Bioactive Pectin-Murta (Ugni molinae T.) Seed Extract Films Reinforced with Chitin Fibers.

This study investigated the biocomposite pectin films enriched with murta (Ugni molinae T.) seed polyphenolic extract and reinforced by chitin nanofiber. The structural, morphological, mechanical, barrier, colorimetric, and antioxidant activity of films were evaluated. The obtained data clearly demonstrated that the addition of murta seed extract and the high load of chitin nanofibers (50%) provided more cohesive and dense morphology of films and improved the mechanical resistance and water vapor barrier in comparison to the control pectin film. The antioxidant activity ranged between 71% and 86%, depending on the film formulation and concentration of chitin nanofibers. The presented results highlight the potential use of chitin nanofibers and murta seed extract in the pectin matrix to be applied in functional food coatings and packaging, as a sustainable solution.

Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Potential of Green AgNPs against Diabetic Mice.

Green nanotechnology-based approaches have been acquired as environmentally friendly and cost effective with many biomedical applications. The present study reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the leaves of Emblica phyllanthus, characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, EDX, SEM, AFM, and XRD. The acute and chronic antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential of AgNPs was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. A total of 11 groups (G1-G11, n = 6) of mice were treated with different concentrations (150 and 300 mM) and sizes of AgNPs and compared with those treated with standard glibenclamide. A significant decrease (P > 0.05) in the glucose level was achieved for 30, 45, and 65 nm after 15 days of treatment compared to the diabetic control. The oral administration of optimal AgNPs reduced the glucose level from 280.83 ± 4.17 to 151.17 ± 3.54 mg/dL, while the standard drug glibenclamide showed the reduction in glucose from 265.5 ± 1.43 to 192 ± 3.4 mg/dL. Histopathological studies were performed in dissected kidney and liver tissues of the treated mice, which revealed significant recovery in the liver and kidney after AgNP treatment. Acute toxicity study revealed that AgNPs were safe up to a size of 400 nm and the raw leaf extract of Emblica phyllanthus was safe up to 2500 mg/kg b.w. This study may help provide more effective and safe treatment options for diabetes compared to traditionally prescribed antidiabetic drugs.

Formulation of Creams Containing Spirulina Platensis Powder with Different Nonionic Surfactants for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

Natural products used in the treatment of acne vulgaris may be promising alternative therapies with fewer side effects and without antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to formulate creams containing Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to be used in acne therapy. Spirulina platensis belongs to the group of micro algae and contains valuable active ingredients. The aim was to select the appropriate nonionic surfactants for the formulations in order to enhance the diffusion of the active substance and to certify the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Spirulina platensis-containing creams. Lyophilized Spirulina platensis powder (SPP) was dissolved in Transcutol HP (TC) and different types of nonionic surfactants (Polysorbate 60 (P60), Cremophor A6:A25 (CR) (1:1), Tefose 63 (TFS), or sucrose ester SP 70 (SP70)) were incorporated in creams as emulsifying agents. The drug release was evaluated by the Franz diffusion method and biocompatibility was tested on HaCaT cells. In vitro antioxidant assays were also performed, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were executed. Antimicrobial activities of the selected compositions were checked against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Cutibacteriumacnes (C. acnes) (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) with the broth microdilution method. Formulations containing SP 70 surfactant with TC showed the most favorable dissolution profiles and were found to be nontoxic. This composition also showed significant increase in free radical scavenger activity compared to the blank sample and the highest SOD enzyme activity was also detected after treatment with the cream samples. In antibacterial studies, significant differences were observed between the treated and control groups after an incubation time of 6 h.

Preparation and characterization of active and intelligent packaging films based on cassava starch and anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murr.

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is a functional food with abundant anthocyanins. Since anthocyanins can change colors under different pH conditions, pH-sensitive packaging films were developed based on cassava starch and L. ruthenicum anthocyanins (LRA). Effect of LRA content on the physical, structural, antioxidant and pH-sensitive properties of starch-LRA films were evaluated. In addition, starch-LRA films were applied to monitor the freshness of pork. Spectroscopic analysis showed LRA contained six kinds of anthocyanins. The incorporation of LRA significantly enhanced the water vapor and ultraviolet-visible light barrier ability, tensile strength and antioxidant potential of starch film. Moreover, the barrier, antioxidant and pH-sensitive properties of starch-LRA films were closely related with LRA content. However, the thermal stability of starch film was not affected by LRA. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonds) formed between starch and LRA in the films. Starch-LRA films are pH-sensitive and could change their colors in different buffer solutions (pH 2-13). When applied to monitor the freshness of pork, starch-LRA films exhibited remarkable color variations with the quality change of pork. Our results suggested starch-LRA films could be used as active and intelligent packaging films in food industry.

Two photon excitable graphene quantum dots for structured illumination microscopy and imaging applications: lysosome specificity and tissue-dependent imaging.

Biocompatible graphene quantum dots (GQDs), obtained from extracts of neem root, are found to be suitable for structured illumination microscopy and two-photon microscopy (TPM). Results of TPM and confocal luminescence microscopy ensure lysosome specificity in live cells and tissue-dependent localization in zebrafish, respectively, of GQDs.

Preparation and properties of a novel drug delivery system with both magnetic and biomolecular targeting.

By loading doxorubicin (DOX) on 5-carboxyl-fluorescein (FAM) labeled AGKGTPSLETTP peptide (A54) coupled starch-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (SIONs), we prepared a novel aqueous drug delivery system with both magnetic and biomolecular targeting, which was specific to human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402. The saturated extent of adsorption reached 2.0 mg DOX/mg A54-SIONs at 28 degrees C, which provided a rather high dose of DOX loading for application. Tests in vitro demonstrated the specificity of DOX-loaded A54-SIONs to BEL-7402 cells. The microscopy images proved that DOX-loaded A54-SIONs were successfully targeted to tumor tissue of nude mice with an external magnetic field in vivo. MTT assay showed higher cytostatic effect of DOX-loaded A54-SIONs to hepatocellular carcinoma cells BEL-7402 than that of DOX-loaded SIONs.

Preparation of hydroxyapatite from animal bones.

This paper presents the method of obtaining hydroxyapatite from animal bones. Bone sludge and calcined products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Calcium concentration was determined with titration, and phosphorus--spectrophotometrically. Making use of the AAS and ICP methods the content of microelements was determined. In all the products, hydroxyapatite was the only crystalline phase indicated. The FT-IR spectra confirmed that calcination removed the total of organic substances. Calcium and phosphorus contents were 38% and 18%, respectively, which corresponded to the Ca/P molar ratio of nonstoichiometric hydroxyapatite. The specific surfaces of products were measured by BET method. The volume of micro- and mesopores was determined.

Three-dimensional modeling of a portable medical device for magnetic separation of particles from biological fluids.

A portable separator has been developed to quantitatively separate blood-borne magnetic spheres in potentially high-flow regimes for the human detoxification purpose. In the separator design, an array of biocompatible capillary tubing and magnetizable wires is immersed in an external magnetic field that is generated by two permanent magnets. The wires are magnetized and the high magnetic field gradient from the magnetized wires helps to collect blood-borne magnetic nano/micro-spheres from the blood flow. In this study, a 3D numerical model was created and the effect of tubing-wire configurations on the capture efficiency of the system was analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics 3.3(R). The results showed that the configuration characterized by bi-directionally alternating wires and tubes was the best design with respect to the four starting configurations. Preliminary in vitro experiments verified the numerical predictions. The results helped us to optimize a prototype portable magnetic separator that is suitable for rapid sequestration of magnetic nano/micro-spheres from the human blood stream while accommodating necessary clinical boundary conditions.

Preparation and characterization of ZCAP blends.

Six different blends of zinc oxide, calcium oxide, phosphorous pentoxide (ZCAP) were prepared by mixing zinc oxide (ZnO), calcium oxide (CaO), and phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) powders. The blends were 50:30:20, 48:32:20, 44:26:30, 40:40:20, 30:40:30, and 30:30:40, ZnO:CaO:P2O5 by weight, respectively. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 degrees C for 12 hours. Each blend was then characterized using X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that in some cases the reaction between oxides may not have gone to completion. Compositions of beta-3CaO.P2O5 and alpha-CaZn2(PO4)2 were found in many of the blends.