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In recent years nanotechnologies have been applied to human health with promising results, especially in the field of drug delivery. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered much importance in controlled drug delivery owing to their size. Chitosan (Cs) is a well-recognized biopolymer and Cs NPs have been widely explored in drug delivery. Nonetheless, reports pertaining to green synthesis of Cs NPs are scarce. Thus, in this study, green synthesis of Cs NPs was accomplished from raw mango peel extract. Spherical Cs NPs with positively charged surface of 33.4 mV was accomplished by this process. Cs NPs, in varied content, were integrated in a guar gum network matrix resulting in a nanocomposite hydrogel. The mechanical and thermal stability of the hydrogel improved upon addition of Cs NPs. The hydrogel exhibited smart swelling, good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory propensities. Cs NPs encapsulating 5-Fluorouracil demonstrated a controlled release drug profile in the colorectum and the kinetics implied the anomalous nature of drug release mechanism. The exposure of the drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel displayed improved anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Taken altogether, this study puts forth the greater efficacy of Cs NPs in controlled drug delivery for anticancer therapy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hydrogel nanocatalyst composed of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles embedded in PVA-alginate hydrogels were potentially explored toward the reduction of anthropogenic water pollutants. The NiO nanoparticles was accomplished via green method using waste pineapple peel extract. The formation of the nanoparticles was affirmed from different analytical techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and EDS. Spherical NiO nanoparticles were obtained having an average size of 11.5 nm. The nano NiO were then integrated into PVA-alginate hydrogel matrix forming a nanocomposite hydrogel (PVALg@ NiO). The integration of nano NiO rendered an improved thermal stability to the parent hydrogel. The PVALg@ NiO hydrogel was utilized as a catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and malachite green (MG) in the presence of a reducing agent, i.e., NaBH 4 . Under optimized conditions, the reduction reactions were completed by 4.0 min and 3.0 min for 4-NP and potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), respectively, and the rate constant was estimated to be 1.14 min -1 and 2.15 min -1 . The rate of reduction was found to be faster for the dyes and the respective rate constants were be 0.17 s -1 for RhB, MG and 0.05 s -1 for MO. The PVALg@ NiO hydrogel nanocatalyst demonstrated a recyclability of four runs without any perceptible diminution in its catalytic mettle. The efficacy of the PVALg@ NiO hydrogel nanocatalyst was further examined for the reduction of dyes in real water samples collected from different sources and the results affirm its high catalytic potential. Thus, this study paves the path for the development of a sustainable hydrogel nanocatalyst for reduction of hazardous pollutants in wastewater treatment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Biomimetic hydrogels composed of natural polysaccharides have invariably blossomed as niche biomaterials in tissue engineering applications. The prospects of creating an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like milieu from such hydrogels has garnered considerable importance. In this study, we have fabricated bioscaffolds comprising dialdehyde alginate and xanthan gum and explored their potential use in tissue regeneration. The fabricated scaffolds displayed an interconnected porous network structure that is highly desirable for the aforesaid application. The scaffolds were endowed with good mechanical properties, thermostability, protein adsorption efficacy and degradability. Curcumin-loaded hydrogels exhibited appreciable antibacterial activity against E. coli. In vitro cytocompatibility studies revealed that the scaffolds promoted adhesion and proliferation of 3T3 fibroblast cells. The Western blot analysis of p53 gene indicated no growth arrest or apoptosis in 3T3 cells thus, signifying the non-toxic nature of the scaffolds. Furthermore, the ECM formation was confirmed via SDS-PAGE analysis. The overall results clearly validated these scaffolds as effectual biomaterials for tissue engineering applications., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The drastic boom in floriculture and social events in religious and recreational places has inevitably led to generation of tremendous floral waste across the globe. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is one of the most common loose flowers offered for the same. Generally discarded, these Tagetes floral wastes could be valorized for biogenic syntheses. In this study, we have utilized the floral extract towards green synthesis of nano ZnO, the formation of which was affirmed from different analytical techniques. Bionanocomposite Schiff-base hydrogel composed of chitosan and dialdehyde pectin was fabricated by the facile strategy of in situ polymer cross-linking, and the ZnO nanoparticles were embedded in the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel exhibited remarkable self-healing ability. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were enhanced owing to nano ZnO. Furthermore, it was hemocompatible and biodegradable. A controlled release drug profile for 5-fluorouracil from the hydrogel was accomplished in the colorectum. The exposure of the drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel demonstrated improved anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. The findings of this study altogether put forth the successful biovalorization of Tagetes floral waste extract for colon cancer remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) has garnered substantial scientific interest, thanks to broad spectrum of possible chemical reactions offered by the aldehyde moieties in its backbone. In the present review, we have recapitulated the state-of-the-art knowledge on the synthesis and physicochemical properties of DAC. The review also encompasses DAC derivatives obtained by blending, grafting and crosslinking with molecules and/or polymers that has been engineered into diverse architectures (e.g. conjugates, nanoparticles, microspheres, hydrogels etc.). The prospects of the resulting DAC products in biomedical sectors such as wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering etc. is discussed eloquently. Besides focusing on the pharmaceutical applications of DAC; this review also aims to provide an overview on the recent advances of DAC as a functional material in environmental and energy sectors. Integrating the academic and technological knowledge of DAC can further pave the path towards the development of novel DAC-based functional materials in a scalable and sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design a controlled delivery device for the potent glucocorticoid dexamethasone; smart hydrogels composed of carboxymethyl starch, and sodium alginate are fabricated and exposed to tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) cold plasma treatment using oxygen as an oxidant gas. Surface hydrophobization ensuing from plasma treatment is evidenced from FTIR and water contact angle analyses. It is also observed that the water uptake capacity of TEOS‐plasma modified hydrogel is much lower than the pristine hydrogel. The release studies of dexamethasone illustrated a slower release from TEOS‐plasma treated hydrogel in simulated intestinal fluid that conformed to the oral delivery of the drug to the colon. The preliminary kinetics of drug release demonstrated that TEOS‐plasma influenced the polymer chain relaxation thereby leading to a slower rate of drug release. The cytocompatibility studies on MCF‐7 cells clearly depicted that plasma treatment of the hydrogels does not evoke any detrimental effects on the cellular viability. Lastly, the in vitro degradation studies of the hydrogels in lysozyme solution demonstrated their good degradation behavior. Overall, the findings of this study implied that the TEOS‐plasma modified hydrogel could be explored as potential biomaterial for the oral controlled delivery of dexamethasone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global population escalates; the need for better healthcare shall inevitably intensify. Current scenario, thus, calls for a versatile technology for the construction for smart biomaterials to cater to the needs. In this context; hydrogels comprising carboxymethyl chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (CMCS/ PVA) were fabricated using a green crosslinker, tetraethyl orthosilicate. To enhance their bio-efficacy; cold plasma assisted surface tailoring of the aforesaid hydrogels was performed as a function of four different gases viz Air, Ar, He and N2. Apart from improving the surface wettability; plasma treatment endowed the hydrogels with an improved tensile strength. 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) release studies from the hydrogels validated their potential as oral colon-targeted delivery systems. Hemolytic experiments revealed no adverse effect on RBCs post-plasma treatment. Pristine hydrogels exhibited good cytocompatibility with MCF-7 cells. A strong cell growth inhibition was observed from 5FU-loaded hydrogels as validated by caspase-3 assay. Further assessment by the soil burial test revealed the hydrogels were biodegradable. Among all, the Ar-plasma treated hydrogel demonstrated superior hemocompatibility, chemosensitivity and biodegradability. Thus, cold plasma technology has invariably paved the path as an eco-friendly, economical and effectual strategy for development of novel CMCS/ PVA hydrogels in anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart hydrogels comprising carboxymethyl guar gum and polyvinyl alcohol (CMGG/PVA) were fabricated using tetraethyl orthosilicate as crosslinker. The hydrogels were subjected to nonthermal plasma (NTP) treatment using nitrogen and ammonia mixture. An improvement in surface wettability ensuing from NTP-treatment was evident. Topographical studies revealed surface nanotexturing while the bulk attributes remained undeterred. An insignificant ageing effect was observed upon exposure to air for 20 days which indicated the high stability of the NTP-modified hydrogels. The hydrogels displayed higher swellability in intestinal pH than gastric pH. Appreciable biofilm eradication features against E. coli were observed from the NTP-modified hydrogels. Hemolytic assessment confirmed their compatibility with human blood cells. Release profiles from the hydrogels validated the controlled delivery of anticancer drug chrysin to the intestine. Pristine hydrogels were found to be cytocompatible whereas chrysin-loaded hydrogels displayed a strong inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells. Additionally, the hydrogels were found to be biodegradable. Thus, N2 and NH3 plasma modified CMGG/PVA hydrogels are potent towards diverse biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, 5‐fluorouracil (5FU) has been the only chemotherapeutic agent to demonstrate a strong activity against colorectal cancer. However intravenous administration of 5FU mandates the development of an oral controlled delivery system for improved patient compliances. With this rationale, hydrogels comprising polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate were crafted and subjected to cold atmospheric plasma treatment by coating with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) using three different carrier gases viz Ar, He and N2. Surface hydrophobicity ensuing from HMDSO plasma was evident from contact angle goniometry. FT‐IR analyses were affirmative of the effectual deposition of Si−O−Si and Si−CH3 groups on the hydrogel surfaces. Moreover, plasma treatment rendered the hydrogels stiffer and tougher. The plasma‐modified hydrogels displayed lower water uptake capacity in comparison to the pristine one. Drug release was significantly prolonged from the plasma‐treated hydrogels that conformed to the oral delivery of 5FU to colon. Preliminary kinetics assay revealed drug release was predominantly governed by polymer chain relaxation process post‐plasma modification. The Ar/HMDSO‐plasma modified hydrogel was found to be best of the lot for achieving an oral controlled release for 5FU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • In situ crosslinked chitosan-dialdehyde guar gum Schiff-base hydrogels synthesized. • Dialdehyde guar gum was accomplished by periodate oxidation of guar gum. • Curcumin and aspirin dual drug release from hydrogels was optimum in colorectal pH. • Combined formulation showed enhanced anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. • Hydrogels were potent for simultaneous chemotherapy and pain relief in CRC therapy. This work advocates that in situ crosslinked chitosan-dialdehyde guar gum (CsDAGG) hydrogels can be effectually used for dual drug release in colorectal cancer therapy. Herein, we designed various grades of CsDAGG hydrogels where DAGG was accomplished by periodate oxidation of guar gum. With increasing DAGG content, a diminution in swelling and a more compact matrix was evident. In this study, curcumin in combination with aspirin were chosen for investigation in colon carcinoma. The hydrogels ensured the protection of the drugs from absorption in stomach and small intestine and enabled a controlled release at the targeted site of colorectum. The exposure of the aforesaid combined drug formulation further demonstrated enhanced anticancer effects in HT-29 colon cancer cells. The findings altogether suggested the high potency of the developed hydrogels for the co-administration of drugs that can provide chemotherapy and pain relief simultaneously in colorectal cancer combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]