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The recognized antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) characterize them as attractive nanomaterials for developing new bioactive materials less prone to the development of antibiotic resistance. In this work, we developed new composites based on self-assembling Fmoc-Phe3 peptide hydrogels impregnated with in situ prepared AgNPs. Different methodologies, from traditional to innovative and eco-sustainable, were compared. The obtained composites were characterized from a hydrodynamic, structural, and morphological point of view, using different techniques such as DLS, SEM, and rheological measurements to evaluate how the choice of the reducing agent determines the characteristics of AgNPs and how their presence within the hydrogel affects their structure and properties. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of these composites were tested against S. aureus, a major human pathogen responsible for a wide range of clinical infections. Results demonstrated that the hydrogel composites containing AgNPs (hgel@AgNPs) could represent promising biomaterials for treating S. aureus-related infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide-based hydrogels have attracted increasing attention for biological applications and diagnostic research due to their impressive features including biocompatibility and biodegradability, injectability, mechanical stability, high water absorption capacity, and tissue-like elasticity. The aim of this review will be to present an updated report on the advancement of peptide-based hydrogels research activity in recent years in the field of anticancer drug delivery, antimicrobial and wound healing materials, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering, and vaccines. Additionally, the biosensing applications of this key group of hydrogels will be discussed mainly focusing the attention on cancer detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene delivery is the basis for developing gene therapies that, in the future, may be able to cure virtually any disease, including viral infections. The use of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting viral replication is a novel strategy for treating HIV-1 infection. In this study, we prepared chitosan particles containing siRNA tat/rev via ionotropic gelation. Chitosan-based particles were efficiently internalized by cells, as evidenced by fluorescence microscopy. The antiviral effect of chitosan-based particles was studied on the C8166 cell line infected with HIV-1 and compared with the use of commercial liposomes (ESCORT). A significant reduction in HIV replication was also observed in cells treated with empty chitosan particles, suggesting that chitosan may interfere with the early steps of the HIV life cycle and have a synergic effect with siRNA to reduce viral replication significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a pentacyclic triterpene with promising hepatoprotective and anti-Hepatocellular carcinoma effects. GA low water solubility however reduces its biodistribution and bioavailability, limiting its applications in biomedicine. In this work we used core-shell NPs made of PolyD-L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) coated with chitosan (CS), prepared through an osmosis-based methodology, to efficiently entrap GA. NPs morphology was investigated with SEM and TEM and their GA payload was evaluated with a spectrophotometric method. GA-loaded NPs were administered to HepG2 cells and their efficiency in reducing cell viability was compared with that induced by the free drug in in vitro tests. Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay, as well as with Electric Cells-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS), that provided a real-time continuous monitoring. It was possible to correlate the toxic effect of the different forms of GA with the bioavailability of the drug, evidencing the importance of real-time tests for studying the effects of bioactive substances on cell cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]