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Thixotropy analysis of (a) alginate/fucoidan, (b) menthol-alginate/fucoidan, (c) linaloolalginate/fucoidan, (d) bergamot-alginate/fucoidan, and (e) pinene-alginate/fucoidan. Data expressed as mean ± SD of n = 3 different hydrogel batches.
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Marine polysaccharides are recognized for their biological properties and their application in the drug delivery field, favoring hydrogel-forming capacities for cutaneous application towards several dermatological conditions. Essential oils have been widely used in skin, not only for their remarkable biological properties, but also for their capaci...
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... property allows a higher spreadability of the formulation, enhancing uniform distribution in the skin [88] and contributing to a higher permeation of the active substances upon cutaneous application [87]. In all analyzed samples, the initial viscosity (Figure 4) is not completely re-established during the rebuild time, after a high shear was applied to induce extreme stress conditions ( Figure S1). This suggests a non-thixotropic profile of all hydrogels because the initial viscosity is higher than the one obtained by the recovered hydrogel matrix. ...
Citations
... Ex-vivo skin permeation and retention studies of vanillinloaded microsponges gel were carried out by using pig ear skin as it shows similarity with human skin concerning biochemical characteristics, thickness, and follicular density (Vijaya, Bingi, and Vigneshwaran 2011). The intact ear skin of a pig (6-month-old from the slaughterhouse) was instantly washed with DDW maintained at 25 ± 1 � C. The skin sample was stored under freezing conditions (−18 ± 1 � C) for 2 weeks before being used for the study (Barbosa et al. 2023; � Spaglov� a et al. 2023). Later on, the skin was defrosted at room temperature (before 12 h of use) followed by washing with DDW initially and PBS, pH 5.5 at the end. ...
... The swelling capability of polymer-based hydrogels is particularly noteworthy, as it allows them to absorb and retain significant amounts of water and biological fluids [44,45], rendering them a highly desirable material for use in medicine and healthcare applications [46,47]. This property enables the polymer-based hydrogels to create a unique environment that facilitates essential biological interactions [48,49], such as cell proliferation [50,51], adhesion [52,53], and differentiation [54,55]. Consequently, polymerbased hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for tissue engineering [56][57][58] and regenerative medicine applications [59,60]. ...
... The permeation property of polymer-based hydrogels refers to their ability to allow the transport of molecules and ions through their three-dimensional network structure [23,166]. Polymer-based hydrogels can exhibit different permeation characteristics depending on their composition, crosslinking density, pore size, and other factors [11,48]. Understanding and controlling the permeation properties of hydrogels are crucial for their applications in fields such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing [23,172]. ...
... Smaller molecules, such as gases, ions, and small hydrophilic compounds, can diffuse more easily through the hydrogel network [23]. In contrast, larger molecules, such as proteins or macromolecules, face greater resistance and may have limited permeability [11,23,48]. ...
Polymer-based hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer networks with crosslinks widely applied for drug delivery applications because of their ability to hold large amounts of water and biological fluids and control drug release based on their unique physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. Current trends in the development of hydrogel drug delivery systems involve the release of drugs in response to specific triggers such as pH, temperature, or enzymes for targeted drug delivery and to reduce the potential for systemic toxicity. In addition, developing injectable hydrogel formulations that are easily used and sustain drug release during this extended time is a growing interest. Another emerging trend in hydrogel drug delivery is the synthesis of nano hydrogels and other functional substances for improving targeted drug loading and release efficacy. Following these development trends, advanced hydrogels possessing mechanically improved properties, controlled release rates, and biocompatibility is developing as a focus of the field. More complex drug delivery systems such as multi-drug delivery and combination therapies will be developed based on these advancements. In addition, polymer-based hydrogels are gaining increasing attention in personalized medicine because of their ability to be tailored to a specific patient, for example, drug release rates, drug combinations, target-specific drug delivery, improvement of disease treatment effectiveness, and healthcare cost reduction. Overall, hydrogel application is advancing rapidly, towards more efficient and effective drug delivery systems in the future.
... Acyclic monoterpenes are likewise used in cosmetic practices and to increase skin penetration in transdermal applications [13]. Literature data reveal that acyclic terpenes may produce effects on skin, and these effects are dependent on the physicochemical properties, especially on the size, hydrophobicity and degree of unsaturation. ...
Acyclic terpenes are biologically active natural products having applicability in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and other practices. Consequently, humans are exposed to these chemicals, and it is necessary to assess their pharmacokinetics profiles and possible toxicity. The present study considers a computational approach to predict both the biological and toxicological effects of nine acyclic monoterpenes: beta-myrcene, beta-ocimene, citronellal, citrolellol, citronellyl acetate, geranial, geraniol, linalool and linalyl acetate. The outcomes of the study emphasize that the investigated compounds are usually safe for humans, they do not lead to hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption, and usually do not have an inhibitory potential against the cytochromes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, excepting CYP2B6. The inhibition of CYP2B6 should be further analyzed as this enzyme is involved in both the metabolism of several common drugs and in the activation of some procarcinogens. Skin and eye irritation, toxicity through respiration and skin-sensitization potential are the possible harmful effects revealed by the investigated compounds. These outcomes underline the necessity of in vivo studies regarding the pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of acyclic monoterpenes so as to better establish the clinical relevance of their use.
As adaptable biomaterials, hydrogels have shown great promise in several industries, which include the delivery of drugs, engineering of tissues, biosensing, and regenerative medicine. These hydrophilic polymer three-dimensional networks have special qualities like increased content of water, soft, flexible nature, as well as biocompatibility, which makes it excellent candidates for simulating the extracellular matrix and promoting cell development and tissue regeneration. With an emphasis on their design concepts, synthesis processes, and characterization procedures, this review paper offers a thorough overview of hydrogels. It covers the various hydrogel material types, such as natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and hybrid hydrogels, as well as their unique characteristics and uses. The improvements in hydrogel-based platforms for controlled drug delivery are examined. It also looks at recent advances in bioprinting methods that use hydrogels to create intricate tissue constructions with exquisite spatial control. The performance of hydrogels is explored through several variables, including mechanical properties, degradation behaviour, and biological interactions, with a focus on the significance of customizing hydrogel qualities for particular applications. This review paper also offers insights into future directions in hydrogel research, including those that promise to advance the discipline, such as stimuli-responsive hydrogels, self-healing hydrogels, and bioactive hydrogels. Generally, the objective of this review paper is to provide readers with a detailed grasp of hydrogels and all of their potential uses, making it an invaluable tool for scientists and researchers studying biomaterials and tissue engineering.
A nanostructured device based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with a cross-linked chitosan (CH) emulsion, soy lecithin, and peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) was designed for topical applications using an electrospinning instrument coupled to a rotary drum collector. Different suspensions were obtained by varying the PVA to emulsion ratio (PVA:Em) 87.5:12.5, 82:18, and 75:25, using a PVA solution as a control. ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the interactions among the components of the system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the mats evinced that the aligned fiber diameter decreased with higher proportions of emulsion while dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a decrease in the storage modulus. The entrapment of the functionalized emulsions not only improved the elongation of the matrices but also provided them with greater structural integrity compared to the single PVA matrix. The most favorable formulation in terms of mechanical properties was found to be the 82:18 ratio. After 1 h of close contact between the 82:18 matrix and a porcine skin explant, the latter was examined by confocal microscopy, which revealed the localization of the essential oil mainly on the surface of the stratum corneum (SC).However, after 7 h of contact, the distribution of the peppermint EO throughout the viable epidermis was observed, which was further supported by ATR-FTIR studies. Tailored electrospun matrices would have potential applications as devices for topical or transdermal treatments due to their vehiculization role that allows the diffusion of peppermint essential oil as a skin penetration enhancer.
