The study of wound healing activity of Thespesia populnea L. bark, an approach for accelerating healing through nanoparticles and isolation of main active constituents.

The present study provides an evaluation for the wound healing activity of the ethanolic extract of Thespesia populnea L. bark (EBE) and its successive fractions in two doses level (1&2%), designed for determining the most bioactive fraction and the suitable dose. Furthermore, development of the most convenient formulation for these bioactive fractions through either their direct incorporation into hydrogel formulations or incorporation of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles with these bioactive fractions into hydrogel formulations. The highest excision wound healing activity was observed in petroleum ether (Pet-B) followed by ethyl acetate (Etac-B) fractions at the high dose (2%). The most suitable formulation designed for the Etac-B fraction was found to be the chitosan-loaded nanoparticles incorporated in the hydrogel formulation, while the conventional hydrogel formulation was observed to be the highly acceptable formulation for Pet-B fraction. Further phytochemical studies of the bioactive fractions led to the isolation of many compounds of different chemical classes viz; beta-sitosterol and lupeol acetate isolated from the Pet-B, in addition to cyanidin and delphinidin from the Etac-B. Our results revealed that EBE and its bioactive fractions (Pet-B & Etac-B) could be considered as strong wound healers through their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to stimulating collagen synthesis.

Development and Evaluation of a Hydrogel containing Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng Extract for Topical Applications

Abstract The purpose of this research was to develop a hydrogel containing the extract of Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) with appropriate physicochemical properties and good dermatological efficacy. The Gac aril fruit was extracted by maceration in dichloromethane, and its antioxidant activity was determined through a DPPH assay. The very low water-solubility of the Gac extract is responsible for its incompatibility with the hydrogel. To overcome this drawback, LabrafacTM PG and Tween 60 were used to develop the hydrogel due to their potent potential for solubilizing the Gac extract. The prepared hydrogels displayed good physical properties, a homogenous orange gel, appropriate pH, and viscosity. After storage in an accelerated condition for six months, the hydrogels of the Gac extract had physical stability and high remaining amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene within the range of 90.25 - 94.61%. The skin efficacy of hydrogel containing the Gac fruit extract was found using 14 healthy female volunteers over a 30-day period of daily application. Topical application of the hydrogel containing the Gac fruit extract, which contains antioxidants, significantly moisturizes the skin and enhanced its elasticity (p ≤ 0.05; ANOVA). This makes it suitable for use as a skin care product

Development and Evaluation of Thermosensitive Hydrogels with Binary Mixture of Scutellariae baicalensis radix Extract and Chitosan for Periodontal Diseases Treatment.

Scutellaria baicalensis root displays anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties due to the presence of flavonoids, particularly baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. Our work aimed at developing thermosensitive hydrogels containing a binary mixture of S. baicalensis radix lyophilized extract and chitosan as a novel approach for periodontal diseases treatment. Two types of chitosan were employed in preliminary studies on binary mixtures with S. baicalensis radix lyophilized extract standardized for baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. Thermosensitive hydrogels were prepared of poloxamer 407, alginate sodium, and cellulose derivatives and evaluated in terms of rheological and mucoadhesive behavior. The presence of chitosan altered the release profile of active compounds but did not affect their in vitro permeation behavior in PAMPA assay. The synergistic effects of S. baicalensis radix lyophilized extract and chitosan toward ferrous ion-chelating activity, inhibition of hyaluronidase, and pathogen growth were observed. The thermosensitive gelling system showed shear-thinning properties, gelation temperature between 25 and 27 °C, and favorable mucoadhesiveness in contact with porcine buccal mucosa, which was enhanced in the presence of binary mixture of S. baicalensis radix extract and chitosan. The release tests showed that baicalin and baicalein were liberated in a prolonged manner with a fast onset from hydrogel formulations.

Preparation of liquid-core hydrogel beads using antioxidant-rich Syzygium caryophyllatum fruit pulp as a healthy snack.

Reverse spherification is a common technique used in molecular gastronomy to produce innovative products with an improved texture by shaping a liquid into an edible semisolid sphere that gives a burst in the mouth sensation. In this study, liquid-core hydrogel beads (LHBs) were prepared using Syzygium caryophyllatum fruit pulp adapting reverse-phase molecular gastronomy as a minimal processing technique to promote it as a healthy snack. Three types of hydrogel beads were formulated while considering the stability of LHBs. Long-term hardening of fruit juice in sodium alginate solution and the addition of plasticizer was used as two methods to increase the textural stability of LHBs. Results revealed that the addition of the plasticizer imparted to improve all the physical and textural properties of beads; however, it affects the transparency of the hydrogel membrane as well. Although the plasticizer increased the textural stability of LHBs, prolong inlaying them in it (the plasticizer) contribute to occur adverse consequences on the quality. Hence, the inlaying of LHBs in glycerol for 2 min was selected as the best treatment (HBP1). Since HBP1 had a low hardness (125.00 g) and high resilience (0.21), it imparted a chewing gum-like texture to LHBs. Hence, it (HBP1) can be used as a healthy snack. While HBP1 was capable of retained 90% antioxidant activity of fresh fruit of S. caryophyllatum, total polyphenolic content, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl scavenging activity %, and ferric reducing antioxidant power value of this formulation were 59.50 GAE/g of dried LHBs, 68.96% and 139.69 TE/g of dried LHBs, respectively.

Growth factor-mediated augmentation of long bones: evaluation of a BMP-7 loaded thermoresponsive hydrogel in a murine femoral intramedullary injection model.

BACKGROUND: Due to our aging population, an increase in proximal femur fractures can be expected, which is associated with impaired activities of daily living and a high risk of mortality. These patients are also at a high risk to suffer a secondary osteoporosis-related fracture on the contralateral hip. In this context, growth factors could open the field for regenerative approaches, as it is known that, i.e., the growth factor BMP-7 (bone morphogenetic protein 7) is a potent stimulator of osteogenesis. Local prophylactic augmentation of the proximal femur with a BMP-7 loaded thermoresponsive hydrogel during index surgery of an osteoporotic fracture could be suitable to reduce the risk of further osteoporosis-associated secondary fractures. The present study therefore aims to test the hypothesis if a BMP-7 augmented hydrogel is an applicable carrier for the augmentation of non-fractured proximal femurs. Furthermore, it needs to be shown that the minimally invasive injection of a hydrogel into the mouse femur is technically feasible. METHODS: In this study, male C57BL/6 mice (n = 36) received a unilateral femoral intramedullary injection of either 100 µl saline, 100 µl 1,4 Butan-Diisocyanat (BDI)-hydrogel, or 100 µl hydrogel loaded with 1 µg of bone morphogenetic protein 7. Mice were sacrificed 4 and 12 weeks later. The femora were submitted to high-resolution X-ray tomography and subsequent histological examination. RESULTS: Analysis of normalized CtBMD (Cortical bone mineral density) as obtained by X-ray micro-computed tomography analysis revealed significant differences depending on the duration of treatment (4 vs 12 weeks; p < 0.05). Furthermore, within different anatomically defined regions of interest, significant associations between normalized TbN (trabecular number) and BV/TV (percent bone volume) were noted. Histology indicated no signs of inflammation and no signs of necrosis and there were no cartilage damages, no new bone formations, or new cartilage tissues, while BMP-7 was readily detectable in all of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the murine femoral intramedullary injection model appears to be feasible and worth to be used in subsequent studies that are directed to examine the therapeutic potential of BMP-7 loaded BDI-hydrogel. Although we were unable to detect any significant osseous effects arising from the mode or duration of treatment in the present trial, the effect of different concentrations and duration of treatment in an osteoporotic model appears of interest for further experiments to reach translation into clinic and open new strategies of growth factor-mediated augmentation.

Characterization and quantitation of PVP content in a silicone hydrogel contact lens produced by dual-phase polymerization processing.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been incorporated over the years into numerous hydrogel contact lenses as both a primary matrix component and an internal wetting agent to increase lens wettability. In this study, complementary analytical techniques were used to characterize the PVP wetting agent component of senofilcon A and samfilcon A contact lenses, both in terms of chemical composition and amount present. Photo-differential scanning calorimetry (photo-DSC), gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and high-resolution/accurate mass (HR/AM) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques confirmed dual phase reaction and curing of the samfilcon A silicone hydrogel material. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) demonstrated that high molecular weight (HMW) polymer was present in isopropanol (IPA) extracts of both lenses. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) effectively separated hydrophilic PVP from the hydrophobic silicone polymers present in the extracts. Collectively, atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, GC-FID, and LC-MS analyses of the lens extracts indicated that the majority of NVP is consumed during the second reaction phase of samfilcon A lens polymerization and exists as HMW PVP, similar to the PVP present in senofilcon A. GC-FID analysis of pyrolyzed samfilcon A and senofilcon A indicates fourfold greater PVP in samfilcon A compared with senofilcon A. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1064-1072, 2018.

Curativo imediato com hidrogel à base de água, óleo de melaleuca alternifolia e emulsificantes após queimaduras / Burns immediate dressing with water, oil of melaleuca and emulsificants

Introdução: O Burnshield® (United Medical, Brasil) é uma opção de curativo imediato paraqueimaduras que visa à hidratação e ao resfriamento da ferida, sendo objetivo deste trabalhoavaliar sua eficácia. Método: Estudo experimental controlado cego, com 36 ratos Wistardivididos em 3 grupos de 12: (A) tratados com Burnshield®, (B) tratados com água correntepor 15 minutos e (C) não tratados. Metade dos animais de cada grupo foi sacrificada com 30minutos após queimadura, e a outra metade com 24 horas de evolução. O critério de avaliaçãofoi a maior profundidade de lesão encontrada em cada animal. Resultados: O grupo Capresentou as queimaduras mais profundas em relação aos demais, com 30 minutos e 24 horas.Não houve diferença entre os grupos A e B com 30 minutos, porém houve melhor resultadosignificativo no grupo A nas 24 horas de evolução. Conclusão: O Burnshield® mostroueficácia comparável à água corrente no tratamento inicial de queimaduras, com melhoresresultados depois de 24 horas de evolução. Apresenta como maior vantagem a praticidade,podendo ser usado enquanto o paciente é deslocado até o centro de tratamento especializado.

Introduction: Burnshield® (United Medical, Brazil) is an option of immediate dressing forburns aimed at hydrating and cooling the wound. Purpose: Investigate, histopathologically,the efficacy of Burnshield® as initial treatment for thermal burns. Method: Blind controlledexperimental study, with 36 Wistar rats divided into 3 groups of 12 rats: (A) treated withBurnshield®, (B) treated with running water for 15 minutes and (C) not treated. Half of theanimals of each group were sacrificed 30 minutes after the burn and the other half, within 24of evolution. The assessment criterion was the extension of lesion found in each animal.Results: Group C showed the deepest burns compared to the others, within 30 minutes and24 hours. There was no difference between groups A and B within 30 minutes; however, groupA showed better and significant results within 24 hours of evolution. Conclusion:Burnshield® showed efficacy comparable to running water at the initial treatment of burns,with better results after 24 hours of evolution. Its main advantage is its practicality, once itcan be used while the patient is carried up to the center of specialized treatment.