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Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials in Biomedical Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 2991

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Kinetics, "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: physical chemistry; physico-chemical characterization of materials; drug delivery; pharmaceuticals development; thermal analysis; kinetics; biopolymers; cyclodextrin inclusion complexes; hydrogels; biomaterials for biomedical applications; oxide materials design/synthesis and the thermoreactivity of precursor–oxide transformations; green chemistry; thermal properties; physicochemical characterization; nanomaterials for biomedicine; nanomaterials for energy applications; catalysis; biopolymer-based hydrogels enhanced with natural extracts for the biomedical and food industry, pharmaceutical form, biomass, and combustion
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials play a crucial role in various biomedical applications, providing a foundation for the development of medical devices, implants, and drug delivery systems. They can be classified into two main categories: natural biomaterials and synthetic biomaterials. Each type has its own set of advantages and challenges, and the choice between them depends on the specific application and desired properties.

The choice between natural and synthetic biomaterials depends on factors such as the specific medical application, the required properties, and the potential regulatory considerations. Researchers continue to explore innovative biomaterials and fabrication techniques to improve the performance and expand the range of biomedical applications.

The main aspects that will be covered by this Special Issue are as follows:

  • Advancements in biomaterials that are biocompatible, ensuring minimal immune response, and biodegradable to facilitate natural tissue regeneration.
  • The role of biomaterials in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, covering applications such as scaffolds, matrices, and delivery systems for cells and growth factors.
  • Innovative biomaterials designed for drug delivery, emphasizing controlled release, targeted delivery, and improved therapeutic efficacy.
  • The state-of-the-art characterization techniques used in assessing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of biomaterials.
  • Nanotechnology-based biomaterials, discussing their unique properties and applications in medicine. The challenges and opportunities in the development of nanoscale biomaterials.
  • The current challenges in the field and the insights into the future directions of biomaterial research, including emerging trends and potential breakthroughs.

Dr. Adina Magdalena Musuc
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biocompatibility
  • biodegradability
  • tissue engineering
  • regenerative medicine
  • drug delivery systems
  • nanostructured biomaterials
  • hybrid and composite biomaterials
  • smart biomaterials
  • innovative fabrication techniques

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 6098 KiB  
Article
Formulation and Characterization of Carbopol-Based Porphyrin Gels for Targeted Dermato-Oncological Therapy: Physicochemical and Pharmacotechnical Insights
by Emma Adriana Ozon, Mihai Anastasescu, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Andreea Mihaela Burloiu, Radu Petre Socoteanu, Irina Atkinson, Raul-Augustin Mitran, Daniela C. Culita, Dumitru Lupuliasa, Dragos Paul Mihai, Cerasela Elena Gird and Rica Boscencu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3641; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083641 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Malignant skin conditions are classified as the most common forms of cancer, with an evolution of one million new cases reported every year. Research efforts in the medical field are focused on developing innovative strategies for the dissemination of measures for preventing cancer [...] Read more.
Malignant skin conditions are classified as the most common forms of cancer, with an evolution of one million new cases reported every year. Research efforts in the medical field are focused on developing innovative strategies for the dissemination of measures for preventing cancer and providing new antitumor compounds. The present research examines the development and evaluation of 1% Carbopol-based hydrogels incorporating two porphyrin derivatives—5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.1) and 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.2)—to create formulations suitable for topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. The physicochemical properties of the obtained hydrogels were carefully evaluated, revealing the successful integration of the porphyrins into the 1% Carbopol hydrogel matrix. Rheological analysis demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with an increase in viscosity properties for P2.1 and P2.2, suggesting interactions with the Carbopol polymer structure. UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the maintenance of the porphyrins’ photodynamic properties, essential for therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacotechnical studies highlighted the hydrogels’ suitability for topical applications. The formulations maintained an optimal pH range, ensuring skin compatibility and minimizing the potential for skin irritation. Their mechanical properties, including elasticity and rigidity, provided stability during handling and application. The high swelling capacity indicated effective moisture retention, enhancing skin hydration and drug release potential. Furthermore, the hydrogels demonstrated excellent spreadability, enabling uniform application and coverage, crucial for efficient light activation of the photosensitizers. The combination of robust physicochemical and pharmacotechnical properties highlights the potential of these porphyrin-loaded 1% Carbopol hydrogels as promising carriers for topical PDT. These results permit further biological and therapeutic investigations to optimize the formulation for clinical use, advancing the development of effective localized photodynamic therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials in Biomedical Applications)
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20 pages, 10020 KiB  
Article
Development of Bioactive Hybrid Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) Electrospun Fibers Functionalized with Bioglass Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
by Fabián Álvarez-Carrasco, Pablo Varela, Mauricio A. Sarabia-Vallejos, Claudio García-Herrera, Marcela Saavedra, Paula A. Zapata, Diana Zárate-Triviño, Juan José Martínez and Daniel A. Canales
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 6843; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136843 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Hybrid scaffolds that are based on PLA and PLA/PMMA with 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 weight ratios and functionalized with 10 wt.% of bioglass nanoparticles (n-BG) were developed using an electrospinning technique with a chloroform/dimethylformamide mixture in a 9:1 ratio for bone tissue engineering [...] Read more.
Hybrid scaffolds that are based on PLA and PLA/PMMA with 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 weight ratios and functionalized with 10 wt.% of bioglass nanoparticles (n-BG) were developed using an electrospinning technique with a chloroform/dimethylformamide mixture in a 9:1 ratio for bone tissue engineering applications. Neat PLA and PLA/PMMA hybrid scaffolds were developed successfully through a (CF/DMF) solvent system, obtaining a random fiber deposition that generated a porous structure with pore interconnectivity. However, with the solvent system used, it was not possible to generate fibers in the case of the neat PMMA sample. With the increase in the amount of PMMA in PLA/PMMA ratios, the fiber diameter of hybrid scaffolds decreases, and the defects (beads) in the fiber structure increase; these beads are associated with a nanoparticle agglomeration, that could be related to a low interaction between n-BG and the polymer matrix. The Young’s modulus of PLA/PMMA/n-BG decreases by 34 and 80%, indicating more flexible behavior compared to neat PLA. The PLA/PMMA/n-BG scaffolds showed a bioactive property related to the presence of hydroxyapatite crystals in the fiber surface after 28 days of immersion in a Simulated Body Fluids solution (SBF). In addition, the hydrolytic degradation process of PLA/PMMA/n-BG, analyzed after 35 days of immersion in a phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS), was less than that of the pure PLA. The in vitro analysis using an HBOF-1.19 cell line indicated that the PLA/PMMA/n-BG scaffold showed good cell viability and was able to promote cell proliferation after 7 days. On the other hand, the in vivo biocompatibility evaluated via a subdermal model in BALC male mice corroborated the good behavior of the scaffolds in avoiding the generation of a cytotoxic effect and being able to enhance the healing process, suggesting that the materials are suitable for potential applications in tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Synthetic Biomaterials in Biomedical Applications)
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