Biomedical applications of tannic acid

Metal-organic framework-based nanozymes for water-soluble antioxidants and Total antioxidant capacity detection: Principles and applications

Nanozymes, engineered catalysts exhibiting catalytic properties, have emerged as key players at the interface of nanotechnology and biology, holding great promise in diverse food applications. Notably, nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained widespread recognition as flexible platforms for developing potent nanozymes. This review explores the design, development, and applications of MOF-based nanozymes, with a focus on their potential in detecting antioxidants and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), two critical parameters in the assessment of oxidative stress and related diseases. A comprehensive classification of these MOF-based nanozymes is presented, based on their catalytic activities, and recent advancements in their application to antioxidants and TAC detection are discussed. The review further delves into the challenges faced by MOF nanozymes in these areas, including issues related to stability, reproducibility, and selectivity. By addressing these challenges and proposing potential solutions, the review offers future perspectives on advancing the use of MOF nanozymes in sensing applications.

Enhanced MRSA-infected wound healing using tannic acid cross-linked carboxymethyl chitosan/polyglutamic acid hydrogel for carbazole Delivery

The rampant use of commercial antibiotics not only increases drug resistance but also causes a significant threat to human health. This study assessed the wound healing efficacy of hydrogels crafted from carboxymethyl chitosan (Cmc), polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), tannic acid (TA), and carbazole (Car), with the aim of expediting the wound healing process. Hydrogels were formulated using Cmc/γ-PGA, Cmc/γ-PGA/TA, and Cmc/γ-PGA/TA/Car, followed by a thorough evaluation of their physicochemical attributes. Additionally, assessments encompassed cytotoxicity, antibacterial efficacy, wound contraction rates, histopathological parameters, immunofluorescent staining of CD31, CD86, and COL1A, along with the determination of serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. The physicochemical analyses validated the successful synthesis of the hydrogels, which exhibited both safety and potent antibacterial properties. Topical application of Cmc/γ-PGA/TA/Car hydrogels notably accelerated wound contraction, as evidenced by heightened expression of CD31 and COL1A, alongside reduced serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6. In essence, the Cmc/γ-PGA/TA/Car hydrogel demonstrated a dual effect of mitigating inflammation and modulating the proliferative phase, that shows their abilities for application in the wound healing process.

Tannic acid as a multifunctional additive in polysaccharide and protein-based films for enhanced food preservation: A comprehensive review

Fossil-based polymers continue to dominate the market for single-use food packaging, despite increasing concerns about their sustainability. In response, natural and renewable polymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, are gaining attention as potential alternatives due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, their broader adoption is hindered by the need to improve their mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. Tannic acid (TA) has emerged as a particularly effective additive for biopolymer-based films, offering strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It also enhances mechanical and barrier characteristics through physical and/or covalent crosslinking. As a result, TA shows great potential as an additive for bioplastics, improving food packaging performance and extending product shelf life, while benefiting both the environment and the food industry. Despite the promising applications of TA, comprehensive reviews that focus on recent developments in its performance and bioactive properties remain limited. This review aims to highlight the effectiveness of TA as both an active ingredient and a crosslinking agent in various biopolymer films, offering valuable insights into its role in sustainable food packaging solutions by critically examining the latest advancements.

Tannic acid-based bio-MOFs with antibacterial and antioxidant properties acquiring non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic characteristics

Tannic acid (TA) based bio-metal phenolic networks (bio-MPNs) were prepared by using Cu(II), Zn(II), Bi(III), Ce(III), La(III), and Ti(IV) metal ions. TA-based bio-MPNs exhibited wedge-shaped pores between 16.4 and 25.8 nm pore size ranges. The higher gravimetric yield% was achieved for TA-Bi(III), and TA-Ti(IV) bio-MPNs with more than 90 %, and higher surface area was observed for TA-La(IIII) bio-MPNs as 56.2 m2/g with 17.3 nm average pore sizes. All TA-based MPNs are non-hemolytic with less than 5 % hemolysis ratio, whereas TA-based Bio-MPNs do not affect blood clotting with > 90 % blood clotting indexes except for TA-Cu(II) Bio-MPNs at 0.1 mg/mL concentration. Moreover, TA-Bi(III) and TA-Ce(III) Bio-MPNs were found to be safer materials showing no significant toxicity on L929 fibroblast cells at 100 μg/mL concentration, along with TA-based Bio-MPNs prepared with Cu(II), Zn(II), La(III), and Ti(IV) metal ions that could be safely used in in vivo applications at 1 μg/mL concentration. It has been proven by 2 different antioxidant tests that the prepared TA-based Bio-MPNs show antioxidant properties even if their TA-derived antioxidant properties decrease. Furthermore, all types of TA-based Bio-MPNs show great antimicrobial activity depending on the metal ion or microorganism types and the highest antibacterial/antifungal effect was determined for TA-Cu(II), and TA-Zn(II) Bio-MPNs with the lowest MBC/MFC values against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231.

Antimicrobial Phenolic Materials: From Assembly to Function

Infectious diseases pose considerable challenges to public health, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens that globally cause high mortality rates. These pathogens can persist on surfaces and spread in public and healthcare settings. Advances have been made in developing antimicrobial materials to reduce the transmission of pathogens, including materials composed of naturally sourced polyphenols and their derivatives, which exhibit antimicrobial potency, broad-spectrum activity, and a lower likelihood of promoting resistance. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the fabrication of antimicrobial phenolic biomaterials, where natural phenolic compounds act as active antimicrobial agents or encapsulate other antimicrobial agents (e.g., metal ions, antimicrobial peptides, natural biopolymers). Various forms of phenolic biomaterials synthesized through these two strategies, including antimicrobial particles, capsules, hydrogels, and coatings, are summarized, with a focus on their application in wound healing, bone repair and regeneration, oral health, and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. The potential of these advanced phenolic biomaterials provides a promising therapeutic approach for combating antimicrobial-resistant infections and reducing microbial transmission.

From discoloration to color enhancement: A novel approach to high-concentration tannic acid detection based on VCo-N-C bimetallic Nanozyme

The direct and rapid detection of high-concentration tannic acid (TA) was crucial for food quality monitoring. In this study, a TA detection system was developed based on a binary metal V and Co-enclosed carbon substrate (VCo-N-C) nanozyme with laccase-like activity, which innovatively shifted the conventional detection approach from the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) discoloration principle to the 4-aminoantipyrine(4-AP) color enhancement principle. In the presence of VCo-N-C, 4-AP specifically bound to the oxidation products of TA, resulting in a brown-red compound. The sensing platform reduced the reaction time to 10 min and extended the detection range to 0.1-3000 mg/L (R2 > 0.99). Ultimately, the VCo-N-C&4-AP system was successfully applied to detect TA content in high-concentration actual samples such as brandy, white liquor, and tea beverages without the need of pretreatment. This study provided a new and powerful strategy for food quality control and monitoring.

Clinically Oriented Oral Environment-Triggered Underwater Adhesives for Root Caries Treatment through Dentinal Tubule Occlusion and Remineralization

The application of silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels is often limited by their brittleness; on the other hand, increasing ductility can lead to insufficient strength of the hydrogel. These drawbacks make it difficult to apply to treat root surface caries, which are continuously exudated by crevicular fluid and have special locations and shapes. Herein, we design an underwater adhesive hydrogel with a fluid-solid spontaneous transition triggered by water for root caries treatment. Guanidine hydrochloride (GH), amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (ACP), and tannic acid (TA) are applied to coassemble with SF to form an underwater adhesive hydrogel (STAG). GH as a hydrogen bond dissociator can break the hydrogen bonds between SF and TA and rapidly diffuse in a water environment, thus providing the system with high fluidity and regelation ability. Ca2+ of ACP can chelate with TA to enhance the cohesion of the hydrogel. Hydrogel containing ACP has stronger adhesion strength in lap-shear and tensile tests than hydrogel without ACP and also exhibits better properties in rheological tests. Even if stored in freeze-dried powder form for 90 days, the STAG fluid can be smoothly injected from the needle with only 0.8 N, completely filling the defective area of root caries and solidifying in situ. The formed restorative material can effectively promote tooth remineralization and seal the dentin tubules, which provides a feasible pathway for the treatment of root caries.

Antibacterial and thermosensitive chitosan-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer hydrogel containing tannic acid: An injectable therapy for bleeding control

Developing advanced wound dressings improves tissue repair and reduces recovery times. This study introduces a thermo-sensitive hydrogel composed of Chitosan-g-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and Tannic acid (CS-PNIPAm-TA), synthesized and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis to confirm successful copolymerization and tannic acid integration. Swelling tests indicated a high capacity for blood absorption, supporting its potential for wound exudate management. Antibacterial testing confirmed the hydrogel's efficacy, with more substantial antibacterial effects observed at higher tannic acid concentrations. Cytotoxicity assessments demonstrated over 90 % cell viability, indicating biocompatibility and fibroblast proliferation. Hemostasis tests in a rat tail injury model showed reduced blood loss and coagulation time, attributed to tannic acid's catalytic effect on the coagulation cascade. In vivo, wound healing assays in a rat model revealed accelerated wound closure compared to controls. These findings suggest that the CS-PNIPAm-TA hydrogel is promising for promoting hemostasis, ensuring biocompatibility, and accelerating wound healing, positioning it as a strong candidate for clinical applications in advanced wound care.

Protein-Tannin Organic Polymer-Based Oxygen-Enriched Graded Porous Carbon as a Cathode for Metal-Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Metal-ion hybrid capacitors represent an innovative class of electrochemical energy storage systems. However, hybrid capacitors made from traditional carbon-based materials struggle to simultaneously achieve both high specific capacity and long-cycle stability. A hierarchical porous carbon material with an optimized pore structure was synthesized using pig kidney proteins and tannic acid as precursors, employing cross-linking polymerization and carbonization activation strategies. The as-synthesized sample features an exceptionally high specific surface area and abundant porosity, which efficiently accommodate the adsorption and transport of solvated zinc and magnesium ions. The zinc-ion hybrid capacitor (ZHC) achieved a reversible capacity of 221 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, while the magnesium-ion hybrid capacitor (MHC) delivered 132 mA h g-1 under the same conditions. Additionally, DFT calculations revealed the critical influence of pore size on metal ion storage. In a 2 M ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte solution, when the pore size of the carbon material was 1.13 nm, solvated zinc ions exhibited the highest adsorption energy. In contrast, in a 0.4 M (MgPhCl)2-AlCl3 organic electrolyte, a pore size of 2.29 nm optimized the storage capacity of solvated magnesium ions. This study provides important theoretical insights into designing ZHCs and MHCs.

Metformin-Loaded Tannic Acid Nanoparticles Attenuate Osteoarthritis by Promoting Chondrocyte Mitochondria Homeostasis Based on Mitocytosis

The oxidative stress microenvironment and mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes are key mechanisms in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Metformin (Met) has demonstrated multiple effects on mitochondria and is regarded as a potential therapeutic agent for OA. The low blood flow characteristics in the joint cavity make targeted local delivery of metformin crucial for its clinical application. In this study, tannic acid (TA), with its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, was used to prepare self-assemble Met-loaded TA nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs exhibit excellent reactive oxygen scavenging capability, stability in various media, and an acid-responsive release of Met. In Vitro experiments showed that NPs possess excellent biocompatibility, effectively protecting chondrocyte viability in OA's pathological environment and preventing the senescence phenotype. In addition, NPs promoted the expression of antioxidant elements in chondrocytes, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhanced mitocytosis to improve mitochondrial quality. In vivo experiments further confirmed that intra-articular injection of NPs in rats with post-traumatic OA improves cartilage matrix degradation, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone sclerosis over 8 weeks. Tissue staining further confirmed the protective effects of NPs on chondrocyte mitochondria. Importantly, both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that NPs provided superior cellular protection compared to TA or Met alone. Overall, this study demonstrates that NPs effectively against OA cartilage degeneration, with the advantages of easy preparation, high efficiency, and biosafety.

Therapeutic potential and limitation of condensed and hydrolyzed tannins in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the accumulation of misfolded proteins such as α-synuclein. This review explores the therapeutic potential of tannins, particularly proanthocyanidins and hydrolyzable tannins from grape seeds, in alleviating Parkinson's disease pathology. Condensed tannins exhibit significant antioxidant properties, can cross the blood-brain barrier, reduce oxidative stress, upregulate antioxidant proteins, and prevent neuronal apoptosis. Hydrolyzable tannins, through their unique chemical structure, further help reduce neuroinflammation and improve mitochondrial function. Both types of tannins can modulate inflammatory responses and enhance mitochondrial integrity, addressing key aspects of Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Tannins possess excellent neuroprotective effects, representing a promising therapeutic approach. However, due to their chemical nature and structural characteristics, the bioavailability of tannins in the human body remains low. Current methods to enhance their bioavailability are limited. Further exploration is needed to improve their bioavailability and strengthen their potential clinical applications. Based on this, new Parkinson's disease treatment strategies can be developed, warranting in-depth research and clinical validation.

Hemoglobin-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles equipped with PEGylated metal-phenolic network coatings: an oxygen carrier with antioxidant and stealth properties

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) offer a promising alternative to conventional blood transfusions in emergency scenarios. However, achieving optimal stability, functionality, and biocompatibility in HBOCs remains a significant challenge. In this study, we employed a HBOC formulation consisting of hemoglobin (Hb) encapsulated within zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were subsequently coated with metal phenolic networks (MPNs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to impart antioxidant properties and enhance their stability and biocompatibility. Hb-loaded ZIF-8 NPs were synthesized using a rapid, environmentally friendly protocol and exhibited desirable properties, including an average size of approximately 150 nm, a negative surface charge (zeta potential of -14 mV), high encapsulation efficiency (approximately 65%), and substantial drug loading capacity (around 70%). The MPN coating significantly enhanced stability across various buffers and cell media and endowed the NPs with antioxidant properties. Meanwhile, the PEG layer conferred stealth properties, potentially extending circulation times in vivo. Furthermore, the NPs showed excellent biocompatibility in terms of cell viability and hemolysis rate studies. They also efficiently bound and released oxygen across multiple cycles, demonstrating preserved functionality. These attributes highlight the potential of our novel HBOC as an effective oxygen delivery system and position our formulation as a promising candidate for clinical application in critical care, providing a strategic alternative to traditional blood transfusions.

Nanozymes for Treating Ocular Diseases

Nanozymes, characterized by their nanoscale size and enzyme-like catalytic activities, exhibit diverse therapeutic potentials, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-angiogenic effects. These properties make them highly valuable in nanomedicine, particularly ocular therapy, bypassing the need for systemic delivery. Nanozymes show significant promise in tackling multi-factored ocular diseases, particularly those influenced by oxidation and inflammation, like dry eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration. Their small size, coupled with their ease of modification and integration into soft materials, facilitates the effective penetration of ocular barriers, thereby enabling targeted or prolonged therapy within the eye. This review is dedicated to exploring ocular diseases that are intricately linked to oxidation and inflammation, shedding light on the role of nanozymes in managing these conditions. Additionally, recent studies elucidating advanced applications of nanozymes in ocular therapeutics, along with their integration with soft materials for disease management, are discussed. Finally, this review outlines directions for future investigations aimed at bridging the gap between nanozyme research and clinical applications.

Overview of porous magnesium-based scaffolds: development, properties and biomedical applications

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are revolutionizing the field of interventional surgeries in the medical industry. Their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and a similar elastic modulus to natural bone make porous Mg-based structures potential candidates for orthopedic implants and tissue engineering scaffolding. However, fabricating and machining porous Mg-based structures is challenging due to their complexity and difficulties in achieving uniform or gradient porosity. This review aims to thoroughly explore various fabrication procedures used to create metallic scaffolds, with a specific focus on those made from Mg-based alloys. Both traditional manufacturing techniques, including the directional solidification of metal-gas eutectic technique, pattern casting, methods using space holders, and modern fabrication methods, which are based on additive manufacturing, are covered in this review article. Furthermore, the paper highlights the most important findings of recent studies on Mg-based scaffolds in terms of their microstructure specifications, mechanical properties, degradation and corrosion behavior, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility (both in vivo and in vitro). While extensive research has been conducted to optimize manufacturing parameters and qualities of Mg-based scaffolds for use in biomedical applications, specifically for bone tissue engineering applications, further investigation is needed to fabricate these scaffolds with specific properties, such as high resistance to corrosion, good antibacterial properties, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and the ability to elicit a favorable response from osteoblast-like cell lines. The review concludes with recommendations for future research in the field of medical applications.

Fabrication of multifunctional hydrogels based on tannic acid-coated nanocrystalline cellulose

Composite hydrogels are promising for wound healing, but combining strong antimicrobial properties with mechanical performance remains challenging due to potential disruptions in cross-linking. This study presented a one-step method to incorporate tannic acid-coated cellulose nanocrystals (TA@CNC) into polyacrylamide hydrogels. The resulting composite hydrogel exhibited superior mechanical strength, environmental stability, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. TA@CNC served as a dynamic reinforcement within the porous network, enhancing mechanical stability. The hydrogel also demonstrated sustained and repeatable adhesion, attributed to the moisture-resistant properties of tannic acid. This work offers valuable insights for the design of multifunctional composite hydrogels, with the developed materials showing great potential for use in medical dressings due to their stretchability, self-adhesion, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

In vitro and in vivo investigations of hemoglobin-loaded PEGylated ZIF-8 nanoparticles as oxygen carriers for emergency transfusion

The limitations of traditional blood supply systems, particularly where ideal storage is unfeasible, challenge the efficacy of transfusion medicine, especially in emergencies and battlefield scenarios. This study investigates a novel hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) using a dual-coating approach with metal phenolic networks (MPNs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles for their porosity and biocompatibility, the addition of MPN and PEG coatings enhances biocompatibility and stabilizes encapsulated hemoglobin (Hb). This reduces Hb release and minimizes interactions with the coagulation cascade, as evidenced by stable prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times. Complement activation studies showed slight increases in C5a levels, indicating low potential for severe immune reactions. In vivo evaluations demonstrated that both MPN-coated and PEGylated Hb-loaded ZIF-8 NPs have enhanced circulation times, with significantly longer half-lives than free Hb. However, PEGylation did not offer additional benefits over MPN coating alone, possibly due to suboptimal PEG density or shielding. Biodistribution studies indicated similar accumulation patterns in the liver and kidneys for both NP types, suggesting common clearance pathways. These findings suggest our PEGylated Hb-loaded ZIF-8 NPs as promising alternatives to traditional transfusions. Future research will assess their efficacy in resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock to validate their clinical application.

A tannic acid coated silk fibroin sponge loaded with bioglass for noncompressible hemostasis

A hemostatic sponge designed for hemostasis of noncompressible penetrating wounds should exhibit rapid shape recovery, strong coagulation activity, and effective antibacterial property. In this study, we prepared a tannic acid coated silk fibroin sponge loaded with bioglass.In vitro, the sponge had a three-dimensional porous structure, good liquid adsorption capacity, and a water-triggered shape recovery feature. The sponge possessed strong coagulation activity and antibacterial property, while exhibiting low cytotoxicity and minimal hemolytic effects.In vivo, the sponge showed a greater advantage in controlling bleeding from both rat liver injury and penetrating wounds compared to commercial gauze and gelatin sponge. In conclusion, the developed sponge can be promising for noncompressible hemostasis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine-Based Nanoformulations for Enhanced Photothermal Therapy of Cancer

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has shown promise in the ablation of small, unresectable tumors by boosting the tumor's temperature above 50 °C. However, the high local temperature-induced cancer cell necrosis could create severe local inflammation, which may deteriorate normal tissues and increase tumor spreading. Although mild photothermal therapy (MPTT) at 42-45 °C could avoid the undesired side effect to some extent with minimal nonspecific heat diffusion, the self-protective behavior of tumors during MPTT results in an unsatisfactory therapeutic effect. Inspired by the widespread applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in various ailments, we also extensively explored the use of TCM in PTT and MPTT. In this Review, we summarize the application and function of TCM in PTT and MPTT, including the following: (1) TCM improves the performance of PTT and MPTT by elevating the photothermal conversion ability of photothermal agents (PTAs) and overcoming the self-protective effect of tumors, (2) PTT enhances TCM-based chemotherapy by improving the sensitivity and cellular uptake of TCM in tumors, and (3) natural TCM and metal-chelated TCM-based nanoparticles could directly act as PTAs for carrier-free combination therapy. We expect this Review will further illuminate TCM's utility and applicability in cancer treatment and create new combination strategies for theragnostic use.

Failure or future? Exploring alternative antibacterials: a comparative analysis of antibiotics and naturally derived biopolymers

The global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is escalating due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, the slow development of new therapies, and the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Traditional antibiotic treatments face limitations, including the development of resistance, disruption of the microbiota, adverse side effects, and environmental impact, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative alternative antibacterial strategies. This review critically examines naturally derived biopolymers with intrinsic (essential feature) antibacterial properties as a sustainable, next-generation alternative to traditional antibiotics. These biopolymers may address bacterial resistance uniquely by disrupting bacterial membranes rather than cellular functions, potentially reducing microbiota interference. Through a comparative analysis of the mechanisms and applications of antibiotics and antibacterial naturally derived biopolymers, this review highlights the potential of such biopolymers to address AMR while supporting human and environmental health.

Tailored extracellular matrix-mimetic coating facilitates reendothelialization and tissue healing of cardiac occluders

Minimally invasive transcatheter interventional therapy utilizing cardiac occluders represents the primary approach for addressing congenital heart defects and left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis. However, incomplete endothelialization and delayed tissue healing after occluder implantation collectively compromise clinical efficacy. In this study, we have customized a recombinant humanized collagen type I (rhCol I) and developed an rhCol I-based extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic coating. The innovative coating integrates metal-phenolic networks with anticoagulation and anti-inflammatory functions as a weak cross-linker, combining them with specifically engineered rhCol I that exhibits high cell adhesion activity and elicits a low inflammatory response. The amalgamation, driven by multiple forces, effectively serves to functionalize implantable materials, thereby responding positively to the microenvironment following occluder implantation. Experimental findings substantiate the coating's ability to sustain a prolonged anticoagulant effect, enhance the functionality of endothelial cells and cardiomyocyte, and modulate inflammatory responses by polarizing inflammatory cells into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Notably, occluder implantation in a canine model confirms that the coating expedites reendothelialization process and promotes tissue healing. Collectively, this tailored ECM-mimetic coating presents a promising surface modification strategy for improving the clinical efficacy of cardiac occluders.

Enhancement of Bone Tissue Regeneration with Multi-Functional Nanoparticles by Coordination of Immune, Osteogenic, and Angiogenic Responses

Inorganic nanoparticles are promising materials for bone tissue engineering due to their chemical resemblance to the native bone structure. However, most studies are unable to capture the entirety of the defective environment, providing limited bone regenerative abilities. Hence, this study aims to develop a multifunctional nanoparticle to collectively control the defective bone niche, including immune, angiogenic, and osteogenic systems. The nanoparticles, self-assembled by biomimetic mineralization and tannic acid (TA)-mediated metal-polyphenol network (MPN), are released sustainably after the incorporation within a gelatin cryogel. The released nanoparticles display a reduction in M1 macrophages by means of reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination. Consequently, osteoclast maturation is also reduced, which is observed by the minimal formation of multinucleated cells (0.4%). Furthermore, the proportion of M2 macrophages, osteogenic differentiation, and angiogenic potential are consistently increased by the effects of magnesium from the nanoparticles. This orchestrated control of multiple systems influences the in vivo vascularized bone regeneration in which 80% of the critical-sized bone defect is regenerated with new bones with mature lamellar structure and arteriole-scale micro-vessels. Altogether, this study emphasizes the importance of the coordinated modulation of immune, osteogenic, and angiogenic systems at the bone defect site for robust bone regeneration.

Dietary Tannic Acid Promotes Growth Performance and Resistance Against Aeromonas hydrophila Infection by Improving the Antioxidative Capacity and Intestinal Health in the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

To investigate the effect of tannic acid (TA) on the growth, disease resistance, and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtles, individual turtles were fed with 0 g/kg (CG), 0.5 g/kg, 1 g/kg, 2 g/kg, and 4 g/kg TA diets for 98 days. Afterwards, the turtles' disease resistance was tested using Aeromonas hydrophila. The results showed that 0.5-4 g/kg of dietary TA increased the growth performance and feed utilization (p < 0.05), with 2.38 g/kg being the optimal level for the specific growth rate (SGR). The addition of 0.5-4 g/kg of TA in diets increased the mucosal fold height and submucosa thickness of the small intestine, which reached a maximum of 2 g/kg. The addition of 0.5-2 g/kg of TA effectively reduced the cumulative mortality that had been induced by A. hydrophila, with the 2 g/kg dosage leading to the lowest mortality. Additionally, 1-4 g/kg of TA improved the T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities during infection, while 2 g/kg of dietary TA enhanced the richness and diversity of the microbiota, for example, by increasing Actinobacteria but inhibiting Firmicutes. The transcriptome demonstrated that the predominant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TA2 were mainly enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway (Acsl5, Apoa2, Apoa5, Fabp1, Fabp2, and Fabp6); in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism (Chdh, Gatm, and Shmt1); and in steroid biosynthesis (Cel, Hsd17b7, Soat2, and Sqle). The main differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) that were discovered by means of metabolome analysis included cholylhistidine, calcipotriol, 13-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 12-acetate, and hexahomomethionine in CG vs. TA2. Integrative analyses of two omics revealed that 2 g/kg of TA mitigated inflammation by activating the PPAR signaling pathway and regulating the lipid metabolism via multiple pathways, such as steroid biosynthesis and α-linolenic acid metabolism. In general, the inclusion of 2 g/kg of TA in turtle diets can optimally promote growth and bacterial resistance by maintaining intestinal health and improving antioxidant capacity.

Nanoparticles for Biomedical Use Derived from Natural Biomolecules: Tannic Acid and Arginine

Background/Objectives: Tannic acid (TA) is a well-known natural phenolic acid composed of ten gallic acids linked to each other with ester bonding possessing excellent antioxidant properties in addition to antimicrobial and anticancer characteristics. Arginine (ARG) is a positively charged amino acid at physiological pH because of nitrogen-rich side chain. Method: Here, poly(tannic acid-co-arginine) (p(TA-co-ARG)) particles at three mole ratios, TA:ARG = 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, were prepared via a Mannich condensation reaction between TA and ARG by utilizing formaldehyde as a linking agent. Results: The p(TA-co-ARG) particles in 300-1000 nm size range with smooth surfaces visualized via SEM analysis were attained. Abundant numbers of functional groups, -OH, -NH2, and -COOH stemming from TA and ARG constituent confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The isoelectric point (IEP) of the particles increased from pH 4.98 to pH 7.30 by increasing the ARG ratios in p(TA-co-ARG) particles. The antioxidant capacity of p(TA-co-ARG) particles via gallic acid (GA) and rosmarinic acid (RA) equivalents tests revealed that particles possess concentration-dependent antioxidant potency and increased by TA content. The α-glucosidase inhibition of p(TA-co-ARG) particles (2 mg/mL) 1:1 and 1:2 mole ratios revealed significant enzyme inhibition ability, e.g., 91.3 ± 3.1% and 77.6 ± 12.0%. Interestingly, p(TA-co-ARG) (1:3 ratio) possessed significant antibacterial effectiveness against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) bacteria. Furthermore, all p(TA-co-ARG) particles at 1000 mg/mL concentration showed >80% toxicity on L929 fibroblast cells and increased as ARG content of p(TA-co-ARG) particles is increased. Conclusions: p(TA-co-ARG) showed significant potential as natural biomaterials for biomedical use.

Anthocyanin modified by chondroitin sulphate and tannic acid improved the quality-indicating properties of gelatin-based intelligent film

A highly pH-responsive gelatin film incorporating purple cabbage anthocyanin (PCA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS)/tannic acid (TA) was developed. Co-pigmentation of PCA via CS/TA improved its photothermal stability and visibility of color change in gelatin film. The morphological and structural properties of CS-PCA and TA-PCA films revealed that a more stable network was formed as new hydrogen bonds were generated by the co-pigmentation. Meanwhile, the co-pigmentation improved film's mechanical and hydrophobic properties, expressed as higher tensile strength (16.65 and 17.97 Mpa) and lower water vapor permeability (1.45 and 1.41) in CS-PCA and TA-PCA films, compared to PCA film. CS-PCA and TA-PCA films showed distinct color transitions for chilled fish fillets during storage. Total color difference (ΔE) of CS-PCA and TA-PCA films correlated well with the deterioration indexes of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N). All the results provided a novel pH-sensitive intelligent packaging strategy by co-pigmenting CS/TA with PCA for freshness monitoring.

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of tannic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles

Tannic acid (TA) is a potent antitumor agent, but its low bioavailability and absorption limit its use. In this study, it was loaded into chitosan-based nanoparticles (Chi-NPs) to overcome these limitations and to improve its antimicrobial and anticancer activities. TA-loaded Chi-NPs (Chi-TA-NPs) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method and physicochemically characterized by FE-SEM, FTIR, XRD, PDI, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of Chi-TA-NPs against two G+ bacterial strains, two G- bacterial strains, and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) was investigated using the microbroth dilution method. MTT assay was used to examine the cytotoxic effects of Chi-TA-NPs on HepG2 cells. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), DNMT3A, and DNMT3B was examined in HepG2 cells using RT-qPCR. The amount of 5-methylcytosine in the HepG2 cell-derived genomic DNA was measured using ELISA. FE-SEM micrographs showed the loading of TA into the chitosan-based formulation. The peaks detected in the XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the formation of the Chi-TA-NPs. The PDI value (0.247 ± 0.03), size (567.0 ± 25.84 nm), and zeta potential (17.0 ± 5.86 mV) confirmed the relative stability of Chi-TA-NPs. A constant release profile in line with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model was detected for Chi-TA-NPs, such that approximately 44% of TA was released after 300 min. In addition, Chi-TA-NPs exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against the studied microbial strains, as manifested by MIC values ranging from 250 to 1000 µg/mL. Chi-TA-NPs induced cytotoxicity in liver tumor cell line, with an IC50 value of 500 µg/mL. Furthermore, Chi-TA-NPs considerably decreased the expression of DNMT1 (2.52-fold; p = 0.01), DNMT3A (2.96-fold; p = 0.004), and DNMT3B (2.94-fold; p < 0.0001). However, 5-methylcytosine levels in HepG2 cells were unaffected by Chi-TA-NPs treatment (p = 0.62). Finally, the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and epigenetic effects of Chi-TA-NPs were more pronounced than those of free TA and the unloaded Chi-NPs. In conclusion, Chi-TA-NPs exhibit promising potential for reducing microbial growth and promoting cytotoxicity in liver cancer cells.

Self-assembled carrier-free formulations based on medicinal and food active ingredients

The popularity of medicinal plants, which have a unique system and are mostly used in compound form for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, is growing worldwide. In recent years, with advances in chemical separation and structural analysis techniques, many of the major bioactive molecules of medicinal plants have been identified. However, the active ingredients in medicinal plants often possess chemical characteristics, including poor water solubility, stability and bioavailability, which limit their therapeutic applications. To address this problem, self-assembly of small molecules from medicinal food sources provides a new strategy. Driven by various types of acting forces, medicinal small molecules with modifiable groups, multiple sites of action, hydrophobic side chains, and rigid backbones with self-assembly properties are able to form various supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, micelles, and other self-assemblies. This review first summarizes the forms of self-assemblies such as supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, and micelles at the level of the action site, and discusses the recent studies on the active ingredients in medicinal plants that can be used for self-assembly, in addition to summarizing the advantages of self-assemblies for a variety of disease applications, including wound healing, antitumor, anticancer, and diabetes mellitus. Finally, the problems of self-assemblers and the possible directions for future development are presented. We firmly believe that self-assemblers have the potential to develop effective compounds from drug-food homologous plants, providing valuable information for drug research and new strategies and perspectives for the modernization of Chinese medicine.

Preparation and Characterisation of High-Density Polyethylene/Tannic Acid Composites

This research paper highlights the preparation and characterisation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/tannic acid (TA) composites, designed to confer antioxidant properties to HDPE, valorising a biobased filler. Indeed, tannic acid is a natural polyphenol, demonstrating, among others, strong antioxidation properties. Using a melt-mixing process, HDPE/TA composites containing various amounts of TA, ranging between 1 and 20 wt%, were prepared, and analyses on their structural, thermal, mechanical, as well as antioxidant properties were conducted. Infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction showed that TA was successfully incorporated into the HDPE matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis evidenced that the onset of thermal degradation decreased, but overall satisfactory stability was observed. The composites exhibited exceptional antioxidant properties, especially the ones with the highest TA content, although it was observed that a high amount of TA had adverse effects on the mechanical performance of the composites.

Effect of tannic acid on doxorubicin-induced cellular stress: Expression levels of heat shock genes in rat spleen

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline group antibiotic, has been extensively employed as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid and hematopoietic tumors in humans. Amid exposure to diverse stress conditions, living organisms swiftly initiate the synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a set of highly conserved proteins. Tannic acid (TA) has garnered increasing study attention due to its special chemical properties, health benefits, and wide availability. This study's primary aim is to elucidate the impact of DOX and TA on the expression levels of Hsp90aa1, Hspa1a, Hspa4, and Hspa5 in the spleen tissues of rats. Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus, male, 9-10 weeks old, 180 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, DOX (30 mg/kg cumulative), TA (50 mg/kg), and DOX + TA (5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively). Subsequently, spleen tissues were collected from rats, and complementary DNA libraries were generated after the application process. The quantitative real-time PCR method was used to detect and quantify the mRNA expression changes of the Hsp90aa1, Hspa1a, Hspa4, and Hspa5 genes our results showed that the mRNA expressions of the targeted genes were up-regulated in rat spleen tissues exposed to DOX. However, this increase was remarkably suppressed by TA treatment. These findings suggest that TA may serve as a protective agent, mitigating the toxic effects of DOX in the rat spleen.

Antioxidant Potential and Characterization of Polyphenol Compounds in Moringa oleifera Pods

The aim of this investigation was to comparatively assess the antioxidant and polyphenol compounds in fresh moringa pods sourced from two different regions in Australia, namely Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WAU). Total polyphenol content varied between 1.64 and 5.97 mg GAE/g in moringa pod samples from QLD, while it ranged from 2.84 to 4.31 mg GAE/g in WAU samples. Total flavonoid content in QLD and WAU samples averaged 4.62 and 4.24 mg QE/g, respectively. Total condensed tannin content in QLD and WAU samples averaged 2.07 and 1.60 mg CE/g, respectively. The QLD samples had higher DPPH (2.87 vs. 2.74 mg AAE/g), ABTS (15.0 vs. 12.9 mg AAE/g), and total antioxidant capacity (2.34 vs. 1.46 mg AAE/g) than WAU samples. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 111 polyphenol compounds in moringa pod samples, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Some compounds were prevalent across most samples, such as 3-sinapoylquinic acid and theaflavin. The study revealed that moringa pods contain a high concentration of polyphenols with strong antioxidant capacity. These findings highlight the substantial influence of regional effects on the polyphenol content and bioactive properties of moringa pods.

Design of improved acellular fish skin as a promising scaffold for tissue regeneration applications

Decellularized marine tissues have been regarded as a desirable biomaterial because of their biological risk reduction, less religious constraints, and resemblance to mammalian tissues. The properties of these matrices can be improved by adding cross-linkers. In this study, after decellularization of the of Tilapia and Grass carp fish skin, a comparative study was conducted between them. Due to the higher abundance of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in Tilapia skin, it was selected for further study. In the next step, the cross-linking process was performed with three concentrations of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/ N-Hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) and tannic acid cross-linkers. The MTT results showed that the cross-linked samples with low concentrations of EDC/NHS had higher biocompatibility compared to the cross-linked sample with high concentration of EDC/NHS, as well as all samples cross-linked with tannic acid. Mechanical and physical studies conducted on the skin of Tilapia fish showed that the 15 mM/7.5 mM concentration of EDC/NHS increased the mechanical and temperature strength and decreased the degradability and it did not influence cell attachment. In general, it was shown that different fish skins differ in terms of collagen and GAGs, and the optimal concentration of EDC cross-linker improves the mechanical and physical properties of the matrix derived from fish skin.

Antifungal activity of tannic acid against Candida spp. and its mechanism of action

The increase in fungal resistance is a major public health concern. In this context, Candida spp. is an important genus related to invasive diseases, especially in immunosuppressed patients. The relevance of alternative approaches to increasing fungal resistance stands out, in which products of natural origin demonstrate potential antifungal activity in vitro against Candida spp. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of tannic acid against Candida spp. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for tannic acid and the antifungals, and the checkerboard assay was performed to analyze the interactions between them. Furthermore, we evaluated the tannic acid antibiofilm activity and its possible mechanism of action. Tannic acid showed MIC ranging to 0.06 to 0.5 µg/ml and showed no loss of effectiveness when combined with antifungals. Also, is safe at the concentrations it exerts its antifungal activity in pre-formed biofilms, as demonstrated by IC50 in murine fibroblasts cells and the hemolytic assay. Additionally, its mechanisms of action can be related with induction of signals that lead to apoptosis in fungal cells.

Dietary supplementation with a blend composed of carvacrol, tannic acid derived from Castanea sativa and Glycyrrhiza glabra, and glycerides of medium chain fatty acids for weanling piglets raised in commercial farm

This study aimed to evaluate the dietary administration of a blend composed of carvacrol, tannic acid derived from Castanea sativa mill and Glycyrrhiza glabra, medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) glycerides for weanling piglets. An in vitro digestion followed by total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAC) assessment was performed before the in vivo application. At weaning, a total of 210 piglets were randomly allocated to two experimental treatments (7 replicates/15 piglets for each replicate). Control group (CTR) was fed a standard basal diet while the treated group (T) was fed the basal diet mixed with 1.500 mg/kg of blend. After in vitro digestion, TPC and TAC evidenced peaks at the end of oral and gastric phases in comparison to the intestinal one in line with the high content of phenolic compound (P < 0.05). Treatment conditioned body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05), fecal score on 6, 7, and 8 d after weaning (P < 0.05). At 35d, the T group showed a decrease in salivary cortisol compared to CTR (P < 0.05). Duodenum and jejunum sections of T piglets revealed higher villi (P < 0.05), deeper crypts (P < 0.01), and increased V/C ratio (P < 0.01). CTR showed a higher expression of duodenal Occludin (P < 0.05). Jejunal E-cadherin and Occludin were more expressed in T jejunum sections (P < 0.05). Twelve differentially abundant genera were identified in T group caecal samples. Potentially harmful Clostridium sensu stricto 13 was reduced by the treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the tested blend positively affected salivary stress markers and the gut health of weaned piglets.

Comparing effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate, bioceramic putty and tannic acid in maintaining pulp vitality after experimental pulpotomy in rats

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), bioceramic putty (BP) and tannic acid (TA) for experimental pulpotomy. Our in-vivo experimental study involved sample of 45 rats that were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group 1 (subdivided into negative (1-A) and positive (1-B) subgroups), Group 2 (MTA treated), Group 3 (BP treated) and Group 4 (TA treated). 4 weeks post pulpotomy, specimens were analyzed histologically, immunohistochemically using dentin sialoprotein marker, and histomorphometrically by assessing the thickness of newly formed dentin bridge. Group 1-B showed pulp necrosis without hard tissue formation. Group 2 showed moderate dentin formation while group 3 presented a thick layer of calcific barrier. Group 4 showed dentin bridge formation, however, irregular pulp calcifications and radicular pulp necrosis were seen. The thickness of newly formed dentin bridge showed a significant difference between group 1-B and group 2, 3 &4. Significant difference was found between group 2&3 and group 3&4. Dentin sialoprotein immunohistochemical expression was negative in group 1-B, mild in group 2, strong in group 3 and moderate in group 4. MTA and BP proved to be effective pulpotomy agents with BP being superior. For TA, further studies are required to explain the recorded unfavorable effects in some specimens.

Evaluation of Natural Organic Additives as Eco-friendly Inhibitors for Calcium and Magnesium Scale Formation in Water Systems

Mineral scale formation reduces the heat transfer efficiency and clogs pipes and valves, increasing power consumption. To address the environmental concerns of conventional scale inhibitors, this paper explores biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives. It examines the effects of organic additives on calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) scaling in water vaporization. Batch experiments were conducted with potable water and various organic molecules (saponin, caffeine, tannic acid, dextran, citrus pectin, Ficoll 400, and Triton X-100). Saponin showed the highest calcium scale inhibition efficiency (60.9%) followed by caffeine (49.6%) and tannic acid (39.6%), while Ficoll 400, pectin, and Triton X-100 were less effective. For the magnesium scale, caffeine was the most effective (97.4%) followed by saponin (88.6%) and tannic acid (67.1%). Inhibition efficiencies for magnesium-containing scales were generally higher than those for calcium scales. Regarding the inhibition mechanisms, saponin, caffeine, dextran, and tannic acid adsorbed onto mineral crystal growth sites according to the Langmuir model, while pectin, Triton X-100, and Ficoll 400 formed complexes with Ca2+ and Mg2+ in solution. Needle-like aragonite was the predominant form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with the most additives, except tannic acid, which produced rhombohedral calcite, and caffeine, which promoted flower-like vaterite CaCO3 crystallites. Saponin, caffeine, tannic acid, and dextran are effective, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly inhibitors for mineral scaling.

Photo-crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels designed for simultaneous delivery of mesenchymal stem cells and tannic acid: Advancing towards scarless wound healing

The quest for scarless wound healing is imperative in healthcare, aiming to diminish the challenges of conventional wound treatment. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of the skin's extracellular matrix, plays a pivotal role in wound healing and skin rejuvenation. Leveraging the advantages of HA hydrogels, this research focuses first on tuning the physicochemical and mechanical properties of photo-crosslinkable methacrylated HA (MAHA) by varying the methacrylation degree, polymer concentration, photo-crosslinker concentration, and UV exposure time. The optimized hydrogel, featuring suitable porosity, swelling ratio, degradability, and mechanical properties, was then used for the combined delivery of tannic acid (TA), known for its hemostatic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, and Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) cultured on the MAHA-TA hydrogel to enhance skin regeneration. The composite MAHA-TA-MSC hydrogel demonstrated favorable pores and biocompatibility, evidenced by cell viability, and promoted cell proliferation. When applied to dorsal wounds in rats, this composite hydrogel accelerated wound healing and reduced scarring. Additionally, molecular and histopathological analyses revealed increased expression of IL-10, the TGF-β3/TGF-β1 ratio, and the Collagen III/Collagen I ratio. These findings suggest that the MAHA-TA-MSC hydrogel is a promising candidate for scarless acute wound healing.

Antimicrobial adhesive self-healing hydrogels for efficient dental biofilm removal from periodontal tissue

OBJECTIVES

Oral biofilms, including pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, are involved in the initiation and progression of various periodontal diseases. However, the treatment of these diseases is hindered by the limited efficacy of many antimicrobial materials in removing biofilms under the harsh conditions of the oral cavity. Our objective is to develop a gel-type antimicrobial agent with optimal physicochemical properties, strong tissue adhesion, prolonged antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility to serve as an adjunctive treatment for periodontal diseases.

METHODS

Phenylboronic acid-conjugated alginate (Alg-PBA) was synthesized using a carbodiimide coupling agent. Alg-PBA was then combined with tannic acid (TA) to create an Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel. The composition of the hydrogel was optimized to enhance its mechanical strength and tissue adhesiveness. Additionally, the hydrogel's self-healing ability, erosion and release profile, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis were thoroughly characterized.

RESULTS

The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogels, with a final concentration of 5 wt% TA, exhibited both mechanical properties comparable to conventional Minocycline gel and strong tissue adhesiveness. In contrast, the Minocycline gel demonstrated negligible tissue adhesion. The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel also retained its rheological properties under repeated 5 kPa stress owing to its self-healing capability, whereas the Minocycline gel showed irreversible changes in rheology after just one stress cycle. Additionally, Alg-PBA/TA hydrogels displayed a sustained erosion and TA release profile with minimal impact on the surrounding pH. Additionally, the hydrogels exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis, effectively eliminating its biofilm without compromising the viability of MG-63 cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel demonstrates an optimal combination of mechanical strength, self-healing ability, tissue adhesiveness, excellent biocompatibility, and sustained antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis. These attributes make it superior to conventional Minocycline gel. Thus, the Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel is a promising antiseptic candidate for adjunctive treatment of various periodontal diseases.

A fully integrated breathable haptic textile

Wearable haptics serve as an enhanced media to connect humans and VR/robots. The inevitable sweating issue in all wearables creates a bottleneck for wearable haptics, as the sweat/moisture accumulated in the skin/device interface can substantially affect feedback accuracy, comfortability, and create hygienic problems. Nowadays, wearable haptics typically gain performance at the cost of sacrificing the breathability, comfort, and biocompatibility. Here, we developed a fully integrated breathable haptic textile (FIBHT) to solve these trade-off issues, where the FIBHT exhibits high-level integration of 128 pixels over the palm, great stretchability of 400%, and superior permeability of over 657 g/m2/day (moisture) and 40 mm/s (air). It is a stand-alone haptic system totally composed of stretchable, breathable, and bioadhesive materials, which empowers it with precise, sweating/movement-insensitive and dynamic feedback, and makes FIBHT powerful for virtual touching in broad scenarios.

Disease-Inspired Design of Biomimetic Tannic Acid-Based Hybrid Nanocarriers for Enhancing the Treatment of Bacterial-Induced Sepsis

This study explored the development of novel biomimetic tannic acid-based hybrid nanocarriers (HNs) for targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin (CIP-loaded TAH-NPs) against bacterial-induced sepsis. The prepared CIP-loaded TAH-NPs exhibited appropriate physicochemical characteristics and demonstrated biocompatibility and nonhemolytic properties. Computational simulations and microscale thermophoresis studies validated the strong binding affinity of tannic acid (TA) and its nanoformulation to human Toll-like receptor 4, surpassing that of the natural substrate lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting a potential competitive inhibition against LPS-induced inflammatory responses. CIP released from TAH-NPs displayed a sustained release profile over 72 h. The in vitro antibacterial activity studies revealed that CIP-loaded TAH-NPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial efficacy and efflux pump inhibitory activity. Specifically, they showed a 3-fold increase in biofilm eradication activity against MRSA and a 2-fold increase against P. aeruginosa compared to bare CIP. Time-killing assays demonstrated complete bacterial clearance within 8 h of treatment with CIP-loaded TAH-NPs. In vitro DPPH scavenging and anti-inflammatory investigations confirmed the ability of the prepared hybrid nanosystem to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate LPS-induced inflammatory responses. Collectively, these results suggest that CIP-loaded TAH-NPs may serve as an innovative nanocarrier for the effective and targeted delivery of antibiotics against bacterial-induced sepsis.

Enabling 3D bioprinting of cell-laden pure collagen scaffolds via tannic acid supporting bath

The fabrication of cell-laden biomimetic scaffolds represents a pillar of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies, and collagen is the gold standard matrix for cells to be. In the recent years, extrusion 3D bioprinting introduced new possibilities to increase collagen scaffold performances thanks to the precision, reproducibility, and spatial control. However, the design of pure collagen bioinks represents a challenge, due to the low storage modulus and the long gelation time, which strongly impede the extrusion of a collagen filament and the retention of the desired shape post-printing. In this study, the tannic acid-mediated crosslinking of the outer layer of collagen is proposed as strategy to enable collagen filament extrusion. For this purpose, a tannic acid solution has been used as supporting bath to act exclusively as external crosslinker during the printing process, while allowing the pH- and temperature-driven formation of collagen fibers within the core. Collagen hydrogels (concentration 2-6 mg/mL) were extruded in tannic acid solutions (concentration 5-20 mg/mL). Results proved that external interaction of collagen with tannic acid during 3D printing enables filament extrusion without affecting the bulk properties of the scaffold. The temporary collagen-tannic acid interaction resulted in the formation of a membrane-like external layer that protected the core, where collagen could freely arrange in fibers. The precision of the printed shapes was affected by both tannic acid concentration and needle diameter and can thus be tuned. Altogether, results shown in this study proved that tannic acid bath enables collagen bioprinting, preserves collagen morphology, and allows the manufacture of a cell-laden pure collagen scaffold.

Tannic Acid Suppresses Ferroptosis Induced by Iron Salophene Complex in Kidney Cells and Prevents Iron Overload-Induced Liver and Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

Iron toxicity intricately links with ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death, and is significantly influenced by lipid peroxidation. Despite its critical role in various diseases and drug development, the association between iron toxicity and ferroptosis remains relatively unexplored. Accidental iron ingestion has emerged as a growing concern, resulting in a spectrum of symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal discomfort to severe outcomes, including mortality. This research introduces tannic acid (TA), which contains numerous phenol groups, as a powerful antiferroptotic agent. In male Wistar rats, even a modest dose of TA (7.5 mg/kg) significantly curtailed thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a well-established indicator of lipid peroxidation, and mitigated iron accumulation induced by ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) in the liver and kidney. The evidence supporting TA's protective function against iron-triggered liver and kidney dysfunction was substantiated by assessing specifically the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In cell models using ferroptosis inducers such as iron-salophene (FeSP) and RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3), tannic acid (TA) exhibited superior protective capabilities compared to the traditional iron chelator, deferoxamine (DFO). Nrf2 and HO-1, regulators of antioxidant defense genes, are implicated in controlling ferroptosis. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased with TA treatment in the presence of FeSP, indicating their role in reducing lipid ROS levels. Additionally, TA significantly reduced the heightened levels of COX2, a marker associated with ferroptosis. In summary, the remarkable antiferroptosis activity of TA is likely due to its combined iron-chelating and antioxidant properties. With its safety profile for oral consumption, TA may offer benefits in cases of accidental iron ingestion and conditions like hemochromatosis.

Polyphenol-Enabled 2D Nanopatch for Enhanced Nasal Mucoadhesion and Immune Activation

The advancement of effective nasal mucoadhesive delivery faces challenges due to rapid mucociliary clearance (MCC). Conventional studies have employed mucoadhesive materials, mainly forming spherical nanoparticles, but these offer limited adhesion to the nasal mucosa. This study hypothesizes that a 2D nanoscale structure utilizing adhesive polyphenols can provide a superior strategy for countering MCC, aligning with the planar mucosal layers. We explore the use of tannic acid (TA), a polyphenolic molecule known for its adhesive properties and ability to form complexes with biomolecules. Our study introduces an unprecedented 2D nanopatch, assembled through the interaction of TA with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). This 2D nanopatch demonstrates robust adhesion to nasal mucosa and significantly enhances immunoglobulin A secretions, suggesting its potential for enhancing nasal vaccine delivery. The promise of a polyphenol-enabled adhesive 2D nanopatch signifies a pivotal shift from conventional spherical nanoparticles, opening new pathways for delivery strategies through respiratory mucoadhesion.

Tannic acid as a biphasic modulator of tau protein liquid-liquid phase separation

Tannic acid (TA) is a natural polyphenol that shows great potential in the field of biomedicine due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-virus, and neuroprotective activities. Recent studies have revealed that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is closely associated with protein aggregation. Therefore, modulating LLPS offers new insights into the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the influence of TA on the LLPS of the Alzheimer's-related protein tau and the underlying mechanism. Our findings indicate that TA affects the LLPS of tau in a biphasic manner, with initial promotion and subsequent suppression as the TA to tau molar ratio increases. TA modulates tau phase separation through a combination of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The balance between TA-tau and tau-tau interactions is found to be relevant to the material properties of TA-induced tau condensates. We further illustrate that the modulatory activity of TA in phase separation is highly dependent on the target proteins. These findings enhance our understanding of the forces driving tau LLPS under different conditions, and may facilitate the identification and optimization of compounds that can rationally modulate protein phase transition in the future.

Enhanced vascularization and osseointegration under osteoporotic conditions through functional peptide coating on implant surfaces

Patients with osteoporosis face challenges such as decreased bone density, a sparse trabecular structure, weakened osteogenic ability, and impaired angiogenesis, leading to poor osseointegration and implant failure. Surface modification of implants with biologically active molecules possessing various functions is an effective strategy to improve osseointegration. In this study, we constructed a simple multifunctional coating interface that significantly improves osseointegration. In brief, a multifunctional coating interface was constructed by coupling the Rgd adhesive peptide, Ogp osteogenic peptide, and Ang angiogenic peptide to Lys6 (k6), which self-assembled layer by layer with TA to form the (TA-Rgd@ogp@ang)n composite membrane. This study characterized the surface morphology and biomechanical properties of the coating under both gas and liquid phases and monitored the deposition process and reaction rate of the two peptides with TA using a quartz crystal microbalance. Moreover, (TA-Rgd@ogp@ang)n exhibited a triple synergistic effect on cell migration and adhesion, osteogenic differentiation, and angiogenesis. It also ameliorated the high ROS environment characteristic of osteoporosis pathology, promoted angiogenic bone defect regeneration in osteoporosis, thereby avoiding poor osseointegration. This work provides a new approach for the prevention of implant failure in pathological environments by constructing multifunctional coatings on implants, with tremendous potential applications in the fields of orthopedics and dentistry.

Tannic Acid Incorporated Antibacterial Polyethylene Glycol Based Hydrogel Sponges for Management of Wound Infections

Conventional wound dressings fail to provide features that can assist the healing process of chronic wounds. Multifunctional wound dressings address this issue by incorporating attributes including antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and the ability to enhance wound healing. Herein, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based antibacterial hydrogel sponge dressings are prepared by a rapid and facile gas foaming method based on an acid chloride/alcohol reaction where tannic acid (TA) is included as a reactant to impart antibacterial efficacy as well as to enhance the mechanical properties of the samples. The results reveal that the TA-integrated sponges possess excellent antibacterial properties against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with approximately 6-8 log reduction in the microbial colony count after 6 h, indicating their high potential for management of infection-prone wounds. Compared to the control sample, TA incorporation increases the elastic modulus by twofold. As the samples also exhibit biocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and wound healing capacity, the novel TA-incorporated hydrogels can be an alternative to traditional wound dressings for wounds with low-to-moderate exudate.

Catalase catalyzed tannic acid-Fe3+ network coating: A theranostic strategy for intestinal barrier restoration

Epithelial barrier impairment of intestinal inflammation leads to the leakage of bacteria, antigens and consequent persistent immune imbalance. Restoring the barrier function holds promise for management of intestinal inflammation, while the theragnostic strategies are limited. In this study, we developed a novel coating by catalase (CAT)-catalyzed polymerization of tannic acid (TA) and combined chelation network with Fe3+. TA-Fe3+ coating was self-polymerized in situ along the small intestinal mucosa, demonstrating persistent adhesion properties and protective function. In enteritis models, sequential administration of TA-Fe3+ complex solution effectively restored the barrier function and alleviated the intestinal inflammation. Overexpressed CAT in inflammatory lesion is more favorable for the in situ targeting growth of TA-Fe3+ coating onto the defective barrier. Based on the high longitudinal relaxivity of Fe3+, the pathologically catalyzed coating facilitated the visualization of intestinal barrier impairment through MRI. In conclusion, the novel TA-Fe3+ delivery coating proposed an alternative approach to promote theranostic intervention for intestinal diseases.

Bioprotective Role of Phytocompounds Against the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Unravelling Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with a global prevalence of 25%, continues to escalate, creating noteworthy concerns towards the global health burden. NAFLD causes triglycerides and free fatty acids to build up in the liver. The excessive fat build-up causes inflammation and damages the healthy hepatocytes, leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dietary habits, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia influence NAFLD progression. The disease burden is complicated due to the paucity of therapeutic interventions. Obeticholic acid is the only approved therapeutic agent for NAFLD. With more scientific enterprise being directed towards the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD, novel targets like lipid synthase, farnesoid X receptor signalling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors associated with inflammatory signalling, and hepatocellular injury have played a crucial role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Phytocompounds have shown promising results in modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and de novo lipogenesis, suggesting their possible role in managing NAFLD. This review discusses the ameliorative role of different classes of phytochemicals with molecular mechanisms in different cell lines and established animal models. These compounds may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for NAFLD progression to NASH. This review also deliberates on phytomolecules undergoing clinical trials for effective management of NAFLD.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Tannic Acid Synergistically Promote the Gut Barrier Integrity in a Rat Model of Experimental Diarrhea via Selective Immunomodulatory Cytokine Targeting

SCOPE

Diarrhea is a common health issue that contributes to a significant annual death rate among children and the elderly worldwide. The anti-diarrheal activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and tannic acid (TA), alone or combined, is examined, in addition to their effect on intestinal barrier integrity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats are randomly assigned into seven groups: control, LGG alone, TA alone, diarrhea model, diarrhea+LGG, diarrhea+TA, and diarrhea+LGG+TA-treated groups. Diarrhea is induced by high-lactose diet (HLD) consumption. LGG (1x109 CFU/rat) and TA (100 mg Kg-1 d-1) were given orally 4 days after HLD feeding and continued for 10 days. Ileum specimens are processed for biochemical analysis of the local intestinal cytokines, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histological study. Also, immunohistochemistry-based identification of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) is performed. Compared to the diarrhea model group, both treatments maintain the intestinal mucosal structure and proliferative activity and preserve ZO-1 expression, with the combination group showing the maximal effect. However, LGG-treated diarrheic rats show a remarkable decrease in the intestinal tissue concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor Kappa beta (NF-κB); meanwhile, TA treatment leads to a selective decrease of interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1).

CONCLUSION

Individual LGG and TA treatments significantly alleviate diarrhea, probably through a selective immunomodulatory cytokine-dependent mechanism, while the combination of both synergistically maintains the intestinal mucosa by keeping the intestinal epithelial barrier function and regenerative capability.

Exploring the Effects of Lignin Nanoparticles in Different Zebrafish Inflammatory Models

Purpose

Lignin is the most abundant source of aromatic biopolymers and has gained interest in industrial and biomedical applications due to the reported biocompatibility and defense provided against bacterial and fungal pathogens, besides antioxidant and UV-blocking properties. Especially in the form of nanoparticles (NPs), lignin may display also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Methods

To evaluate these characteristics, sonochemically nano-formulated pristine lignin (LigNPs) and enzymatically-phenolated one (PheLigNPs) were used to expose zebrafish embryos, without chorion, at different concentrations. Furthermore, two different zebrafish inflammation models were generated, by injecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and by provoking a wound injury in the embryo caudal fin. The inflammatory process was investigated in both models by qPCR, analyzing the level of genes as il8, il6, il1β, tnfα, nfkbiaa, nfk2, and ccl34a.4, and by the evaluation of neutrophils recruitment, taking advantage of the Sudan Black staining, in the presence or not of LigNPs and PheLigNPs. Finally, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, related to tissue regeneration, was investigated at the molecular level in embryos wounded and exposed to NPs.

Results

The data obtained demonstrated that the lignin-based NPs showed the capacity to induce a positive response during an inflammatory event, increasing the recruitment of cytokines to accelerate their chemotactic function. Moreover, the LigNPs and PheLigNPs have a role in the resolution of wounds, favoring the regeneration process.

Conclusion

In this paper, we used zebrafish embryos within 5 days post fertilization (hpf). Despite being an early-stage exemplary, the zebrafish embryos have proven their potential as predicting models. Further long-term experiments in adults will be needed to explore completely the biomedical capabilities of lignin NPs. The results underlined the safety of both NPs tested paved the way for further evaluations to exploit the anti-inflammatory and pro-healing properties of the lignin nanoparticles examined.

Design, characterizations, and antimicrobial activity of sustainable home furnishing-based waste fabric treated using biobased nanocomposite

Clothing and textile industries are major contributors to environmental pollution including textile manufacturing through garment production, spinning, weaving, and dyeing. In this context, the sustainability textile industry is a big challenge and contributes to serving a large segment of society. Also, textile wastes could be used as a raw material for added-value products. Herein, in this study, recycling of residues fabric was treated with antimicrobial nanocomposite to reach the best use of exhausts and obtain multifunction products of aesthetic via the technical design of the waste raw materials. Besides, solving the unemployment problem by opening fields for small industry projects capable of producing high-value textile artifacts, especially when treated against microbes, can be applied to home furnishings. The waste fabric was treated via green synthesis nanocomposite based on chitosan and in situ prepared ZnONPs and cross-linked with tannic acid. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized using physicochemical analysis including attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the nanocomposite and treated fabric topographical behavior were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attachment with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and images were processed to evaluate the roughness structure. Additionally, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were performed to ensure the size and stability of the nanocomposite. The obtained results affirmed the green synthesis of nanocomposite with a size around 130 nm, as well as the doped ZnONPs average size of 26 nm and treated waste fabric, performed a promising attraction between nanocomposite and fabric fibers. Moreover, the antimicrobial study observed excellent activity of nanocomposite against bacteria and unicellular fungi as well.

Thermosensitive gel-nano system against esophageal cancer via restoring p53 activity and boosting T-cell immunity

In esophageal cancer (EC), clinical specimen testing has uncovered a significant increase in BTB and CNC homolog 1 (BACH1) expression and a shift towards an immunosuppressive environment, alongside a notable decrease in p53 protein expression. Therefore, therapeutic strategies focusing on BACH1 inhibition and p53 upregulation appear promising. Traditional oral treatments for EC lack precision and efficacy. Here, we propose a novel approach employing tumor-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) for drug delivery. However, the formation of a drug reservoir at the esophageal site, crucial for the sustained release of therapeutics, presents significant challenges in nano-delivery systems for EC treatment. To address this, we developed a thermosensitive hydrogel composed of F127 and tannic acid, serving as a vehicle for NP loading. These NPs, synthesized through the emulsion/volatization methods of mPEG-PLGA-PLL-cRGD, facilitate in situ drug delivery. Upon contacting esophageal tissue, the hydrogel transitions to a gel, adhering to the lining and enabling sustained release of encapsulated therapeutics. The formulation encompasses NPs laden with small interfering RNA targeting BACH1 (siBACH1) and the p53 activator PRIMA-1, creating a cohesive gel-nano system. Preliminary biological assessments demonstrate that this injectable, thermosensitive gel-nano system adheres effectively to esophageal tissue and targets EC cells. For better modeling clinical outcomes, a patient-derived organoid xenograft (PDOX) model was innovated, involving transplantation of EC-derived organoids into humanized mice, reconstructed with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Post-treatment analysis showed substantial EC growth inhibition (89.51% tumor inhibition rate), significant BACH1 level reduction, restored anti-tumor immune responses, and pronounced tumor apoptosis. In summary, our study introduces a thermosensitive gel-nano system for EC treatment via restoring p53 activity and boosting T-cell immunity, with potential for clinical application.