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  1. Enhanced paracellular delivery of vaccine by hydrogel microparticles-mediated reversible tight junction opening for effective oral immunization
    Chen XY, Butt AM, Mohd Amin MCI
    J Control Release, 2019 10;311-312:50-64.
    PMID: 31465827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.08.031
    The current conventional injectable vaccines face several drawbacks such as inconvenience and ineffectiveness in mucosal immunization. Therefore, the current development of effective oral vaccines is vital to enable the generation of dual systemic and mucosal immunity. In the present study, we examine the potential of pH-responsive bacterial nanocellulose/polyacrylic acid (BNC/PAA) hydrogel microparticles (MPs) as an oral vaccine carrier. In-vitro entrapment efficiency and release study of Ovalbumin (Ova) demonstrated that as high as 72% of Ova were entrapped in the hydrogel, and the release of loaded Ova was pH-dependent. The released Ova remained structurally conserved as evident by Western blot and circular dichroism. Hydrogel MPs reduced the TEER measurement of HT29MTX/Caco2/Raji B triple co-culture monolayer by reversibly opening the tight junctions (TJs) as shown in the TEM images. The ligated ileal loop assay revealed that hydrogel MPs could facilitate the penetration of FITC-Ova into the Peyer's patches in small intestine. Ova and cholera toxin B (CTB) were utilized in in-vivo oral immunization as model antigen and mucosal adjuvant. The in-vivo immunization revealed mice orally administered with Ova and CTB-loaded hydrogel MPs generated significantly higher level of serum anti-Ova IgG and mucosal anti-Ova IgA in the intestinal washes, compared to intramuscular administrated Ova. These results conclude that BNC/PAA hydrogel MPs is a potential oral vaccine carrier for effective oral immunization.
  2. Molecular Evaluation of Oral Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Antigen Delivered by Hydrogel Microparticles
    Chen XY, Butt AM, Mohd Amin MCI
    Mol Pharm, 2019 09 03;16(9):3853-3872.
    PMID: 31398038 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00483
    The development of oral vaccine formulation is crucial to facilitate an effective mass immunization program for various vaccine-preventable diseases. In this work, the efficacy of hepatitis B antigen delivered by bacterial nanocellulose/poly(acrylic acid) composite hydrogel microparticles (MPs) as oral vaccine carriers was assessed to induce both local and systemic immunity. Optimal pH-responsive swelling, mucoadhesiveness, protein drug loading, and drug permeability were characterized by MPs formulated with minimal irradiation doses and acrylic acid concentration. The composite hydrogel materials of bacterial nanocellulose and poly(acrylic acid) showed significantly greater antigen release in simulated intestinal fluid while ensuring the integrity of antigen. In in vivo study, mice orally vaccinated with antigen-loaded hydrogel MPs showed enhanced vaccine immunogenicity with significantly higher secretion of mucosal immunoglobulin A, compared to intramuscular vaccinated control. The splenocytes from the same group demonstrated lymphoproliferation and significant increased secretion of interleukin-2 cytokines upon stimulation with hepatitis B antigen. Expression of CD69 in CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ B lymphocytes in splenocytes from mice orally vaccinated with antigen-loaded hydrogel MPs was comparable to that of the intramuscular vaccinated control, indicating early activation of lymphocytes elicited by our oral vaccine formulation in just two doses. These results demonstrated the potential of antigen-loaded hydrogel MPs as an oral vaccination method for hepatitis B.
  3. Fulltext Mathematical Model for Estimating Parameters of Swelling Drug Delivery Devices in a Two-Phase Release
    Setapa A, Ahmad N, Mohd Mahali S, Mohd Amin MCI
    Polymers (Basel), 2020 Dec 05;12(12).
    PMID: 33291495 DOI: 10.3390/polym12122921
    Various swelling drug delivery devices are promising materials for control drug delivery because of their ability to swell and release entrapped therapeutics, in response to physiological stimuli. Previously, many mathematical models have been developed to predict the mechanism of drug release from a swelling device. However, some of these models do not consider the changes in diffusion behaviour as the device swells. Therefore, we used a two-phase approach to simplify the mathematical model considering the effect of swelling on the diffusion coefficient. We began by defining a moving boundary problem to consider the swelling process. Landau transformation was used for mitigating the moving boundary problem. The transformed problem was analytically solved using the separation of variables method. Further, the analytical solution was extended to include the drug release in two phases where each phase has distinct diffusion coefficient and continuity condition was applied. The newly developed model was validated by the experimental data of bacterial cellulose hydrogels using the LSQCURVEFIT function in MATLAB. The numerical test showed that the new model exhibited notable improvement in curve fitting, and it was observed that the initial effective diffusion coefficient of the swelling device was lower than the later effective diffusion coefficient.
  4. Editorial
    Mohd Amin MCI, Kiew LV, Boyd B
    Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 04;9(2):417.
    PMID: 29748831 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-018-0536-2
  5. Fulltext Gamma Irradiation-Assisted Synthesis of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Gelatin Hydrogels
    Wan Ishak WH, Ahmad I, Ramli S, Mohd Amin MCI
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2018 Sep 21;8(10).
    PMID: 30241416 DOI: 10.3390/nano8100749
    Herein, we describe the use of gamma irradiation to prepare hydrogels comprising α-cellulose and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-reinforced gelatin in the absence of crosslinking agents. In this study, cellulose was extracted from rice husks by an alkali and bleaching treatment followed by acid hydrolysis to produce CNC. A semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) of hydrogels was developed by the miscibility between gelatin and cellulosic materials. Compared to those prepared from α-cellulose, hydrogels prepared by dispersion of CNCs exhibited remarkably enhanced stiffness and swelling properties, which was ascribed to the uniform distribution of CNCs and their increased crystallinity. Improved pore structure, arrangement, and rigidity of CNC-reinforced gelatin hydrogels, which induced the swelling mechanism resulting in higher and faster water uptake was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), compared to cellulose-reinforced gelatin hydrogels. Moreover, in vitro drug profiling demonstrated that CNC/gelatin hydrogels exhibit good drug loading/release behavior and are thus suitable for use in drug-delivery applications.
  6. Bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid hydrogel synthesized via electron beam irradiation: accelerated burn wound healing in an animal model
    Mohamad N, Mohd Amin MCI, Pandey M, Ahmad N, Rajab NF
    Carbohydr Polym, 2014 Dec 19;114:312-320.
    PMID: 25263896 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.08.025
    Natural polymer-based hydrogels are of interest to health care professionals as wound dressings owing to their ability to absorb exudates and provide hydration for healing. The aims of this study were to develop and characterize bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid (BC/AA) hydrogels synthesized by electron beam irradiation and investigate its wound healing potential in an animal model. The BC/AA hydrogels were characterized by SEM, tensile strength, water absorptivity, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was investigated in L929 cells. Skin irritation and wound healing properties were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. BC/AA hydrogels had a macroporous network structure, high swelling ratio (4000-6000% at 24h), and high WVTR (2175-2280 g/m(2)/day). The hydrogels were non-toxic in the cell viability assay. In vivo experiments indicated that hydrogels promoted faster wound-healing, enhanced epithelialization, and accelerated fibroblast proliferation compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that BC/AA hydrogels are promising materials for burn dressings.
  7. Insight into delivery of dermal fibroblast by non-biodegradable bacterial nanocellulose composite hydrogel on wound healing
    Loh EYX, Fauzi MB, Ng MH, Ng PY, Ng SF, Mohd Amin MCI
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Sep 15;159:497-509.
    PMID: 32387606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.011
    In skin tissue engineering, a biodegradable scaffold is usually used where cells grow, produce its own cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix, until the regenerated tissue gradually replaces the scaffold upon its degradation. However, the role of non-biodegradable scaffold remains unexplored. This study investigates the potential of a non-biodegradable bacterial nanocellulose/acrylic acid (BNC/AA) hydrogel to transfer human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to the wound and the resulting healing effects of transferred HDF in athymic mice. Results demonstrated that the fabricated hydrogel successfully transferred >50% of HDF onto the wound site within 24 h, with evidence of HDF detected on day 7. The gene and protein study unveiled faster wound healing in the hydrogel with HDF group and characterized more mature newly formed skin microstructure on day 7, despite no visible differences. These findings give a new perspective regarding the role of non-biodegradable materials in skin tissue engineering, in the presence of exogenous cells, mainly at the molecular level.
  8. Characterization and biocompatibility evaluation of bacterial cellulose-based wound dressing hydrogel: effect of electron beam irradiation doses and concentration of acrylic acid
    Mohamad N, Buang F, Mat Lazim A, Ahmad N, Martin C, Mohd Amin MCI
    J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2017 Nov;105(8):2553-2564.
    PMID: 27690276 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.33776
    The use of bacterial cellulose (BC)-based hydrogel has been gaining attention owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study was designed to investigate the effect of radiation doses and acrylic acid (AA) composition on in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of BC/AA as wound dressing materials. Physical properties of the hydrogel, that is, thickness, adhesiveness, rate of water vapor transmission, and swelling were measured. Moreover, the effect of these parameters on skin irritation and sensitization, blood compatibility, and cytotoxicity was studied. Increased AA content and irradiation doses increased the thickness, crosslinking density, and improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel, but reduced its adhesiveness. The swelling capacity of the hydrogel increased significantly with a decrease in the AA composition in simulated wound fluid. The water vapor permeability of polymeric hydrogels was in the range of 2035-2666 [g/(m-2  day-1 )]. Dermal irritation and sensitization test demonstrated that the hydrogel was nonirritant and nonallergic. The BC/AA hydrogel was found to be nontoxic to primary human dermal fibroblast skin cells with viability >88% and was found to be biocompatible with blood with a low hemolytic index (0.80-1.30%). Collectively, these results indicate that these hydrogels have the potential to be used as wound dressings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2553-2564, 2017.
  9. PEGylated PAMAM dendrimers: Enhancing efficacy and mitigating toxicity for effective anticancer drug and gene delivery
    Luong D, Kesharwani P, Deshmukh R, Mohd Amin MCI, Gupta U, Greish K, et al.
    Acta Biomater, 2016 10 01;43:14-29.
    PMID: 27422195 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.07.015
    Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM) are well-defined, highly branched, nanoscale macromolecules with numerous active amine groups on the surface. PAMAM dendrimer can enhance the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, and with numerous reactive groups on the surface PAMAM dendrimer can be engineered with various functional groups for specific targeting ability. However, in physiological conditions, these amine groups are toxic to cells and limit the application of PAMAM. In the recent years, polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugation has been the most widely used approach to reduce the toxicity of the active group on dendrimer surface. PEG molecules are known to be inert, non-immunogenic, and non-antigenic with a significant water solubility. PEGylated PAMAM-mediated delivery could not only overcome the limitations of dendrimer such as drug leakage, immunogenicity, hemolytic toxicity, systemic cytotoxicity but they also have the ability to enhance the solubilization of hydrophobic drugs and facilitates the potential for DNA transfection, siRNA delivery and tumor targeting. This review focuses on the recent developments on the application and influence of PEGylation on various biopharmaceutical properties of PAMAM dendrimers.

    STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: It is well established that dendrimers have demonstrated promising potentials for drug delivery. However, the inherent toxicity poses challenges for its clinical translation. In this regard, PEGylation has helped mitigate some of the toxicity concerns of dendrimers and have paved the way forward for testing its translational potentials. The review is a collection of articles demonstrating the utility of PEGylation of the most studied PAMAM dendrimers. To our knowledge, this is a first such attempt to draw reader's attention, specifically, towards PEGylated PAMAM dendrimers.

  10. Potential treatment of atopic dermatitis: tolerability and safety of cream containing nanoparticles loaded with hydrocortisone and hydroxytyrosol in human subjects
    Siddique MI, Katas H, Jamil A, Mohd Amin MCI, Ng SF, Zulfakar MH, et al.
    Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 04;9(2):469-481.
    PMID: 29159691 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-017-0439-7
    Hydrocortisone (HC), topical glucocorticoid along with hydroxytyrosol (HT), and anti-microbial- and anti-oxidant-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) were prepared in large scale and analyzed for their adverse effects on healthy human skin followed by repeated applications. Ten subjects were randomized to receive test (HC-HT CSNPs) and vehicle samples (aqueous (AQ) cream). They were applied on the arms for 28 days, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema intensity, and irritation score were measured. Blood samples were analyzed for blood hematology, blood biochemistry, and adrenal cortico-thyroid hormone (ACTH) levels. Skin biopsy was obtained to assess histopathological changes in the skin. HC-HT CSNP AQ cream was stored at 4, 25, and 45 °C for a period of 1 year, and its stability was assessed by monitoring their physical appearances, particle size, and pH. Spherical-shaped NPs were successfully upscaled using spinning-disc technology, with insignificant changes in particle size, zeta potential, and incorporation of drugs as compared to the well-established laboratory method. Particle size of HC-HT CSNPs was
  11. Fulltext Development of a bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel cell carrier containing keratinocytes and fibroblasts for full-thickness wound healing
    Loh EYX, Mohamad N, Fauzi MB, Ng MH, Ng SF, Mohd Amin MCI
    Sci Rep, 2018 02 13;8(1):2875.
    PMID: 29440678 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21174-7
    Bacterial cellulose (BC)/acrylic acid (AA) hydrogel has successfully been investigated as a wound dressing for partial-thickness burn wound. It is also a promising biomaterial cell carrier because it bears some resemblance to the natural soft tissue. This study assessed its ability to deliver human epidermal keratinocytes (EK) and dermal fibroblasts (DF) for the treatment of full-thickness skin lesions. In vitro studies demonstrated that BC/AA hydrogel had excellent cell attachment, maintained cell viability with limited migration, and allowed cell transfer. In vivo wound closure, histological, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy evaluation revealed that hydrogel alone (HA) and hydrogel with cells (HC) accelerated wound healing compared to the untreated controls. Gross appearance and Masson's trichrome staining indicated that HC was better than HA. This study suggests the potential application of BC/AA hydrogel with dual functions, as a cell carrier and wound dressing, to promote full-thickness wound healing.
  12. In vivo evaluation of bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid wound dressing hydrogel containing keratinocytes and fibroblasts for burn wounds
    Mohamad N, Loh EYX, Fauzi MB, Ng MH, Mohd Amin MCI
    Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 04;9(2):444-452.
    PMID: 29302918 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-017-0475-3
    The healing of wounds, including those from burns, currently exerts a burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Hydrogels are widely used as wound dressings and in the field of tissue engineering. The popularity of bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels has increased owing to their biocompatibility. Previous study demonstrated that bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid (BC/AA) hydrogel increased the healing rate of burn wound. This in vivo study using athymic mice has extended the use of BC/AA hydrogel by the addition of human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. The results showed that hydrogel loaded with cells produces the greatest acceleration on burn wound healing, followed by treatment with hydrogel alone, compared with the untreated group. The percentage wound reduction on day 13 in the mice treated with hydrogel loaded with cells (77.34 ± 6.21%) was significantly higher than that in the control-treated mice (64.79 ± 6.84%). Histological analysis, the expression of collagen type I via immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy indicated a greater deposition of collagen in the mice treated with hydrogel loaded with cells than in the mice administered other treatments. Therefore, the BC/AA hydrogel has promising application as a wound dressing and a cell carrier.
  13. Fulltext Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and Neuroprotection, What Is New? An Up-To-Date Systematic Review
    Abd Mutalib N, Syed Mohamad SA, Jusril NA, Hasbullah NI, Mohd Amin MCI, Ismail NH
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2023 May 07;16(5).
    PMID: 37242494 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050712
    BACKGROUND: In recent years, the potential role of probiotics has become prominent in the discoveries of neurotherapy against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibit neuroprotective properties and exert their effects via various mechanisms of actions. This review aimed to evaluate the effects of LAB on neuroprotection reported in the literature.

    METHODS: A database search on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct revealed a total of 467 references, of which 25 were included in this review based on inclusion criteria which comprises 7 in vitro, 16 in vivo, and 2 clinical studies.

    RESULTS: From the studies, LAB treatment alone or in probiotics formulations demonstrated significant neuroprotective activities. In animals and humans, LAB probiotics supplementation has improved memory and cognitive performance mainly via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.

    CONCLUSIONS: Despite promising findings, due to limited studies available in the literature, further studies still need to be explored regarding synergistic effects, efficacy, and optimum dosage of LAB oral bacteriotherapy as treatment or prevention against neurodegenerative diseases.

  14. Fulltext Formulation and Evaluation of Microwave-Modified Chitosan-Curcumin Nanoparticles-A Promising Nanomaterials Platform for Skin Tissue Regeneration Applications Following Burn Wounds
    Basit HM, Mohd Amin MCI, Ng SF, Katas H, Shah SU, Khan NR
    Polymers (Basel), 2020 Nov 06;12(11).
    PMID: 33171959 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112608
    Improved physicochemical properties of chitosan-curcumin nanoparticulate carriers using microwave technology for skin burn wound application are reported. The microwave modified low molecular weight chitosan variant was used for nanoparticle formulation by ionic gelation method nanoparticles analyzed for their physicochemical properties. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures, cytotoxicity and cell migration using human dermal fibroblasts-an adult cell line-were studied. The microwave modified chitosan variant had significantly reduced molecular weight, increased degree of deacetylation and decreased specific viscosity. The nanoparticles were nano-sized with high positive charge and good dispersibility with entrapment efficiency and drug content in between 99% and 100%, demonstrating almost no drug loss. Drug release was found to be sustained following Fickian the diffusion mechanism for drug release with higher cumulative drug release observed for formulation (F)2. The microwave treatment does not render a destructive effect on the chitosan molecule with the drug embedded in the core of nanoparticles. The optimized formulation precluded selected bacterial strain colonization, exerted no cytotoxic effect, and promoted cell migration within 24 h post application in comparison to blank and/or control application. Microwave modified low molecular weight chitosan-curcumin nanoparticles hold potential in delivery of curcumin into the skin to effectively treat skin manifestations.
  15. Fulltext Synthesis and Swelling Behavior of pH-Sensitive Semi-IPN Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Poly(acrylic acid) Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals
    Lim LS, Rosli NA, Ahmad I, Mat Lazim A, Mohd Amin MCI
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2017 Nov 20;7(11).
    PMID: 29156613 DOI: 10.3390/nano7110399
    pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogel reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was prepared. Acrylic acid (AA) was subjected to chemical cross-linking using the cross-linking agent MBA (N,N-methylenebisacrylamide) with CNC entrapped in the PAA matrix. The quantity of CNC was varied between 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt %. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed an increase in crystallinity with the addition of CNC, while rheology tests demonstrated a significant increase in the storage modulus of the hydrogel with an increase in CNC content. It was found that the hydrogel reached maximum swelling at pH 7. The potential of the resulting hydrogels to act as drug carriers was then evaluated by means of the drug encapsulation efficiency test using theophylline as a model drug. It was observed that 15% CNC/PAA hydrogel showed the potential to be used as drug carrier system.
  16. Exploring the possible targeting strategies of liposomes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    Mat Rani NNI, Mustafa Hussein Z, Mustapa F, Azhari H, Sekar M, Chen XY, et al.
    Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 2021 Aug;165:84-105.
    PMID: 33974973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.04.021
    Multi antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are on the rise due to the overuse of antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the pathogens listed under the category of serious threats where vancomycin remains the mainstay treatment despite the availability of various antibacterial agents. Recently, decreased susceptibility to vancomycin from clinical isolates of MRSA has been reported and has drawn worldwide attention as it is often difficult to overcome and leads to increased medical costs, mortality, and longer hospital stays. Development of antibiotic delivery systems is often necessary to improve bioavailability and biodistribution, in order to reduce antibiotic resistance and increase the lifespan of antibiotics. Liposome entrapment has been used as a method to allow higher drug dosing apart from reducing toxicity associated with drugs. The surface of the liposomes can also be designed and enhanced with drug-release properties, active targeting, and stealth effects to prevent recognition by the mononuclear phagocyte system, thus enhancing its circulation time. The present review aimed to highlight the possible targeting strategies of liposomes against MRSA bacteremia systemically while investigating the magnitude of this effect on the minimum inhibitory concentration level.
  17. Fulltext Budesonide-Loaded Pectin/Polyacrylamide Hydrogel for Sustained Delivery: Fabrication, Characterization and In Vitro Release Kinetics
    Pandey M, Choudhury H, D/O Segar Singh SK, Chetty Annan N, Bhattamisra SK, Gorain B, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 May 05;26(9).
    PMID: 34062995 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092704
    A single ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the colonic mucosa at the distal colon and rectum. The mainstay therapy involves anti-inflammatory immunosuppression based on the disease location and severity. The disadvantages of using systemic corticosteroids for UC treatment is the amplified risk of malignancies and infections. Therefore, topical treatments are safer as they have fewer systemic side effects due to less systemic exposure. In this context, pH sensitive and enzymatically triggered hydrogel of pectin (PC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) has been developed to facilitate colon-targeted delivery of budesonide (BUD) for the treatment of UC. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), swelling ratio, and drug release. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the grafting as well loading of BUD in hydrogel. XRD showed the amorphous nature of hydrogel and increment in crystallinity after drug loading. On the other hand, SEM showed that the hydrogels exhibited a highly porous morphology, which is suitable for drug loading and also demonstrated a pH-responsive swelling behaviour, with decreased swelling in acidic media. The in-vitro release of BUD from the hydrogel exhibited a sustained release behaviour with non-ficken diffusion mechanism. The model that fitted best for BUD released was the Higuchi kinetic model. It was concluded that enzyme/pH dual-sensitive hydrogels are an effective colon-targeted delivery system for UC.
  18. Cellular and Molecular Interaction of Human Dermal Fibroblasts with Bacterial Nanocellulose Composite Hydrogel for Tissue Regeneration
    Xi Loh EY, Fauzi MB, Ng MH, Ng PY, Ng SF, Ariffin H, et al.
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2018 Nov 21;10(46):39532-39543.
    PMID: 30372014 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b16645
    The evaluation of the interaction of cells with biomaterials is fundamental to establish the suitability of the biomaterial for a specific application. In this study, the properties of bacterial nanocellulose/acrylic acid (BNC/AA) hydrogels fabricated with varying BNC to AA ratios and electron-beam irradiation doses were determined. The manner these hydrogel properties influence the behavior of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) at the cellular and molecular levels was also investigated, relating it to its application both as a cell carrier and wound dressing material. Swelling, hardness, adhesive force (wet), porosity, and hydrophilicity (dry) of the hydrogels were dependent on the degree of cross-linking and the amount of AA incorporated in the hydrogels. However, water vapor transmission rate, pore size, hydrophilicity (semidry), and topography were similar between all formulations, leading to a similar cell attachment and proliferation profile. At the cellular level, the hydrogel demonstrated rapid cell adhesion, maintained HDFs viability and morphology, restricted cellular migration, and facilitated fast transfer of cells. At the molecular level, the hydrogel affected nine wound-healing genes (IL6, IL10, MMP2, CTSK, FGF7, GM-CSF, TGFB1, COX2, and F3). The findings indicate that the BNC/AA hydrogel is a potential biomaterial that can be employed as a wound-dressing material to incorporate HDFs for the acceleration of wound healing.
  19. Fulltext Leveraging immunoliposomes as nanocarriers against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants
    Mohammad Faizal NDF, Ramli NA, Mat Rani NNI, Shaibie NA, Aarti, Poonsawas P, et al.
    Asian J Pharm Sci, 2023 Nov;18(6):100855.
    PMID: 38125653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100855
    The global COVID-19 pandemic arising from SARS-CoV-2 has impacted many lives, gaining interest worldwide ever since it was first identified in December 2019. Till 2023, 752 million cumulative cases and 6.8 million deaths were documented globally. COVID-19 has been rapidly evolving, affecting virus transmissibility and properties and contributing to increased disease severity. The Omicron is the most circulating variant of concern. Although success in its treatment has indicated progress in tackling the virus, limitations in delivering the current antiviral agents in battling emerging variants remain remarkable. With the latest advancements in nanotechnology for controlling infectious diseases, liposomes have the potential to counteract SARS-CoV-2 because of their ability to employ different targeting strategies, incorporating monoclonal antibodies for the active and passive targeting of infected patients. This review will present a concise summary of the possible strategies for utilizing immunoliposomes to improve current treatment against the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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