Study of Caffeine-Loaded Gelatin Nanoparticles for Treatment of Melanoma and Fibroblast Cells

In this work, we aimed to study the effect of caffeine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles on melanoma cells and fibroblast cells. The B16F10 murine melanoma cells and L929 fibroblast cells were treated with a different dilution ratio of caffeine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles for 24, 48, and 72 h. The cell assay results showed that treatment with caffeine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles (25 % and 50 %) effectively inhibited the proliferation, viability, and migration ability of B16F10 melanoma cells at 48 and 72 h. Moreover, we also found that the cell apoptosis of B16F10 melanoma cells was induced by treatment of 12.5, 25, and 50 % caffeine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles. In the meantime, for L929 fibroblast cells, there was no significant cell cytotoxic effects observed with identical treatment. In summary, the caffeine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles induced apoptotic process inhibited cell viability and migration ability of melanoma cells and could be an alternative therapy for melanoma cancer.

Novel Naproxen Salts with Increased Skin Permeability

The paper presents the synthesis, full identification, and characterization of new salts-L-proline alkyl ester naproxenates [ProOR][NAP], where R was a chain from ethyl to butyl (including isopropyl). All obtained compounds were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), and in vitro dissolution studies. The specific rotation, phase transition temperatures (melting point), and thermal stability were also determined. In addition, their lipophilicity, permeability, and accumulation in pigskin were determined. Finally, toxicity against mouse L929 fibroblast cells was tested. The obtained naproxen derivatives showed improved solubility and higher absorption of drug molecules by biological membranes. Their lipophilicity was lower and increased with the increase in the alkyl chain of the ester. The derivative with isopropyl ester had the best permeability through pigskin. The use of L-proline isopropyl ester naproxenate increased the permeation of naproxen through the skin almost four-fold. It was also shown that the increase in permeability is not associated with additional risk: all compounds had a similar effect on cell viability as the parent naproxen.

3D Bioprinting of Pectin-Cellulose Nanofibers Multicomponent Bioinks

Pectin has found extensive interest in biomedical applications, including wound dressing, drug delivery, and cancer targeting. However, the low viscosity of pectin solutions hinders their applications in 3D bioprinting. Here, we developed multicomponent bioinks prepared by combining pectin with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) to optimize the inks’ printability while ensuring stability of the printed hydrogels and simultaneously print viable cell-laden inks. First, we screened several combinations of pectin (1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% w/v) and TOCNFs (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% w/v) by testing their rheological properties and printability. Addition of TOCNFs allowed increasing the inks’ viscosity while maintaining shear thinning rheological response, and it allowed us to identify the optimal pectin concentration (2.5% w/v). We then selected the optimal TOCNFs concentration (1% w/v) by evaluating the viability of cells embedded in the ink and eventually optimized the writing speed to be used to print accurate 3D grid structures. Bioinks were prepared by embedding L929 fibroblast cells in the ink printed by optimized printing parameters. The printed scaffolds were stable in a physiological-like environment and characterized by an elastic modulus of E = 1.8 ± 0.2 kPa. Cells loaded in the ink and printed were viable (cell viability >80%) and their metabolic activity increased in time during the in vitro culture, showing the potential use of the developed bioinks for biofabrication and tissue engineering applications.

Synthesis of Functional Building Blocks for Type III-B Rotaxane Dendrimer

Second-generation type III-B rotaxane dendrons, equipped with succinimide and acetylene functional groups, were synthesized successfully and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. A cell viability study of a dendron with a normal cell line of L929 fibroblast cells revealed no obvious cytotoxicity at a range of 5 to 100 μM. The nontoxic properties of the sophisticated rotaxane dendron building blocks provided a choice of bio-compatible macromolecular machines that could be potentially developed into polymeric materials.

Development of Antimicrobial Conjugates and Evaluating its Antibacterial potential and Wound Healing ability

Antimicrobial peptides from Streptomyces sp. and marine fish (Carangoides malabaricus) were extracted and developed as conjugates in the present study. The objective was framed to analyze the ability of conjugate to retard the growth of test bacteria causing diabetic foot ulcers. Fibroblast cell adhesion on AMP conjugates coated mesh samples were recorded using microscopic studies with an aim of developing a novel tissue engineered wound dressing material. Thus developed tissue engineered materials were evaluated for its antibacterial potential against wound pathogens; and to assay the wound healing ability using a standard in vitro wound scratch method. Tissue engineered materials were developed using L929 fibroblast cells. L929 fibroblast cells attachment and its stage wise development on wound dressing mesh materials were microscopically observed. In vitro wound healing assay revealed that the developed conjugates (containing AMPs) exhibited cell migration and proliferation after 12th hour of incubation indicating the wound healing abilities. The results showed that the developed tissue engineered wound dressing material has commercial interest in near future.

Isolation of Nannocystis species from Iran and exploring their natural products

Several different techniques were employed for the isolation of Nannocystis from various sources. A polyphasic approach was used for identification. Twelve strains of N. pusilla, N. exedens, and N. konarekensis with distinctive distribution between climates were identified. The bioactivity was examined against a panel of eight bacteria, two yeasts, and one fungus; cytotoxicity was tested on the L929 fibroblast cell line. Eleven strains mainly inhibit Gram-positive bacteria, and only one isolate was cytotoxic. The extracts analysis by HPLC and LC-MS were compared to Myxobase, and eight different compounds were detected; a correlation was observed between compounds and producing species. 70% of strains had the potential to produce structurally diverse compounds. Nannochelins and althiomycin were the most abundant metabolites. The discovery of a new species of Nannocystis and the high potentiality of strains to produce secondary metabolites encourage further sampling and in-depth analysis of extracts to find new active metabolites.

Development of Antimicrobial Conjugates and Evaluating its Antibacterial potential and Wound Healing ability

Antimicrobial peptides from Streptomyces sp. and marine fish (Carangoides malabaricus) were extracted and developed as conjugates in the present study. The objective was framed to analyze the ability of conjugate to retard the growth of test bacteria causing diabetic foot ulcers. Fibroblast cell adhesion on AMP conjugates coated mesh samples were recorded using microscopic studies with an aim of developing a novel tissue engineered wound dressing material. Thus developed tissue engineered materials were evaluated for its antibacterial potential against wound pathogens; and to assay the wound healing ability using a standard in vitro wound scratch method. Tissue engineered materials were developed using L929 fibroblast cells. L929 fibroblast cells attachment and its stage wise development on wound dressing mesh materials were microscopically observed. In vitro wound healing assay revealed that the developed conjugates (containing AMPs) exhibited cell migration and proliferation after 12th hour of incubation indicating the wound healing abilities. The results showed that the developed tissue engineered wound dressing material has commercial interest in near future.

Synthesis of Biomaterial-Based Hydrogels Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared by formic acid hydrolysis and TEMPO- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl-) mediated oxidation. The prepared CNCs were reinforced into biopolymers chitosan (CHI), alginate (ALG), and gelatin (GEL) to obtain “CNC-ALG-GEL” and “CNC-CHI-GEL” hydrogels. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized for physicochemical, thermal, and structural characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravity analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Notably, the reinforcement of CNC has not altered the molecular structure of a biopolymer as revealed by FT-IR analysis. The hydrogels reinforced with CNC have shown better thermal stability and miscibility as revealed by thermal gravity analysis. The physicochemical, thermal, and structural characterization revealed the chemical interaction and electrostatic attraction between the CNC and biopolymers. The biocompatibility was investigated by evaluating the viability of the L929 fibroblast cell, which represents good biocompatibility and nontoxic nature. These hydrogels could be implemented in therapeutic biomedical research and regenerative medicinal applications.