scholarly journals Insect Chitin-Based Nanomaterials for Innovative Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Micaela Triunfo ◽  
Elena Tafi ◽  
Anna Guarnieri ◽  
Carmen Scieuzo ◽  
Thomas Hahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Waste Stream ◽  
Industrial Scale ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Classical Source ◽  
Review Reports

Chitin and its derivatives are attracting great interest in cosmetic and cosmeceutical fields, thanks to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The classical source of chitin, crustacean waste, is no longer sustainable and fungi, a possible alternative, have not been exploited at an industrial scale yet. On the contrary, the breeding of bioconverting insects, especially of the Diptera Hermetia illucens, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Therefore, their exoskeletons, consisting of chitin as a major component, represent a waste stream of facilities that could be exploited for many applications. Insect chitin, indeed, suggests its application in the same fields as the crustacean biopolymer, because of its comparable commercial characteristics. This review reports several cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications based on chitin and its derivatives. In this context, chitin nanofibers and nanofibrils, produced from crustacean waste, have proved to be excellent cosmeceutical active compounds and carriers of active ingredients in personal care. Consequently, the insect-based chitin, its derivatives and their complexes with hyaluronic acid and lignin, as well as with other chitin-derived compounds, may be considered a new appropriate potential polymer to be used in cosmetic and cosmeceutical fields.

scholarly journals Biotechnology Applied to Cosmetics and Aesthetic Medicines

Cosmetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Cátia Gomes ◽  
Ana Catarina Silva ◽  
Ana Camila Marques ◽  
José Sousa Lobo ◽  
Maria Helena Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Kojic Acid ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Biotechnological Processes

Biotechnology uses microorganisms and/or enzymes to obtain specific products through fermentative processes and/or genetic engineering techniques. Examples of these products are active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, kojic acid, resveratrol, and some enzymes, which are used in skin anti-aging products. In addition, certain growth factors, algae, stem cells, and peptides have been included in cosmetics and aesthetic medicines. Thus, biotechnology, cosmetics and aesthetic medicines are now closely linked, through the production of high-quality active ingredients, which are more effective and safer. This work describes the most used active ingredients that are produced from biotechnological processes. Although there are a vast number of active ingredients, the number of biotechnological active ingredients reported in the literature is not significantly high.

scholarly journals Potential mechanisms of Guizhi decoction against hypertension based on network pharmacology and Dahl salt-sensitive rat model

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiye Chen ◽  
Yongjian Zhang ◽  
Yongcheng Wang ◽  
Ping Jiang ◽  
Guofeng Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Guizhi Decoction

Abstract Background Guizhi decoction (GZD), a classical Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used to treat hypertension, but its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms and therapeutic effects of GZD on hypertension by integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation. Methods The active ingredients and corresponding targets were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The targets related to hypertension were identified from the CTD, GeneCards, OMIM and Drugbank databases. Multiple networks were constructed to identify the key compounds, hub targets, and main biological processes and pathways of GZD against hypertension. The Surflex-Dock software was used to validate the binding affinity between key targets and their corresponding active compounds. The Dahl salt-sensitive rat model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of GZD against hypertension. Results A total of 112 active ingredients, 222 targets of GZD and 341 hypertension-related targets were obtained. Furthermore, 56 overlapping targets were identified, five of which were determined as the hub targets for experimental verification, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), C–C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2), IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9. Pathway enrichment analysis results indicated that 56 overlapping targets were mainly enriched in several inflammation pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed that most active compounds of GZD could bind tightly to the key targets. Experimental studies revealed that the administration of GZD improved blood pressure, reduced the area of cardiac fibrosis, and inhibited the expression of IL-6, CCL2, IL-1β, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rats. Conclusion The potential mechanisms and therapeutic effects of GZD on hypertension may be attributed to the regulation of cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.

scholarly journals Active ingredients, mechanisms of action and efficacy tests of antipollution cosmetic and personal care products

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (spe) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Valéria Robles Velasco ◽  
Rafael Sauce ◽  
Camila Areias de Oliveira ◽  
Claudinéia A.S. de Oliveira Pinto ◽  
Renata Miliani Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Care Products ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Active Ingredients

scholarly journals Norfloxacin-Loaded Electrospun Scaffolds: Montmorillonite Nanocomposite vs. Free Drug

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Faccendini ◽  
Marco Ruggeri ◽  
Dalila Miele ◽  
Silvia Rossi ◽  
Maria Cristina Bonferoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Chondroitin Sulfate ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Free Drug ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Fibroblast Proliferation ◽  
Electrospun Scaffolds

Infections in nonhealing wounds remain one of the major challenges. Recently, nanomedicine approach seems a valid option to overcome the antibiotic resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was the development of three types of polysaccharide-based scaffolds (chitosan-based (CH), chitosan/chondroitin sulfate-based (CH/CS), chitosan/hyaluronic acid-based (CH/HA)), as dermal substitutes, to be loaded with norfloxacin, intended for the treatment of infected wounds. The scaffolds have been loaded with norfloxacin as a free drug (N scaffolds) or in montmorillonite nanocomposite (H—hybrid-scaffolds). Chitosan/glycosaminoglycan (chondroitin sulfate or hyaluronic acid) scaffolds were prepared by means of electrospinning with a simple, one-step process. The scaffolds were characterized by 500 nm diameter fibers with homogeneous structures when norfloxacin was loaded as a free drug. On the contrary, the presence of nanocomposite caused a certain degree of surface roughness, with fibers having 1000 nm diameters. The presence of norfloxacin–montmorillonite nanocomposite (1%) caused higher deformability (90–120%) and lower elasticity (5–10 mN/cm2), decreasing the mechanical resistance of the systems. All the scaffolds were proven to be degraded via lysozyme (this should ensure scaffold resorption) and this sustained the drug release (from 50% to 100% in 3 days, depending on system composition), especially when the drug was loaded in the scaffolds as a nanocomposite. Moreover, the scaffolds were able to decrease the bioburden at least 100-fold, proving that drug loading in the scaffolds did not impair the antimicrobial activity of norfloxacin. Chondroitin sulfate and montmorillonite in the scaffolds are proven to possess a synergic performance, enhancing the fibroblast proliferation without impairing norfloxacin’s antimicrobial properties. The scaffold based on chondroitin sulfate, containing 1% norfloxacin in the nanocomposite, demonstrated adequate stiffness to sustain fibroblast proliferation and the capability to sustain antimicrobial properties to prevent/treat nonhealing wound infection during the healing process.

scholarly journals A Systems Pharmacology Approach for Identifying the Multiple Mechanisms of Action for the Rougui-Fuzi Herb Pair in the Treatment of Cardiocerebral Vascular Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Chun Li ◽  
Xia Du ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Qi-Qi Liu ◽  
Wen Bing Zhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Chinese Herb ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Chinese Herbs ◽  
Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
System Pharmacology

Cardiocerebral vascular diseases (CCVDs) are the main reasons for high morbidity and mortality all over the world, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and so on. Chinese herbs pair of the Cinnamomum cassia Presl (Chinese name, rougui) and the Aconitum carmichaelii Debx (Chinese name, fuzi) can be effective in CCVDs, which is recorded in the ancient classic book Shennong Bencao Jing, Mingyibielu and Thousand Golden Prescriptions. However, the active ingredients and the molecular mechanisms of rougui-fuzi in treatment of CCVDs are still unclear. This study was designed to apply a system pharmacology approach to reveal the molecular mechanisms of the rougui-fuzi anti-CCVDs. The 163 candidate compounds were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). And 84 potential active compounds and the corresponding 42 targets were obtained from systematic model. The underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic effect for rougui-fuzi were investigated with gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Then, component-target-disease (C-T-D) and target-pathway (T-P) networks were constructed to further dissect the core pathways, potential targets, and active compounds in treatment of CCVDs for rougui-fuzi. We also constituted protein-protein in interaction (PPI) network by the reflect target protein of the crucial pathways against CCVDs. As a result, 21 key compounds, 8 key targets, and 3 key pathways were obtained for rougui-fuzi. Afterwards, molecular docking was performed to validate the reliability of the interactions between some compounds and their corresponding targets. Finally, UPLC-Q-Exactive-MSE and GC-MS/MS were analyzed to detect the active ingredients of rougui-fuzi. Our results may provide a new approach to clarify the molecular mechanisms of Chinese herb pair in treatment with CCVDs at a systematic level.

scholarly journals Nanotechnology-Based Cosmeceuticals

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alka Lohani ◽  
Anurag Verma ◽  
Himanshi Joshi ◽  
Niti Yadav ◽  
Neha Karki
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Aesthetic Appeal ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Opening Up

Cosmeceuticals are the fastest growing segment of the personal care industry, and a number of topical cosmeceutical treatments for conditions such as photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and hair damage have come into widespread use. In the cosmeceutical arena nanotechnology has played an important role. Using new techniques to manipulate matter at an atomic or molecular level, they have been at the root of numerous innovations, opening up new perspectives for the future of cosmeceutical industry. Nanotechnology-based cosmeceuticals offer the advantage of diversity in products, and increased bioavailability of active ingredients and increase the aesthetic appeal of cosmeceutical products with prolonged effects. However increased use of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals has raised concern about the possible penetration of nanoparticles through the skin and potential hazards to the human health. This review outlines the different nanoparticles used in various classes of cosmeceuticals, nanotechnology-based cosmeceutical products present in the market, and the potential risk caused by nanoparticles on exposure and recent regulatory steps taken to overcome them.

scholarly journals Application of Nanotechnology to Improve the Performance of Biodegradable Biopolymer-Based Packaging Materials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezou Khezerlou ◽  
Milad Tavassoli ◽  
Mahmood Alizadeh Sani ◽  
Ali Ehsani ◽  
David Julian McClements
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Thermal Barrier ◽  
Packaging Materials ◽  
Film Properties ◽  
Active Compounds

There is great interest in developing biodegradable biopolymer-based packaging materials whose functional performance is enhanced by incorporating active compounds into them, such as light blockers, plasticizers, crosslinkers, diffusion blockers, antimicrobials, antioxidants, and sensors. However, many of these compounds are volatile, chemically unstable, water-insoluble, matrix incompatible, or have adverse effects on film properties, which makes them difficult to directly incorporate into the packaging materials. These challenges are being overcome by incorporating the bioactive compounds into nanoparticles, which are then introducing into the packaging materials. The presence of these nanoencapsulated active compounds in biopolymer-based coatings or films can greatly improve their functional performance. This article reviews the different kinds of nanocarriers available for loading active compounds into these types of materials, and then discusses their impact on the optical, mechanical, thermal, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the packaging materials. Furthermore, this article highlights the different kinds of bioactive compounds that can be incorporated into biopolymer-based packaging.

scholarly journals Identifying of Anti-Thrombin Active Components From Curcumae Rhizoma by Affinity-Ultrafiltration Coupled With UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenwei Lan ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yue Sun ◽  
Lvhong Wang ◽  
Yuting Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Q Exactive ◽  
Orbitrap Ms

Recent studies concerning products that originate from natural plants have sought to clarify active ingredients, which both explains the mechanisms of the function and aids in quality control during production. As a traditional functional plant, Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) has been proven to be effective in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the components that play a role in its huge compound library are still unclear. The present study aimed to develop a high-throughput screening method to identify thrombin inhibitors in CR and validate them by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effect of CR on thrombin in HUVECs cells was determined by ELISA, then an affinity-ultrafiltration-UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS approach was applied. Agatroban and adenosine were used as positive and negative drugs respectively to verify the reliability of the established method. The in vitro activity of the compounds was determined by specific substrate S-2238. The in vivo effect of the active ingredients was determined using zebrafish. Molecular docking was used to understand the internal interactions between compounds and enzymes. ELISA results showed that CR had an inhibitory effect on thrombin. The screening method established in this paper is reliable, by which a total of 15 active compounds were successfully identified. This study is the first to report that C7, 8, and 11 have in vitro thrombin-inhibitory activity and significantly inhibit thrombosis in zebrafish models at a safe dose. Molecular docking studies were employed to analyze the possible active binding sites, with the results suggesting that compound 16 is likely a better thrombin inhibitor compared with the other compounds. Based on the affinity-ultrafiltration-UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS approach, a precisely targeted therapy method using bio-active compounds from CR might be successfully established, which also provides a valuable reference for targeted therapy, mechanism exploration, and the quality control of traditional herbal medicine.

scholarly journals Microwave Extraction vs. Other Techniques for Industrial Scale Cannabis Extraction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilena Radoiu ◽  
Harmandeep Kaur ◽  
Anna Bakowska-Barczak ◽  
Steven Splinter
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Flow ◽  
Extraction Efficiency ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Flowering Plant ◽  
Industrial Scale ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Assisted Extraction

Cannabis is a flowering plant that has long been used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. Cannabis contains more than 500 different compounds, including a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds known as cannabinoids; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most prevalent cannabinoids and have been associated with the therapeutic and medicinal properties of the cannabis plant. In this paper, continuous flow microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is presented and compared with other methods for commercial cannabis extraction. The practical issues of each extraction method are discussed. The main advantages of MAE are: continuous-flow method which allows for higher volumes of biomass to be processed in less time than existing extraction methods, improved extraction efficiency leading to increased final product yields, improved extract consistency and quality because the process does not require stopping and restarting material flows, and ease of scale-up to industrial scale without the use of pressurised batch vessels. Moreover, due to the flexibility of changing the operation conditions, MAE eliminates additional steps required in most extraction methods, such as biomass decarboxylation, winterisation, which typically adds at least a half day to the extraction process. Another factor that sets MAE apart is the ability to achieve high extraction efficiency even at the industrial scale. Whereas the typical recovery of active compounds using supercritical CO¬2 remains around 70-80%, via MAE up to 95% of the active compounds from cannabis biomass can be recovered at the industrial scale.

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