RESUMEN
Background: Chronic wounds continue to be a global concern that demands substantial resources from the healthcare system. The process of cutaneous wound healing is complex, involving inflammation, blood clotting, angiogenesis, migration and remodeling. In the present study, commercially available alginate wound dressings were loaded with heparin. The purpose of the study was to enhance the angiogenic potential of alginate wound dressings and analyze the antibacterial activity, biocompatibility and other relevant properties. We also aimed to conduct some molecular and gene expression studies to elaborate on the mechanisms through which heparin induces angiogenesis. Methods: The physical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Swelling ability was measured by soaking hydrogels in the Phosphate buffer at 37 °C, and cell studies were conducted to evaluate the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of hydrogels in NIH3T3 (fibroblasts). Real-time PCR was conducted to check the molecular mechanisms of heparin/alginate-induced angiogenesis. The physical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: FTIR confirmed the formation of heparin-loaded alginate wound dressing and the compatibility of both heparin and alginate. Among all, 10 µg/mL concentration of heparin showed the best antibacterial activity against E. coli. The swelling was considerably increased up to 1500% within 1 h. Alamar Blue assay revealed no cytotoxic effect on NIH3T3. Heparin showed good anti-microbial properties and inhibited the growth of E. coli in zones with a diameter of 18 mm. The expression analysis suggested that heparin probably exerts its pro-angiogenetic effect through VEGF and cPGE. Conclusions: We report that heparin-loaded alginate dressings are not cytotoxic and offer increased angiogenic and anti-bacterial potential. The angiogenesis is apparently taken through the VEGF pathway.
RESUMEN
Endophytic bacteria are the plant beneficial bacteria that thrive inside plants and can improve plant growth under normal and challenging conditions. They can benefit host plants directly by improving plant nutrient uptake and by modulating growth and stress related phytohormones. Indirectly, endophytic bacteria can improve plant health by targeting pests and pathogens with antibiotics, hydrolytic enzymes, nutrient limitation, and by priming plant defenses. To confer these benefits, the bacteria have to colonize the plant endosphere after colonizing the rhizosphere. The colonization is achieved using a battery of traits involving motility, attachment, plant-polymer degradation, and evasion of plant defenses. The diversity of endophytic colonizers depends on several bacteria, plant and environment specific factors. Some endophytic bacteria can have a broad host range and can be used as bioinoculants in developing a safe and sustainable agriculture system. This review elaborates the factors affecting diversity of bacterial endophytes, their host specificity and mechanisms of plant growth promotion. The review also accentuates various methods used to study endophytic communities, wild plants as a source of novel endophytic bacteria, and innovative approaches that may improve plant-endophyte association. Moreover, bacterial genes expressed in planta and challenges to study them are also discussed.