Preparation and Characterization of Magnetic Targeted Drug Controlled-Release Hydrogel Microspheres

Magnetic targeted drug controlled release hydrogel microspheres were prepared by a radiation technique. Ferric oxide granules (size around 50 nm) were used as the core for magnetic target. The PVP ferrogels (ferromagnetic nanoparticles in hydrogel microsphere) were obtained by irradiating an emulsion of Poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) PVP/ferromagnetic granule with cobalt 60 γ–ray. The morphology of the PVP ferrogel was studied by both optical and electronic microscopy, respectively. A broad-spectrum anticancer drug, Bleomycin A5 Hydrochloride (BLM), was immobilized in the ferrogel and the release property of the drug in vitro was studied. The function of targeting and anti-cancer was studied on the New Zealand White rabbits, based on the implantation of experimental VX2 squamous cell carcinoma in the auricles of the rabbits.     

Laponite–Gelatin Nanofibrous Microsphere Promoting Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells Attachment and Osteogenic Differentiation for Noninvasive Stem Cell Transplantation

Nanofibrous microspheres (NFM) are emerging as prominent next-generation biomimetic injectable scaffold system for stem cell delivery and different tissue regeneration where nanofibrous topography facilitates ECM-like stem cells niches. Addition of osteogenic bioactive nanosilicate platelets within NFM can provide osteoconductive cues to facilitate matrix mediated osteogenic differentiation of stem cells and enhance the efficiency of bone tissue regeneration. In this study, gelatin nanofibrous microspheres are prepared containing fluoride-doped laponite XL21 (LP) using the emulsion mediated thermal induce phase separation (TIPS) technique. Systematic studies are performed to understand the effect of physicochemical properties of biomimicking NFM alone and with different concentrations of LP on human dental follicle stem cells (hDFSCs), their cellular attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. The study highlights the effect of LP nanosilicate with biomimicking nanofibrous injectable scaffold system aiding in enhancing stem cell differentiation under normal physiological conditions compared to NFM without LP. The laponite–NFM shows suitability as excellent injectable biomaterials system for stem cell attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation for stem cell transplantation and bone tissue regeneration.     

Development of a potential carrageenan-based hard capsule as the alternative of conventional capsules by implementing the oligomerization reaction

Carrageenan-based (CRG) hard capsules have a slower disintegration rate compared to that of gelatin capsules. Therefore, there is an urgent need to optimize the performance of this material using the oligomerization process. The preparation was conducted by oligomerizing CRG, cross-linking it with maltodextrin (MD), and plasticizing it with sorbitol (SOR). Based on our research, we found that the capsule prepared with the code CRG(O)-MD/SOR had an ash content of 11.80% and a water content of 17.20 ± 1.20 %. No microbes or yeast were found in the capsule, and only negligible amounts of heavy metal traces were present. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology analysis of the capsule surface showed that no pores were observed, even at a magnification of 10,000 times. This result was supported by the BET-BJH analysis, which showed that the pores had an average diameter of 49.26 Ǻ. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the Tg of the prepared capsules was at 51.4 °C. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the presence of citric acid as the oligomerization agent had changed the chain composition of the carrageenan. Acute toxicity analysis showed that the capsule was safe even at a dose of 3,000 mg/bw. The Young's modulus of CRG(O)-MD/SOR was determined to be 1.500 ± 0.52 MPa. In vitro disintegration testing of CRG(O)-MD/SOR showed that the capsule required 20.01 ± 1.13 mins, 23.13 ± 1.14 mins, and more than 120 mins to disintegrate at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8, respectively. Release kinetics analyses showed that the drugs paracetamol (PCT) and salicylamide (SCA) followed the zeroth-order model at pH 1.2 and 4.5, while they were best described by the Peppas-Sahlin model at pH 6.8. Finally, the maximum swelling degree of the CRG(O)-MD/SOR hard capsule was determined to be 708.88%, which was reached in 15.22 mins. This capsule has the potential to be used as an alternative to conventional hard capsules on a broader scale. Furthermore, this work supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 3, good health and well-being, by providing a capsule made from biomaterial.