Starch/microcrystalline cellulose hybrid gels as gastric-floating drug delivery systems

Co-delivery of hsa-miR-34a and 3-methyl adenine by a self-assembled cellulose-based nanocarrier for enhanced anti-tumor effects in HCC

The simultaneous delivery of oligonucleotides and small molecules has garnered significant interest in cancer therapy. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment is hindered by limited efficacy and significant side effects. Homo sapiens microRNA-34a (hsa-miR-34a) has tumor suppressor properties and like small molecule 3-methyl adenine (3MA) can inhibit autophagy. Besides, 3MA has been shown to enhance anticancer effects in combination therapies. In the present study, a novel modified-cellulose-dialdehyde (MDAC) nanocarrier responsive to lysosomal pH was designed to co-load hsa-miR-34a polyplexes and 3MA and evaluate its antitumor efficacy against HCC. Polyplexes containing hsa-miR-34a and poly L lysine (PLL) with an optimal N/P ratio exhibited a zeta potential of +9.28. These polycations significantly modulated the surface charge of 3MA MDAC for optimal cell-membrane transport and dramatically increased their stability. The PLL-miR34a/3MA MDAC NPs had loading efficiency of around 99.7 % for miR-34a and 35 % for 3MA. Comply with pH dependency, PLL-miR34a polyplex/3MA MDAC NPs worked very efficiently on the inhibiting the expression of autophagy genes (p < 0.05), preventing the formation of autophagosomal vacuoles, reducing rate of cell survival, anti-migratory effects (>100 %), and triggering apoptosis (67.15 %) in HepG2. Our cellulose-based nanocarrier may demonstrate potential for enhancing therapeutic efficacy of combination therapies headed for future clinical translation in HCC.

Effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate palmitate complexation under mild temperature on the structure and nutritional functions of porous rice starch

The correlation among the hierarchical structure, physicochemical properties, and nutritional functions of porous rice starch after absorbing and complexing with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate palmitate (P-EGCG) under mild temperatures at different reaction times were investigated. The P-EGCG loading rate (19.6 %-28.5 %) of porous starch increased after hydrolysis with a mixture of amyloglucosidase and α-amylase for 3 and 6 h, respectively. A decrease in the melting enthalpy of the amylopectin double helix and an increase in the melting enthalpy of the V-type helices after complexation was observed with longer reaction times. The retention index of P-EGCG after 6 h of incubation was 57.11 % following 21 d of storage. These structural changes significantly transformed portions of the rapidly and slowly digestible starches into resistant starch (41.68 %-47.84 %), accompanied by enhanced thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and enteropathogenic bacteria-inhibiting ability. Therefore, porous rice starch complexed with P-EGCG may provide controlled digestion, antioxidant activity, and potential gut microbiota benefits.

An Overview on the Role of Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents in Oral Pharmaceuticals

Over the past twenty years, ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained recognition across various fields, including catalysis, extraction and purification, materials science, and biotechnology. Notably, the use of ILs and DESs in pharmaceutical research, especially in drug delivery, has seen remarkable expansion over the past decade. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of ILs and DESs specifically designed for the oral administration of drugs having unfavorable biopharmaceutical properties. The classification and characteristics of ILs and DESs, along with their newer natural (Bio-ILs and NaDESs) and therapeutic subcategories (API-ILs and TheDESs) are outlined. Additionally, a further subgroup of ILs, known as surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), is described. Then, a detailed examination of the available manufacturing methods in a sustainable, time-consuming, and scalable perspective, and toxicity concerns in relation to their subdivision are evaluated. Finally, their specific applications in oral drug delivery, whether used as neat solvents or converted into administrable dosage forms, are analyzed and discussed. Despite the significant advancements in recent years regarding the use of these solvents in oral drug delivery, there are still many aspects that need further investigation. These include their interaction with biological systems (gastrointestinal fluids and mucosa), their long-term stability, and the development of effective drug delivery systems.

Solubility of cellulose derivatives is a limited indicator of their function on retarding starch digestion

Cellulose and its derivatives have been utilized as additives and functional fibers in food industries. The solubility has been traditionally used to categorize cellulose derivatives, whilst their complex effects within food matrix are less understood. In this study, insoluble forms i.e., cellulose and ethyl cellulose (EC), and soluble forms i.e., methylcellulose (MC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) were selected to investigate the mechanisms by which the two groups of cellulose ingredients regulate in vitro digestibility of starch-based foods. In the Michaelis-Menton analysis, the addition of insoluble cellulose or EC as inhibitors tended to decrease the Vmax of α-amylase at a non-significant level compared to the value without inhibitors (p > 0.05). Starch-based matrix with insoluble cellulose or EC became less porous, but did not consistently resulting in an increased level of resistant starch content. Soluble MC and Na-CMC as inhibitors not only significantly reduced the Vmax (decreased from 1.0 to 0.8 and 0.9 mg/min, respectively) and kcat/Km (catalytic efficiency, decreased from 30.9 to 22.2 and 23.3, respectively) of α-amylase (p < 0.05), but the formed matrices had higher level of short-range ordering (R1047/1022). The soluble forms of cellulose derivatives resulted in higher level of resistant starch (up to 6 %), compared to insoluble cellulose. In summary, this study provides new insights into the complexity in the effects of cellulose derivatives on the digestion of food matrix, and suggests that solubility is a limited indicator of their function on retarding starch digestion. The structural changes in starch-based food matrix induced by cellulose derivatives should be considered in the development of functional foods with low glycemic index.

Preparation and characterization of a thymol nanoemulsion-loaded multifunctional sustained-release corn straw cellulose nanocrystal/acetylated starch-based aerogel and its application in chilled meat preservation

Chilled meat is prone to microbial contamination during storage, resulting in a shortened shelf life. This study developed multifunctional biodegradable aerogel with water absorption, antibacterial, and sustained release properties as a preservation pad for meat, using corn straw cellulose nanocrystals (CSCNCs) and acetylated starch (AS) as the structural skeleton and thymol (TMO) nanoemulsions as antimicrobials. The effects of different mass ratios of CSCNCs/AS on the morphology, structure, physical properties, and release behavior of aerogels were systematically analyzed. Additionally, their antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability were investigated. The results showed that the aerogels with CSCNC/AS mass ratio of 1:5 had a tailored structure for loading TMO nanoemulsions, as well as excellent water absorption, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. Due to strong hydrogen bonding and a porous structure, the TMO in the aerogels was continuously and uniformly released into high-water-activity and fatty food simulants, mainly controlled by Fickian diffusion. Furthermore, it exhibited superior antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. The application of aerogels for chilled beef preservation extended the shelf life from 8 days to approximately 12 days, which was superior to commercially available preservation pads. Notably, the aerogels exhibited superior biodegradability in soil. Therefore, the prepared aerogel preservation pads showed great potential in preserving chilled meat.

Cellulose-Starch Composite Aerogels as Thermal Superinsulating Materials

The demand for sustainable packaging materials is rapidly increasing due to growing environmental concerns over the impact of plastic waste. In this study, biodegradable, porous, lightweight, and high-surface-area microcrystalline cellulose-starch (MCC-S) hybrid aerogels were synthesized via supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) drying. The samples were generated using five different MCC-S weight ratios and characterized for their morphology, crystallinity, and structural and thermal properties. When MCC and S were used together, aerogels with superior properties were obtained compared to those made from each component individually. Specifically, the 1:2 MCC-S aerogel exhibited the highest porosity (97%), the lowest density (0.058 g/cm3), and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.012 W/(m·K)) along with a high specific surface area (258 m2/g). Therefore, MCC-S aerogels are promising insulators for advanced packaging applications, potentially serving as a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam.

Robust, transparent, self-healable, recyclable all-starch-based gel with thermoelectric capability for wearable sensor

Conventional all-starch-based (ASB) gels are weak and lack ductility. The preparation of a robust ASB gel with multi-functionalities e.g., self-healing, anti-freezing, conductivity, and so forth, is highly desirable but challenging. Herein, a new kind of ASB gel was prepared by gelatinizing starch in urea and choline chloride solution (UC) with the aid of water. Its tensile strength was up to 1.08 MPa with a tensile strain of 313 %, and this value hardly changed after 10 days ageing. A high healing efficiency of 98 % can be achieved after 1 h of healing at room temperature, and the healed tensile strength reaches up to ca. 1.06 MPa, which is almost the highest value for ASB gel. The resultant ASB gel can surfer from bending and twisting at -80 °C. Moreover, ASB gel also exhibits excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In addition, UC endowed the ASB gel with ion conductivity, allowing it to be used as a flexible strain sensor to monitor human movement. The ion-conductive ASB gel also exhibited thermoelectric ability with a Seebeck coefficient of 2.5 mV K-1, which can be further improved to 5 mV K-1 with a maximum output voltage of 252 mV by introducing a gradient of ionic concentration.

Starch-Based Hydrogels as a Drug Delivery System in Biomedical Applications

Starch-based hydrogels have gained significant attention in biomedical applications as a type of drug delivery system due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to absorb and release drugs. Starch-based hydrogels can serve as effective carriers for pharmaceutical compounds such as drugs and proteins to develop drug-loaded hydrogel systems, providing controlled release over an extended period. The porous structure of a hydrogel allows for the diffusion of drugs, ensuring sustained and localized delivery to the target site. Moreover, starch-based hydrogels have been used as a powerful option in various biomedical fields, including cancer and infectious disease treatment. In addition, starch-based hydrogels have shown promise in tissue engineering applications since hydrogels can be used as scaffolds or matrices to support cell growth and tissue regeneration. Depending on techniques such as chemical crosslinking or physical gelation, it can create a three-dimensional network structure that tunes its mechanical properties and mimics the extracellular matrix. Starch-based hydrogels can also provide a supportive environment for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation to promote specific cellular responses and tissue regeneration processes with the loading of growth factors, cytokines, or other bioactive molecules. In this review, starch-based hydrogels as a versatile platform for various biomedical applications are discussed.

Recent preparation, modification and application progress of starch nanocrystals: A review

Due to the advantages of wide sources, high biocompatibility and favorable biodegradability, starch nanocrystals (SNCs) have gradually attracted attention and have bright development prospects in food, agriculture, materials, medicine and other fields. However, the traditional preparation method of SNCs is time-consuming and inefficient, and the physicochemical properties cannot fully meet the needs of multiple applications. Fortunately, the unique onion-like structure of starch granules and the large number of hydroxyl groups present on the surface entitle SNCs to efficient preparation and modification. This paper comprehensively reviewed the improvement methods of SNCs preparation process in recent years, and the advantages and disadvantages of the two improvement strategies were compared. Besides, the importance of introducing different pretreatment methods into the SNCs preparation process was emphasized. It also focused on the different modification treatment and application progress of SNCs, especially in the starch-based surface coating of fruits and vegetables. The information will contribute to further improve the preparation efficiency and physicochemical properties of SNCs, and ultimately expand the application field.

The effects of pulsed electric fields treatment on the structure and physicochemical properties of dialdehyde starch

The structural and physicochemical properties changes of corn starch oxidized by sodium periodate under the assistance of pulsed electric fields (PEF) were studied. It was found that dialdehyde starch (DAS) particles produced by PEF-assisted oxidation exhibited shrinkage and pits, and had a larger particle size when compared to the control without PEF. The solubility of the DAS (12 kV/cm PEF- assisted oxidation) improved by 70.2% when compared to the native starch. Increment in the strength of the PEF, led to a decrease in the viscosity of the DAS. In addition, the aldehyde group content of the DAS produced by PEF-assisted oxidation exhibited shrinkage and pits, and had a larger particle size when compared to the control increased by 11.6% when compared with the traditional oxidation method. PEF is an effective method to promote oxidation reaction of starch.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic of Curcuminoids Formulations with an Omega-3 Fatty Acids Monoglyceride Carrier: A Randomized Cross-Over Triple-Blind Study

There is a growing interest for curcuminoids in the general population and the scientific research community. Curcuminoids, derived from turmeric spice, are lipophiles and therefore have a low solubility in water which hence have a low bioavailability in the human plasma. To circumvent this issue, a natural product developed by Biodroga Nutraceuticals combined curcuminoids with omega-3 fatty acids (OM3) esterified in monoglycerides (MAG). The objective was to perform a 24 h pharmacokinetics in humans receiving a single dose of curcuminoid formulated by three different means, and to compare their plasma curcuminoids concentration. Sixteen males and fifteen females tested three formulations: 400 mg of curcuminoids powder extract, 400 mg of curcuminoids in rice oil and 400 mg of curcuminoids with 1 g MAG-OM3. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 24 h post dose intake. Plasma samples were analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Twenty-four hours after a single dose intake, the total plasma curcuminoids area under the curve (AUC) reached 166.8 ± 17.8 ng/mL*h, 134.0 ± 12.7 ng/mL*h and 163.1 ± 15.3 ng/mL*h when curcuminoids were provided with MAG-OM3, with rice oil or in powder, respectively. The C_max of total curcuminoids reached between 11.9-17.7 ng/mL at around 4 h (T_max). One-hour post-dose, the curcuminoids plasma concentration was 40% higher in participants consuming the MAG-OM3 compared to the other formulations. Thus, in a young population, plasma curcuminoids 24 h pharmacokinetics and its increase shortly after the single dose intake were higher when provided with MAG-OM3 than rice oil.

Polymeric Excipients in the Technology of Floating Drug Delivery Systems

The combination of targeted transport and improvement of the release profile of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is a current trend in the development of oral medicinal products (MP). A well-known way to implement this concept is to obtain floating gastroretentive delivery systems that provide a long stay of the dosage form (DF) on the surface of the stomach contents. The nomenclature of excipients (Es) of a polymeric nature used in the technology of obtaining floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) is discussed. Based on the data presented in research papers, the most widely used groups of polymers, their properties, and their purpose in various technological approaches to achieving buoyancy have been determined. In addition, ways to modify the release of APIs in these systems and the Es used for this are described. The current trends in the use of polymers in the technology of floating dosage forms (FDF) and generalized conclusions about the prospects of this direction are outlined.

Silicon-Doped Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots as Efficient Nanoconjugates for Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) hold great promise as a new class of high-performance carbonaceous nanomaterials due to their numerous functional properties, such as tunable photoluminescence (PL), excellent thermal and chemical stability, and superior biocompatibility. In this study, we developed a facile, one-pot, and effective strategy to engineer the interface of GOQDs through covalent doping with silicon. The successful covalent attachment of the silane dopant with pendant vinyl groups to the edges of the GOQDs was confirmed by an in-depth investigation of the structural and morphological characteristics. The Si-GOQD nanoconjugates had an average dimension of ∼8 nm, with a graphite-structured core and amorphous carbon on their shell. We further used the infrared nanoimaging based on scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy to unveil the spectral near-field response of GOQD samples and to measure the nanoscale IR response of its network; we then demonstrated their distinct domains with strongly enhanced near fields. The doping of Si atoms into the sp²-hybridized graphitic framework of GOQDs also led to tailored PL emissions. We then sought to explore the potential applications of Si-GOQDs on the surface of plastic films where poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) served as a bridge to tightly anchor the Si-GOQDs to the surface. The bi-layered coated films which were built with co-assembly of Si-GOQDs and PDMS contributed to suppressing the transmission of water molecules due to the generation of compact and less accessible passing sites, achieving a nearly twofold reduction in water permeability compared to the single-layered coated films. The nanoindentation and PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping showed that Si-GOQD-coated substrates were softer and more deformable than those coated only with PDMS. The co-assembly of PDMS and Si-GOQDs yielded films that were less stiff than those made from PDMS alone. Our findings provided conceptual insights into the importance of nanoscale surface engineering of GOQDs in conferring excellent dispersibility and enhancing the performance of nanocomposite films.

A critical review on the techniques used for the synthesis and applications of crystalline cellulose derived from agricultural wastes and forest residues

In order to meet the growing energy crisis of the 21st century, the utilization of bio-based materials has become a field of high research endeavour. In view of that, the present review paper is focused on different techniques that are frequently explored for the synthesis of value-added crystalline derivatives of cellulose like MCC and NCC from agricultural wastes and forest residues. Moreover, a comparative analysis between thermochemical and biochemical methods is carried out for such valorization of biomass considering the mechanism involved with various reactions. Further, a critical analysis is performed on various individual techniques specifically used for the applications of MCC and NCC in different fields including environmental, polymer industry, pharmaceutical and other emerging sectors. This article will assist the readers not only to explore new biomass sources but also provides an in-depth insight on various green and cost-effective methods for sustainable production of crystalline cellulose.

Recent Advances in Ionic Liquids in Biomedicine

The use of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents in biomedical applications has grown dramatically in recent years due to their unique properties and their inherent tunability. This review will introduce ionic liquids and deep eutectics and discuss their biomedical applications, namely solubilization of drugs, creation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, delivery of pharmaceuticals through biological barriers, stabilization of proteins and other nucleic acids, antibacterial agents, and development of new biosensors. Current challenges and future outlooks are discussed, including biocompatibility, the potential impact of the presence of impurities, and the importance of understanding the microscopic interactions in ionic liquids in order to design task-specific solvents.

Applications of Biopolymers for Drugs and Probiotics Delivery

Research regarding the use of biopolymers has been of great interest to scientists, the medical community, and the industry especially in recent years. Initially used for food applications, the special properties extended their use to the pharmaceutical and medical industries. The practical applications of natural drug encapsulation materials have emerged as a result of the benefits of the use of biopolymers as edible coatings and films in the food industry. This review highlights the use of polysaccharides in the pharmaceutical industries and as encapsulation materials for controlled drug delivery systems including probiotics, focusing on their development, various applications, and benefits. The paper provides evidence in support of research studying the use of biopolymers in the development of new drug delivery systems, explores the challenges and limitations in integrating polymer-derived materials with product delivery optimization, and examines the host biological/metabolic parameters that can be used in the development of new applications.

Preparation, characterization and its potential applications in Isoniazid drug delivery of porous microcrystalline cellulose from banana pseudostem fibers

Banana pseudostem, a cellulose-rich by-product, is regarded as an important agricultural waste during the process of banana production. Microcrystalline cellulose was successfully prepared from banana pseudostem using acid hydrolysis method. Microcrystalline cellulose was characterized through various techniques such as XRD, TGA, SEM, FTIR and antioxidant activity to explore the possible applications in the pharmaceutical industries especially as a drug delivery vehicle. The investigation revealed that the derived microcrystalline cellulose is non-aggregated, short rods with high crystallinity index 67% and stable up to 347 °C. FTIR spectroscopy showed that hydrolysis treatments are efficient for the removal of lignin and hemicellulose content. Microcrystalline cellulose exhibited good antioxidant activity 90.29% at 100 μg/ml. In vitro studies for the drug release were carried out in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) using Isoniazid drug. The study proves that microcrystalline cellulose can be directly obtained from banana pseudostem which is not only beneficial to reduce the cost of traditional microcrystalline cellulose but is also conducive to the value-added utilization of the pseudostem.

Introduction: biopolymers and biocomposites

Biopolymers and biocomposites are an exciting class of ubiquitous materials. Interest in these materials has been driven in part by their biocompatibility/biodegradability, sustainability, potentially low-cost, renewability, being environmental benign, among other properties. These fascinating materials come in a range of forms from the DNA and RNA that is essential to life to the cellulose and collagen that mechanically reinforce tissues and as hybrid organic–inorganic composites like teeth. Herein, we summarize some aspects of the two classes of materials biopolymer and biocomposites, exploring specific examples while pointing to potential monomer sources, neoteric post-extraction modification and processing conditions. This lays the foundation to the following more specific chapters while illustrating the breadth of these material classes.

Amylose/cellulose nanofiber composites for all-natural, fully biodegradable and flexible bioplastics

Thermoplastic, polysaccharide-based plastics are environmentally friendly. However, typical shortcomings include lack of water resistance and poor mechanical properties. Nanocomposite manufacturing using pure, highly linear, polysaccharides can overcome such limitations. Cast nanocomposites were fabricated with plant engineered pure amylose (AM), produced in bulk quantity in transgenic barley grain, and cellulose nanofibers (CNF), extracted from agrowaste sugar beet pulp. Morphology, crystallinity, chemical heterogeneity, mechanics, dynamic mechanical, gas and water permeability, and contact angle of the films were investigated. Blending CNF into the AM matrix significantly enhanced the crystallinity, mechanical properties and permeability, whereas glycerol increased elongation at break, mainly by plasticizing the AM. There was significant phase separation between AM and CNF. Dynamic plasticizing and anti-plasticizing effects of both CNF and glycerol were demonstrated by NMR demonstrating high molecular order, but also non-crystalline, and evenly distributed 20 nm-sized glycerol domains. This study demonstrates a new lead in functional polysaccharide-based bioplastic systems.

Hidrogeles de colágeno acoplados con hidroxiapatita para aplicaciones en ingeniería tisular

Los hidrogeles basados en colágeno son redes tridimensionales (3D) con la capacidad de absorber agua y una alta biocompatibilidad para utilizarlos en la reparación de tejidos dañados. Estos materiales presentan pobres propiedades mecánicas y velocidades de degradación rápidas, limitando su aplicación a estrategias de ingeniería tisular y biomedicina; por ésto, la incorporación de fases inorgánicas en la matriz 3D del colágeno como la hidroxiapatita ha contribuido en la mejora de sus propiedades, incrementado la eficiencia de los hidrogeles híbridos obtenidos. Este trabajo, presenta las contribuciones más relevantes relacionadas con los sistemas de hidrogeles basados en colágeno y partículas de hidroxiapatita dispersas dentro de la matriz colagénica, lo que evidencia que la combinación de los materiales no altera la biocompatibilidad y biodegradabilidad típicas del colágeno, permitiendo la adhesión, proliferación, crecimiento celular y control del metabolismo de las células implicadas en los procesos de una reparación ósea, presentando a los hidrogeles como una estrategia para su uso potencial en la ingeniería tisular.

Preparation and Characterization of High Amylose Corn Starch⁻Microcrystalline Cellulose Aerogel with High Absorption

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) aerogels were synthesized, blendingwith high amylose corn starch of different contents based on a NaOH–urea solution, and following by vacuum freeze-drying technology. The microstructure of the aerogel was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as an interconnected, porous three-dimensional structure, while X-ray diffractogram (XRD) measurements showed that the crystalline form was converted from cellulose I to cellulose II during dissolution and regeneration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the content of starch had little effect on the thermal stability of the aerogel, whereas the content of starch had great influences on absorption and viscoelastic properties. When the ratio of starch was 10% and 15%, the prepared aerogels presented a low density and abundant pores, which endowed the aerogels, not only with the highest absorption ratio of pump oil and linseed oil (10.63 and 11.44 g/g, respectively), but also with better dynamic viscoelastic properties.