Thermo- and pH-Responsive Gelatin/Polyphenolic Tannin/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels for Efficient Methylene Blue Delivery

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum: From Plant to 3D-Printed Gummies with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

This study investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and 3D-printing application of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum extract. The extract revealed a diverse range of phenolic compounds, with rosmarinic acid as the predominant compound (47.76%). The extract showed moderate to high lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50 = 32.0 µg/mL), suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with hydrogen peroxide scavenging (SC50 = 99.2 µg/mL) and hydroxyl radical scavenging (IC50 = 64.12 µg/mL) capabilities. In cellular studies, high concentrations (50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL) significantly decreased intracellular ROS production in Caco-2 cells (reductions exceeding 53% and 64%, respectively). Moreover, the extract suppressed NO production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. The study also explores the incorporation of the extract into 3D-printed gummies. The gels exhibited a shear-thinning behavior, which was essential for successful extrusion-based 3D printing. The incorporation of Origanum extract significantly influenced the mechanical strength and compaction properties of the 3D-printed gummies before breaking (1.6-fold increase) allowing for a better mouth feeling. PXRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the amorphous nature of the 3D-printed gummies and the interaction between active ingredients and excipients utilized for printing. These findings demonstrated the potential for semisolid extrusion 3D printing at room temperature to transform a culinary herb (Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum) into a healthcare product with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Agro-Waste Valorization into Carbonaceous Eco-Hydrogel: A Circular Economy and Zero Waste Tactic for Doxorubicin Removal in Water/Wastewater

The existing work aims to evaluate the efficiency of eco-hydrogel for adsorption of pollutants prepared from biopolymeric matrix and agricultural waste-derived biochar. An efficient and reusable adsorbent, designed from the integration of maize stalk activated carbon into a gelatin-alginate composite (MSAC@GE-SA) was explored for removal of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Doxo.HCL) from polluted water. The structural properties, presence of surface functional groups, and elemental composition were explored using XRD, SEM, BET, FTIR, and XPS techniques. The key adsorption parameters such as Doxo.HCL concentration, MSAC@GE-SA amount, solution pH, and the contact time between adsorbate and adsorbents were successfully optimized for the effective removal of Doxo.HCL (qmax = 239.41 mg g-1). The kinetic mechanism of MSAC@GE-SA fits well with a pseudo-second-order rate model (R2 = 0.980), followed by mono- and multilayered Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms with R2 values 0.991 and 0.993, respectively. The recyclability of MSAC@GE-SA showed great stability without any physical damage and having sustained removal efficiency up to 10 cycles (96.32 to 55.66%). The versatility of MSAC@GE-SA was further investigated for river, canal, and sewage water samples under identical experimental conditions. The practicality of the MSAC@GE-SA was evaluated by spiking Doxo.HCL into industrial effluents via the standard addition method. Subsequently, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the treated pollutants exhibited a notable reduction, decreasing significantly from 128 to 80 mg L-1. Following 10 successful adsorption-desorption cycles, the spent MSAC@GE-SA was utilized as a fertilizer for Vigna radiata plants, positively contributing to overall plant growth without causing harm. Hence, proposed adsorbent (MSAC@GE-SA) emerges as a viable and sustainable solution, demonstrating features of reusability and cost-effectiveness. It holds significant promise for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants, aligning with the principles of circular economy and zero-waste tactics.

Characteristics of Graphene Oxide for Gene Transfection and Controlled Release in Breast Cancer Cells

Functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles are being increasingly employed for designing modern drug delivery systems because of their high degree of functionalization, high surface area with exceptional loading capacity, and tunable dimensions. With intelligent controlled release and gene silencing capability, GO is an effective nanocarrier that permits the targeted delivery of small drug molecules, antibodies, nucleic acids, and peptides to the liquid or solid tumor sites. However, the toxicity and biocompatibility of GO-based formulations should be evaluated, as these nanomaterials may introduce aggregations or may accumulate in normal tissues while targeting tumors or malignant cells. These side effects may potentially be impacted by the dosage, exposure time, flake size, shape, functional groups, and surface charges. In this review, the strategies to deliver the nucleic acid via the functionalization of GO flakes are summarized to describe the specific targeting of liquid and solid breast tumors. In addition, we describe the current approaches aimed at optimizing the controlled release towards a reduction in GO accumulation in non-specific tissues in terms of the cytotoxicity while maximizing the drug efficacy. Finally, the challenges and future research perspectives are briefly discussed.