Dermal Fibroblast Cells Research Articles

Fabrication of hydrogel matrix for controlled release of ropivacaine for long-acting local anesthetic treatment in postoperative pain management

Local anesthetics have been used for temporary loss of pain, which limits their clinical application due to the neurotoxicity and short half-lives. In this present investigation, we have developed a novel k-carrageenan/alginate (k-CN/AGT) hydrogel loaded with Ropivacaine (RVN) to achieve a sustained release system. The synthesized k-CN/AGT hydrogels were examined for structural characterization, morphology, and mechanical properties. The observed studies revealed hydrogel has a suitable porous structure (0.5 to 5 µm) and effective swelling ratio with controlled in vitro release kinetics. The in vitro biocompatibility test on human dermal fibroblast cells confirmed that hydrogel has a nontoxic nature. The anesthetic activity of k-CN/AGT-RVN hydrogels was evaluated in vivo and compared with commercial formulations. Ex vivo permeation efficiency of k-CN/AGT-RVN hydrogels surpassed that of the RVN. As a result, the study demonstrated that k-CN/AGT-RVN hydrogels have the potential to prolong the effects of local anesthesia, offering a promising avenue for effective pain management.

Dual-Responsive Nanoparticles for Smart Drug Delivery: A NIR Light-Sensitive and Redox-Reactive PEG-PCL-Based System.

Stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as smart drug delivery systems (DDSs) by triggering drug release upon external or internal stimuli. A dual-responsive DDS made of a triblock poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-SS-PEG-SS-PCL) copolymer, bearing disulfide bonds between PCL and PEG, was synthesized. The copolymer was functionalized with coumarin and sensitive to near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, while the S-S bonds could be cleaved by GSH (10 mM). Characterization was achieved by nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared analyses. Nile Red (NR)-loaded NPs were prepared through self-assembly of the copolymer in water and analyzed by dynamic light scattering and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The NR release upon ultraviolet (UV)/NIR light irradiation as well as by GSH concentrations was monitored by using fluorescence spectroscopy, while simultaneous exposure to UV/NIR light and intracellular GSH concentration led to faster NR release. AlamarBlue assay showed satisfactory cell viability of the NR-loaded NPs, while their cellular uptake in human dermal fibroblast cells was investigated by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence emission measurements.

Optimization of Anthocyanin extraction from black hollyhock flower: Process efficiency, stability, and cytotoxicity assessment

Black hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. nigra) flower (BHF) serves as a plentiful natural pigment source. However, limited research has been conducted on the extraction and characterization of the anthocyanins present in BHF. This work aims to develop an environmentally friendly extraction method for efficiently obtaining natural pigments from BHF. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), the extraction variables were adjusted to optimize the overall anthocyanin content. The optimized conditions, entailing extraction lasting 7 min at 65°C, employing acidified water at a solvent: feed (S:F) ratio of 100:1 (v/w), resulted in extraction yield of 53 ± 2.5 % and the total anthocyanin content (TAC) of 65.7 ± 0.5 mg/ gdry weight based on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents (CGE). Furthermore, the extraction from pomace, which represents the residue subsequent to the initial extraction, exhibited 11 and 2 mg CGE/g dry weight after second and third steps of extraction, respectively. Characterization of the obtained extracts was conducted through HPLC-DAD MS analysis, and six anthocyanins were identified. The kinetic data associated with degradation of anthocyanins was well fitted with a zero-order model, which showed a half-life (t1/2) of approximately 200 days. Additionally, BHF extract exhibited no significant cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblast cells as MTT assay indicated. This investigation introduces a potent source for anthocyanin which can be comparable to other sources and their extraction conditions in terms of stability, TAC, and extraction yield.

Antioxidant, Apoptotic, and Wound Healing Effects of Xantolis Cambodiana Extracts in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Xantolis cambodiana has demonstrated significant antioxidant properties; however, the mechanisms underlying its protective effects against oxidative stress in cellular systems remain unexplored. This work investigated the efficacy of methanolic extracts in exhibiting oxidative damage and examined their mechanisms. The methanolic extract had a high phenolic content (116.89±29.01 mg GAE/g FW) and exhibited scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals with an IC50 value of 42.35±9.20 μg/ml. In addition, it had the highest antioxidant activity based on ferric-reducing antioxidant power (467.45±50.74 mg AA/100 g). Normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were pretreated with the methanolic extract in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 500 mM)-induced oxidative stress model, which resulted in a significant decrease in apoptosis and autophagy. Not only did the methanolic extract reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, it also stimulated NHDF cell migration and reduced reactive oxygen species production through mitochondrial dysfunction in the H2O2-induced stress model. These findings suggested that the methanolic extract (25 μg/ml) attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative stress in NHDF cells, significantly reducing apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, this extract has the potential to support the wound healing process due to its antioxidant activity.

Cumulative learning based segmentation aided cell mixtures classification in digital holographic microscopy

The tumor microenvironment consists of several components like tumor cells, normal healthy cells, extracellular matrix, secreted factors, and other non-cellular components. The interaction among these components is crucial for tumor progression and metastasis. Identifying the presence of tumor cells among the normal healthy cells during the initial stages of cancer will aid in its early detection and treatment. One of the main features that differentiates a cancer cell from a normal healthy cell distinctively is its morphology. In this study, the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms is evaluated in classifying cells co-cultured in a Petri dish. To achieve this, digital holographic microscopy is used to capture the quantitative phase images of human dermal fibroblast and A375 human melanoma cancer cells co-cultured at 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 ratios. Cell segmentation was performed using a cumulative learning approach. Subsequently, morphological and phase-based features were extracted to train the machine learning algorithms for binary classification of cells. Phase-based features in addition to the morphological features were found to provide improved performance of the classifier. The classifier demonstrated an average F1-score of 0.9 during testing.

Synthesis and Comprehensive Characterization of PVA/Chitosan/Cu Nanowires Wound Dressing Hydrogel for Effective In Vitro Wound Healing

This work features the synthesis of a wound dressing hydrogel, with the facile synthesis of the non-oxide copper nanowires (aspect ratio: 5000, length > 100 μm), and the synthesis of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Chitosan matrix, crosslinked by TEOS, with enhanced flexibility by addition of Glycerol. The synthesized wound dressing showed high mechanical performance under the influence of nanowires, exhibiting 58.76 MPa tensile strength and 124.78 % elongation, also affecting the swelling behavior reaching 290 % swelling capacity. Biodegradation showed high structural stability and consistent biodegradation, losing only 9.6–21.5 % for nanocomposites in 7 days and 21–27.6 % after 14 days. Biological assessment by MTT assay showed 95–103 % cell viability on the human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cells. The assessment on the MCF-7 cancer cells was also carried out where 90 % survival showed slight anticancer activity from the nanocomposites. Wound healing scratch assay showed high cell migration, wound closure, and wound healing in 72 h on HDF cells, while inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cancer cells. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity was measured using a 96-well microdilution test exhibiting good antibacterial activity ranging around 50–97 % against both gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria, suggesting that the designed nanocomposite hydrogel wound dressing has great potential for wound healing and treatment.

Histone Deacetylase 7-Derived 7-Amino Acid Peptide Increases Skin Wound Healing via Regulating Epidermal Fibroblast Proliferation and Migration.

Due to the complexity of wound healing, how to achieve successful healing is a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we found that the histone deacetylase-7-derived 7-amino acid peptide (7A, MHSPGAD), especially its phosphorylated version 7Ap (MH[pSer]PGAD), increased dermal fibroblast cell HDFα proliferation and migration via elevated delta-catenin (CTNND1) serine phosphorylation-mediated beta-catenin (CTNNB) nuclear translocation and subsequent upregulation of c-Myc and cyclin D1 expression. 7Ap physically interacted with platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and increased PDGFR interaction with cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6). The PDGFR siRNA or CDK6 siRNA knockdown ablated 7AP-induced CTNND1 phosphorylation and subsequent c-Myc/cyclin D1 expression, indicating a novel 7Ap-PDGFR-CDK6-CTNND1/CTNNB signal pathway in regulating fibroblast proliferation and migration. Furthermore, 7Ap increased human umbilic vein endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation, suggesting an angiogenic effect. In a full-thickness excision wound rat model, the local administration of 50 ng/mL of 7Ap in hydrogel exerted a similar effect as 1 μg/mL vascular endothelial growth factor on accelerating wound healing, featured by enhanced fibroblast proliferation and migration, collagen deposition, and increased new vessel formation during the early phase of wound healing. Taken together, this study not only elicited a novel signal pathway in fibroblast proliferation but also paved an avenue to develop 7Ap as a treatment option for skin wound healing.

Human adipose and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles mitigate photoaging via TIMP1/Notch1

UVB radiation induces oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation, leading to skin wrinkling, compromised barrier function, and an increased risk of carcinogenesis. Addressing or preventing photoaging may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for these conditions. Recent research indicated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit significant therapeutic potential for various skin diseases. Given that extracellular vesicles (EV) can deliver diverse cargo to recipient cells and elicit similar therapeutic effects, we investigated the roles and underlying mechanisms of both adipose-derived MSC-derived EV (AMSC-EV) and umbilical cord-derived MSC-derived EV (HUMSC-EV) in photoaging. Our findings indicated that in vivo, treatment with AMSC-EV and HUMSC-EV resulted in improvements in wrinkles and skin hydration while also mitigating skin inflammation and thickness alterations in both the epidermis and dermis. Additionally, in vitro studies using human keratinocytes (HaCaTs), human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFs), and T-Skin models revealed that AMSC-EV and HUMSC-EV attenuated senescence, reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage, and alleviated inflammation induced by UVB. Furthermore, EV treatment enhanced cell viability and migration capacity in the epidermis and promoted extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the dermis in photoaged cell models. Mechanistically, proteomics results showed that TIMP1 was highly expressed in both AMSC-EV and HUMSC-EV and could exert similar effects as MSC-EV. In addition, we found that EV and TIMP1 could inhibit Notch1 and downstream targets Hes1, P16, P21, and P53. Collectively, our data suggests that both AMSC-EV and HUMSC-EV attenuate skin photoaging through TIMP1/Notch1.

Cannabidiol (CBD) modulates the transcriptional profile of ethanol-exposed human dermal fibroblast cells

Cannabidiol (CBD) is abundant in the Cannabis sativa plant and exhibits complex immunomodulatory, anxiolytic, antioxidant, and antiepileptic properties. Several studies suggest that CBD could be used for different purposes in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related injuries to the brain and the liver. In this study, we focused on analyzing transcriptional alterations in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) cell line challenged simultaneously with ethanol and CBD as an ethanol-protective agent. We aimed to expose the genes and pathways responsible for at least some of the CBD effects in those cells that can be related to the AUD. Transcriptome analysis was performed using HDFs cell line that expresses both cannabinoid receptors and can metabolize ethanol through alcohol dehydrogenase activity. Fibroblasts are also responsible for the progression of liver fibrosis, a common comorbidity in AUD. With the use of a cellular test, we found that CBD at the lowest applied concentration (0.75 μM) was able to stimulate depressed metabolism and reduce the level of apoptosis of cells treated with different concentrations of ethanol to the level observed in the control cells. Similar observations were made at the transcriptome level, in which cells treated with ethanol and CBD had similar expression profiles to the control cells. CBD also affects several genes connected with extracellular matrix formation (especially its collagen constituent), which can have potential implications for, e.g., fibrosis process.

Fabrication and Characterization of Biocompatible Multilayered Elastomer Hybrid with Enhanced Water Permeation Resistance for Packaging of Implantable Biomedical Devices.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of hexadecyl-modified SiO2 (HD-SiO2) nanoparticles and their application in the fabrication of a multilayered elastomer hybrid sheet to enhance water resistance in implantable biomedical devices. The surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticles was confirmed via FT-IR and TGA analyses, showing the successful grafting of hydrophobic hexadecyl groups. FE-SEM and DLS analyses revealed spherical HD-SiO2 nanoparticles with an average size of 360 nm. A multilayered elastomer hybrid sheet, consisting of a PDMS-based circuit-protecting body, a water resistance layer of HD-SiO2, a planarization layer, and a biocompatible layer of polydopamine, was fabricated and characterized. The water resistance layer exhibited superhydrophobic properties, with a water contact angle of 154.7° and a 27% reduction in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) compared to the circuit-protecting body alone. The device packaged with both the circuit-protecting body and water resistance layer demonstrated a tenfold increase in operational lifespan in water medium compared to the device without the water resistance layer. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation tests on human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFn) confirmed the biocompatibility of the multilayered sheet, with no significant cytotoxicity observed over 48 h.

Poly(HEMA-co-MMA) Hydrogel Scaffold for Tissue Engineering with Controllable Morphology and Mechanical Properties Through Self-Assembly.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) has been widely used in medical materials for several decades. However, the poor mechanical properties of this material have limited its application in the field of tissue engineering. The purpose of this study was to fabricate a scaffold with suitable mechanical properties and in vitro cell responses for soft tissue by using poly(HEMA-co-MMA) with various concentration ratios of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). To customize the concentration ratio of HEMA and MMA, the characteristics of the fabricated scaffold with various concentration ratios were investigated through structural morphology, FT-IR, mechanical property, and contact angle analyses. Moreover, in vitro cell responses were observed according to the various concentration ratios of HEMA and MMA. Consequently, various morphologies and pore sizes were observed by changing the HEMA and MMA ratio. The mechanical properties and contact angle of the fabricated scaffolds were measured according to the HEMA and MMA concentration ratio. The results were as follows: compressive maximum stress: 254.24-932.42 KPa; tensile maximum stress: 4.37-30.64 KPa; compressive modulus: 16.14-38.80 KPa; tensile modulus: 0.5-2 KPa; and contact angle: 36.89-74.74°. In terms of the in vitro cell response, the suitable cell adhesion and proliferation of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells were observed in the whole scaffold. Therefore, a synthetic hydrogel scaffold with enhanced mechanical properties and suitable fibroblast cell responses could be easily fabricated for use with soft tissue using a specific HEMA and MMA concentration ratio.

Curcumin-loaded zein nanoparticles: A quality by design approach for enhanced drug delivery and cytotoxicity against cancer cells

Zein, a maize protein, has been explored for constructing potential biomaterial due to its hydrophobic nature, self-assembly capability, and biocompatibility. In its nanoparticulate form, zein is a promising material for drug delivery applications, particularly in cancer treatment. Despite the importance of colloidal stability for effective drug delivery, systematic studies investigating the effect of various surface modifying agents (MAs) on the zein nanoparticles (ZNPs)-based formulations are limited. This study employs quality-by-design (QbD) approach to optimize curcumin-loaded ZNPs, enhancing colloidal stability, size, and drug-encapsulation efficiency using different MAs for potential cancer therapy. Gum arabic (GA) emerged as the optimal stabilizer, with GA-stabilized curcumin-loaded ZNPs (GA-Cur-ZNPs) achieving a particle size of 184.8 ± 2.85 nm, zeta potential of −23.4 ± 0.56 mV and 87.1 ±1.55 % drug encapsulation efficiency, along with excellent colloidal stability over two months. The optimal formulation also demonstrated sustained release of Cur over 72 h. GA-Cur-ZNPs demonstrated lower IC50 values and higher anti-proliferative effects on three different cancer cell lines compared to the free drug, while also exhibiting superior intracellular uptake. With negligible toxicity to human dermal fibroblast cells, the optimized Cur-GA-ZNPs show promise for safe and effective killing of cancer cells.

Anti-Photoaging Effects of Antioxidant Peptide from Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) in In Vivo and In Vitro Models.

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to photoaging, which contributes to skin damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant peptide (SHP2) purified from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) alcalase hydrolysate on UVB-irradiated skin damage in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and a zebrafish model. The data revealed that SHP2 significantly enhanced cell viability by attenuating apoptosis through the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, SHP2 effectively inhibited ROS, improved collagen synthesis, and suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. SHP2 restored the protein levels of HO-1, Nrf2, and SOD, while decreasing Keap1 expression in UVB-treated HDF, indicating stimulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study conducted in zebrafish confirmed that SHP2 inhibited photoaging by reducing cell death through the suppression of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. Particularly, 200 µg/mL of SHP2 exerted a remarkable anti-photoaging effect on both in vitro and in vivo models. These results demonstrate that SHP2 possesses antioxidant properties and regulates skin photoaging activities, suggesting that SHP2 may have the potential for use in the development of cosmetic products.

Electrospun zeolitic imidazole framework-8 loaded silk fibroin/polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffolds for biomedical application

The development of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds (NFSs) have aroused much attraction in the field of biomedical engineering, due to their small fiber diameter, high specific surface area, and excellent extracellular matrix comparability. The main focus of this study is to design and fabricate novel zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8)-loaded silk fibrin/polycaprolactone (SF/PCL) nanofiber composite scaffolds by using the electrospinning strategy. Firstly, ZIF-8 was synthesized and characterized, which showed remarkable features in terms of shape, size, chemical and physical properties. Then, three different amounts of ZIF-8 were encapsulated into SF/PCL nanofibers during electrospinning, to investigate how the addition of ZIF-8 affected the morphology, and structure, as well as physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the nanofiber composite scaffolds. It was found that the addition of ZIF-8 didn't change the nanofibrous morphology of the composite scaffold, and no bead-like structure were found for the SF/PCL composite scaffolds loading with or without ZIF-8. The appropriate addition of ZIF-8 could significantly increase the mechanical properties of SF/PCL NFSs. The SF/PCL NFS containing 5% ZIF-8 showed high ultimate stress and initial modulus, which were 40.31 ± 2.31 MPa, and 569.19 ± 21.38 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the MTT assay indicated that the pure SF/PCL scaffold and one with 1% ZIF-8 exhibited nearly identical cell compatibility toward human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells, but some obvious cytotoxicity was observed with the increase of ZIF-8 content. However, the incorporation of ZIF-8 into SF/PCL NFSs was found to have excellent antibacterial rate against both E. coli and S. aureus. In all, the incorporation of 1% ZIF-8 could impart the SF/PCL NFS with balanced bio-function, making it a promising candidate for diverse biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and wound healing.

Establishment of the first dermal fibroblast cell line derived from the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) and its response to pollutant exposure

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), classified as a new species since 1998, is underexplored in ecotoxicology owing to ethical constraints and the lack of specific in vitro models. Herein, we established the first skin fibroblast cell line (TaSF) from an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin stranded along the Pearl River Estuary, China. TaSF cells exhibited strong proliferation in early passages but ceased mitosis at passage 19, likely owing to reaching the Hayflick limit. Morphology and immunofluorescence tests confirmed the fibroblastic nature of these cells. Karyotyping revealed 21 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (XY), consistent with many cetaceans. To facilitate long-term future studies, TaSF cells were immortalized with exogenous simian virus 40 T antigen, creating the TaSFT cell line. The cytotoxic effects of 27 contaminants, including 6 organotins (OTs), 10 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and 11 phthalates (PAEs), on TaSFT cells were evaluated after 24-h exposure. Among these chemicals, OTs exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity, and both OTs and PFASs showed structure-related toxicity. These findings confirm the feasibility of TaSFT cells as a novel tool for ecotoxicity research on the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and highlight the need for further investigation into the environmental contaminant pressures on this species.

Investigating the Effect of Polypyrrole-Gelatin/Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Mediated Pulsed Electrical Stimulation for Skin Regeneration.

In clinical practice to treat complex injuries, the application of electrical stimulation (ES) directly to the skin complicates the wound. In this work, the effect of a conductive hydrogel mediated electric field on skin regeneration is investigated. Polypyrrole incorporated matrices of gelatin and silk fibroin were prepared by two-step interfacial polymerization. The maximum electrical conductivity of 10-4 S cm-1 was achieved when 200 mM polypyrrole was loaded. Mechanically stable and cytocompatible hydrogels were evidenced to have antioxidant and blood compatible characteristics. Human dermal fibroblast cells responded to pulsed stimulation of 100 or 300 mV mm-1 as observed from the increased expressions of TGFβ1, αSMA, and COLIAI genes. Further, the increase in the αSMA protein expression with the magnitude of electrical stimulation also suggested transdifferentiation of the fibroblast to myofibroblast. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy identified two fingerprint regions (collagen and lipid) to differentiate ES treated and nontreated samples. Therefore, the combination of hydrogels and electrical stimulation has potential therapeutic effects for accelerating the rate of skin regeneration.

Antibacterial gelatin/tragacanth gum films containing galbanum essential oil for in vitro scratch-healing

Natural substances and bioactive agents possess great potential in wound care based on their ability to promote healing and prevent infection. This study focused on the fabrication of antibacterial wound dressings by combining gelatin (G), tragacanth gum (TG), and galbanum essential oil (GEO) as a loaded drug. TG addition resulted in more elastic and flexible films besides enabling encapsulation of the hydrophobic GEO into the biopolymeric matrix. GEO was utilized as an antibacterial and a wound-healing enhancer for open wounds such as incisions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis revealed a porous film structure after GEO incorporation. Higher GEO concentration caused reduced swelling and slower degradation. Water vapor transfer rate varied from 596 to 894 g/m2.day, making the films suitable for wound dressings. GEO release exhibited a two-phase profile with prolonged diffusion-controlled release for a higher content of GEO. The films demonstrated dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli strains. Effectiveness and noteworthy application of this research were approved by scratch assay on human dermal fibroblast cells, and films with 3 % GEO showed 79.42 % wound closure, which is significantly higher than the control sample (55.15 %), indicating promoted cell migration and promising wound healing properties.

Formulation, characterization and evaluation of minocycline hydrochloride loaded polyurethane/collagen nanofibers via electrospinning as wound dressings

Objective It was aimed to formulate minocyline. HCI loaded electrospun polyurethane/collagen (PU/Col) and polyurethane/collagen/polycaprolactone (PU/Col/PCL) nanofibers are intended for use as a wound dressing. Methods The effect of polymer ratio and addition of PCL on the morphology, diameter, drug delivery, encapsulation efficiency, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion and proliferation were investigated. 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to test the cytotoxicity of the nanofibers on the human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell line. Cell proliferation/adhesion was also determined by imaging HDF cells seeded on mats with scanning electron microscopy/fluorescence microscopy. Results All nanofibers were bead-free and smooth in the diameter range of 866.7–882.4 nm. They had favorable encapsulation efficiency (≥79.3%), controlled drug release up to 24 h and did not have cytotoxic effects. Although collagen was preferred for cell adhesion and proliferation, its spinnability and mechanical properties were poor. While PU improved the spinnability of collagen, its mechanical properties also enhanced with the addition of PCL. Nevertheless, all mats led to favorable cell adhesion and proliferation. All the nanofibers had antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion In conclusion, PU/Col and PU/Col/PCL nanofiber mats, which had favorable encapsulation efficiency, controlled drug release and antibacterial activity at least 24 h, cell viability, proliferation, adhesion, mechanical properties to be used as wound dressing, were successfully prepared.

Design and Synthesis of Six‐Armed Antimicrobial Polymer to Battle Against Nosocomial Pathogens

ABSTRACTThe world is under threat from microorganisms that have evolved resistance to currently available medicinal drugs and multidrug resistance among bacterial pathogens is becoming to be a serious public health issue worldwide. It is imperative to find or develop new antibiotics against Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species (ESKAPE) pathogens because they exhibit multidrug resistance and virulence through a variety of mechanisms. ESKAPE infections are often associated with increased global healthcare costs, morbidity, and illnesses. As a result, the utilization of naturally occurring bioactive agents offers a solution since these molecules are widely available and safe to employ during their use. Ricinoleic acid, an extract of seed oil that contains an unsaturated omega‐9 fatty acid and hydroxy acid, has garnered increasing interest due to its wide‐range antibacterial properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of polyethyleneimine‐ricinoleic acid‐based polymer (PEIRA) to battle against Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii (one among ESKAPE) and Staphylococcus aureus. The synthesized polymer showed efficient activity against MRSA, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus. A noticeable percentage inhibition against MRSA (74%), A. baumannii (73%), and S. aureus (81%) was achieved at 2.5 mg/mL. The time‐kill assay revealed that the PEIRA polymer exhibited a bacteriostatic effect against all the tested pathogens. Cytotoxicity assay on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell lines revealed the PEIRA has an IC 50 of 31.7 μg/mL and exhibited above 75% cell viability at the concentration 5 and 10 μg/mL were deemed nontoxic on HDF. Based on the investigation, the synthesized PEIRA polymer may have promising applications in the biomedical sector and hospital‐acquired infections (HAIs).

Synthesis of new phenothiazine derivatives: Molecular docking, assessment of cytotoxic activity and oxidant-antioxidant properties on PCS-201-012, HT-29, and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

Phenothiazine (PTZ) derivatives have been acknowledged as versatile compounds with significant implications across various areas of medicine, particularly, in cancer research. The cytotoxic effects of synthesized compounds on both normal and cancerous cells, along with their oxidant-antioxidant properties, are pivotal factors in cancer treatment strategies. In the current study, eight new PTZ derivatives were synthesized and the compounds' cytotoxic activities were assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while the oxidant-antioxidant properties were evaluated by oxidative stress index (OSI) calculation in SH-SY5Y (a human neuroblastoma cell line), HT-29 (a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line), and PCS-201-012 (a human primary dermal fibroblast cell line) cells. Consequently, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of compound 3a were determined to be 218.72, 202.85, and 227.86 μM while the IC50 values of compound 3b were defined to be 227.42, 199.27, and 250.11 μM in PCS-201-012, HT-29, and SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. Additionally, it was determined that the synthesized compounds demonstrated the lowest OSI in PCS-201-012 cells as compared to the other cell lines.