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27 pages, 8736 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ameliorative Effect of Chitosan/Spirulina platensis Ethanolic Extract Nanoformulation against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Ovarian Toxicity: Role of PPAR-γ/Nrf-2/HO-1 and NF-kB/TNF-α Signaling Pathways

by May Almukainzi, Thanaa A. El-Masry, Hanaa A. Ibrahim, Hebatallah M. Saad, Enas I. El Zahaby, Asmaa Saleh and Maysa M. F. El-Nagar

Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(9), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22090395 - 30 Aug 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5340

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug that causes infertility disorders. This study was designed to evaluate a nanoformulation of chitosan with an ethanolic extract from Spirulina platensis in terms of its protection against cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian toxicity. Nine groups of female Wistar rats were randomly assigned as follows: 1: control vehicle, 2: chitosan polymer, 3: telmisartan, 4: Spirulina platensis extract, 5: nanoformulation of the Spirulina platensis, and 6: single injection of CP; groups 7, 8, and 9 received the same treatments as those used in groups 3, 4, and 5, respectively, with a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg, I.P). The results displayed that the CP treatment decreased estradiol, progesterone, anti-mullerian hormone, and GSH content, and it downregulated PPAR-γ, Nrf-2, and HO-1 gene expression. In addition, the CP treatment caused an increase in the FSH, LH, and MDA levels. In the same manner, the protein expression of caspase-3, NF-kB, and TNF-α was upregulated in response to the CP treatment, while PPAR-γ was downregulated in comparison with the control. The rats treated with SPNPs exhibited a substantial reduction in the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and inflammation of the ovarian tissue. This study’s conclusions showed that SPNPs counteracted the effects of CP, preventing the death of ovarian follicles and restoring the gonadotropin hormone balance and normal ovarian histological appearance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Applications of Marine Source Polysaccharides and Peptides—2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 1960 KB

Open AccessArticle

Liposome System for Encapsulation of Spirulina platensis Protein Hydrolysates: Controlled-Release in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions, Structural and Functional Properties

by Maryam Forutan, Maryam Hasani, Shirin Hasani, Nasrin Salehi and Farzaneh Sabbagh

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8581; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238581 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2770

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, structural, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan-coated (0.5 and 1% CH) nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed protein of Spirulina platensis and its stability in simulated gastric and intestine fluids. The chitosan coating of nanoliposomes containing Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins increased their size and zeta potential. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) test showed an effective interaction between the hydrolyzed protein, the nanoliposome, and the chitosan coating. Increasing the concentration of hydrolyzed protein and the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decreasing effect of microencapsulation on the antioxidant activity of peptides. Chitosan coating (1%) resulted in improved stability of size, zeta potential, and poly dispersity index (PDI) of nanoliposomes, and lowered the release of the hydrolyzed Spirulina platensis protein from nanoliposomes. Increasing the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decrease in antibacterial properties of nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed proteins. This study showed that 1% chitosan-coated nanoliposomes can protect Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins and maintain their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Full article

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11 pages, 2132 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Time-Resolved Kinetic Measurement of Microalgae Agglomeration for Screening of Polysaccharides-Based Coagulants/Flocculants

by Jinxia Zhou, Yunlu Jia, Xiaobei Gong, Hao Liu and Chengwu Sun

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114610 - 7 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2284

Abstract

Time-resolved monitoring of microalgae agglomeration facilitates screening of coagulants/flocculants (CFs) from numerous biopolymer candidates. Herein, a filtering-flowing analysis (FFA) apparatus was developed in which dispersed microalgal cells were separated from coagulates and flocs formed by CFs and pumped into spectrophotometer for real-time quantification. Polysaccharides-based CFs for Microcystis aeruginosa and several other microalgae were tested. Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (CHEC), chitosan quaternary ammonium (CQA) and cationic guar gum (CGG) all triggered coagulation obeying a pseudo-second-order model. Maximal coagulation efficiencies were achieved at their respective critical dosages, i.e., 0.086 g/g_M.a. CHEC, 0.022 g/g_M.a. CQA, and 0.216 g/g_M.a. CGG. Although not active independently, bacterial exopolysaccharides (BEPS) aided coagulation of M. aeruginosa and allowed near 100% flocculation efficiency when 0.115 g/g_M.a. CQA and 1.44 g/g_M.a. xanthan were applied simultaneously. The apparatus is applicable to other microalgae species including Spirulina platensis, S. maxima, Chlorella vulgaris and Isochrysis galbana. Bio-based CFs sorted out using this apparatus could help develop cleaner processes for both remediation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms and microalgae-based biorefineries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Microbiology and Water Pollution Applications)

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19 pages, 4301 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Chitosan/Mannitol Microparticles as Delivery System for the Oral Administration of a Spirulina Bioactive Peptide Extract

by Rita P. Aquino, Giulia Auriemma, Giulio M. Conte, Tiziana Esposito, Eduardo Sommella, Pietro Campiglia and Francesca Sansone

Molecules 2020, 25(9), 2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092086 - 29 Apr 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4363

Abstract

Spirulina platensis contains several compounds showing nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Recently, a series of peptides able to reduce the blood pressure level and to enhance the endothelial vasorelaxation was isolated from the hydrolyzed highly water-soluble Spirulina extract (HSE). However, HSE shows critical organoleptic characteristics also having poor intestinal permeability, limiting absorption when orally delivered. This research aims to overcome the critical issues through the encapsulation of HSE in Chitosan/Mannitol—(CM)-based microparticles by spray drying. The produced powders (CM-HSE) showed good process yield (≈70%) and encapsulation efficiency (≈100%) also having good derived flow properties as well as stability up to six months storage. The microparticles constituting the spray-dried powder resulted in an amorphous micrometric state (d₅₀ ≈ 14 µm) able to retain dark colour and unpleasant smell of raw HSE. Moreover, the in vitro permeation study by Franz cell indicated that the engineered microparticles are able to enhance the permeation of HSE through an intestinal biomimetic barrier (551.13 μg/cm² CM-HSE vs. 315.46 μg/cm² HSE at 270 min). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Encapsulation and Technology-Based Natural Ingredients)

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