Development of rhamnose-rich hydrogels based on sulfated xylorhamno-uronic acid toward wound healing applications

Marine algal polysaccharides: Multifunctional bioactive ingredients for cosmetic formulations

Marine algal polysaccharides (MAP) are increasingly recognized as versatile bioactive ingredients in cosmetics due to their wide-ranging therapeutic benefits and eco-friendly sourcing. Sourced from red, brown, and green algae, these polysaccharides deliver numerous advantages for skin health, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, hydrating, and regenerative properties. As demand for natural and sustainable products grows, MAP offer a renewable and environmentally responsible alternative to synthetic chemicals. This review examines the chemical structures, extraction methods, biological activities, and cosmetic applications of key MAP, such as carrageenans, alginates, fucoidans, laminaran, ulvan, and sulfated rhamnan. It also discusses emerging research trends, innovative extraction techniques, and the formulation of multifunctional products that combine these polysaccharides with other bioactive compounds. As consumer preferences increasingly lean toward ethical and sustainable choices, MAP are well-positioned to contribute to the development of high-performance cosmetic products that meet both industry standards and consumer expectations.

Niosome-Based Hydrogel of Quince Extract: A Promising Strategy for Expedited Full-thickness Wound Healing in Rat

BACKGROUND

The regeneration of tissue damage involves a series of molecular and cellular events that can be mediated by various natural compounds. Recent studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and skin-protecting properties of Cydonia oblonga (Quince), which are mainly attributed to phenolic compounds. These compounds may have some drawbacks when targeting wound applications, including low bioavailability at the wound site. Moreover, to overcome these limitations, surfactant-based nanovesicular systems have been developed as carriers of such compounds for wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to highlight the possible therapeutic potential of niosome-based hydrogel from Quince extract to stabilize and deliver the related bioactive compounds to full-thickness wounds in rats.

METHODS

The niosomal hydrogel was prepared using a thin-film hydration method with the fruit extract (70% methanol). The formulation was optimized by evaluating size, zeta potential, dispersion index, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsal cervical area of Wistar rats, and histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens was conducted on the 12th day of treatment.

RESULTS

Under the study conditions, niosomal hydrogel displayed good physicochemical stability. Histopathological findings demonstrated that niosomal gel promoted angiogenesis, fibroblast maturation, collagen deposition, keratinization, and epidermal layer formation more effectively than control and hydrogel base. Furthermore, niosomal gel treatment markedly reduced inflammation. The total phenol concentration was determined to be 13.34 ± 0.90 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract.

CONCLUSION

The niosomal hydrogel containing C. oblonga extract shows potential as a novel approach for wound healing, warranting further investigation in this field.

Innovative technologies for the fabrication of 3D/4D smart hydrogels and its biomedical applications - A comprehensive review

Repairing and regenerating damaged tissues or organs, and restoring their functioning has been the ultimate aim of medical innovations. 'Reviving healthcare' blends tissue engineering with alternative techniques such as hydrogels, which have emerged as vital tools in modern medicine. Additive manufacturing (AM) is a practical manufacturing revolution that uses building strategies like molding as a viable solution for precise hydrogel manufacturing. Recent advances in this technology have led to the successful manufacturing of hydrogels with enhanced reproducibility, accuracy, precision, and ease of fabrication. Hydrogels continue to metamorphose as the vital compatible bio-ink matrix for AM. AM hydrogels have paved the way for complex 3D/4D hydrogels that can be loaded with drugs or cells. Bio-mimicking 3D cell cultures designed via hydrogel-based AM is a groundbreaking in-vivo assessment tool in biomedical trials. This brief review focuses on preparations and applications of additively manufactured hydrogels in the biomedical spectrum, such as targeted drug delivery, 3D-cell culture, numerous regenerative strategies, biosensing, bioprinting, and cancer therapies. Prevalent AM techniques like extrusion, inkjet, digital light processing, and stereo-lithography have been explored with their setup and methodology to yield functional hydrogels. The perspectives, limitations, and the possible prospects of AM hydrogels have been critically examined in this study.

Recent Developments in 3D-(Bio)printed Hydrogels as Wound Dressings

Wound healing is a physiological process occurring after the onset of a skin lesion aiming to reconstruct the dermal barrier between the external environment and the body. Depending on the nature and duration of the healing process, wounds are classified as acute (e.g., trauma, surgical wounds) and chronic (e.g., diabetic ulcers) wounds. The latter take several months to heal or do not heal (non-healing chronic wounds), are usually prone to microbial infection and represent an important source of morbidity since they affect millions of people worldwide. Typical wound treatments comprise surgical (e.g., debridement, skin grafts/flaps) and non-surgical (e.g., topical formulations, wound dressings) methods. Modern experimental approaches include among others three dimensional (3D)-(bio)printed wound dressings. The present paper reviews recently developed 3D (bio)printed hydrogels for wound healing applications, especially focusing on the results of their in vitro and in vivo assessment. The advanced hydrogel constructs were printed using different types of bioinks (e.g., natural and/or synthetic polymers and their mixtures with biological materials) and printing methods (e.g., extrusion, digital light processing, coaxial microfluidic bioprinting, etc.) and incorporated various bioactive agents (e.g., growth factors, antibiotics, antibacterial agents, nanoparticles, etc.) and/or cells (e.g., dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, etc.).

Anti-inflammatory potential of ulvan

Green seaweeds are a widespread group of marine macroalgae that could be regarded as biorenewable source of valuable compounds, in particular sulfated polysaccharides like ulvans with interesting biological properties. Among them, anti-inflammatory activity represents an interesting target, since ulvans could potentially avoid side effects of conventional therapies. However, a great variability in ulvan content, composition, structure and properties occurs depending on seaweed specie and growth and processing conditions. All these aspects should be carefully considered in order to have reproducible and well characterized products. This review presents some concise ideas on ulvan composition and general concepts on inflammation mechanisms. Then, the main focus is on the importance of adequate selection of extraction, depolymerization and purification technologies followed by an updated survey on anti-inflammatory properties of ulvans through modulation of different signaling pathways. The potential application in a number of diseases, with special emphasis on inflammaging, gut microbiota dysbiosis, wound repair, and metabolic diseases is also discussed. This multidisciplinary overview tries to present the potential of ulvans considering not only mechanistic, but also processing and applications aspects, trusting that it can aid in the development and application of this widely available and renewable resource as an efficient and versatile anti-inflammatory agent.

Marine-derived polysaccharides and their therapeutic potential in wound healing application - A review

Polysaccharides originating from marine sources have been studied as potential material for use in wound dressings because of their desirable characteristics of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Marine-derived polysaccharides used as wound dressing, provide several benefits such as promoting wound healing by providing a moist environment that facilitates cell migration and proliferation. They can also act as a barrier against external contaminants and provide a protective layer to prevent further damage to the wound. Research studies have shown that marine-derived polysaccharides can be used to develop different types of wound dressings such as hydrogels, films, and fibres. These dressings can be personalised to meet specific requirements based on the type and severity of the wound. For instance, hydrogels can be used for deep wounds to provide a moist environment, while films can be used for superficial wounds to provide a protective barrier. Additionally, these polysaccharides can be modified to improve their properties, such as enhancing their mechanical strength or increasing their ability to release bioactive molecules that can promote wound healing. Overall, marine-derived polysaccharides show great promise for developing effective and safe wound dressings for various wound types.

Recent Advances in Marine Biomaterials Tailored and Primed for the Treatment of Damaged Soft Tissues

The inherent self-repair abilities of the body often fall short when it comes to addressing injuries in soft tissues like skin, nerves, and cartilage. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have concentrated their research efforts on creating natural biomaterials to overcome this intrinsic healing limitation. This comprehensive review delves into the advancement of such biomaterials using substances and components sourced from marine origins. These marine-derived materials offer a sustainable alternative to traditional mammal-derived sources, harnessing their advantageous biological traits including sustainability, scalability, reduced zoonotic disease risks, and fewer religious restrictions. The use of diverse engineering methodologies, ranging from nanoparticle engineering and decellularization to 3D bioprinting and electrospinning, has been employed to fabricate scaffolds based on marine biomaterials. Additionally, this review assesses the most promising aspects in this field while acknowledging existing constraints and outlining necessary future steps for advancement.

3D-Printed Products for Topical Skin Applications: From Personalized Dressings to Drug Delivery

3D printing has been widely used for the personalization of therapies and on-demand production of complex pharmaceutical forms. Recently, 3D printing has been explored as a tool for the development of topical dosage forms and wound dressings. Thus, this review aims to present advances related to the use of 3D printing for the development of pharmaceutical and biomedical products for topical skin applications, covering plain dressing and products for the delivery of active ingredients to the skin. Based on the data acquired, the important growth in the number of publications over the last years confirms its interest. The semisolid extrusion technique has been the most reported one, probably because it allows the use of a broad range of polymers, creating the most diverse therapeutic approaches. 3D printing has been an excellent field for customizing dressings, according to individual needs. Studies discussed here imply the use of metals, nanoparticles, drugs, natural compounds and proteins and peptides for the treatment of wound healing, acne, pain relief, and anti-wrinkle, among others. The confluence of 3D printing and topical applications has undeniable advantages, and we would like to encourage the research groups to explore this field to improve the patient's life quality, adherence and treatment efficacy.

Development and Characterization of Ulvan Polysaccharides-Based Hydrogel Films for Potential Wound Dressing Applications

Background

Ulvan is a natural polymer and type of sulfated polysaccharides from green seaweed that could have potential as a candidate for wound dressing material based on the support of its biopolymer characteristics such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Objective

In this study, we developed and prepared three different hydrogel films to explore the potency of ulvan for wound dressing application.

Methods

Ulvan hydrogel films were prepared by the facile method through ionic crosslinking with boric acid and added glycerol as a plasticizer. The films were evaluated in regard to swelling degree, water vapor transmission (WVTR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), powder x-ray diffractometry (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity.

Results

The hydrogel films showed that the different concentration of ulvan in the formula affects the characteristics of the hydrogel film. The higher the concentration of ulvan in UHF, the higher the value of viscosity (201±13.45 to 689±62.23 cps for UHF5 to UHF10), swelling degree (82% to 130% for UHF5 to UHF10 at 1 h), moisture content (24%±1.94% to 18.4%±0.51 for UHF5 to UHF10), and the WVTR were obtained in the range 1856–2590g/m²/24h. Meanwhile, the SEM showed porous hydrogel film. Besides, all hydrogel films can reduce hydroxyl radicals and inhibit gram-positive and negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus epidermidis).

Conclusion

The swelling behavior and WVTR of these films are great and could have potential as a wound dressing biomaterial, supported by their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

3D Printed Chitosan-Pectin Hydrogels: From Rheological Characterization to Scaffold Development and Assessment

Chitosan-pectin hydrogels were prepared, and their rheological properties were assessed in order to select the best system to develop scaffolds by 3D printing. Hydrogels showed a weak gel behavior with shear thinning flow properties, caused by the physical interactions formed between both polysaccharides, as observed by FTIR analysis. Since systems with high concentration of pectin showed aggregations, the system composed of 2 wt% chitosan and 2 wt% pectin (CHI2PEC2) was selected for 3D printing. 3D printed scaffolds showed good shape accuracy, and SEM and XRD analyses revealed a homogeneous and amorphous structure. Moreover, scaffolds were stable and kept their shape and size after a cycle of compression sweeps. Their integrity was also maintained after immersion in PBS at 37 °C, showing a high swelling capacity, suitable for exudate absorption in wound healing applications.

Marine Polysaccharides for Wound Dressings Application: An Overview

Wound dressings have become a crucial treatment for wound healing due to their convenience, low cost, and prolonged wound management. As cutting-edge biomaterials, marine polysaccharides are divided from most marine organisms. It possesses various bioactivities, which allowing them to be processed into various forms of wound dressings. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the application of marine polysaccharides in wound dressings is particularly important for the studies of wound therapy. In this review, we first introduce the wound healing process and describe the characteristics of modern commonly used dressings. Then, the properties of various marine polysaccharides and their application in wound dressing development are outlined. Finally, strategies for developing and enhancing marine polysaccharide wound dressings are described, and an outlook of these dressings is given. The diverse bioactivities of marine polysaccharides including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic properties, etc., providing excellent wound management and accelerate wound healing. Meanwhile, these biomaterials have higher biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to synthetic ones. On the other hand, marine polysaccharides can be combined with copolymers and active substances to prepare various forms of dressings. Among them, emerging types of dressings such as nanofibers, smart hydrogels and injectable hydrogels are at the research frontier of their development. Therefore, marine polysaccharides are essential materials in wound dressings fabrication and have a promising future.

A Comprehensive Review on Ulvan Based Hydrogel and Its Biomedical Applications

Ulvan is a natural sulfated polysaccharide obtained from marine green algae composed of 3-sulfated rhamnoglucuronan as the main component. It has a unique chemical structure that rich of L-rhamnosa, D-glucuronic acid, and L-iduronic acid. Ulvan has a similar structure to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in mammals including chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate that has broad range applications for many years. Here, we provide an overview of ulvan based hydrogels for biomedical applications. Hydrogels are one of ulvan advances in polymer science for application in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. This review presented an overview about functional information of ulvan based hydrogels and the promising potential in biomedicals collected from published papers in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Other important aspects concerning properties, hydrogel-forming mechanisms, and ulvan based hydrogel developments were reported as well. As conclusion, ulvan showed interesting properties in forming hydrogels and promising advances in biomedical applications.

Fibrinogen, collagen, and transferrin adsorption to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-xylorhamno-uronic glycan composite conducting polymer biomaterials for wound healing applications

We present the conducting polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with an algal-derived glycan extract, Phycotrix™ [xylorhamno-uronic glycan (XRU84)], as an innovative electrically conductive material capable of providing beneficial biological and electrical cues for the promotion of favorable wound healing processes. Increased loading of the algal XRU84 into PEDOT resulted in a reduced surface nanoroughness and interfacial surface area and an increased static water contact angle. PEDOT-XRU84 films demonstrated good electrical stability and charge storage capacity and a reduced impedance relative to the control gold electrode. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring study of protein adsorption (transferrin, fibrinogen, and collagen) showed that collagen adsorption increased significantly with increased XRU84 loading, while transferrin adsorption was significantly reduced. The viscoelastic properties of adsorbed protein, characterized using the ΔD/Δf ratio, showed that for transferrin and fibrinogen, a rigid, dehydrated layer was formed at low XRU84 loadings. Cell studies using human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated excellent cell viability, with fluorescent staining of the cell cytoskeleton illustrating all polymers to present excellent cell adhesion and spreading after 24 h.

In vitro characterisation of 3D printed platelet lysate-based bioink for potential application in skin tissue engineering

Wounds impact millions of patients every year and represent a serious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet current treatment outcomes are far from ideal. Therapies based on delivery of multiple growth factors offer a promising approach for optimal wound management; however, their high production cost, low stability, and lack of effective delivery system limits their application in the clinic. Platelet lysate is a suitable, abundant and cost-effective source of growth factors that play an important role in the healing cascade. The aim of this current work is to develop an extrusion-based bioink consisting of platelet lysate (PL) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) (PLGMA) for the fabrication of a multifunctional 3D printed dermal equivalent. This bioink meets the essential requirements of printability in terms of rheological properties and shape fidelity. Moreover, its mechanical properties can be readily tuned to achieve stiffness that is equivalent to native skin tissue. Biologically relevant factors were successfully released in a sustainable manner for up to two weeks of study. The bioavailability of those factors was demonstrated by high cell viability, good cell attachment and improved proliferation of printed dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, growth factors upregulated ECM synthesis and deposition by dermal fibroblasts after two weeks of culture.

3D bioprinting dermal-like structures using species-specific ulvan

3D cellularized structures revealing dermal-like properties have been successfully printed using bioinks based on the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan from Australian green seaweed.

Progress in Modern Marine Biomaterials Research

The growing demand for new, sophisticated, multifunctional materials has brought natural structural composites into focus, since they underwent a substantial optimization during long evolutionary selection pressure and adaptation processes. Marine biological materials are the most important sources of both inspiration for biomimetics and of raw materials for practical applications in technology and biomedicine. The use of marine natural products as multifunctional biomaterials is currently undergoing a renaissance in the modern materials science. The diversity of marine biomaterials, their forms and fields of application are highlighted in this review. We will discuss the challenges, solutions, and future directions of modern marine biomaterialogy using a thorough analysis of scientific sources over the past ten years.

Biomimetic corneal stroma using electro-compacted collagen

Engineering substantia propria (or stroma of cornea) that mimics the function and anatomy of natural tissue is vital for in vitro modelling and in vivo regeneration. There are, however, few examples of bioengineered biomimetic corneal stroma. Here we describe the construction of an orthogonally oriented 3D corneal stroma model (3D-CSM) using pure electro-compacted collagen (EC). EC films comprise aligned collagen fibrils and support primary human corneal stromal cells (hCSCs). Cell-laden constructs are analogous to the anatomical structure of native human cornea. The hCSCs are guided by the topographical cues provided by the aligned collagen fibrils of the EC films. Importantly, the 3D-CSM are biodegradable, highly transparent, glucose-permeable and comprise quiescent hCSCs. Gene expression analysis indicated the presence of aligned collagen fibrils is strongly coupled to downregulation of active fibroblast/myofibroblast markers α-SMA and Thy-1, with a concomitant upregulation of the dormant keratocyte marker ALDH3. The 3D-CSM represents the first example of an optimally robust biomimetic engineered corneal stroma that is constructed from pure electro-compacted collagen for cell and tissue support. The 3D-CSM is a significant advance for synthetic corneal stroma engineering, with the potential to be used for full-thickness and functional cornea replacement, as well as informing in vivo tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript represents the first example of a robust, transparent, glucose permeable and pure collagen-based biomimetic 3D corneal stromal model (3D-CSM) constructed from pure electro-compacted collagen. The collagen fibrils of 3D-CSM are aligned and orthogonally arranged, mimicking native human corneal stroma. The alignment of collagen fibrils correlates with the direction of current applied for electro-compaction and influences human corneal stromal cell (hCSC) orientation. Moreover, 3D-CSM constructs support a corneal keratocyte phenotype; an essential requirement for modelling healthy corneal stroma. As-prepared 3D-CSM hold great promise as corneal stromal substitutes for research and translation, with the potential to be used for full-thickness cornea replacement.

Natural 3D-Printed Bioinks for Skin Regeneration and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review

Three-dimensional bioprinting has rapidly paralleled many biomedical applications and assisted in advancing the printing of complex human organs for a better therapeutic practice. The objective of this systematic review is to highlight evidence from the existing studies and evaluate the effectiveness of using natural-based bioinks in skin regeneration and wound healing. A comprehensive search of all relevant original articles was performed based on prespecified eligibility criteria. The search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline Ovid, and ScienceDirect. Eighteen articles fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The animal studies included a total of 151 animals with wound defects. A variety of natural bioinks and skin living cells were implanted in vitro to give insight into the technique through different assessments and findings. Collagen and gelatin hydrogels were most commonly used as bioinks. The follow-up period ranged between one day and six weeks. The majority of animal studies reported that full wound closure was achieved after 2–4 weeks. The results of both in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal studies showed the positive impact of natural bioinks in promoting wound healing. Future research should be focused more on direct the bioprinting of skin wound treatments on animal models to open doors for human clinical trials.