Electron beam irradiation developed cinnamon oil- (polyvinyl alcohol/gum tragacanth)/graphene oxide dressing hydrogels: Antimicrobial and healing assessments.

This study aimed to develop hydrogel dressings for wound healing composed of gum tragacanth (TG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) loaded with Graphene oxide (GO) and Cinnamon oil (CMO) using electron beam irradiation. The impact of the preparation conditions and the incorporation of GO and CMO on the characteristic properties of the prepared CMO-(PVA/TG)-GO wound dressings was evaluated. The healing-related characteristics were assessed, including fluid absorption and retention, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), hemolytic assay, and antimicrobial potential. Wound healing efficacy was evaluated using a scratch wound healing assay. FTIR analysis verified the chemical structure, whereas scanning electron microscopy demonstrated an appropriate porosity structure necessary for optimal wound healing. The gel content increases with the initial total polymer concentration and the irradiation dose increases. Higher GO and CMO content improve the gel content and decreases swelling. WVTR decreases with the rise in CMO content. In vitro, cytotoxicity and hemolytic potency assessments confirmed their biocompatibility. The incorporation of GO and CMO enhances the antimicrobial activity and wound-healing capability. Based on the above findings, CMO-(PVA/TG)-GO dressings show promising potential as candidates for wound care.

A bioactive self-healing hydrogel wound-dressing based on Tragacanth gum: Structural and invitro biomedical investigations.

The design and development of wound-dressing hydrogels with desirable therapeutic effects and proper mechanical and self-healing properties are crucial in the healthcare sector. This research aims to prepare a new self-healing hydrogel based on Tragacanth, polyvinyl alcohol, and borax to be used as a wound dressing, the hydrogel was first prepared through a simple and one-pot reaction. The efficiency of the resulting product was then assessed based on the rheological and self-healing tests as well as cellular tests on a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) including toxicity and scratch tests as well as the investigation of the expression of TGFß1, TGFß2, and VEGF-A gens (using Real-time PCR). The synthesized hydrogel exhibited proper mechanical strength, high self-healing features, and no toxicity (cell viability >100 %). Rheological studies indicate that hydrogels with a higher borax content (PVA: B ratio of 5:1) exhibit a higher storage modulus across all frequencies. The presence of hydrogel improved the migration of the L929 cells and scratch healing. The hydrogel also caused a significant improvement in the expression of the growth factors of the genes (P < 0.001). Therefore, it can be concluded that the prepared wound dressing can actively contribute to wound healing, opening promising potentials in medical applications.

Novel polyvinyl alcohol/gum tragacanth molecularly imprinted-electrospun nanofibers as adsorbent for selective solid phase extraction of bisphenol A.

A polyvinyl alcohol/gum tragacanth molecularly imprinted nanofiber fabricated by electrospinning (PVA/GT-MIN) was used as an efficient adsorbent for the solid phase extraction (SPE) of bisphenol A (BPA) in water samples. PVA and GT were functional polymers and BPA was the template for molecular imprinting. BPA was bound to the polymer matrix through hydrogen bonding. The SEM image of PVA/GT-MIN demonstrated a rough morphology with pores and a diameter of 501 nm. The data for the adsorption of BPA on PVA/GT-MIN fitted the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics models. The proposed SPE using PVA/GT-MIN coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection presented good linearity from 50 µg/L-5 mg/L (R2 = 0.9999) and yielded a limit of detection of 21 µg/L. The PVA/GT-MIN was applied to extract bottled water for BPA analysis and recoveries were 93.1-97.7 % (RSDs ≤ 3.6 %). This study presents a novel, easily prepared PVA/GT-MIN adsorbent for the extraction of BPA in water.

Enhancing storage stability of pea peptides through encapsulation in maltodextrin and gum tragacanth via monitoring scavenge ability to free radicals.

Pea peptides can lead to degradation through oxidation, deamidation, hydrolysis, or cyclization during production, processing, and storage, which in turn limit their broader application. To stabilize pea peptides, this study employed spray drying technology to create a pea peptide micro-encapsule using maltodextrin, gum tragacanth, and pea peptides. Four key factors, including polysaccharide ratio, glycopeptide ratio, solid-liquid ratio, and inlet temperature, were optimized to enhance the antioxidant properties of the pea peptide micro-encapsule. The results indicated that the utilization of maltodextrin and gum tragacanth significantly improves the storage stability and antioxidant activity of pea peptides. Moreover, optimal storage stability for pea peptides was achieved with a polysaccharide ratio of 9:1, a glycopeptide ratio of 10:1, a solid-liquid ratio of 4:40, and an inlet temperature of 180 °C. After 60 days of storage, the encapsulated pea peptides maintained 70.22 %, 25.19 %, and 40.32 % for scavenging abilities to hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and ABTS radical, respectively. In contrast, the unencapsulated pea peptides showed a decline to 47.02 %, 0 %, and 24.46 % in the same antioxidant activities after storage. These findings underscore the potential of spray drying technology to enhance the functional properties of pea peptides for various applications.

A hybrid structure based on silk fibroin/PVA nanofibers and alginate/gum tragacanth hydrogel embedded with cardamom extract.

Hybrid structures made of natural-synthetic polymers have been interested due to high biological features combining promising physical-mechanical properties. In this research, a hybrid dressing consisting of a silk fibroin (SF)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers and sodium alginate (SA)/gum tragacanth (GT) hydrogel incorporating cardamom extract as an antibacterial agent was prepared. Accordingly, SF was extracted from cocoons followed by electrospinning in blend form with PVA (SF/PVA ratio: 1:1) under the voltage of 18 kV and the distances of 15 cm. The SEM images confirmed the formation of uniform, bead free fibers with the average diameter of 199 ± 28 nm. FTIR and XRD results revealed the successful extraction of SF and preparation of mixed fibrous mats. Next, cardamom oil extract-loaded SA/GT hydrogel was prepared and the nanofibrous structure was placed on the surface of hydrogel. SEM analysis depicted the uniform morphology of hybrid structure with desirable matching between two layers. TGA analysis showed desired thermal stability. The swelling ratio was found to be 1251% after 24 h for the hybrid structure and the drug was released without any initial burst. MTT assay and cell attachment results showed favorable biocompatibility and cell proliferation on samples containing extract, and antibacterial activity values of 85.35% against S. aureus and 75% against E. coli were obtained as well. The results showed that the engineered hybrid nanofibrous-hydrogel film structure incorporating cardamom oil extract could be a promising candidate for wound healing applications and skin tissue engineering.

Chondroitin sulfate-modified tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules loaded with curcumin nanocrystals for the treatment of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of yet undetermined etiology that is accompanied by significant oxidative stress, inflammatory responses,  and damage to joint tissues. In this study, we designed chondroitin sulfate (CS)-modified tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules (CS-Cur-TGNCs) loaded with curcumin nanocrystals (Cur-NCs), which rely on the ability of CS to target CD44 to accumulate drugs in inflamed joints. Cur was encapsulated in the form of nanocrystals into tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules (TGNCs) by using an inborn microcrystallization method, which produced CS-Cur-TGNCs with a particle size of approximately 80 ± 11.54 nm and a drug loading capacity of 54.18 ± 5.17%. In an in vitro drug release assay, CS-Cur-TGNCs showed MMP-2-responsive properties. During the treatment of RA, CS-Cur-TGNCs significantly inhibited oxidative stress, promoted the polarization of M2-type macrophages to M1-type macrophages, and decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6). In addition, it also exerted excellent anti-inflammatory effects, and significantly alleviated the swelling of joints during the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA). Therefore, CS-Cur-TGNCs, as a novel drug delivery system, could lead to new ideas for clinical therapeutic regimens for RA and GA.

Agar-tragacanth/silk fibroin hydrogel containing Zn-based MOF as a novel nanobiocomposite with biological activity.

In this study, a novel nanobiocomposite consisting of agar (Ag), tragacanth gum (TG), silk fibroin (SF), and MOF-5 was synthesized and extensively investigated by various analytical techniques and basic biological assays for potential biomedical applications. The performed Trypan blue dye exclusion assay indicated that the proliferation percentage of HEK293T cells was 71.19%, while the proliferation of cancer cells (K-562 and MCF-7) was significantly lower, at 10.74% and 3.33%. Furthermore, the Ag-TG hydrogel/SF/MOF-5 nanobiocomposite exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus strains, with growth inhibition rates of 76.08% and 69.19% respectively. Additionally, the hemolytic index of fabricated nanobiocomposite was found approximately 19%. These findings suggest that the nanobiocomposite exhibits significant potential for application in cancer therapy and wound healing.

Evaluation of new bone formation in critical-sized rat calvarial defect using 3D printed polycaprolactone/tragacanth gum-bioactive glass composite scaffolds.

Critical-sized bone defects are a major challenge in reconstructive bone surgery and usually fail to be treated due to limited remaining bone quality and extensive healing time. The combination of 3D-printed scaffolds and bioactive materials is a promising approach for bone tissue regeneration. In this study, 3D-printed alkaline-treated polycaprolactone scaffolds (M-PCL) were fabricated and integrated with tragacanth gum- 45S5 bioactive glass (TG-BG) to treat critical-sized calvarial bone defects in female adult Wistar rats. After a healing period of four and eight weeks, the new bone of blank, M-PCL, and M-PCL/TG-BG groups were harvested and assessed. Micro-computed tomography, histological, biochemical, and biomechanical analyses, gene expression, and bone matrix formation were used to assess bone regeneration. The micro-computed tomography results showed that the M-PCL/TG-BG scaffolds not only induced bone tissue formation within the bone defect but also increased BMD and BV/TV compared to blank and M-PCL groups. According to the histological analysis, there was no evidence of bony union in the calvarial defect regions of blank groups, while in M-PCL/TG-BG groups bony integration and repair were observed. The M-PCL/TG-BG scaffolds promoted the Runx2 and collagen type I expression as compared with blank and M-PCL groups. Besides, the bone regeneration in M-PCL/TG-BG groups correlated with TG-BG incorporation. Moreover, the use of M-PCL/TG-BG scaffolds promoted the biomechanical properties in the bone remodeling process. These data demonstrated that the M-PCL/TG-BG scaffolds serve as a highly promising platform for the development of bone grafts, supporting bone regeneration with bone matrix formation, and osteogenic features. Our results exhibited that the 3D-printed M-PCL/TG-BG scaffolds are a promising strategy for successful bone regeneration.

Tragacanth gum-based copper oxide nanoparticles: Comprehensive characterization, antibiofilm, antimicrobial and photocatalytic potentials.

Hereunder, we pioneered the synthesis of Copper Oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) utilizing Tragacanth gum (TG). The NPs were characterized using advanced techniques and assessed for different pharmaceutical and environmental perspectives. The successful formation of a colloidal NPs solution was confirmed by the appearance of a distinct black color and a distinct peak at 260 nm in UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The FTIR analysis unveiled a spectrum of functional groups responsible for the reduction and stabilization of CuO NPs. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed size of NPs as 36.24 nm and 28 ± 04 nm respectively. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Analysis indicated weight percentages of 70.38 % for Cu and 18.88 % for O, with corresponding atomic percentages. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the orthorhombic crystal structure of the prepared CuO NPs. Antimicrobial assessments through disc-diffusion assays demonstrated significant zones of inhibition (ZOI) against gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus Halodurans and Micrococcus leutus) and a gram-negative bacterial strain (E. coli). Against the fungal strain Aspergillus niger, a ZOI of 18.5 ± 0.31 mm was observed. The NPs exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential determined through 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H2O2 scavenging assays. At a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the NPs demonstrated biofilm inhibition rates of 96 %, 90 %, 89.60 %, and 72.10 % against Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus halodurans, MRSA and E.coli respectively. Furthermore, the CuO NPs showed a high photocatalytic potential towards the degradation of safranin dye under sunlight irradiation. In conclusion, the findings underline the promising multifunctional properties of TG-based CuO NPs for different practical applications.

Remediation of acetamiprid pesticide from contaminated water by antibacterial biosorbent based on carboxymethyl tragacanth-grafted-poly(3-aminophenol) decorated with ZnO@Fe3O4.

Pesticides can have harmful impacts on the environment and living organisms. Thus, removing them from polluted water is crucial. In this study, a bionanocomposite of carboxymethyl tragacanth-grafted-poly(3-aminophenol)/zinc oxide@iron oxide (CMT-g-P3AP/ZnO@Fe3O4) synthesized by in situ copolymerization as an efficient adsorbent to eliminate the acetamiprid pesticide from polluted water. The CMT-g-P3AP/ZnO@Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite was analyzed utilizing various techniques including FTIR, EDX, FESEM, XRD, BET, CHNSO, and TGA. The results displayed that the resulting nanocomposite with maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) successfully removed the acetamiprid pesticide from polluted water under optimal conditions such as pH of 7.00, 5.00 mg of adsorbent, 20.0 min duration, and 400 mg/L acetamiprid concentration. According to the linear Langmuir isotherm, the Qmax of the biosorbent was 833 mg/g. The experimental adsorption data fitted well with Temkin's nonlinear isotherm model. The adsorption kinetic data were closely related to the Weber-Morris intraparticle diffusion nonlinear model. After three repetitive cycles, CMT-g-P3AP/ZnO@Fe3O4 can be outstandingly renewed and recycled without significant reduction in its adsorption efficacy, as evidenced by the adsorption-desorption experiments. In addition, the CMT-g-P3AP/ZnO@Fe3O4 displayed the good antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.

Removal of diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution using different ionic liquids functionalized tragacanth gum hydrogel prepared by radiation technique.

Diclofenac sodium (DCF) was reported as an important emerging environmental pollutant and its removal from wastewater is very urgent. In this study, different alkyl substituted ionic liquids (1-alkyl -3-vinyl- imidazolium bromide [CnVIm]Br, n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) functionalized tragacanth gum (TG-CnBr) are prepared by radiation induced grafting and crosslinking polymerization. The adsorption behaviors of ionic liquids functionalized tragacanth gum for diclofenac sodium from aqueous solutions are examined. The adsorption capacity of TG-CnBr for diclofenac sodium increases with the increasing of alkyl chain length of the imidazolium cation and the hydrophobicity of the hydrogels. The maximum adsorption capacity by TG-C12Br for diclofenac sodium at 30, 40 and 50 °C were 327.87, 310.56 and 283.29 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of TG-C12Br towards diclofenac sodium was little decreased with NaCl increasing. The removal efficiency was still remained 94.55 % within 5 adsorption-desorption cycles by 1 M HCl. Also, the adsorption mechanism including electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π - π interaction was proposed.

Evaluating physiochemical characteristics of tragacanth gum-gelatin network hydrogels designed through graft copolymerization technique.

The present work deals with the evaluation of the physiochemical and biomedical properties of hydrogels derived from copolymerization of tragacanth gum (TG) and gelatin for use in drug delivery (DD) applications. Copolymers were characterized by field emission-scanning electron micrographs (FE-SEM), electron dispersion X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FE-SEM revealed heterogeneous morphology and XRD analysis demonstrated an amorphous nature with short range pattern of polymer chains within the copolymers. The release of the drug ofloxacin occurred through a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and the release profile was best described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. The hydrogels exhibited blood compatibility and demonstrated a thrombogenicity value of 75.63 ±â€¯1.98 % during polymer-blood interactions. Polymers revealed mucoadhesive character during polymer-mucous membrane interactions and required 119 ±â€¯8.54 mN detachment forces to detach from the biological membrane. The copolymers illustrated the antioxidant properties as evidenced by 2, 2'-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay which demonstrated a 65.71 ±â€¯3.68 % free radical inhibition. Swelling properties analysis demonstrated that by change in monomer and cross linker content during the reaction increased the crosslinking of the network. These results suggest that the pore size of network hydrogels could be controlled as per the requirement of DD systems. The copolymers were prepared at optimized reaction conditions using 14.54 × 10-1 molL-1 of acrylic acid monomer and 25.0 × 10-3 molL-1 of crosslinker NNMBA. The optimized hydrogels exhibited a crosslink density of 2.227 × 10-4 molcm-3 and a mesh size of 7.966 nm. Additionally, the molecular weight between two neighboring crosslinks in the hydrogels was determined to be 5332.209 gmol-1.The results indicated that the combination of protein-polysaccharide has led to the development of hydrogels suitable for potential applications in sustained drug delivery.

Significant enhancement in antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of tragacanth gum through chemical modification using amino acids.

Herein, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine and glycine grafted tragacanth gum (TG) were synthesized and designated as TG-Glu, TG-Lys, TG-Arg, and TG-Gly, respectively. The corresponding degrees of substitution (DS) were 0.212, 0.255, 0.394, and 0.169. Thermal, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of synthesized amino acid-grafted tragacanth gum (ATG) were investigated. The results suggested that the grafting of amino acids onto TG has the potential to alter its thermal properties. When compared with TG and amino acid alone, ATG exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial properties, with these properties being concentration-dependent. At a concentration of 2 mg/mL for TG-Glu and 3 mg/mL for TG-Arg, TG-Gly, and TG-Lys, the scavenging rate for 2,2'-hypoazido-3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonate (ABTS) radical reached 100 %. On the other hand, the scavenging rate of TG-Glu for hydroxyl radical achieved 100 % even at a concentration as low as 1 mg/mL. These properties were accompanied by an increase in reducing force and a notable improvement in the ability to scavenge superoxide anion (O2-). Moreover, the combination of amino acids and TG represents a promising approach to enhance the antimicrobial activities of TG, with the bacteriostatic rate reaching 100 %. Consequently, ATG shows promise as a novel agent for both antioxidation and antimicrobial applications.

Tragacanth gum-based nano-nutraceuticals synthesis by encapsulation of beetroot juice and Ocimum basilicum leaves for micronutrient deficient population.

Micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron, folic acid, and vitamins C and D, are currently prevalent due to inadequate consumption of natural food sources, namely raw vegetables and fruits. This deficiency is compounded by the growing reliance on synthetic nutraceuticals and processed food, which exhibit poor absorbency within the gastrointestinal tract. Scientific studies consistently indicate that naturally prepared whole foods are superior in terms of nutrient absorption compared to processed and synthetic supplements. To address this issue, we utilized FDA-approved tragacanth gum (TG) in the synthesis of nano-nutraceuticals by encapsulating beetroot juice and ball-milled sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). TG, in its micro or macro form, possesses the remarkable ability to form hydrogels capable of absorbing water up to 50 times its weight. However, the hydrogel-forming property diminishes when TG is reduced to the nanoscale. We effectively exploited these properties to facilitate the synthesis of nano-nutraceuticals. The procedure involved encapsulating beetroot juice and sweet basil nanopowder using TG hydrogel, followed by freeze-drying. Subsequently, the freeze-dried encapsulated TG composite was subjected to ball-milling to achieve the desired nano-nutraceuticals. These nano-nutraceuticals naturally contain essential nutrients such as iron, folic acid, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, niacin, and sugars, without the need for chemical processing or preservatives.

Extracellular matrix-mimetic electrically conductive nanofibrous scaffolds based on polyaniline-grafted tragacanth gum and poly(vinyl alcohol) for skin tissue engineering application.

As pivotal role of scaffold in tissue engineering (TE), the aim of present study was to design and development of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic electrically conductive nanofibrous scaffolds composed of polyaniline-grafted tragacanth gum (TG-g-PANI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with different PANI content for skin tissue engineering (STE) application. The fabricated scaffolds were preliminary evaluated in terms of some physicochemical and biological properties. Cytocompatibility and cells proliferation properties of the scaffolds were examined with the well-known MTT assay, and it was found that the developed scaffolds have proper cytocompatibilities and can enhances the mouse fibroblast L929 cells adhesion as well as proliferation, which confirm their potential for STE applications. Hemocompatibility assay revealed that the hemolysis rate of the fabricated scaffolds were <2 % even at a relatively high concentration (200 µgmL-1) of samples, therefore, these scaffolds can be considered as safe. Human serum albumin (HSA) protein adsorption capacities of the fabricated scaffolds were quantified as 42 and 49 µgmg-1 that represent suitable values for a successful TE. Overall, the fabricated scaffold with 20 wt% of TG-g-PANI showed higher potential in both physicochemical and biological features than scaffold with 30 wt% of mentioned copolymer for STE application.

A review on tragacanth gum: A promising natural polysaccharide in drug delivery and cell therapy.

Tragacanth is an abundant natural gum extracted from some plants and is dried for use in various applications from industry to biomedicines. It is a cost-effective and easily accessible polysaccharide with desirable biocompatibility and biodegradability, drawing much attention for use in new biomedical applications such as wound healing and tissue engineering. Moreover, this anionic polysaccharide with a highly branched structure has been used as an emulsifier and thickening agent in pharmaceutical applications. In addition, this gum has been introduced as an appealing biomaterial for producing engineering tools in drug delivery. Furthermore, the biological properties of tragacanth gum have made it a favorable biomaterial in cell therapies, and tissue engineering. This review aims to discuss the recent studies on this natural gum as a potential carrier for different drugs and cells.

Segregative phase separation of gelatin and tragacanth gum solution and Mickering stabilization of their water-in-water emulsion with microgel particles prepared by complex coacervation.

This study aimed to investigate the segregative interaction of gelatin (G) and tragacanth gum (TG) and the stabilization of their water-in-water (W/W) emulsion by G-TG complex coacervate particles. Segregation was studied at different pHs, ionic strengths and biopolymer concentrations. Results showed that incompatibility was affected by increasing the biopolymer concentrations. So, three reigns were demonstrated in the phase diagram of the salt-free samples. NaCl significantly changed the phase behavior via enhancement of self-association of polysaccharide and changing solvent quality due to the charge screening effect of ions. The W/W emulsion prepared from these two biopolymers and stabilized with G-TG complex particles was stable for at least one week. The microgel particles improved emulsion stability by adsorption to the interface and creating a physical barrier. A fibrous and network-like structure of the G-TG microgels was observed by scanning electron microscopy images suggesting the Mickering emulsion stabilization mechanism. It was confirmed that the bridging flocculation between the microgel polymers led to phase separation after the stability period. Biopolymer incompatibility investigation is a useful tool to obtain beneficial knowledge for preparation new food formulation, especially no contain oil emulsions for low- calorie diets.

Preparation of gum tragacanth/poly (vinyl alcohol)/halloysite hydrogel using electron beam irradiation with potential for bone tissue engineering.

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on tyramine conjugated gum tragacanth, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were prepared by electron beam irradiation and characterized. The FTIR, 1H NMR, and TGA results confirmed the chemical incorporation of HNTs into gum tragacanth. Gel content and swelling of hydrogels decreased with HNTs loading up to 20 % wt. The mechanical strength of hydrogels increased by increasing HNTs content up to 10 % with 371 kPa fracture stress at 0.95 fracture strain, compared to 312 kPa stress at 0.79 strain for gum tragacanth/PVA hydrogel. Hydrogel's biocompatibility and osteogenic activity were tested by seeding rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The cell viability was >85 % after 7 days of culture. In vitro secretion of ALP and calcium deposition on hydrogels in alizarin red assay after 21 days of culture indicated hydrogel potential for bone tissue engineering.

Fabrication, characterization and efficacy evaluation of natural gum-based bioactive haemostatic gauzes with antibacterial properties.

Management of uncontrolled bleeding due to traumatic injuries occurring in battlefields and road traffic accidents is a major healthcare concern, especially in developing countries like India. Since natural coagulation mechanism alone is insufficient to achieve haemostasis quickly in such cases, application of an external haemostatic product is generally required to accelerate the coagulation process. We had recently reported preliminary comparison of four natural absorbent gums, which indicated towards haemostatic potential of gum tragacanth (GT) and xanthan gum (XG). Present study involves fabrication of haemostatic dressings incorporated with different concentrations of GT or XG, along with ciprofloxacin (a broad-spectrum antibiotic) and other excipients over woven cotton gauze. Prepared gauzes were investigated for physico-chemical characteristics, in-vitro blood interaction studies, antibacterial effect and in-vivo haemostatic efficacy in Sprague Dawley rats using two bleeding models. Acute dermal toxicity studies were also carried out as per OECD guidelines. SEM studies showed that gauzes coated with XG had thin, uniform layer of coating, while in case of GT; coating was comparatively rough with insoluble particles of GT adhering over gauze surface, forming voids on the fibers. Coated gauzes exhibited optimum mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and percent extension at break. GT coated dressings showed good fluid uptake and retention ability in-vitro. Test gauzes were non-hemolytic in nature, did not elicit any dermal toxicity on animals' skin and had the ability to protect against E. coli infection. In-vivo efficacy studies in rat femoral artery and liver laceration bleeding models indicated that gauzes coated with 4% GT were able to clot blood in least time (36.67 ± 3.33s and 40 ± 2.58s respectively) as compared to other gum combinations and commercially available dressing 'Surgispon® (103.3 ± 4.22s and 85 ± 5.62s respectively). Results of this study validate our initial findings of the potential of gum tragacanth to be developed into a suitable haemostatic product.

A step forward to overcome the cytotoxicity of graphene oxide through decoration with tragacanth gum polysaccharide.

Hybridization of nanomaterials (NMs) with natural polymers is one of the best techniques to promote their exciting properties. In this way, the main objective of this work was to investigate the efficiency of decoration of the graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets with tragacanth gum (TG) polysaccharide. To aim this, different approaches were used (with and without ultrasonic treatment) and various tests (XRD, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, DLS, Zeta potential, contact angle, AFM, FE-SEM, TEM, and MTT assay) were conducted. Test results indicated that the nano-hybrids were successfully synthesized. Furthermore, our findings represented that, the TG hybridized GO (TG-GO) appreciably enhanced the biocompatibility of GO. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the ultrasonic treatment of TG solution put a remarkable impact on the microstructure, wettability, and also surface charge characteristic of fabricated nano-hybrids and consequently improved the biocompatibility against L929-fibroblast cells.