ZnO-incorporated alginate assemblies: Tunable pH-responsiveness and improved drug delivery for cancer therapy

Advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy by alginate-based multifunctional hydrogels: A review

The field of oncology has been changed by the application of hydrogels. These 3D polymeric networks have demonstrated significant promise in the treatment of cancer and can boost the efficacy of conventional therapeutics including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Noteworthy, the development of biocompatible and effective hydrogels has been of interest. In this case, alginate as a biopolymer and carbohydrate polymer has been used to modify or synthesis multifunctional nanoparticles for the treatment of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, highlighting the function of alginate in the development of hydrogels in cancer therapy can provide new insights for improving outcome and survival rate of patients. Alginate hydrogels improve the specific and selective delivery of cargo and therefore, they reduce the systemic toxicity of drugs, while they enhance anti-cancer activity. Alginate hydrogels protect the genes against degradation by enzymes and increase blood circulation time. The alginate hydrogels can respond to the specific stimuli in the tumor microenvironment including pH, redox and light to improve the site-specific release of cargo. The nanoparticles can be incorporated in the structure of alginate hydrogels to augment their anti-cancer activity. In addition, alginate hydrogels can accelerate immunotherapy and phototherapy through delivery of immunomodulators and photosensitizers, respectively.

A comprehensive review on crosslinked network systems of zinc oxide-organic polymer composites

In recent years, the synergistic crosslinked networks formed by zinc oxide (ZnO) particles and organic polymers have gained significant attention. This importance is ascribed due to the valuable combination of low band gap containing ZnO particles with responsive behavior containing organic polymers. These properties of both ZnO and organic polymers make a suitable system of crosslinked ZnO-organic polymer composite (CZOPC) for various applications in the fields of biomedicine, catalysis, and environmental perspectives. The literature extensively provided the diverse morphologies and structures of CZOPC, and these architectural structures play a crucial role in determining their efficiency across various applications. Consequently, the careful design of CZOPC shapes tailored to specific purposes has become a focal point. This comprehensive review provides insights into the classifications, synthetic approaches, characterizations, and applications of ZnO particles decorated in organic polymers with crosslinked network. The exploration extends to the adsorption, environmental, catalytic, and biomedical applications of ZnO-organic polymer composites. Adopting a tutorial approach, the review systematically investigates and elucidates the applications of CZOPC with a comprehensive understanding of their diverse capabilities and uses.

Biomedical potency and mechanisms of marine polysaccharides and oligosaccharides: A review

Derived from bountiful marine organisms (predominantly algae, fauna, and microorganisms), marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides are intricate macromolecules that play a significant role in the growth and development of marine life. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides as auspicious natural products due to their promising biological attributes. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in the miscellaneous biological activities of marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides that encompasses their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetes mellitus, and anticoagulant properties. Furthermore, we furnish a concise summary of the underlying mechanisms governing the behavior of these biological macromolecules. We hope that this review inspires research on marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides in medicinal applications while offering fresh perspectives on their broader facets.