Evaluation of In Vitro Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic, and Antiarthritic Property of Different Parts of Bari Orchid.

Many different herbal extracts have historically been utilized to treat microbe-induced infections, injuries, cancer, thrombosis, and arthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial, cytotoxic, in vitro thrombolytic, and in vitro antiarthritic properties of ethanolic extracts of stem and seed of Bari orchid 1 (BO) plant. This orchid plant was developed by the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) in Gazipur. Fourteen microbes were employed in the antimicrobial investigation, and samples of orchids were compared to ciprofloxacin as a reference. The BO/seed extract was found to possess more antibacterial activity. The lethality test of brine shrimps was used to assess the LC50 values. The BO/stem extract exhibited a higher cytotoxicity potential, in comparison to the BO/seed extract. Two concentrations (1000 and 100 ppm) and two incubation times (24 hours and 1.5 hours) were used to assess the thrombolytic activity of the extracts. Regarding the thrombolytic effect, the BO/stem extract has demonstrated greater promise. Furthermore, the herbal extract's antiarthritic activity was investigated at four different concentrations, and the results were evaluated in comparison with those of diclofenac sodium. When comparing BO/stem extract to other extracts, the greatest values for protein denaturation were obtained.

Field demonstration of irradiated sodium alginate as tea production booster.

Sodium alginate oligomers were tested for tea plant growth promoter and anti-fungal agent in this experiment. Sodium alginate solutions were irradiated by Co-60 gamma radiation with different radiation doses to produce the oligomers. Irradiated solutions were then diluted into 150, 300 and 500 ppm prior to foliar application. Solutions were applied through foliar spraying at 7 days interval and the best response of tea plants in terms of various attributes were recorded. Tea buds were collected in 10 days of interval and the growth attributes like- total number of buds, fresh weight of buds, average leaf area and weight per bud, weight of made tea etc. were calculated. The experiment was continued up to 12 weeks and the attributes were averaged to get results per plucking. 12 kGy radiation doses along with 300ppm solution showed the best results and about 36% increase in productivity was found based on the fresh weight of buds. Total fungal count in tea leaves was also found to be reduced greatly. Based on the present study, irradiated sodium alginate could be used as safe and environmentally friendly agent to increase tea production.

Gelatin-based instant gel-forming volatile spray for wound-dressing application.

This study was a successful endeavor to develop and investigate the suitability of a bioadhesive wound-healing gel based on gelatin for first-aid purposes. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to prepare a denser phase of gelatin chains, and diethyl ether (DEE) was used to introduce high volatility to the solution. The prepared solution was stable in the storage container but rapidly formed (within 3 s) a protective and bioadhesive gel around the wound surface by being sprayed over the wound. Besides, it also suppressed pain and showed moderate antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. It was also found highly biocompatible and non-toxic. All the results revealed that the prepared solution could be an effective candidate for treating minor injuries or burn, especially for a first-aid purpose.

Polyethylene glycol functionalized carbon nanotubes/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposite: An approach for significant drug release.

This research work blooms the new idea of developing a safe and controlled drug releasing matrix using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In aqueous solution, uniform and highly stable dispersion of MWCNTs was obtained after secondary functionalization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) which was studied by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Solution casting method was used to prepare MWCNTs/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposite films and the effect of MWCNTs on physico-mechanical, thermal and water uptake properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated. Incorporation of MWCNTs into the porous gelatin-chitosan matrix showed interesting stiffness and dampness along with developed microfibrillar structures within the pore walls intended at being used in tissue engineering of bone or cartilage. A common antibiotic drug, ciprofloxacin was incorporated into nanocomposite matrix. The evaluation of the effect of MWCNTs on drug release rate by dissolution test and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. Sharp release of the drug was found at early stages (∼1 h), but the rate was reduced afterwards, showing a sustained release. It was observed that for all microorganisms, the antibacterial activities of drug loaded MWCNTs/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposites were higher than that of drug loaded gelatin-chitosan composite films containing no MWCNTs. Comparative statistical studies by ANOVA techniques also showed remarkable difference between the antibacterial activities, exhibited by MWCNTs-incorporated and non-incorporated composite films.

Reinforcement of Gelatin-Based Nanofilled Polymer Biocomposite by Crystalline Cellulose from Cotton for Advanced Wound Dressing Applications.

This study is designed to extract crystalline cellulose from cotton and reinforcing gelatin film for biomedical applications, especially as a wound dressing material for its exceptional biocompatibility and bio-activity. Moreover, gelatin helps in wound healing and crystalline cellulose as additive can improve its properties. Crystalline cellulose was prepared through hydrolysis and the effects of crystalline cellulose loading on the morphology, mechanical properties, and water sensitivity of the nanocomposite were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength testing, and water absorption testing. Developed biocomposite film showed homogeneous dispersion of crystalline cellulose within the gelatin matrix and strong interfacial adherence between the matrix and reinforcement. Samples were tested for biocompatibility and in vitro cytotoxicity and found to have excellent biocompatibility without having any cytotoxicity. In vivo wound healing study in an animal model showed 40% increased healing than the model dressed by conventional dressing.

Development of hydrocolloid Bi-layer dressing with bio-adhesive and non-adhesive properties.

Bio-active bi-layer thin film having both bio-adhesive and non-adhesive end composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin/chitosan/polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend was developed for biomedical applications especially as an alternative of advanced tissue scaffold. The developed composite film was subjected to mechanical, thermal and physico-chemical characterization such as tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluid drainage capacity and biocompatibility. Suitable packaging was also selected and stability study and aging test of the composite film were performed after packing. The incorporation of chitosan and PEG into gelatin showed improved mechanical properties of both TS and Eb, which suggested the occurrence of interaction among gelatin, chitosan and PEG molecules in the composite film. The presence of crosslinking as an interaction of above three polymers was also confirmed by FTIR study. Results from the DSC study suggested increased thermal stability after crosslinking. On the other hand, water uptake studies suggested excellent fluid drainage capability and hydro-stability of the composite film. The proposed dressing also showed excellent biocompatibility. Based on the studies related to the performance with confirmed identity, we concluded that our developed bi-layer film is very potential as an ideal wound dressing material.

Preparation of cotton knitted fabric by gamma radiation: a new approach.

This study attempts to introduce the exploitation of gamma radiation for the processing of cotton knitted fabric. A systematic investigation into the situations suitable for eco-friendly preparation (scouring and bleaching) of cotton fabric was carried out. Fabric used in this experiment includes cotton knitted single jersey structure of 160 gsm. The grey cotton knitted fabric was immersed in different (0 - 30 g/L) amount of hydrogen peroxide solution for 10 min. Subsequently, the samples were irradiated under Co-60 gamma radiation of absorbed dose (5-20 kGy) at a dose rate 5 kGy/h. Water absorbency, whiteness index (WI), weight loss, bursting strength, elongation at burst and dye uptake were taken as the measure of extent of scouring and bleaching performance of the intended fabric. The new technology yielded product with acceptable whiteness and water absorbency which is suitable for pale shade dyeing. The optimum results were achieved for the sample irradiated at a total dose 5 kGy treated with 10 g/L H2O2 solution. The water absorbency and WI value were 2.4s and 39.43, respectively, as well as 82.2% dye exhaustion was obtained having the bursting strength 203.20 kPa for this option. But higher dose of radiation was found responsible for lowering the bursting strength of the fabric. However, the irradiated samples demonstrated the good dye-ability indicating the excellent level dyeing with Bezaktive Red S-3B and Novacron Yellow ST-3R reactive dyes.

Preparation of gelatin based porous biocomposite for bone tissue engineering and evaluation of gamma irradiation effect on its properties.

Biodegradable porous hybrid polymer composites were prepared by using gelatin as base polymer matrix, ß-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and calcium sulfate (CS) as cementing materials, chitosan as an antimicrobial agent, and glutaraldehyde and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as crosslinkers at different mass ratios. Thereafter, the composites were subjected to γ-radiation sterilization. The structure and properties of these composite scaffolds were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical properties testing (compressive, bending, tensile and impact), thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and physical stability test in simulated body fluid (SBF). We found that TCP rich composites showed enhanced mechanical properties among all the crosslinked composites. γ-Radiation sterilization triggered further cross linking in polymer matrix resulting a decrease in pore size of the composites and an increase in pore wall thickness with improved mechanical and thermal properties. The chemically crosslinked composite with 40% TCP followed by γ-radiation sterilization showed the smallest pore size distribution with a mean pore diameter of 159.22µm, which falls in the range of 100-350µm - known to be suitable for osteoconduction. Considering its improved mechanical and thermal properties along with osteoconduction ability without cytotoxicity, we propose this biocomposite as a viable candidate for bone tissue engineering.

Physico-chemical characteristics of gamma-irradiated gelatin.

This article reports the effects of gamma irradiation (dose ranges 0.1-10 kGy from 60Co source) on the characteristics of solid gelatin and the physico-mechanical, microstructural and bioactive properties of the scaffold prepared from irradiated gelatin solution. FTIR, intrinsic viscosity, bloom strength, thermal properties, SEM, tensile properties, water uptake ability and antimicrobial activities of non-irradiated and irradiated solid gelatin and its scaffolds were investigated. The detailed experimental results for the solid gelatin demonstrated that 1 kGy γ-irradiated samples showed higher intrinsic viscosity, enhanced thermal stability and bloom strength than other irradiated samples. Furthermore, the scaffold thus prepared from irradiated and non-irradiated gelatin also revealed that 1 kGy samples showed the highest tensile strength and modulus with good water resistivity than other irradiated and non-irradiated samples. In addition to the physico-mechanical properties, 1 kGy scaffolds have also exhibited the highest resistivity towards microbial growth that can have potentiality as scaffold in biomedical sector. The enhanced functional and bioactive properties at low irradiation doses (1 kGy) may occurred due to an initial breaking of hydrogen bonds of polypeptide chains in gelatin molecules that indicated by the shift of amide A, I and II peaks to higher wave numbers in FTIR. This enhancement resulted probably due to the domination of crosslinking over degradation at 1 kGy. It was also observed that 1 kGy γ-radiation-induced crosslinking has lowered the hydrophilicity by decreasing water uptake and mean pore diameter of the interconnected porous structures of gelatin.

Fabrication and characterization of gelatin-based biocompatible porous composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

In this study, composite scaffolds were prepared with polyethylene oxide (PEO)-linked gelatin and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Chitosan, a positively charged polysaccharide, was introduced into the scaffolds to improve the properties of the artificial bone matrix. The chemical and thermal properties of composite scaffolds were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyzer, differential thermal analyzer. In vitro cytotoxicity of the composite scaffold was also evaluated and the sample showed no cytotoxic effect. The morphology was studied by SEM and light microscopy. It was observed that the prepared scaffold had an open interconnected porous structure with pore size of 230-354 µm, which is suitable for osteoblast cell proliferation. The mechanical properties were assessed and it was found that the composite had compressive modulus of 1200 MPa with a strength of 5.2 MPa and bending modulus of 250 MPa having strength of 12.3 MPa. The porosity and apparent density were calculated and it was found that the incorporation of TCP can reduce the porosity and water absorption. It was revealed from the study that the composite had a 3D porous microstructure and TCP particles were dispersed evenly among the crosslinked gelatin/chitosan scaffold.

Physico-mechanical properties of wound dressing material and its biomedical application.

A bioadhesive wound dressing material, based on gelatin, was prepared by solution casting, and its properties were evaluated. The tensile strength (TS) and percentage elongation at break (Eb) of the membranes were found to be 12.7 MPa and 40.4%, respectively. The buffer uptake and water uptake of the prepared membranes were found to be 298 and 312%, respectively, after 8 min. A scanning electron micrograph of the membrane revealed its uniform porosity, which is an essential criterion to be an ideal wound dressing. From microbial sensitivity analysis, it was found that the membrane had a significant resistance against infection. The wound-healing characteristics of the membrane were evaluated using a rat (Rattus norvegicus) model. Full-thickness wounds were created on the ventral side of the Rattus norvegicus and were dressed with the membrane; eco-plast was used as a control. The wound healing and bioadhesion were monitored at 3-day intervals by real-time imaging. The results revealed that the prepared membrane was more effective in healing the wound than conventional wound dressing.