three (37.5%) BP grafts and seven (87.5%) grafts from the control group (C) were patent. In the histopathological evaluation, we found an inflammatory reaction, with neutrophils and lymphocytes on the external surface of both groups. In the intimal layer of the grafts and in the outer layer in the two groups, we observed fibrosis., Conclusion: based on the results obtained with the experimental model used, BP presents potential to be used as a tubular graft for venous revascularization. However, new research must be performed to confirm its efficacy in the revascularization of medium and large diameter veins, which could allow its use in clinical practice.

Complex extremity wounds in Wounded Warriors can become contaminated with microbes, which may cause clinical outcomes resulting in amputation, morbidity, or even fatality. Local delivery of multiple or broad-spectrum antibiotics allows practicing clinicians treatment solutions that may inhibit biofilm formation. Propagation of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also a growing concern. The development of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus has become a critical challenge in nosocomial infection prevention in the USA, but to date has seen little occurrence in osteomyelitis. As an alternative, locally delivered ciprofloxacin and rifampin were investigated in a preclinical model for the prevention of biofilm in complex extremity wounds with implanted fixation device. In vitro assays demonstrated ciprofloxacin and rifampin possess an additive effect against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were actively eluted from a chitosan sponge based local delivery system. In an in vivo orthopedic hardware-associated polymicrobial model (S. aureus and Escherichia coli) the combination was able to achieve complete clearance of both bacterial strains. E. coli was detected in bone of untreated animals, but did not form biofilm on wires. Results reveal the clinical potential of antibiotic-loaded chitosan sponges to inhibit infection through tailored antibiotic selection at desired concentrations with efficacy towards biofilm inhibition.

Nowadays, fabrication of composite materials based on biopolymers is a rising field due to potential for bone repair and tissue engineering application. Blending of different biopolymers and incorporation of inorganic particles in the blend can lead to new materials with improved physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. In this work 3D porous structures called scaffolds based on chitosan, collagen and hyaluronic acid were obtained through the lyophilization process. Scaffolds were cross-linked by EDC/NHS. Infrared spectra for the materials were made, the percentage of swelling, scaffolds porosity and density, mechanical parameters, thermal stability were studied. Moreover, the scaffolds were used as matrixes for the calcium phosphate in situ precipitation. SEM images were taken and EDX analysis was carried out for calcium and phosphorous content determination in the scaffold. In addition, the adhesion and proliferation of human osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cells was examined on obtained scaffolds. The results showed that the properties of 3D composites cross-linked by EDC/NHS were altered after the addition of 1, 2 and 5% hyaluronic acid. Mechanical parameters, thermal stability and porosity of scaffolds were improved. Moreover, calcium and phosphorous were found in each kind of scaffold. SEM images showed that the precipitation was homogeneously carried in the whole volume of samples. Attachment of SaOS-2 cells to all modified materials was better compared to unmodified control and proliferation of these cells was markedly increased on scaffolds with precipitated calcium phosphate. Obtained materials can provide the support useful in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) and interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPNs) have emerged as innovative materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The interest in these structures is due to the possibility of combining the favorable properties of each polymeric component of the IPNs or semi-IPNs leading to a new system with properties that often differ from those of the two single components. In this respect, polysaccharides represent an opportunity in this field, combining a general biocompatibility and a good availability. Moreover, the functional groups along the polymer chains allow chemical derivatization, widening the possibilities in semi-IPNs and IPNs building up. At the same time, materials based on proteins are often used in this field, due to their similarity to the materials present in the human body. All these overall properties allow tailoring new materials, thus designing desired properties and preparing new hydrogels useful in the biomedical field. In the present chapter, we chose to describe systems prepared starting from the most important and studied hydrogel-forming polysaccharides: alginate, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, dextran, gellan, and scleroglucan. Besides, systems based on proteins, such as gelatin, collagen, and elastin, are also described. With this chapter, we aim describing the routes already traveled in this field, depicting the state of the art and hoping to raise interest in designing new promising strategies useful in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Background: Millions of people in the world suffer from chronic wounds of different etiologies such as diabetic foot and leg ulcers, without solutions nowadays. Molecules obtained from plants offer an alternative to aid wound healing. Strong evidence about essential oils (EO) anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties is thoroughly described in literature and their chemical compositions are well characterized. More recently, EO effects in experimental wounds have begun to be analyzed., Aim: We aim to summarize the evidence of EO in experimental wounds, and the possibility of combining them with biopolymers commonly used in skin regeneration., Methods: Electronic databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed and Scopus were used to search scientific contributions until March 2017, using relevant keywords. In a first step, literature focusing on EO and/or mono- or sesqui-terpenoids effects in rodent wounds was identified and summarized. In all cases, chemical structures and EO composition were detailed, as well as references to in vitro activities previously determined, e.g. antibacterial, antioxidant or anti-inflammatory. In a second step, scientific literature devoted to combine EO and biopolymers with the focus set on wound healing innovations, was collected and analyzed., Results: Treatments with EO from species of genders Lavandula, Croton, Blumea, Eucalyptus, Pinus, Cymbopogon, Eucalyptus, Cedrus, Abies, Rosmarinus, Origanum, Salvia and Plectranthus, have shown positive results in rodent wounds. All of these EO were mainly composed by monoterpenoids-thymol, 1,8-cineole, linalool-or monoterpenes, as limonene or pinenes. Experimental wounds in rodents have shown faster closure rate, better collagen deposition and/or enhanced fibroblasts proliferation. In blends with biopolymers, several EO combined with chitosan, alginate, gelatin or collagen, were processed to give active films or nanofibers, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial activities. Curiously, all of these works were carried out since 2010., Conclusions: There is significant evidence about the effectivity of EO as wound healers. The incorporation of EO into a polymer matrix that contributes to wound healing is still incipient. However, scientific based evidence of the EO incorporation in resorbable polymeric scaffolds was found and analyzed herein. In summary, EO-biopolymer dressings or scaffolds have become promising artifacts regarding wound treatments, especially in chronic wounds, where treating infection and inflammation are still important issues., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Chitin and chitosan are biopolymers with excellent bioactive properties, such as biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, haemostatic activity and antimicrobial activity. A wide variety of biomedical applications for chitin and chitin derivatives have been reported, including wound-healing applications. They are reported to promote rapid dermal regeneration and accelerate wound healing. A number of dressing materials based on chitin and chitosan have been developed for the treatment of wounds. Chitin and chitosan with beneficial intrinsic properties and high potential for wound healing are attractive biopolymers for wound management. This review presents an overview of properties, biomedical applications and the role of these biopolymers in wound care., (© 2017 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In an attempt to enhance chitosan biological activities, biopolymeric Schiff bases of chitosan and different salicylaldehydes and their palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and tested. The chemical structures of these derivatives were characterized using ¹H-NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and XPRD. Thermal analysis was done through TGA/DTG-DTA. Electronic absorption spectra and surface morphologies were analyzed by SEM-EDAX. Chitosan and its derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against two common bacterial and fungal plant pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Fusarium graminearum , respectively, and for their antitumor activity against a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). It was found that, compared to the nonmodified chitosan, chitosan modified with Schiff bases and their complexes was highly toxic against the MCF-7 cell line and had antibacterial effects against P. syringea . However, the modified chitosan derivatives had less pronounced antifungal effects against F. graminearum compared to the nonmodified chitosan, suggesting different modes of action., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

A gold standard for esophagus reconstruction is not still available. The present work aims to design a polymer patch combining synthetic polylactide-co-polycaprolacton and chitosan biopolymers, tailoring patch properties to esophageal tissue characteristics by a temperature-induced precipitation method, to get multilayered patches (1L, 2L, and 3L). Characterization shows stable multilayered patches (1L and 2L) by selection of copolymer type, and their M w . In vitro investigation of the functional patch properties in simulated physiologic and pathologic conditions demonstrates that the chitosan layer (patch 3L) decreases patch stability and cell adhesion, while improves cell proliferation. Patches 2L and 3L comply with physiological esophageal pressure (3-5 kPa) and elongation (20%)., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The potential of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in drug delivery systems (DDSs) is mainly related to its magnetic core and surface coating. These coatings can eliminate or minimize their aggregation under physiological conditions. Also, they can provide functional groups for bioconjugation to anticancer drugs and/or targeted ligands. Chitosan, as a derivative of chitin, is an attractive natural biopolymer from renewable resources with the presence of reactive amino and hydroxyl functional groups in its structure. Chitosan nanoparticles (NPs), due to their huge surface to volume ratio as compared to the chitosan in its bulk form, have outstanding physico-chemical, antimicrobial and biological properties. These unique properties make chitosan NPs a promising biopolymer for the application of DDSs. In this review, the current state and challenges for the application magnetic chitosan NPs in drug delivery systems were investigated. The present review also revisits the limitations and commercial impediments to provide insight for future works.

Glycoproteins have multidimensional properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antimicrobial and adsorption properties; therefore, they have wide range of applications. They are blended with different polymers such as chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polycaprolactone (PCL), heparin, polystyrene fluorescent nanoparticles (PS-NPs) and carboxyl pullulan (PC) to improve their properties like thermal stability, mechanical properties, resistance to pH, chemical stability and toughness. Considering the versatile charateristics of glycoprotein based polymers, this review sheds light on synthesis and characterization of blends and composites of glycoproteins, with natural and synthetic polymers and their potential applications in biomedical field such as drug delivery system, insulin delivery, antimicrobial wound dressing uses, targeting of cancer cells, development of anticancer vaccines, development of new biopolymers, glycoproteome research, food product and detection of dengue glycoproteins. All the technical scientific issues have been addressed; highlighting the recent advancement., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Since last decade, sugar based biopolymers are recognized in nanomedicine as promising materials for cancer imaging and therapy. Their durable, biocompatible and adhesive properties enable the fine tuning of their molecular weights (MW) and their miscellaneous nature makes the molecules acquire various conformations. These in turn provide effective endocytosis by cancer cell membranes that have already been programmed for internalization of different kinds of sugars. Therefore, biocompatible sugar based nanoparticles (SBNPs) are suitable for both cell-selective delivery of drugs and imaging through the human body. Recently, well known sugar-based markers have displayed superior performance to overcome tumor metastasis. Thereby, targeting strategies for cancer cells have been broadened to sugar-based markers as noticed in various clinic phases. In these studies, biopolymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, mannan, dextran, levan, pectin, cyclodextrin, chondroitin sulphate, alginates, amylose and heparin are chemically functionalized and structurally designed as new biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs). The future cancer treatment strategies will mainly comprise of these multifunctional sugar based nanoparticles which combine the therapeutic agents with imaging technologies with the aim of rapid monitoring response to therapies. While each individual imaging and treatment step requires a long time period in effective treatment of diseases, these multifunctional sugar based nanoparticles will have the advantage of rapid detection, right drug efficiency evaluation and immediate interfere opportunity to some important diseases, especially rapidly progressing cancers. In this article, we evaluated synthesis, characterization and applications of main sugar based biopolymers and discussed their great promise in nano-formulations for cancer imaging and therapy. However much should be done and optimized prior to clinical applications of these nano-formulations for an efficient drug treatment without overall toxicity for getting most effective clinical results., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)