Gelatin usage in scaffold fabrication is limited due to its lack of enzymatic and thermal resistance, as well as its mechanical weakness. Hence, gelatin requires crosslinking and reinforcement with other materials. This study aimed to fabricate and characterise composite scaffolds composed of gelatin, elastin, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and crosslinked with genipin. The scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze-drying method. The composite scaffolds were composed of different concentrations of CNC, whereas scaffolds made of pure gelatin and a gelatin-elastin mixture served as controls. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds, and their cellular biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), were evaluated. The composite scaffolds demonstrated higher porosity and swelling capacity and improved enzymatic resistance compared to the controls. Although the group with 0.5% (w/v) CNC recorded the highest pore size homogeneity, the diameters of most of the pores in the composite scaffolds ranged from 100 to 200 μm, which is sufficient for cell migration. Tensile strength analysis revealed that increasing the CNC concentration reduced the scaffolds' stiffness. Chemical analyses revealed that despite chemical and structural alterations, both elastin and CNC were integrated into the gelatin scaffold. HDF cultured on the scaffolds expressed collagen type I and α-SMA proteins, indicating the scaffolds' biocompatibility with HDF. Overall, the addition of elastin and CNC improved the properties of gelatin-based scaffolds. The composite scaffolds are promising candidates for an acellular skin substitute.
Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are among the most prevalent diseases affecting people from all walks of life. Medicinal herbs have garnered interest as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to their multiple beneficial effects. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (PS) is an edible medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in Asia for treating hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This review is aimed to provide comprehensive information from the literature on the effects of PS on hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A computerized database search was performed on Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases with the following set of keywords: Piper sarmentosum AND diabetes mellitus OR diabetic OR diabetes OR hyperglyc*emia OR blood glucose OR HbA1c OR glycated h*emoglobin OR h*emoglobin A1c OR hyperten* OR blood pressure. A total of 47 articles were screened and 14 articles published between the years 1998 until 2021 were included for data extraction, comprising of six articles on antihypertensive and eight articles on antidiabetic effects of PS. These studies consist of two in vitro studies and eleven in vivo animal studies. Meta-analysis of three studies on hypertension showed that PS versus no treatment significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure with mean difference (MD) -39.84 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) -45.05, -34.62; p < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure with MD -26.68 mmHg (95% CI -31.48, -21.88; p < 0.01), and mean arterial pressure with MD -30.56 mmHg (95% CI -34.49, -26.63; p < 0.01). Most of the studies revealed positive effects of PS against hypertension and diabetes mellitus, suggesting the potential of PS as a natural source of antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents.
Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Natural products play an important role as nutritional supplements with potential health benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Polygonum minus (PM) is an aromatic plant that is widely used as a flavoring agent in cooking and has been recognized as a plant with various medicinal properties including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions. Phytoconstituents found in PM such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds contribute to the plant's antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. We conducted this review to systematically identify articles related to the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of PM. A computerized database search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and ACS publication, from 1946 until May 2020, and the following keywords were used: 'Kesum OR Polygonum minus OR Persicaria minor' AND 'inflammat* OR oxida* OR antioxida*'. A total of 125 articles were obtained. Another eight additional articles were identified through Google Scholar and review articles. Altogether, 17 articles were used for data extraction, comprising 16 articles on antioxidant and one article on anti-inflammatory activity of PM. These studies consist of 14 in vitro studies, one in vivo animal study, one combined in vitro and in vivo study and one combined in vitro and ex vivo study. All the studies reported that PM exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities which are most likely attributed to its high phenolic and flavonoid content.