International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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3 pages, 168 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials

by Sankarprasad Bhuniya, Tatiana S. Demina and Tatiana A. Akopova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6482; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126482 - 12 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

Polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of residues of sugar molecules, have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their diverse applications across various industries [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

Research

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16 pages, 2976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Gelling Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Formulation Comprising Cannabidiol-Loaded Block Copolymer Micelles for Sustained Drug Delivery

by Katya Kamenova, Denitsa Momekova, Georgy Grancharov, Anna Prancheva, Natalia Toncheva-Moncheva, Ervin Ivanov, Spiro Konstantinov and Petar D. Petrov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216534 - 20 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural terpenophenolic compound with known pharmacological activities, but the poor solubility of CBD in water limits its widespread use in medicine and pharmacy. Polymeric (nano)carriers demonstrated high potential for enhancing the solubility and therapeutic activity of lipophilic drugs such [...] Read more.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural terpenophenolic compound with known pharmacological activities, but the poor solubility of CBD in water limits its widespread use in medicine and pharmacy. Polymeric (nano)carriers demonstrated high potential for enhancing the solubility and therapeutic activity of lipophilic drugs such as CBD. Here, we report the elaboration of a novel hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based in situ gelling formulation for controlled delivery of CBD. In the first stage, nanosized polymeric micelles from poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(α-cinnamyl-ε-caprolactone-co-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-P(CyCL-co-CL) diblock copolymers) were used to increase the solubility of CBD in water. Different copolymers were assessed, and the carrier with the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading capacity (DLC) was selected for further elaboration of nanocomposite in situ gel formulations. Next, the sol-to-gel transition behavior of HPC as a function of K₂SO₄ concentration in the aqueous solution was investigated by microcalorimetry and dynamic oscillatory rheology, and the optimal formulation capable of forming a physical gel under physiological conditions was determined. Finally, injectable nanocomposite hydrogels comprising cannabidiol were fabricated, and their drug release profile and cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines were evaluated. The in situ gels exhibited prolonged drug release over 12 h, controlled by gel erosion, and the cytotoxicity of formulated cannabidiol was comparable with that of a free drug. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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20 pages, 5491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depolymerized Chitosan-g-[Poly(MMA-co-HEMA-cl-EGDMA)] Based Nanogels for Controlled Local Release of Bupivacaine

by Sivagangi Reddy Nagella, Soojeong Choi, Soo-Yong Park, Chang-Sik Ha, Youngmi Jung, Ramesh Kumar Chitumalla, Joonkyung Jang, Ji-Young Yoon and Ildoo Chung

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16470; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216470 - 17 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1634

Abstract

This study is designed to formulate and characterize chitosan-based nanogels that provide the controlled delivery of anesthetic drugs, such as bupivacaine (BPV), for effective postoperative pain management over prolonged periods of time. Drug carriers of chitosan/poly (MMA-co-HEMA-cl-EGDMA) (CsPMH) nanogels were prepared by varying [...] Read more.

This study is designed to formulate and characterize chitosan-based nanogels that provide the controlled delivery of anesthetic drugs, such as bupivacaine (BPV), for effective postoperative pain management over prolonged periods of time. Drug carriers of chitosan/poly (MMA-co-HEMA-cl-EGDMA) (CsPMH) nanogels were prepared by varying the composition of comonomers such as MMA, HEMA, and redox initiator CAN. The nanogels were then characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, and TEM. The CsPMH nanogels showed greater encapsulation efficiencies from 43.20–91.77%. Computational studies were also conducted to evaluate the interaction between the drug and CsPMH nanoparticles. Finally, BPV-loaded nanoparticles were used to examine their in vitro release behavior. At pH 7.4, all the drug carriers displayed the “n” value around 0.7, thus the BPV release follows anomalous diffusion. Drug carrier 7 demonstrated a steady and sustained release of BPV for approximately 24 h and released about 91% of BPV, following the K-P mechanism of drug release. On the other hand, drug carrier 6 exhibited controlled release for approximately 12 h and released only 62% of BPV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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17 pages, 6741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Time on the Properties of Bio-Nanocomposite Films Based on Chitosan with Bio-Based Plasticizer Reinforced with Nanofiber Cellulose

by Weronika Janik, Michał Nowotarski, Kerstin Ledniowska, Natalia Biernat, Abdullah, Divine Yufetar Shyntum, Katarzyna Krukiewicz, Roman Turczyn, Klaudiusz Gołombek and Gabriela Dudek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13205; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713205 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1751

Abstract

The deterioration of the performance of polysaccharide-based films over time, particularly their hydrophilicity and mechanical properties, is one of the main problems limiting their applications in the packaging industry. In the present study, we proposed to improve the performance of chitosan-based films through [...] Read more.

The deterioration of the performance of polysaccharide-based films over time, particularly their hydrophilicity and mechanical properties, is one of the main problems limiting their applications in the packaging industry. In the present study, we proposed to improve the performance of chitosan-based films through the use of: (1) nanocellulose as an additive to reduce their hydrophilic nature; (2) bio-based plasticizer to improve their mechanical properties; and (3) chestnut extract as an antimicrobial agent. To evaluate their stability over time, the properties of as-formed films (mechanical, hydrophilic, barrier and antibacterial) were studied immediately after preparation and after 7, 14 and 30 days. In addition, the morphological properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, their structure by FTIR, their transparency by UV-Vis and their thermal properties by TGA. The films showed a hydrophobic character (contact angle above 100°), barrier properties to oxygen and carbon dioxide and strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. Moreover, the use of nanofillers did not deteriorate the elongation at breaks or the thermal properties of the films, but their addition reduced the transparency. In addition, the results showed that the greatest change in film properties occurred within the first 7 days after sample preparation, after which the properties were found to stabilize. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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22 pages, 6209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Non-Solvent Nature on the Rheological Properties of Cellulose Solution in Diluted Ionic Liquid and Performance of Nanofiltration Membranes

by Sergey O. Ilyin, Anna V. Kostyuk, Tatyana S. Anokhina, Viktoria Y. Melekhina, Danila S. Bakhtin, Sergey V. Antonov and Alexey V. Volkov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 8057; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098057 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2289

Abstract

The weak point of ionic liquids is their high viscosity, limiting the maximum polymer concentration in the forming solutions. A low-viscous co-solvent can reduce viscosity, but cellulose has none. This study demonstrates that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), being non-solvent for cellulose, can act as [...] Read more.

The weak point of ionic liquids is their high viscosity, limiting the maximum polymer concentration in the forming solutions. A low-viscous co-solvent can reduce viscosity, but cellulose has none. This study demonstrates that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), being non-solvent for cellulose, can act as a nominal co-solvent to improve its processing into a nanofiltration membrane by phase inversion. A study of the rheology of cellulose solutions in diluted ionic liquids ([EMIM]Ac, [EMIM]Cl, and [BMIM]Ac) containing up to 75% DMSO showed the possibility of decreasing the viscosity by up to 50 times while keeping the same cellulose concentration. Surprisingly, typical cellulose non-solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol) behave similarly, reducing the viscosity at low doses but causing structuring of the cellulose solution and its phase separation at high concentrations. According to laser interferometry, the nature of these non-solvents affects the mass transfer direction relative to the forming membrane and the substance interdiffusion rate, which increases by four-fold when passing from isopropanol to methanol or water. Examination of the nanofiltration characteristics of the obtained membranes showed that the dilution of ionic liquid enhances the rejection without changing the permeability, while the transition to alcohols increases the permeability while maintaining the rejection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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14 pages, 2291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Substitution Degree and Homogeneity on Cyclodextrin-Ligand Complex Stability: Comparison of Fenbufen and Fenoprofen Using CD and NMR Spectroscopy

by Márta Kraszni, Ferenc Ágh, Dániel Horváth, Arash Mirzahosseini and Péter Horváth

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087544 - 19 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2340

Abstract

The stability of host–guest complexes of two NSAID drugs with similar physicochemical properties, fenbufen and fenoprofen, was investigated by comparing induced circular dichroism and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance methods using eight cyclodextrins of different degrees of substitution and isomeric purity as guest [...] Read more.

The stability of host–guest complexes of two NSAID drugs with similar physicochemical properties, fenbufen and fenoprofen, was investigated by comparing induced circular dichroism and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance methods using eight cyclodextrins of different degrees of substitution and isomeric purity as guest compounds. These cyclodextrins include native β-cyclodextrin (BCyD), 2,6-dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin 50 (DIMEB50), 80 (DIMEB80) and 95% (DIMEB95) isomerically pure versions, low-methylated CRYSMEB, randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) and 4.5 and 6.3 average substitution grade hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCyD). The stability constants obtained by the two methods show good agreement in most cases. For fenbufen complexes, there is a clear trend that the stability constant increases with the degree of substitution while isomer purity has a smaller effect on the magnitude of stability constants. A significant difference was found in the case of DIMEB50 when compared to DIMEB80/DIMEB95, while the latter two are similar. In the fenbufen–fenoprofen comparison, fenbufen, with its linear axis, gives a more stable complex, while fenoprofen shows lower constants and poorly defined trends. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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16 pages, 997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel D-Psicose 3-Epimerase from Halophilic, Anaerobic Iocasia fonsfrigidae and Its Application in Coconut Water

by Shinta Wulansari, Sobroney Heng, Prattana Ketbot, Sirilak Baramee, Rattiya Waeonukul, Patthra Pason, Khanok Ratanakhanokchai, Ayaka Uke, Akihiko Kosugi and Chakrit Tachaapaikoon

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076394 - 29 Mar 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2903

Abstract

D-Psicose is a rare, low-calorie sugar that is found in limited quantities in national products. Recently, D-psicose has gained considerable attention due to its potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a novel D-psicose 3-epimerase (a group of [...] Read more.

D-Psicose is a rare, low-calorie sugar that is found in limited quantities in national products. Recently, D-psicose has gained considerable attention due to its potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a novel D-psicose 3-epimerase (a group of ketose 3-epimerase) from an extremely halophilic, anaerobic bacterium, Iocasia fonsfrigidae strain SP3-1 (IfDPEase), was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and characterized. Unlike other ketose 3-epimerase members, IfDPEase shows reversible epimerization only for D-fructose and D-psicose at the C-3 position but not for D-tagatose, most likely because the Gly218 and Cys6 at the substrate-binding subsites of IfDPEase, which are involved in interactions at the O-1 and O-6 positions of D-fructose, respectively, differ from those of other 3-epimerases. Under optimum conditions (5 µM IfDPEase, 1 mM Mn²⁺, 50 °C, and pH 7.5), 36.1% of D-psicose was obtained from 10 mg/mL D-fructose. The IfDPEase is highly active against D-fructose under NaCl concentrations of up to 500 mM, possibly due to the excessive negative charges of acidic amino acid residues (aspartic and glutamic acids), which are localized on the surface of the halophilic enzyme. These negative charges may protect the enzyme from Na⁺ ions from the environment and result in the lowest pI value compared to those of other 3-epimerase members. Moreover, without adjusting any ingredients, IfDPEase could improve coconut water quality by converting D-fructose into D-psicose with a yield of 26.8%. Therefore, IfDPEase is an attractive alternative to enhancing the quality of fructose-containing foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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12 pages, 2458 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Swelling of Homogeneous Alginate Gels with Multi-Stimuli Sensitivity

by Haniyeh Malektaj, Aleksey D. Drozdov and Jesper deClaville Christiansen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065064 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3992

Abstract

A new two-step method is suggested for the preparation of homogeneous alginate gels. In the first step, alginate chains are weakly bonded by Ca

^{2 +}

ions in an aqueous solution with a low pH. In the next step, the gel is immersed [...] Read more.

A new two-step method is suggested for the preparation of homogeneous alginate gels. In the first step, alginate chains are weakly bonded by Ca

^{2 +}

ions in an aqueous solution with a low pH. In the next step, the gel is immersed into a strong solution of CaCl

_{2}

to finalize the cross-linking process. Homogeneous alginate gels preserve their integrity in aqueous solutions with a pH ranging from 2 to 7 and ionic strength in the interval from 0 to 0.2 M, at temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 50 °C, and can be used in biomedical applications. The immersion of these gels into aqueous solutions with low pH induces the partial breakage of ionic bonds between chains (treated as gel degradation). This degradation affects the equilibrium and transient swelling of homogeneous alginate gels and makes them sensitive to the history of loading and environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength and temperature of aqueous solutions). As sensitivity to the environmental stimuli is a characteristic feature of polymer networks connected by catch bonds, homogeneous alginate gels may serve as a simple model, mimicking the behavior of more sophisticated structures in living matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Applications of Polysaccharides and Polysaccharide-Based Materials)

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