Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Study of Hybrid Films Based on Polypropylene and NiO or NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles

This study presents an in vitro analysis of the bactericidal and cytotoxic properties of hybrid films containing nickel oxide (NiO) and nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles embedded in polypropylene (PP). The solvent casting method was used to synthesize films of PP, PP@NiO, and PP@NiFe2O4, which were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that the small crystallite sizes of NiO and NiFe2O4 NPs were maintained even after they were incorporated into the PP matrix. From the Raman scattering spectroscopy data, it was evident that there was a significant interaction between the NPs and the PP matrix. Additionally, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a homogeneous dispersion of NiO and NiFe2O4 NPs throughout the PP matrix. The incorporation of the NPs was observed to alter the surface roughness of the films; this behavior was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The antibacterial properties of all films were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC®: 43636™) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC®: 23235™), two opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens. The PP@NiO and PP@ NiFe2O4 films showed over 90% bacterial growth inhibition for both strains. Additionally, the effects of the films on human skin cells, such as epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, were evaluated for cytotoxicity. The PP, PP@NiO, and PP@NiFe2O4 films were nontoxic to human keratinocytes. Furthermore, compared to the PP film, improved biocompatibility of the PP@NiFe2O4 film with human fibroblasts was observed. The methodology utilized in this study allows for the production of hybrid films that can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, such as S. aureus, and Gram-negative bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa. These films have potential as coating materials to prevent bacterial proliferation on surfaces.

When Cyclodextrins Met Data Science: Unveiling Their Pharmaceutical Applications through Network Science and Text-Mining

We present a data-driven approach to unveil the pharmaceutical technologies of cyclodextrins (CDs) by analyzing a dataset of CD pharmaceutical patents. First, we implemented network science techniques to represent CD patents as a single structure and provide a framework for unsupervised detection of keywords in the patent dataset. Guided by those keywords, we further mined the dataset to examine the patenting trends according to CD-based dosage forms. CD patents formed complex networks, evidencing the supremacy of CDs for solubility enhancement and how this has triggered cutting-edge applications based on or beyond the solubility improvement. The networks exposed the significance of CDs to formulate aqueous solutions, tablets, and powders. Additionally, they highlighted the role of CDs in formulations of anti-inflammatory drugs, cancer therapies, and antiviral strategies. Text-mining showed that the trends in CDs for aqueous solutions, tablets, and powders are going upward. Gels seem to be promising, while patches and fibers are emerging. Cyclodextrins' potential in suspensions and emulsions is yet to be recognized and can become an opportunity area. This is the first unsupervised/supervised data-mining approach aimed at depicting a landscape of CDs to identify trending and emerging technologies and uncover opportunity areas in CD pharmaceutical research.

Technological evolution of cyclodextrins in the pharmaceutical field

We herein disclose how global cyclodextrin-based pharmaceutical technologies have evolved since the early 80s through a 1998 patents dataset retrieved from Derwent Innovation Index. We used text-mining techniques based on the patents semantic content to extract the knowledge contained therein, to analyze technologies related to the principal attributes of CDs: solubility, stability, and taste-masking enhancement. The majority of CDs pharmaceutical technologies are directed toward parenteral aqueous solutions. The development of oral and ocular formulations is rapidly growing, while technologies for nasal and pulmonary routes are emerging and seem to be promising. Formulations for topical, transdermal, vaginal, and rectal routes do not account for a high number of patents, but they may be hiding a great potential, representing opportunity research areas. Certainly, the progress in materials sciences, supramolecular chemistry, and nanotechnology, will influence the trend of that, apparently neglected, research. The bottom line, CDs pharmaceutical technologies are still increasing, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.

Patent monitoring allows the identification of relevant technologies and trends to prioritize research, development, and investment in both, academia and industry. We expect the scope of this approach to be applied in the pharmaceutical field beyond CDs technological applications.