Search

Plants have been the primary source of sustenance, medicinal remedies, and refuge for humans throughout history. Wild edible fruits, in particular, have played a significant role in shaping people's diets due to their nutritional value. This research aimed to investigate the mineral content, antioxidant properties, chemical composition, and basic characteristics of selected wild edible fruits from Dera Ismail Khan, specifically Cordia myxa and Cordia dichotoma. The chosen wild edible fruits were utilized to determine their inorganic content through spectroscopy, assess their antioxidant potential using the DPPH assay, and analyze their proximate components such as crude fats via the soxhlet extraction method, proteins using the Kjeldahl technique, and ash content through muffle burning. Standard AOAC techniques were employed to ensure accurate measurements. The results of the proximate analysis revealed that C. dichotoma had a carbohydrate content of 88.35%, while C. myxa had 53.79%. Furthermore, the study found that the copper concentrations in C. myxa and C. dichotoma were 525.00 mg/kg and 477.70 mg/kg of dry weight, respectively. Notably, the highest levels of total phenols and their derivatives were detected in C. myxa (33.41 mg GAE/g) and C. dichotoma (19.59 mg GAE/g), with C. myxa exhibiting significant antioxidant activity (IC50 46.75 g/mL). Additionally, both fruits displayed a total flavonoid content of 0.463 mg QE/g. Antibacterial activity was performed by microdilution method of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) whereas, Cordia myxa (L.) showed greatest activity of inhibition against Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Cordia dichotma inhibited Klebsiella pneumonia effectively. Cordia dichotma proved to be the good anti-diabetic while Cordia myxa proved itself for better anti-inflammatory activity in defined laboratory environment, both activities were confirmed by performing enzyme inhibition assays. With high qua

A novel tri-layered, functionally-graded chitosan membrane (FGM) with bioactive glass gradient (50%, 25%, and 0% wt.) was developed by lyophilization. A step-wise grading of chitosan, bioactive glass (BG), and Pluronic F127 was introduced into the membrane in which each layer has separate surface functions that play a role of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes. The lower layer was designed to replicate alveolar bone and contains 50%wt. BG, the middle layer contains 25%wt. BG, while the upper layer was non-porous without BG and it did not support cell growth. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the lower FGM surface possessed a porous structure with embedded BG particles, while the upper surface was non-porous with interconnected architecture. The contact angle measurement confirmed that the surface with BG was hydrophilic (≈00), while the opposite surface was hydrophobic (910 ± 3.840). Both osteoblast and fibroblast cells have maximum adhesion at contact angle <80°. Alamar blue assay revealed the biocompatibility of the MC3T3-E1 mouse pre-osteoblasts cells with these membranes in vitro. The cells attachment and proliferation was seen for lower surface, while no cells adhesion was observed for the upper layer. Additionally, the interaction of the tissue with these tri-layered membranes was also investigated in vivo. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the biocompatible nature of these membranes. Altogether, these results indicated that due to the biocompatible nature of these membranes, they will be a good carrier of in vivo implantation.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are emerging as future approaches for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases. Numerous clinical conditions exist today and include congenital disorders, trauma, infection, inflammation, and cancer, in which hard and soft tissue damage, organ failure and loss are still not treated effectively. Researchers are constantly developing new biomaterials and tissue-engineered technologies to stimulate tissue regeneration. Various emerging approaches according to organ, tissue, disease and disorder are identified. Irrespective, engineered biomaterials are required to regenerate and ultimately reproduce the original physiological, biological, chemical, and mechanical properties. Biodegradable materials have been used extensively as regenerative therapies. The selection, design, biological and physicochemical properties of these materials are important and must be considered for stimulating tissue growth. In this review, we critique recently developed biodegradable materials for tissue regeneration of some targeted organs e.g., skin, nerves, blood vessels, heart, cornea, trachea, dental/oral structure and bones.

Development of a guided occlusive biodegradable membrane with controlled morphology in order to restrict the ingrowth of epithelial cells is still a challenge in dental tissue engineering. A bilayer membrane with a non-porous upper layer (polyurethane) and porous lower layer (polycaprolactone and bioactive glass composite) with thermoelastic properties to sustain surgery treatment was developed by lyophilization. Morphology, porosity, and layers attachment were controlled by using the multi-solvent system. In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, cell attachment, and cell proliferation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and histology. The cell proliferation rate and cell attachment results showed good biocompatibility of both surfaces, though cell metabolic activity was better on the polycaprolactone-bioactive glass surface. Furthermore, the cells were viable, adhered, and proliferated well on the lower porous bioactive surface, while non-porous polyurethane surface demonstrated low cell attachment, which was deliberately designed and a pre-requisite for guided tissue regeneration/guided bone regeneration membranes. In addition, in vivo studies performed in a rat model for six weeks revealed good compatibility of membranes. Histological analysis (staining with hematoxylin and eosin) indicated no signs of inflammation or accumulation of host immune cells. These results suggested that the fabricated biocompatible bilayer membrane has the potential for use in periodontal tissue regeneration.

Bioactive glass (BG) with uniform spherical morphology was prepared by EISA (Evaporation Induced Self Assembly) process using non-ionic Pluronic F127 as structure directing agent and phosphoric acid as a source of P2O5 and compared with conventional precursor triethyl phosphate (TEP). EISA method proceeds through ionic interaction mechanism by protonation of surfactant and silicic species. H3PO4 provides H+ and PO43 − ions in reaction medium which play critical role in reaction mechanism. Hydrogen ions increase the protonation of H2O and surfactant, while PO43 − ions act as bridging molecule between different cations, ensuring incorporation of phosphorus in BG network. TEP participates by proton acceptance mechanism, creating competitive environment. Thus H3PO4 facilitates the formation of BG in presence of non-ionic surfactant Pluronic F127. The prepared glasses were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDX, TGA-DSC and BET surface analyzer. Uniform spherical morphology, improved dispersity, relatively large surface area and better cells focal attachment were observed for BG-H3PO4, prepared by using H3PO4. SiO2–CaO–P2O5 mol% composition of BG-H3PO4 was (66:24:10) close to the theoretical value (65:25:10), while for BG-TEP the actual ratio was (77:20.5:2.5). The surface reactivity, studied by soaking in simulated body fluid, showed rapid growth of hydroxyapatite with Ca/P ratio 1.67 on BG-H3PO4. The proliferation of MC3T3 cells on BG-H3PO4 was remarkably improved as compared to conventional BG. Thus BG-H3PO4 can be considered for biomedical applications in future especially for drug loading and composite application where homogeneous and uniform structure are of utmost importance.