Arabinoxylan-Carboxymethylcellulose Composite Films for Antibiotic Delivery to Infected Wounds

Exploring the efficacy of various wheat bran extracts in promoting burn wound healing: A comparative analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Although burn wound management in medical practice has improved, the challenge still exists and demands multidisciplinary participation. Wheat has been extensively used as a remedy of different skin conditions especially burns in almost all parts of Italy. However, the mechanism is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the effects of different wheat bran extracts on the healing of burn wound estimated grossly, histopathologically, and immunologically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar male rats were divided into 5 groups; (control) saline treated group, Mebo (Moist Exposed Burn Ointment), cold-water extract, hot-water extract and methanolic extract groups. After the burn, four groups from the experimental groups were treated with Mebo, cold-water extract, hot-water extract and methanolic extract, respectively, but the negative-control group was treated daily with saline only. The observation was made along days 0, 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical and cytokines estimation in addition to wound samples were collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

The histopathological examination showed that the inflammation was significantly decreased in all extract-treated groups when compared with saline and Mebo-treated groups. Epithelial tissue and granulation tissue formation most significantly appeared in the cold water extract-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

Cold water and methanolic extract groups showed the most rapid and effective healing of the burn wound. Particularly the cold-water extract, due to the sufficient concentration of zinc and phenolic components.

Extraction, physicochemical characterization, functionality, and excipient ability of corn fiber gum-starch isolate from corn milling industry waste

Corn processing industries generate an extensive fibrous byproduct consisting of corn fiber gum (CFG) and residual starch (S). The present study hypothesized that CFG and S could be isolated as a single crosslinked conjugate. The isolated CFG-S conjugate was acidic, with a pKa value of 11.49, and a swelling index of 99.60%. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation predicted negligible ionization throughout the gastrointestinal pH range. The DSC thermogram highlights glass transition and temperature-specific structure stabilization through the exothermic crystallization domain. FTIR, SEM & XRD confirmed the structural conjugation and integrity of the conjugate. Tablets containing Venlafaxine hydrochloride as a model drug were prepared using CFG-S (14 and 57%) as excipient by wet granulation method. Percentage cumulative drug release with low concentration was up to 99.67175 ± 0.09 % in 5 h whereas with high concentration, it was extended to 12 h (P < 0.05). Korsemayer-Peppas release exponent indicates zero order (R2 = 0.9935) kinetics with super case-II anomalous transport showing diffusion and erosion as drug release mechanisms. The results confirmed that CFG-S isolate could act as a good binding agent at low concentrations and release extending cross-linked matrix former at a higher concentration for release retardant excipient.

Antimicrobial activity of thermophilin 110 against the opportunistic pathogen Cutibacterium acnes

OBJECTIVE

Thermophilin 110, a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus thermophilus B59671, inhibited planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Cutibacterium acnes, a commensal skin bacterium associated with the inflammatory disease, acne vulgaris, and more invasive deep tissue infections.

RESULTS

Thermophilin 110 prevented planktonic growth of C. acnes at a concentration ≥ 160 AU mL-1; while concentrations ≥ 640 AU mL-1 resulted in a > 5 log reduction in viable planktonic cell counts and inhibited biofilm formation. Arabinoxylan (AX) and sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels were shown to encapsulate thermophilin 110, but as currently formulated, the encapsulated bacteriocin was unable to diffuse out of the gel and inhibit the growth of C. acnes. Hydrogels were also used to encapsulate S. thermophilus B59671, and inhibition zones were observed against C. acnes around intact SA gels, or S. thermophilus colonies that were released from AX gels.

CONCLUSIONS

Thermophilin 110 has potential as an antimicrobial for preventing C. acnes infections and further optimization of SA and AX gel formulations could allow them to serve as delivery systems for bacteriocins or bacteriocin-producing probiotics.

In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization Methods for Evaluation of Modern Wound Dressings

Chronic wound management represents a major challenge in the healthcare sector owing to its delayed wound-healing process progression and huge financial burden. In this regard, wound dressings provide an appropriate platform for facilitating wound healing for several decades. However, adherent traditional wound dressings do not provide effective wound healing for highly exudating chronic wounds and need the development of newer and innovative wound dressings to facilitate accelerated wound healing. In addition, these dressings need frequent changing, resulting in more pain and discomfort. In order to overcome these issues, a wide range of affordable and innovative modern wound dressings have been developed and explored recently to accelerate and improve the wound healing process. However, a comprehensive understanding of various in vitro and in vivo characterization methods being utilized for the evaluation of different modern wound dressings is lacking. In this context, an overview of modern dressings and their complete in vitro and in vivo characterization methods for wound healing assessment is provided in this review. Herein, various emerging modern wound dressings with advantages and challenges have also been reviewed. Furthermore, different in vitro wound healing assays and in vivo wound models being utilized for the evaluation of wound healing progression and wound healing rate using wound dressings are discussed in detail. Finally, a summary of modern wound dressings with challenges and the future outlook is highlighted.

Hybrid-Based Wound Dressings: Combination of Synthetic and Biopolymers

Most commercialized wound dressings are polymer-based. Synthetic and natural polymers have been utilized widely for the development of wound dressings. However, the use of natural polymers is limited by their poor mechanical properties, resulting in their combination with synthetic polymers and other materials to enhance their mechanical properties. Natural polymers are mostly affordable, biocompatible, and biodegradable with promising antimicrobial activity. They have been further tailored into unique hybrid wound dressings when combined with synthetic polymers and selected biomaterials. Some important features required in an ideal wound dressing include the capability to prevent bacteria invasion, reduce odor, absorb exudates, be comfortable, facilitate easy application and removal as well as frequent changing, prevent further skin tear and irritation when applied or removed, and provide a moist environment and soothing effect, be permeable to gases, etc. The efficacy of polymers in the design of wound dressings cannot be overemphasized. This review article reports the efficacy of wound dressings prepared from a combination of synthetic and natural polymers.