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Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2021) | Viewed by 24868

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yury A. Skorik

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

1. Head of the Laboratory of Natural Polymers, Institute of Macromolecular Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
2. Head of the Analytical Chemistry Department, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: polysaccharides; biomaterials; tissue engineering; drug delivery; gene delivery; nanomedicine; nanocomposites; electrospinning
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Polysaccharides, or glycans as they are otherwise known, are very diverse in structure and function; they are widely distributed in nature and are produced by all organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Natural polysaccharides (cellulose, chitin, starch, pectin, hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, carrageenan, fucoidan, and others) exhibit excellent characteristics, including biodegradability and biocompatibility that make them extremely attractive for numerous biomedical applications. The presence of different functional groups in polysaccharides allows various chemical modifications that provide virtually limitless options to develop biomaterials that are better suited to specific applications. Polysaccharides can be fabricated into different biomaterials, such as sponges, fibers, films, micro- and nanoparticles, hydrogels, and micelles to suit different needs.

The Special Issue “Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials” aims to provide a broad coverage of research progress and up-to-date reviews addressing various fundamental and applied problems of polysaccharide biomaterials. In this Special Issue, we seek contributions from researchers to discuss all aspects of polysaccharide biomaterials, including tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug and gene delivery, wound healing, and diagnostics. We intend that the Special Issue will offer a unique platform for the diffusion of new concepts and bio-applications of polysaccharides to continue to motivate further research in the field.

Dr. Yury A. Skorik
Guest Editor

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Keywords

polysaccharides
glycans
tissue engineering
regenerative medicine
drug delivery
gene delivery
wound healing
nanomaterials

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tragacanth Gum/Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Xanthan Gum as Promising Materials for Buccal Application

by Joanna Potaś, Emilia Szymańska, Anna Basa, Anita Hafner and Katarzyna Winnicka

Materials 2021, 14(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010086 - 27 Dec 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3759

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte complexes based on the electrostatic interactions between the polymers mixed are of increasing importance, therefore, the aim of this study was to develop hydrogels composed of anionic tragacanth gum and cationic chitosan with or without the addition of anionic xanthan gum as carriers for buccal drug delivery. Besides the routine quality tests evaluating the hydrogel’s applicability on the buccal mucosa, different methods directed toward the assessment of the interpolymer complexation process (e.g., turbidity or zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) were employed. The addition of xanthan gum resulted in stronger complexation of chitosan that affected the hydrogel’s characteristics. The formation of a more viscous PEC hydrogel with improved mucoadhesiveness and mechanical strength points out the potential of such polymer combination in the development of buccal drug dosage forms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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18 pages, 4138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Cellulose (Komagataeibacter rhaeticus) Biocomposites and Their Cytocompatibility

by Valentina A. Petrova, Albert K. Khripunov, Alexey S. Golovkin, Alexander I. Mishanin, Iosif V. Gofman, Dmitry P. Romanov, Alexandra V. Migunova, Natalia A. Arkharova, Vera V. Klechkovskaya and Yury A. Skorik

Materials 2020, 13(20), 4558; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204558 - 14 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2162

Abstract

A series of novel polysaccharide-based biocomposites was obtained by impregnation of bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter rhaeticus (BC) with the solutions of negatively charged polysaccharides—hyaluronan (HA), sodium alginate (ALG), or κ-carrageenan (CAR)—and subsequently with positively charged chitosan (CS). The penetration of the polysaccharide solutions into the BC network and their interaction to form a polyelectrolyte complex changed the architecture of the BC network. The structure, morphology, and properties of the biocomposites depended on the type of impregnated anionic polysaccharides, and those polysaccharides in turn determined the nature of the interaction with CS. The porosity and swelling of the composites increased in the order: BC–ALG–CS > BC–HA–CS > BC–CAR–CS. The composites show higher biocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells than the original BC sample, with the BC–ALG–CS composite showing the best characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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21 pages, 4692 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Crystal and Supramolecular Structure of Bacterial Cellulose Hydrolyzed by Cellobiohydrolase from Scytalidium Candidum 3C: A Basis for Development of Biodegradable Wound Dressings

by Lyubov A. Ivanova, Konstantin B. Ustinovich, Tamara V. Khamova, Elena V. Eneyskaya, Yulia E. Gorshkova, Natalia V. Tsvigun, Vladimir S. Burdakov, Nikolay A. Verlov, Evgenii V. Zinovev, Marat S. Asadulaev, Anton S. Shabunin, Andrey M. Fedyk, Alexander Ye. Baranchikov, Gennady P. Kopitsa and Anna A. Kulminskaya

Materials 2020, 13(9), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13092087 - 01 May 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3428

Abstract

The crystal and supramolecular structure of the bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied at different stages of cellobiohydrolase hydrolysis using various physical and microscopic methods. Enzymatic hydrolysis significantly affected the crystal and supramolecular structure of native BC, in which the 3D polymer network consisted of nanoribbons with a thickness T ≈ 8 nm and a width W ≈ 50 nm, and with a developed specific surface S_BET ≈ 260 m²·g⁻¹. Biodegradation for 24 h led to a ten percent decrease in the mean crystal size D_hkl of BC, to two-fold increase in the sizes of nanoribbons, and in the specific surface area S_BET up to ≈ 100 m²·g⁻¹. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopy images showed BC microstructure “loosening“after enzymatic treatment, as well as the formation and accumulation of submicron particles in the cells of the 3D polymer network. Experiments in vitro and in vivo did not reveal cytotoxic effect by the enzyme addition to BC dressings and showed a generally positive influence on the treatment of extensive III-degree burns, significantly accelerating wound healing in rats. Thus, in our opinion, the results obtained can serve as a basis for further development of effective biodegradable dressings for wound healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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12 pages, 1504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan/Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) Films with Ciprofloxacin for Application in Vaginal Drug Delivery

by Guzel K. Abilova, Daulet B. Kaldybekov, Galiya S. Irmukhametova, Diara S. Kazybayeva, Zhanar A. Iskakbayeva, Sarkyt E. Kudaibergenov and Vitaliy V. Khutoryanskiy

Materials 2020, 13(7), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071709 - 06 Apr 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3829

Abstract

Chitosan (CHI) and chitosan/poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (CHI/POZ)-based films were prepared by casting from aqueous solutions of polymer blends with different compositions. Ciprofloxacin was used as a model drug in these formulations. The weight, thickness, folding endurance and transparency of blend films were measured and characterised. All films had a uniform thickness (0.06 ± 0.01 mm) and exhibited sufficient flexibility. The surface pHs of films ranged from 3.76 ± 0.49 to 4.14 ± 0.32, which is within the pH range suitable for vaginal applications. The cumulative release of the drug from the films in experiments in vitro was found to be 42 ± 2% and 56 ± 1% for pure CHI and CHI/POZ (40:60) films, respectively. Drug-free chitosan/poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) films showed weak antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Drug-loaded CHI and CHI/POZ films showed good antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Mucoadhesive properties of these films with respect to freshly excised sheep vaginal mucosa were evaluated using a tensile method. It was established that all films were mucoadhesive, but an increase in POZ content in the blend resulted in a gradual reduction of their ability to stick to vaginal mucosa. These films could potentially find applications in vaginal drug delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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17 pages, 1927 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Systems Based on Talc and Chitosan for Controlled Drug Release

by Luciano C. B. Lima, Caio C. Coelho, Fabrícia C. Silva, Andréia B. Meneguin, Hernane S. Barud, Roosevelt D. S. Bezerra, Cesar Viseras, Josy A. Osajima and Edson C. Silva-Filho

Materials 2019, 12(21), 3634; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12213634 - 05 Nov 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3067

Abstract

Inorganic matrices and biopolymers have been widely used in pharmaceutical fields. They show properties such as biocompatibility, incorporation capacity, and controlled drug release, which can become more attractive if they are combined to form hybrid materials. This work proposes the synthesis of new drug delivery systems (DDS) based on magnesium phyllosilicate (Talc) obtained by the sol–gel route method, the biopolymer chitosan (Ch), and the inorganic-organic hybrid formed between this matrix (Talc + Ch), obtained using glutaraldehyde as a crosslink agent, and to study their incorporation/release capacity of amiloride as a model drug. The systems were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Therma analysis TG/DTG, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that supported the DDS’s formation. The hybrid showed a better drug incorporation capacity compared to the precursors, with a loading of 55.74, 49.53, and 4.71 mg g⁻¹ for Talc + Ch, Talc, and Ch, respectively. The release assays were performed on a Hanson Research SR-8 Plus dissolver using apparatus I (basket), set to guarantee the sink conditions. The in vitro release tests showed a prolongation of the release rates of this drug for at least 4 h. This result proposes that the systems implies the slow and gradual release of the active substance, favoring the maintenance of the plasma concentration within a therapeutic window. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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19 pages, 17092 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

PGlu-Modified Nanocrystalline Cellulose Improves Mechanical Properties, Biocompatibility, and Mineralization of Polyester-Based Composites

by Mariia Stepanova, Ilia Averianov, Mikhail Serdobintsev, Iosif Gofman, Natalya Blum, Natalya Semenova, Yuliya Nashchekina, Tatiana Vinogradova, Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh, Mikko Karttunen and Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh

Materials 2019, 12(20), 3435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12203435 - 21 Oct 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3513

Abstract

The development of biocompatible composite materials is in high demand in many fields such as biomedicine, bioengineering, and biotechnology. In this study, two series of poly (D,L-lactide) and poly (ε-caprolactone)-based films filled with neat and modified with poly (glutamic acid) (PGlu) nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) were prepared. An analysis of scanning electron and atomic force microscopies’ results shows that the modification of NCC with poly (glutamic acid) favored the better distribution of the nanofiller in the polymer matrix. Investigating the ability of the developed materials to attract and retain calcium ions led to the conclusion that composites containing NCC modified with PGlu induced better mineralization from model solutions than composites containing neat NCC. Moreover, compared to unmodified NCC, functionalization with PGlu improved the mechanical properties of composite films. The subcutaneous implantation of these composite materials into the backs of rats and the further histological investigation of neighboring tissues revealed the better biocompatibility of polyester materials filled with NCC–PGlu. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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17 pages, 2775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrospun Bilayer Chitosan/Hyaluronan Material and Its Compatibility with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

by Valentina A. Petrova, Daniil D. Chernyakov, Daria N. Poshina, Iosif V. Gofman, Dmitry P. Romanov, Alexander I. Mishanin, Alexey S. Golovkin and Yury A. Skorik

Materials 2019, 12(12), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12122016 - 24 Jun 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 3985

Abstract

A bilayer nonwoven material for tissue regeneration was prepared from chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) by needleless electrospinning wherein 10–15 wt% (with respect to polysaccharide) polyethylene oxide was added as spinning starter. A fiber morphology study confirmed the material’s uniform defect-free structure. The roughness of the bilayer material was in the range of 1.5–3 μm, which is favorable for cell growth. Electrospinning resulted in the higher orientation of the polymer structure compared with that of corresponding films, and this finding may be related to the orientation of the polymer chains during the spinning process. These structural changes increased the intermolecular interactions. Thus, despite a high swelling degree of 1.4–2.8 g/g, the bilayer matrix maintained its shape due to the large quantity of polyelectrolyte contacts between the chains of oppositely charged polymers. The porosity of the bilayer CS–HA nonwoven material was twice lower, while the Young’s modulus and break stress were twice higher than that of a CS monolayer scaffold. Therefore, during the electrospinning of the second layer, HA may have penetrated into the pores of the CS layer, thereby increasing the polyelectrolyte contacts between the two polymers. The bilayer CS–HA scaffold exhibited good compatibility with mesenchymal stem cells. This characteristic makes the developed material promising for tissue engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polysaccharide Biomaterials)

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