Enhanced curcumin loaded nanocellulose: a possible inhalable nanotherapeutic to treat COVID-19

Harnessing bioactive nanocurcumin and curcumin nanocomposites to combat microbial pathogens: a comprehensive review

The alarming rise in bacterial infections including those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens has garnered the attention of the scientific community, compelling them to explore as novel and effective alternatives to combat these infections. Moreover, the emerging viruses such as Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A/H1N1), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Ebolavirus, recent coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), etc. also has a significant impact all over the world. Therefore, the management of all such infections without any side effects is one of the most important challenges for the scientific community. Hence, the development of novel and effective antimicrobial agents is a need of the hour. In this context, Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, has been used as traditional medicine for centuries to manage and treat such infections. Its bioactive constituent, curcumin has garnered significant attention in medicine due to its multifunctional bioactivities. Apart from antimicrobial properties, it also possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, available reports suggest that its low solubility, stability, and biocompatibility limit its use. Moreover, on the other hand, it has been reported that these limitations associated with the use of curcumin can be resolved by transforming it into its nano-form, specifically curcumin nanoparticles. Recent advancements have brought curcumin nanoparticles into the spotlight, showcasing superior properties and a broad spectrum of antimicrobial applications. In this review, we have mainly focused on antimicrobial potential of curcumin and nanocurcumin, mechanisms underpinning their antimicrobial actions. Moreover, other aspects of toxicity and safety guidelines for nano-based products have been also discussed.

Nanocellulose-Supported Dual S-Scheme SnWO4/Cu2O/Ag2WO4 Heterojunction for Enhanced Photodegradation of Amoxicillin

A dual S-scheme nanocellulose-based SnWO4/Cu2O/Ag2WO4 (NC-SCA) heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized via ultrasonication followed by a hydrothermal method for the efficient photodegradation of amoxicillin (AMX). Under UV-vis light irradiation, the NC-SCA photocatalyst exhibited an impressive 97.40% AMX degradation within 30 min, attributed to its improved optical absorption and superior charge migration. The characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, PL, and UV-vis spectroscopy, confirmed the successful integration of nanocellulose with SnWO4/Cu2O/Ag2WO4. XPS and ESR analyses provided insights into the S-scheme charge migration mechanism within the heterojunction. Further, the trapping experiments identified hydroxyl (•OH) and superoxide radicals as the primary reactive species. The photocatalyst displayed a specific surface area of 115.9 m2/g, offering a large active surface for photodegradation. Operational parameters such as the photocatalyst dosage, pH, and AMX concentration were systematically optimized. The NC-SCA photocatalyst exhibited high stability, retaining around 85% efficiency after seven cycles. This study presents an innovative strategy for designing high-performance photocatalysts addressing the limitations of conventional materials.

Impact of Encapsulation Position in Pickering Emulsions on Color Stability and Intensity Turmeric Oleoresin

The emulsification of natural pigment is a widely utilized strategy to enhance its stability in the food industry. However, high turbidity in emulsions often causes color fading, limiting their application. Here, we developed a comprehensive Pickering emulsion (PE) system to improve the color intensity and stability of turmeric oleoresin (Tur) under various food processing conditions. Specifically, the effects of two encapsulation positions within the PE were compared: the inner oil phase (Tur-IPE) and the outer solid particle layer (Tur-OPE). Lysozyme and carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (NPs) were used as natural solid particle surfactants, with their successful formation confirmed through physical property analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The optimal oil fraction (φ) for suitable physical properties of PE was determined to be 0.2. Interestingly, Tur-OPE significantly exceeded Tur-conventional emulsions (Tur-CE) and Tur-IPE in terms of color vividness, exhibiting higher redness and lower lightness (p < 0.05). During thermal processing at 70 and 90 °C, all emulsions demonstrated significantly enhanced heat resistance, retaining 1.3 to 1.6 times more Tur, respectively, compared to unencapsulated Tur (free Tur) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Tur's pH instability was significantly overcome by encapsulation in all emulsion systems (p < 0.05). During 4 weeks of storage period, Tur-OPE demonstrated the highest retention rates, with the half-life of Tur increasing in the following order: free Tur < Tur-CE < Tur-IPE < Tur-OPE. Thus, we highlighted the important role of encapsulation position in PEs in improving and maintaining the color stability and vividness of natural pigments under various food processing conditions.

Piezoelectric bilayer fibrous conduit with gellan/curcumin encapsulated alginate infilling for promotion of sciatic nerve regeneration in the rat models

The peripheral nerve regeneration has a limited innate capacity for self-repair and thus it urgently necessitates designing a smart nerve guidance conduit. Considering the electrophysiological features of nerve tissues, a piezoelectric bilayer fibrous conduit filled with drug-encapsulated gellan was developed in this study and its ability to promote neural growth was assessed in vivo. To fabricate such conduit, bilayer fibrous mats were prepared from poly ε-caprolactone/BaTiO3 and poly-L-lactic acid -chitosan-gelatin-polyaniline/graphene via an electrospinning process. After rolling the fibrous mat, the inside of the hollow conduit was filled with gellan containing Curcumin-loaded alginate (Alg) particles. All intermediate and final products were characterized using various analytical techniques. Encapsulation of Curcumin into the Alg particles and loaded in the gellan could effectively enhance sustained release of drug during the healing process, following Higuchi model. Four weeks post-surgery, such an engineered conduit revealed much better nerve regeneration results than the control group and showed desirable outcomes in terms of sciatic function indices and formation of the perineurium as well as axon number. Such developed conduit has a high potency to repair the injured nerve tissue due to their capacity to sustain the release of drugs over a long period and transfer self-stimulated electrical signals between cells. The in vivo assay revealed the feasibility of exploiting such conduit in nerve tissue engineering.

Thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of oil palm cellulose nanofibril reinforced green epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, significant improvements in mechanical properties have been seen through the efficient inclusion of Oil Palm Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF) as nano-fillers into green polymer matrices produced from biomass with a 28 % carbon content. The goal of the research was to make green epoxy nanocomposites utilizing solution blending process with acetone as the solvent with the different CNF loadings (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%). An ultrasonic bath was used in conjunction with mechanical stirring to guarantee that CNF was effectively dispersed throughout the green epoxy. The resultant nanocomposites underwent thorough evaluation, comparing them to unfilled green epoxy and evaluating their morphological, mechanical, and thermal behavior using a variety of instruments. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to validate findings, which showed that the CNF were dispersed optimally inside the nanocomposites. The thermal degradation temperature (Td) of the nanocomposites showed a marginal decrement of 0.8 % in temperatures (from 348 °C to 345 °C), between unfilled green epoxy (neat) and 0.1 wt% of CNF loading. The mechanical test results, which showed a 13.3 % improvement in hardness and a 6.45 % rise in tensile strength when compared to unfilled green epoxy, were in line with previously published research. Overall, the outcomes showed that green nanocomposites have significantly improved in performance.

Assessing polylactic acid nanofibers with cellulose and chitosan nanocapsules loaded with chamomile extract for treating gram-negative infections

This study presents the development and characterization of a novel nanocomposite wound dressing material based on polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers incorporating chitosan nanocapsules loaded with chamomile extract and cellulose nanoparticles. The nanofibers were fabricated using a three-step synthesis and electrospinning techniques, resulting in uniform, bead-free fibers with an average diameter of 186 ± 56 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of all components, while tensile strength tests demonstrated improved mechanical properties by adding nanoparticles. Water contact angle measurements revealed enhanced surface wettability of the PLA-Cellulose-Chitosan complex compared to pure PLA nanofibers. In vitro biocompatibility assessments using MTT assays showed excellent cell viability and proliferation, with the optimized composite exhibiting the best performance. Scanning electron microscopy imaging confirmed robust cell adhesion and interaction with the nanofibers. The nanocomposite demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, with a 20 mm inhibition zone observed for chamomile extract-loaded samples. Additionally, the material showed superior hemostatic ability compared to commercial gauze and high hemocompatibility. These comprehensive results indicate that the developed nanocomposite is a promising candidate for advanced wound management applications, offering a multifunctional approach to wound healing by combining antimicrobial activity, cell compatibility, and hemostatic properties.

Nanocellulose-based hydrogels as versatile materials with interesting functional properties for tissue engineering applications

Tissue engineering has emerged as a remarkable field aiming to restore or replace damaged tissues through the use of biomimetic constructs. Among the diverse materials investigated for this purpose, nanocellulose-based hydrogels have garnered attention due to their intriguing biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and sustainability. Over the past few years, numerous research works have been published focusing on the successful use of nanocellulose-based hydrogels as artificial extracellular matrices for regenerating various types of tissues. The review emphasizes the importance of tissue engineering, highlighting hydrogels as biomimetic scaffolds, and specifically focuses on the role of nanocellulose in composites that mimic the structures, properties, and functions of the native extracellular matrix for regenerating damaged tissues. It also summarizes the types of nanocellulose, as well as their structural, mechanical, and biological properties, and their contributions to enhancing the properties and characteristics of functional hydrogels for tissue engineering of skin, bone, cartilage, heart, nerves and blood vessels. Additionally, recent advancements in the application of nanocellulose-based hydrogels for tissue engineering have been evaluated and documented. The review also addresses the challenges encountered in their fabrication while exploring the potential future prospects of these hydrogel matrices for biomedical applications.

Engineered Robust Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Drug-Eluting, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity

Multifunctional nanofibrous architectures have attracted extensive attention for biomedical applications due to their adjustable and versatile properties. Electrospun fabrics stand out as key building blocks for these structures, yet improving their mechanobiological and physicochemical performance is a challenge. Here, we introduce biodegradable engineered hydrophobic/hydrophilic scaffolds consisting of electrospun polylactide nanofibers coated with drug-eluting synthetic (poly(vinyl alcohol)) and natural (starch) polymers. The microstructure of these composite scaffolds was tailored for an increased hydrophilicity, optimized permeability, water retention capacity of up to 5.1 g/g, and enhanced mechanical properties under both dry and wet conditions. Regarding the latter, normalized tensile strengths of up to 32.4 MPa were achieved thanks to the improved fiber interactions and fiber-coating stress transfer. Curcumin was employed as a model drug, and its sustained release in a pure aqueous medium was investigated for 35 days. An in-depth study of the release kinetics revealed the outstanding water solubility and bioavailability of curcumin, owing to its complexation with the hydrophilic polymers and further delineated the role of the hydrophobic nanofibrous network in regulating its release rate. The modified curcumin endowed the composites with antioxidant activities up to 5.7 times higher than that of free curcumin as well as promising anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic activities. The cytocompatibility and cell proliferation capability on human dermal fibroblasts also evidenced the safe use of the constructs. Finally, the fabrics present pH-responsive color-changing behavior easily distinguishable within the pH range of 5-9. Thus, these designs offer a facile and cost-effective roadmap for the fabrication of smart multifunctional biomaterials, especially for chronic wound healing.

Curcumin as a natural potential drug candidate against important zoonotic viruses and prions: A narrative review

Zoonotic diseases are major public health concerns and undeniable threats to human health. Among Zoonotic diseases, zoonotic viruses and prions are much more difficult to eradicate, as they result in higher infections and mortality rates. Several investigations have shown curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, to have wide spectrum properties such as anti-microbial, anti-vascular, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, and immune system modulator properties. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive review of existing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence on the antiviral (54 important zoonotic viruses) and anti-prion properties of curcumin and curcuminoids in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Database searches yielded 13,380 results, out of which 216 studies were eligible according to inclusion criteria. Of 216 studies, 135 (62.5%), 24 (11.1%), and 19 (8.8%) were conducted on the effect of curcumin and curcuminoids against SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, and dengue virus, respectively. This review suggests curcumin and curcuminoids as promising therapeutic agents against a wide range of viral zoonoses by targeting different proteins and signaling pathways.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of curcumin-quercetin loaded multi-layered 3D-nanofibroporous matrix prepared by solution blow-spinning for full-thickness burn wound healing

Burn wounds (BWs) cause impairment of native skin tissue and may cause significant microbial infections that demand immediate care. Curcumin (Cur) and quercetin (Que) exhibit antimicrobial, hemocompatibility, ROS-scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its instability, water insolubility, and low biological fluid absorption render it challenging to sustain local Cur and Que doses at the wound site. Therefore, to combat these limitations, we employed blow-spinning and freeze-drying to develop a multi-layered, Cur/Que-loaded gelatin/chitosan/PCL (GCP-Q/C) nanofibroporous (NFP) matrix. Morphological analysis of the NFP-matrix using SEM revealed a well-formed multi-layered structure. The FTIR and XRD plots demonstrated dual-bioactive incorporation and scaffold polymer interaction. Additionally, the GCP-Q/C matrix displayed high porosity (82.7 ± 2.07 %), adequate pore size (∼121 μm), enhanced water-uptake ability (∼675 % within 24 h), and satisfactory biodegradation. The scaffolds with bioactives had a long-term release, increased antioxidant activity, and were more effective against gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria than the unloaded scaffolds. The in vitro findings of GCP-Q/C scaffolds showed promoted L929 cell growth and hemocompatibility. Additionally, an in vivo full-thickness BW investigation found that an implanted GCP-Q/C matrix stimulates rapid recuperation and tissue regeneration. In accordance with the findings, the Gel/Ch/PCL-Que/Cur NFP-matrix could represent an effective wound-healing dressing for BWs.

An overview of the efficacy of inhaled curcumin: a new mode of administration for an old molecule

INTRODUCTION

Curcumin is a polyphenol with a variety of pharmacological actions. Despite its therapeutic effects and well-known safety profile, the utility of curcumin has been limited due to its deprived physical, chemical, and pharmacokinetic profile resulting from limited solubility, durability, prompt deterioration and pitiable systemic availability. Employment of an amalgamated framework integrating the potential advantages of a nanoscaffold alongside the beneficial traits of inhalational drug delivery system beautifully bringing down the restricting attributes of intended curative interventions and further assures its clinical success.

AREAS COVERED

Current review discussed different application of inhalable nanocurcumin in different medical conditions. Lung diseases have been the prime field in which inhalable nanocurcumin had resulted in significant beneficial effects. Apart from this several lung protective potentials of the inhaled nanocurcumin have been discussed against severe pulmonary disorders such as pulmonary fibrosis, radiation pneumonitis and IUGR induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Also, application of the disclosed intervention in the clinical management of COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease has been discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

In this portion, the potential of inhalable nanocurcumin in addressing various medical conditions along with ongoing advancements in nanoencapsulation techniques and the existing challenges in transitioning from pre-clinical models to clinical practice has been summarized.

A comparison study between doxorubicin and curcumin co-administration and co-loading in a smart niosomal formulation for MCF-7 breast cancer therapy

Chemotherapy agents often exhibit limited effectiveness due to their fast elimination from the body and non-targeted delivery. Emerging nanomaterials as drug delivery carriers open new expectancy to overcome these limitations in current chemotherapeutic treatments. In this study, we introduce and evaluate a smart pH-responsive niosomal formulation capable of delivering Doxorubicin (DOX) and Curcumin (CUR) in both individually and co-loaded forms. In particular, drug-loaded niosomes were prepared using thin-film hydration method and then characterized via different physicochemical analyses. The pH responsivity of the carrier was assessed by performing a drug release study in three different pH conditions (4, 6.5, and 7.4). Finally, the anticancer efficacy of the therapeutic compounds was evaluated through the MTT assay. Our results showed spherical particles with a size of about 200 nm and -2 mV surface charge. Encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of the nanocarrier was about 77.06 % and 79.08 % for DOX and CUR, respectively. The release study confirmed the pH responsivity of the carrier. The MTT assay results revealed about 39 % and 43 % of cell deaths after treatment with cur-loaded and dox-loaded niosomes, which increased to 74 % and 79 % after co-administration and co-loading forms of drugs, respectively, exhibiting increased anticancer efficacy by selectively delivering DOX and CUR individually or in combination. Overall, these findings suggest that our nanoformulation holds the potential as a targeted and highly effective approach for cancer management and therapy, overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy drugs.

Stand Up to Stand Out: Natural Dietary Polyphenols Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Gossypol as Potential Therapeutic Candidates against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated collaborative drug discovery efforts in academia and the industry with the aim of developing therapies and vaccines that target SARS-CoV-2. Several novel therapies have been approved and deployed in the last three years. However, their clinical application has revealed limitations due to the rapid emergence of viral variants. Therefore, the development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents with a high potency and safety profile remains a high priority for global health. Increasing awareness of the "back to nature" approach for improving human health has prompted renewed interest in natural products, especially dietary polyphenols, as an additional therapeutic strategy to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients, owing to its good safety profile, exceptional nutritional value, health-promoting benefits (including potential antiviral properties), affordability, and availability. Herein, we describe the biological properties and pleiotropic molecular mechanisms of dietary polyphenols curcumin, resveratrol, and gossypol as inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of dietary polyphenols and to obtain maximal benefits, several strategies such as nanotechnology (e.g., curcumin-incorporated nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial-antiviral ability), lead optimization (e.g., a methylated analog of curcumin), combination therapies (e.g., a specific combination of plant extracts and micronutrients), and broad-spectrum activities (e.g., gossypol broadly inhibits coronaviruses) have also been emphasized as positive factors in the facilitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development to support effective long-term pandemic management and control.

Repositioned Natural Compounds and Nanoformulations: A Promising Combination to Counteract Cell Damage and Inflammation in Respiratory Viral Infections

Respiratory viral diseases are among the most important causes of disability, morbidity, and death worldwide. Due to the limited efficacy or side effects of many current therapies and the increase in antiviral-resistant viral strains, the need to find new compounds to counteract these infections is growing. Since the development of new drugs is a time-consuming and expensive process, numerous studies have focused on the reuse of commercially available compounds, such as natural molecules with therapeutic properties. This phenomenon is generally called drug repurposing or repositioning and represents a valid emerging strategy in the drug discovery field. Unfortunately, the use of natural compounds in therapy has some limitations, due to their poor kinetic performance and consequently reduced therapeutic effect. The advent of nanotechnology in biomedicine has allowed this limitation to be overcome, showing that natural compounds in nanoform may represent a promising strategy against respiratory viral infections. In this narrative review, the beneficial effects of some promising natural molecules, curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, and vitamin C, which have been already studied both in native form and in nanoform, against respiratory viral infections are presented and discussed. The review focuses on the ability of these natural compounds, analyzed in in vitro and in vivo studies, to counteract inflammation and cellular damage induced by viral infection and provide scientific evidence of the benefits of nanoformulations in increasing the therapeutic potential of these molecules.

Novel PVA/carboxylated cellulose antimicrobial hydrogel grafted with curcumin and ε-polylysine for chilled chicken preservation

PVA/CC/CUR/PL composite films containing curcumin (CUR) and ε-polylysine (PL) were prepared by casting and chemical grafting methods to address the threat to food spoilage. Morphological analysis showed that the grafting of CUR and PL resulted in a rough cross-section of the polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the grafting of CUR and PL into the polymer matrix via esterification and amidation reactions, respectively. Thermal weight loss analysis showed that grafting process positively improved the thermal stability. The PVA/CC/CUR/PL films exhibited strong bactericidal activity, reaching 99.0% and 99.8% for Pseudomonas lundensis and Shewanella putrefaciens, respectively. After 8 days of storage, the total number of colonies and the TVB-N content in the PVA/CC/CUR/PL group decreased by 1.51 lg CFU/g and 13.77 mg/100 g, respectively. Therefore, PVA/CC/CUR/PL films are considered as a promising bactericidal material with good mechanical properties, functionality, and other excellent characteristics.

Biocompatible anti-aging face mask prepared with curcumin and natural rubber with antioxidant properties

Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a biopolymer widely used in biomedical applications. In this work, we propose an innovative cosmetic face mask, combining the NRL's biological properties with curcumin (CURC), which has a high level of antioxidant activity (AA) to provide anti-aging benefits. Chemical, mechanical and morphological characterizations were performed. The CURC released by the NRL was evaluated by permeation in Franz cells. Cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity assays were performed to assess safety. The findings showed that the biological properties of CURC were preserved after loading in the NRL. About 44.2 % of CURC was released within the first six hours, and in vitro permeation showed that 9.36 % ± 0.65 was permeated over 24h. CURC-NRL was associated with a metabolic activity higher than 70 % in 3 T3 fibroblasts, cell viability ≥95 % in human dermal fibroblasts, and a hemolytic rate ≤ 2.24 % after 24 h. Furthermore, CURC-NRL maintained the mechanical characteristics (range suitable) for human skin application. We observed that CURC-NRL preserved ~20 % antioxidant activity from curcumin-free after loading in the NRL. Our results suggest that CURC-NRL has the potential to be used in the cosmetics industry, and the experimental methodology utilized in this study can be applied to different kinds of face masks.

Sulfated endospermic nanocellulose crystals prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1

Biomaterials with antimicrobial activity are gaining attention due to their biodegradability and efficacy in interacting with a wide range of microorganisms. A new cellulose nano-biomaterial, endospermic nanocellulose crystals (ENC) obtained from parenchymal tissue of ivory nut endosperm, has a natural capacity as a universal binder. This feature is enhanced when it is chemically functionalized, and can be exploited in the fight against microbes. We tested the ability of sulfated ENC in aqueous suspension to encapsulate viruses through a crosslinking reaction mediated by cations. 0.25% w/v ENC suspensions efficiently encapsulated spike (S) protein, preventing its interaction with ACE2 receptor. ENC was further able to encapsulate SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses and prevent infection of 293T-hsACE2 cells. ENC also suppressed infection of MT-4 cells with HIV-1LAI.04. This antiviral activity of sulfated ENC is due to the irreversible interaction of ENC with viral particles mediated by crosslinking, as antiviral activity was less effective in the absence of cations. Additionally, ENC was used as a matrix to immobilize recombinant ACE2 receptors and anti-S IgG, creating molecular lures that efficiently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infections in vitro. These results show that sulfated ENC from ivory nuts can be used as an efficient antiviral material.

The Formation of Volume Transmission Gratings in Acrylamide-Based Photopolymers Using Curcumin as a Long-Wavelength Photosensitizer

Curcumin, a natural dye found in the Curcuma longa rhizome, commonly called turmeric, is used as a photosensitizer in acrylamide-based photopolymers for holographic data storage. We studied the absorbance of photopolymer films that show two absorption bands due to curcumin, acrylamide monomer (AA), and the crosslinking agent N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA). Analysis of the real-time diffraction efficiency of these films shows a maximum of 16% for the sample with the highest curcumin concentration. Moreover, increasing the curcumin load enhanced the refractive index contrast from 7.8 × 10^-4 for the photopolymer with the lowest curcumin load to 1.1 × 10^-3 for the photopolymer with the largest load. The sensitivity and diffraction efficiency of the recorded gratings also increased from 7.0 to 9.8 cm·J^-1 and from 7.9 to 16% with the increase in curcumin load, respectively. Finally, the influence of NaOH on the photopolymerization of the AA-curcumin-based sample shows a diffraction efficiency increase with the NaOH content, revealing that the curcumin enol form is more efficient as a photosensitizer.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in ARDS and COVID-19

Curcumin is a safe, non-toxic, readily available and naturally occurring compound, an active constituent of Curcuma longa (turmeric). Curcumin could potentially treat diseases, but faces poor physicochemical and pharmacological characteristics. To overcome these limitations, we developed a stable, water-soluble formulation of curcumin called cyclodextrin-complexed curcumin (CDC). We have previously shown that direct delivery of CDC to the lung following lipopolysaccharides exposure reduces acute lung injury (ALI) and effectively reduces lung injury, inflammation and mortality in mice following Klebsiella pneumoniae. Recently, we found that administration of CDC led to a significant reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression in gene and protein levels following pneumonia, indicating its potential in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we consider the clinical features of ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the role of curcumin in modulating the pathogenesis of bacterial/viral-induced ARDS and COVID-19.

Synthesis of Cationic Quaternized Nanolevan Derivative for Small Molecule and Nucleic Acid Delivery

Levan is a biopolymer composed of fructose chains covalently linked by β−2,6 glycosidic linkages. This polymer self−assembles into a nanoparticle of uniform size, making it useful for a wide range of applications. Also, levan exhibits various biological activities such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor, that make this polymer very attractive for biomedical application. In this study, levan synthesized from Erwinia tasmaniensis was chemically modified by glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC) to produce cationized nanolevan (QA-levan). The structure of the obtained GTMAC−modified levan was determined by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and elemental (CHN) analyzer. The size of the nanoparticle was calculated using the dynamic light scattering method (DLS). The formation of DNA/QA-levan polyplex was then investigated by gel electrophoresis. The modified levan was able to increase the solubility of quercetin and curcumin by 11-folds and 205-folds, respectively, compared to free compounds. Cytotoxicity of levan and QA−levan was also investigated in HEK293 cells. This finding suggests that GTMAC−modified levan should have a potential application for drug and nucleic acid delivery.

Uncovering the information immunology journals transmitted for COVID-19: A bibliometric and visualization analysis

BACKGROUND

Since the global epidemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a large number of immunological studies related to COVID-19 have been published in various immunology journals. However, the results from these studies were discrete, and no study summarized the important immunological information about COVID-19 released by these immunology journals. This study aimed to comprehensively summarize the knowledge structure and research hotspots of COVID-19 published in major immunology journals through bibliometrics.

METHODS

Publications on COVID-19 in major immunology journals were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R-bibliometrix were comprehensively used for bibliometric and visual analysis.

RESULTS

1,331 and 5,000 publications of 10 journals with high impact factors and 10 journals with the most papers were included, respectively. The USA, China, England, and Italy made the most significant contributions to these papers. University College London, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Harvard Medical School, University California San Diego, and University of Pennsylvania played a central role in international cooperation in the immunology research field of COVID-19. Yuen Kwok Yung was the most important author in terms of the number of publications and citations, and the H-index. CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES and FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY were the most essential immunology journals. These immunology journals mostly focused on the following topics: "Delta/Omicron variants", "cytokine storm", "neutralization/neutralizing antibody", "T cell", "BNT162b2", "mRNA vaccine", "vaccine effectiveness/safety", and "long COVID".

CONCLUSION

This study systematically uncovered a holistic picture of the current research on COVID-19 published in major immunology journals from the perspective of bibliometrics, which will provide a reference for future research in this field.

Sulfated endospermic nanocellulose crystals prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1

Biomaterials with antimicrobial activity are gaining attention due to their biodegradability and efficacy in interacting with a wide range of microorganisms. A new cellulose nano-biomaterial, endospermic nanocellulose crystals (ENC) obtained from parenchymal tissue of ivory nut endosperm, has a natural capacity as a universal binder. This feature is enhanced when it is chemically functionalized, and can be exploited in the fight against microbes. We tested the ability of sulfated ENC in aqueous suspension to encapsulate viruses through a crosslinking reaction mediated by cations. 0.25% w/v ENC suspensions efficiently encapsulated spike (S) protein, preventing its interaction with ACE2 receptor. ENC was further able to encapsulate SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses and prevent infection of 293T-ACE2 cells. ENC also suppressed infection of MT-4 cells with HIV-1 _LAI.04 . This antiviral activity of sulfated ENC is due to the irreversible interaction of ENC with viral particles mediated by crosslinking, as antiviral activity was less effective in the absence of cations. Additionally, ENC was used as a matrix to immobilize recombinant ACE2 receptors and anti-S IgG, creating molecular lures that efficiently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infections in vitro . These results show that sulfated ENC from ivory nuts can be used as an efficient antiviral material.

Nanocellulose-based hydrogels as versatile drug delivery vehicles: A review

Hydrogels designed with nanocellulose (i.e. cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and bacterial cellulose (BC)) have significant advantages as drug carriers due to their environmentally-benign features and excellent properties. Nanocellulose hydrogels have been demonstrated to sustainably deliver various kinds of drugs via different routes of administration, in which nanocellulose significantly improves the hydrogel properties and tunes the drug releasing profile. This article comprehensively summarizes the recent research progress on nanocellulose hydrogels in drug delivery. We carefully assessed the gelation methods for nanocellulose hydrogel design and highlighted the influence of nanocellulose on hydrogel properties and drug release behaviors. In particular, it is the first time to summarize the research on nanocellulose hydrogel-based drug carriers regarding specific routes of administration. This work provides a critical review of nanocellulose-based hydrogels as drug delivery vehicles, and also underlines the outlook in this field, with the objective to inspire/prompt future work, especially the practical applications of nanocellulose hydrogels in designing controlled drug delivery systems.

Nanoscale Technologies in the Fight against COVID-19: From Innovative Nanomaterials to Computer-Aided Discovery of Potential Antiviral Plant-Derived Drugs

The last few years have increasingly emphasized the need to develop new active antiviral products obtained from artificial synthesis processes using nanomaterials, but also derived from natural matrices. At the same time, advanced computational approaches have found themselves fundamental in the repurposing of active therapeutics or for reducing the very long developing phases of new drugs discovery, which represents a real limitation, especially in the case of pandemics. The first part of the review is focused on the most innovative nanomaterials promising both in the field of therapeutic agents, as well as measures to control virus spread (i.e., innovative antiviral textiles). The second part of the review aims to show how computer-aided technologies can allow us to identify, in a rapid and therefore constantly updated way, plant-derived molecules (i.e., those included in terpenoids) potentially able to efficiently interact with SARS-CoV-2 cell penetration pathways.

A new trend of using poly(vinyl alcohol) in 3D and 4D printing technologies: Process and applications

Recently, 3D/4D printing technologies have been the researchers' interest, and they are getting improved more important. They are applicable in various fields like medical fields, pharmaceutics, construction, tissue engineering, dentistry, water treatment, etc. These technologies overcame the difficulty of the conventional methods in producing complicated structures. They can be fed by different materials such as nanomaterials, smart polymers, responsive polymers, metamaterials, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, and so forth. One of the smart and stimuli-responsive polymers is poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). In addition to numerous applications of PVA like medicine, environmental fields, etc., researchers are showing a tendency to use PVA in 3D/4D printing technologies. The main reasons for PVA's increased interest in 3D/4D printing technologies are suitable flowability, stimuli-responsivity, extrudability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and other features. This review aims to introduce the 3D/4D printing technologies' knowledge and then the applications of PVA as a feed in these novel technologies.