Investigating a galactomannan gel obtained from Cassia grandis seeds as immobilizing matrix for Cramoll lectin

Combining in silico and in vitro approaches for understanding the mechanism of action of the galactomannan extracted from Cassia grandis seeds against colorectal cancer

This study aimed to investigate the antitumor activity of galactomannan extracted from Cassia grandis seeds (GCg) against colorectal cancer cells using both experimental and computational approaches. Galactomannan was extracted from C. grandis seeds and prepared into solutions with varying concentrations. The cytotoxicity of these solutions was tested on HT-29 and HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. Additionally, computational evaluations, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, were performed to explore the potential binding interactions of GCg with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). The experimental results demonstrated that GCg significantly inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells, especially at concentrations of 5 mg/mL. On the other hand, no concentration inhibited >30 % of HCT-116 cells. Computational analysis revealed that GCg could bind to the ATP-binding site of CDK2, promoting the inactive DFG-out conformation, similar to the known inhibitor K03861. This interaction suggests a mechanism through which GCg may exert its anticancer effects. GCg exhibits significant cytotoxic activity against HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, likely through the inhibition of CDK2; however, its efficacy against HCT-116 cells is limited, possibly due to structural differences in the molecular targets. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have explored the applications of GCg in cancers, particularly colorectal ones. Further studies are needed to explore the antimetastatic effects and potential clinical applications of GCg in colorectal cancer treatment.

Purification and characterization of a protease produced by submerged fermentation: Ultrasound-enhanced collagenolytic protease from Streptomyces parvulus

Proteases are a large group of enzymes in high demand due to their wide and different biotechnological applications mainly in the biomedical field. Ultrasound (US) has been used successfully in several Bioprocesses in biotechnology, such as in the upregulation of enzymatic hydrolysis (biocatalysis). The objective of this work was to purify an enzyme from Streptomyces parvulus and to characterize it through physic-chemical applications including ultrasound effect. The purified protease has a molecular weight of 78.0 KDa, a yield of 31 % and 11.8-fold, it was stable between pH 4-9, optimum pH at 7.5, temperature of 0-45 °C, and showed optimum temperature at 45 °C, exhibited enhanced activity with Ca2+ and Mg2+, and was inhibited by PMSF. US in the treatment or pre-treatment of enzymatic reactions showed to be favorable and increase the activity around 85 % for the optimum temperature 45 °C. Also, in circular dichroism spectra it was shown a significant change in enzyme structure under US effect enhancing the real activity. Besides, the US improved the enzyme reactions for all assays. The purified enzyme was successfully immobilized in chitosan film. Thus, the present work demonstrated the promising results of a protease with collagenolytic activity in the field of Biotechnology by proving the positive effect induced by ultrasound.

Application of the galactomannan gel from Cassia grandis seeds for biomedical purposes: Study of the incorporation of collagenases and their release profile

The galactomannan-based gel from Cassia grandis seeds was used to incorporate Penicillium sp. UCP 1286 and commercial collagenases. Experiments were carried out according to a 23-full factorial design to identify the most significant parameters for the incorporation process. The pH of the incorporation solution (pHi), stirring time (t), and initial protein concentration in the crude extract (PCi) were selected as the three independent variables, and the efficiency of collagenase incorporation (E) and collagenolytic activity (CA) after 360 min as the responses. pHi and PCi showed positive statistically significant effects on E, while CA was positively influenced by pHi and t, but negatively by PCi. The fungi collagenase was released from the gel following a pseudo-Fickian behavior. Additionally, no <76 % of collagenase was efficiently incorporated into the gel retaining a high CA (32.5-69.8 U/mL). The obtained results for the commercial collagenase (E = 93.88 %, CA = 65.8 U/mL, and n = 0.10) demonstrated a pseudo-Fickian behavior similar to the fungi-collagenase. The results confirm the biotechnological potential of the gel as an efficient matrix for the incorporation of catalytic compounds; additionally, the incorporation of collagenases was achieved by retaining the proteases CA and releasing them in a controlled manner.

Effects including photobiomodulation of galactomannan gel from Cassia grandis seeds in the healing process of second-degree burns

The epithelium recovery of skin-burned wounds has been currently achieved by several therapies, for example, hydrogel-based dressings and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the healing activity of Cassia grandis seeds' galactomannan gel, associated or not with PBMT, in second-degree burns. Sixty male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: Control (CG), Gel (GG), Laser/PBMT (LG), and Laser+Gel (GLG). Burns were made with an aluminum bar (90 °C), and submitted to clinical observations diary and area measurements at specific days. Microscopic analysis was based on histological criteria. The results showed that GG, LG, and GLG had a higher contraction rate (p < 0.05) than CG on the 14th experimental day, not differing from each other (∼95 %). At 21 days, all groups showed complete contraction (p > 0.05). Considering the histological results, LG and GLG showed excellent pro-wound healing properties after 14 days; at 21 days, all groups showed wound recovery compared to previous days. In view of the macroscopic and microscopic observations, the isolated treatments (Gel or Laser) effectively accelerated healing; however, the association (Laser+Gel) promoted re-epithelialization and stromal remodeling with better evolution of epithelium recovery due to the positive synergistic effect, thus emerging as a promising therapeutic alternative in the repair of burns.

Properties of galactomannans and their textile-related applications-A concise review

Galactomannans are reserve carbohydrates in legume plants and are primarily extracted from their seeds. They contain galactose side chains throughout the mannose backbone and have unique features such as emulsifying, thickening, and gelling together with biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which make them an appealing material. Guar gum and locust bean gum mainly are used in all galactomannan needed applications. Nonetheless, tara gum and fenugreek gum have also attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Despite the increased usage of galactomannans in the textile-related fields in recent years, there is no review article published yet. To fill this gap and to demonstrate the striking and increasing importance of galactomannans, a concise summary of the properties of common galactomannans and their comparisons is given first, followed by an account of recent developments and applications of galactomannans in the textile-related fields. The associated potential opportunities are also provided at the end of this review.

Hydrogel and membrane scaffold formulations of Frutalin (breadfruit lectin) within a polysaccharide galactomannan matrix have potential for wound healing

Plant lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, which can interact with cell surfaces to initiate anti-inflammatory pathways, as well as immunomodulatory functions. Here, we have extracted, purified and part-characterized the bioactivity of Jacalin, Frutalin, DAL and PNA, before evaluating their potential for wound healing in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Only Frutalin stimulated fibroblast migration in vitro, prompting further studies which established its low cytotoxicity and interaction with TLR4 receptors. Frutalin also increased p-ERK expression and stimulated IL-6 secretion. The in vivo potential of Frutalin for wound healing was then assessed in hybrid combination with the polysaccharide galactomannan, purified from Caesalpinia pulcherrima seeds, using both hydrogel and membrane scaffolds formulations. Physical-chemical characterization of the hybrid showed that lectin-galactomannan interactions increased the pseudoplastic behaviour of solutions, reducing viscosity and increasing Frutalin's concentration. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy revealed -OH band displacement, likely caused by interaction of Frutalin with galactose residues present on galactomannan chains, while average membrane porosity was 100 μm, sufficient to ensure water vapor permeability. Accelerated angiogenesis and increased fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation were observed with the optimal hybrid recovering the lesioned area after 11 days. Our findings indicate Frutalin as a biomolecule with potential for tissue repair, regeneration and chronic wound healing.

Biopolymer from Adenanthera pavonina L. Seeds: Characterization, Photostability, Antioxidant Activity, and Biotoxicity Evaluation

Plant polysaccharides have been increasingly employed in the pharmaceutical, industrial, and food environments due to their versatile functional properties. In the present investigation, a heteropolysaccharide galactomannan (GAP) was extracted from Adenanthera pavonina L. seeds and characterized by physicochemical analyses to determine its thermal properties, photostability, antioxidant activity, and acute toxicity. GAP was characterized by FTIR, DSC, and TG. The photostability of GAP submitted to artificial UV irradiation was analyzed. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical-scavenging method, while a bioassay method was carried out to study acute toxicity in Artemia salina L. Physical-chemical and functional characteristics of GAP support its potential role in the food and pharmaceutical industries. GAP was photostable under UV irradiation. In vitro GAP antioxidant evaluation showed that it bears free radical-scavenging activity for DPPH radicals. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of GAP was 239.4 mg∙mL−1, indicating that this biopolymer is nontoxic. Such results indicate that this biopolymer presents characteristics of neutrality, photostability, and nontoxicity that are commercially attractive.