Novel Pullulan/Gellan Gum Bilayer Film as a Vehicle for Silibinin-Loaded Nanocapsules in the Topical Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Silibinin, a PLC-β3 inhibitor, inhibits mast cell activation and alleviates OVA-induced asthma

The immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor FcεRI (Fc epsilon RI) plays a crucial role in allergic reactions. Recent studies have indicated that the interaction between FcεRIβ and the downstream protein phospholipase C beta 3 (PLCβ3) leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to develop small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interactions between FcεRIβ and PLCβ3 to treat allergic inflammation. Additionally, PLCβ3 has emerged as a potential target protein for treating allergic inflammation. In this study, we employed a virtual screening technique to search the Taiwan Traditional Chinese Medicine Database, followed by a second screening using absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET). Among the compounds screened, silibinin exhibited the best performance, forming strong hydrogen bond interactions with residues of PLCβ3, with a binding free energy of -119.277 kcal/mol. Therefore, silibinin effectively blocked the interaction between FcεRIβ and PLCβ3. Silibinin reduced the production of allergic inflammatory cytokines, including cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 2a (CINC-2a), interleukin-2 (IL-2), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), interleukin 1α (IL-1α), macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (MIP3α), interferon γ (IFN-γ), activin A, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 13 (IL-13), Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), without inducing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, in studies of IgE-mediated allergic responses, silibinin also decreased the expression of surface IgE receptors (FcεRIs). Moreover, silibinin effectively alleviated allergen-induced asthma responses and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory immune cells into the lungs of an OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation mouse model. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential antiallergic mechanism of silibinin both in vitro and in vivo, making it a promising candidate for the development of asthma therapeutics.

Transdermal delivery of natural products against atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Natural products have gained traction in AD treatment due to their accessibility, low toxicity, and favorable pharmacological properties. However, their application is primarily constrained by poor solubility, instability, and limited permeability. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) offers potential solutions for transdermal delivery, enhanced penetration, improved efficacy, and reduced toxicity of natural drugs, aligning with the requirements of modern AD treatment. This review examines the application of hydrogels, microneedles (MNs), liposomes, nanoemulsions, and other TDDS-carrying natural products in AD treatment, with a primary focus on their effects on penetration and accumulation in the skin. The aim is to provide valuable insights into the treatment of AD and other dermatological conditions.

Polysaccharide-Stabilized Semisolid Emulsion with Vegetable Oils for Skin Wound Healing: Impact of Composition on Physicochemical and Biological Properties

Background/Objectives: The demand for natural-based formulations in chronic wound care has increased, driven by the need for biocompatible, safe, and effective treatments. Natural polysaccharide-based emulsions enriched with vegetable oils present promising benefits for skin repair, offering structural support and protective barriers suitable for sensitive wound environments. This study aimed to develop and evaluate semisolid polysaccharide-based emulsions for wound healing, incorporating avocado (Persea gratissima) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) oils (AO and BO, respectively). Both gellan gum (GG) and kappa-carrageenan (KC) were used as stabilizers due to their biocompatibility and gel-forming abilities. Methods: Four formulations were prepared (F1-GG-AO; F2-KC-AO; F3-GG-BO; F4-KC-BO) and evaluated for physicochemical properties, spreadability, rheology, antioxidant activity, occlusive and bioadhesion potential, biocompatibility, and wound healing efficacy using an in vitro scratch assay. Results: The pH values (4.74-5.06) were suitable for skin application, and FTIR confirmed excipient compatibility. The formulations showed reduced occlusive potential, pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropy, and adequate spreadability (7.13-8.47 mm2/g). Lower bioadhesion indicated ease of application and removal, enhancing user comfort. Formulations stabilized with KC exhibited superior antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging) and fibroblast biocompatibility (CC50% 390-589 µg/mL) and were non-hemolytic. Both F2-KC-AO and F4-KC-BO significantly improved in vitro wound healing by promoting cell migration compared to other formulations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of these emulsions for effective wound treatment, providing a foundation for developing skin care products that harness the therapeutic properties of polysaccharides and plant oils in a natural approach to wound care.

Exploring Cationic Guar Gum: Innovative Hydrogels and Films for Enhanced Wound Healing

Background/Objectives: This study developed and characterized hydrogels (HG-CGG) and films (F-CGG) based on cationic guar gum (CGG) for application in wound healing. Methods: HG-CGG (2% w/v) was prepared by gum thickening and evaluated for pH, stability, spreadability, and viscosity. F-CGG was obtained using an aqueous dispersion of CGG (6% w/v) and the solvent casting method. F-CGG was characterized for thickness, weight uniformity, morphology, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and swelling potential. Both formulations were evaluated for bioadhesive potential on intact and injured porcine skin, as well as antioxidant activity. F-CGG was further studied for biocompatibility using hemolysis and cell viability assays (L929 fibroblasts), and its wound-healing potential by the scratch assay. Results: HG-CGG showed adequate viscosity and spreadability profiles for wound coverage, but its bioadhesive strength was reduced on injured skin. In contrast, F-CGG maintained consistent bioadhesive strength regardless of skin condition (6554.14 ± 540.57 dyne/cm2 on injured skin), presenting appropriate mechanical properties (flexible, transparent, thin, and resistant) and a high swelling capacity (2032 ± 211% after 6 h). F-CGG demonstrated superior antioxidant potential compared to HG-CGG (20.50 mg/mL ABTS+ radical scavenging activity), in addition to exhibiting low hemolytic potential and no cytotoxicity to fibroblasts. F-CGG promoted the proliferation of L929 cells in vitro, supporting wound healing. Conclusions: Therefore, CGG proved to be a promising material for developing formulations with properties suitable for cutaneous use. F-CGG combines bioadhesion, antioxidant activity, biocompatibility, cell proliferation, and potential wound healing, making it promising for advanced wound treatment.

Applications and advancements of polysaccharide-based nanostructures for enhanced drug delivery

Growing demand for highly effective, site-specific delivery of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals using nano-sized carriers has prompted increased scrutiny of carrier biocompatibility and biodegradability. To address these concerns, biodegradable natural polymers have emerged as a transformative domain, offering non-toxic, precisely targetable carriers capable of finely modulating cargo pharmacokinetics while generating innocuous decomposition by-products. This comprehensive review illuminates the emergence of polysaccharide-based nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. These systems establish an interactive interface between drug and targeted organs, guided by strategic modifications to polysaccharide backbones, which facilitate the creation of morphologically, constitutionally, and characteristically vibrant nanostructures through various fabrication routes, underpinning their pivotal role in biomedical applications. Advancements crucial to enhancing polysaccharide-based drug delivery, such as surface modifications and bioinspired modifications for enhanced targeting, and stimuli-responsive release, strategies to overcome biological barriers, enhance tumor penetration, and optimize therapeutic outcomes are highlighted. This review also examines some potent challenges, and the contemporary way out of them, and discusses future perspectives in the field.

Techniques, applications and prospects of polysaccharide and protein based biopolymer coatings: A review

The growing relevance of sustainable materials has recently led to the exploration of naturally derived biopolymeric hydrogels as coating materials due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, ease of fabrication and modification. Although many review articles exist on biopolymeric coatings, they mainly focus on a specific polysaccharide, protein biopolymer, or a particular application- biomedical engineering or food preservation. The current review first summarizes the commonly used polysaccharide and protein-based biopolymers like chitosan, alginate, carrageenan, pectin, cellulose, starch, pullulan, agarose and silk fibroin, gelatin, respectively, with a systematic description of the techniques widely used for physical coating on substrates. Then, broad applications of these biopolymeric coatings on various substrates in biomedical engineering- 3D scaffolds, biomedical implants, and nanoparticles are described in detail. It also entails the application of biopolymeric coatings for food preservation in the form of food packaging and edible coatings. A brief discussion on the newly discovered interest in exploring biopolymers for anticorrosive coating applications is also included. Finally, concluding remarks on the role of biopolymer microstructures in forming homogeneous coatings, prospective alternatives to the currently used biopolymers as coating material and the advent of computer-aided technologies to expedite experimental findings are presented.

Carrageenan-xanthan nanocomposite film with improved bioadhesion and permeation profile in human skin: A cutaneous-friendly platform for ketoprofen local delivery

Ketoprofen (KET), commonly used for inflammation in clinical settings, leads to systemic adverse effects with prolonged use, mitigated by topical administration. Nanotechnology-based cutaneous forms, like films, may enhance KET efficacy. Therefore, this study aimed to prepare and characterize films containing KET nanoemulsions (F-NK) regarding mechanical properties, chemical composition and interactions, occlusive potential, bioadhesion, drug permeation in human skin, and safety. The films were prepared using a κ-carrageenan and xanthan gum blend (2 % w/w, ratio 3: 1) plasticized with glycerol through the solvent casting method. Non-nanoemulsioned KET films (F-K) were prepared for comparative purposes. F-NK was flexible and hydrophilic, exhibited higher drug content and better uniformity (94.40 ± 3.61 %), maintained the NK droplet size (157 ± 12 nm), and was thinner and lighter than the F-K. This film also showed increased tensile strength and Young's modulus values, enhanced bioadhesion and occlusive potential, and resulted in more of the drug in the human skin layers. Data also suggested that nano-based formulations are homogeneous and more stable than F-KET. Hemolysis and chorioallantoic membrane tests suggested the formulations' safety. Thus, the nano-based film is suitable for cutaneous KET delivery, which may improve the drug's efficacy in managing inflammatory conditions.

Karaya/Gellan-Gum-Based Bilayer Films Containing 3,3'-Diindolylmethane-Loaded Nanocapsules: A Promising Alternative to Melanoma Topical Treatment

This study aimed to incorporate nanocapsules containing 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) with antitumor activity into a bilayer film of karaya and gellan gums for use in topical melanoma therapy. Nanocarriers and films were prepared by interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer and solvent casting methods, respectively. Incorporating DIM into nanocapsules increased its antitumor potential against human melanoma cells (A-375) (IC50 > 24.00 µg/mL free DIM × 2.89 µg/mL nanocapsules). The films were transparent, hydrophilic (θ < 90°), had homogeneous thickness and weight, and had a DIM content of 106 µg/cm2. Radical ABTS+ scavenger assay showed that the DIM films presented promising antioxidant action. Remarkably, the films showed selective bioadhesive potential on the karaya gum side. Considering the mechanical analyses, the nanotechnology-based films presented appropriate behavior for cutaneous application and controlled DIM release profile, which could increase the residence time on the application site. Furthermore, the nanofilms were found to increase the permeation of DIM into the epidermis, where melanoma develops. Lastly, the films were non-hemolytic (hemolysis test) and non-irritant (HET-CAM assay). In summary, the combination of karaya and gellan gum in bilayer films that contain nanoencapsulated DIM has demonstrated potential in the topical treatment of melanoma and could serve as a viable option for administering DIM for cutaneous melanoma therapy.

Polysaccharide-Based Coatings as Drug Delivery Systems

Therapeutic polysaccharide-based coatings have recently emerged as versatile strategies to transform a conventional medical implant into a drug delivery system. However, the translation of these polysaccharide-based coatings into the clinic as drug delivery systems still requires a deeper understanding of their drug degradation/release profiles. This claim is supported by little or no data. In this review paper, a comprehensive description of the benefits and challenges generated by the polysaccharide-based coatings is provided. Moreover, the latest advances made towards the application of the most important representative coatings based on polysaccharide types for drug delivery are debated. Furthermore, suggestions/recommendations for future research to speed up the transition of polysaccharide-based drug delivery systems from the laboratory testing to clinical applications are given.

Nanotechnology-Based Topical Delivery of Natural Products for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic eczematous inflammatory disease that may arise from environmental, genetic, and immunological factors. Despite the efficacy of current treatment options such as corticosteroids, such approaches are mainly focused on symptom relief and may present certain undesirable side effects. In recent years, isolated natural compounds, oils, mixtures, and/or extracts have gained scientific attention because of their high efficiency and moderate to low toxicity. Despite their promising therapeutic effects, the applicability of such natural healthcare solutions is somewhat limited by their instability, poor solubility, and low bioavailability. Therefore, novel nanoformulation-based systems have been designed to overcome these limitations, thus enhancing the therapeutic potential, by promoting the capacity of these natural drugs to properly exert their action in AD-like skin lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first literature review that has focused on summarizing recent nanoformulation-based solutions loaded with natural ingredients, specifically for the management of AD. We suggest that future studies should focus on robust clinical trials that may confirm the safety and effectiveness of such natural-based nanosystems, thus paving the way for more reliable AD treatments.

Copaiba essential oil loaded-nanocapsules film as a potential candidate for treating skin disorders: preparation, characterization, and antibacterial properties

Infections have emerged as a novel target in managing skin and mucosa diseases. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials and biofilm elimination from surfaces remains a challenge. Because polymeric nanocapsules (NC) can increase antimicrobial activity, this study aimed to produce and characterize NC into chitosan films (CSF). Copaiba essential oil (CO) presents antimicrobial activity and was chosen to load NC. In addition, the antibacterial activity was evaluated to obtain a new biodegradable polymeric platform system with the potential to treat topical diseases associated with bacterial infections. The CO-NC produced by nanoprecipitation presented particle size lower than 250 nm, negative charge, and encapsulation efficiency higher than 70 %. Direct incorporation of CO into CSF (CO-CSF) by casting method worsened the film's characteristics. However, incorporating CO-NC into CSF (CO-NC-CSF) avoided these drawbacks demonstrating improved physical, mechanical, morphological, and topographical properties. FTIR results demonstrated possible intermolecular interactions among the polymers and CO. The CO-NC-CSF and CO-CSF presented antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially the formulation containing 1 % of CO. These results indicated that CO-NC-CSF is a promising candidate for treating skin disorders.