Vaginal infections affect millions of women annually worldwide. Therapeutic options are limited, moreover drug-resistance increases the need to find novel antimicrobials for health promotion. Recently phytochemicals were re-discovered for medical treatment. Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) plant extracts showed in vitro antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to their bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to create novel nanodevices to deliver three natural extracts from leaves, seeds and fruit of myrtle, in vaginal milieu. We explored their effect on human cells (HeLa, Human Foreskin Fibroblast-1 line, and stem cells isolated from skin), resident microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and on several vaginal pathogens (Trichomonas vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida kefyr, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei). Polycaprolactone-Gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with leaves extract and soaked with seed extracts exhibited a different capability in regard to counteracting microbial proliferation. Moreover, these nanodevices do not affect human cells and resident microflora viability. Results reveal that some of the tested nanofibers are interesting candidates for future vaginal infection treatments.

Dead space after rectal resection in colorectal surgery is an area with a high risk of complications. In this study, our goal was to develop a novel 3D implant based on composite hydrogels enriched with fractionalized nanofibers. We employed, as a novel approach in abdominal surgery, the application of agarose gels functionalized with fractionalized nanofibers on pieces dozens of microns large with a well-preserved nano-substructure. This retained excellent cell accommodation and proliferation, while nanofiber structures in separated islets allowed cells a free migration throughout the gel. We found these low-concentrated fractionalized nanofibers to be a good tool for structural and biomechanical optimization of the 3D hydrogel implants. In addition, this nano-structuralized system can serve as a convenient drug delivery system for a controlled release of encapsulated bioactive substances from the nanofiber core. Thus, we present novel 3D nanofiber-based gels for controlled release, with a possibility to modify both their biomechanical properties and drug release intended for 3D lesions healing after a rectal extirpation, hysterectomy, or pelvic exenteration.

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that uses a combination of cells, suitable biomaterials and bioactive molecules to engineer the desired tissue and restore lost function. These principles have quickly begun to spread to the therapy of multiple diseases, including depigmentation disorders. The most common depigmentation disorder is vitiligo, a disease with deep psychosocial implications. Thanks to their unique properties, electrospun polymeric nanofibers represent a material suitable for tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, they may be functionalized with platelets, cells that contain a wide spectrum of growth factors and chemokines. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the functionalization of polymeric nanofibers with platelets and their effects in melanocyte culture. The scaffolds were visualized using scanning electron microscopy, the metabolic activity and proliferation of melanocytes was determined using MTS assay and dsDNA quantification, respectively. Furthermore, the melanocytes were stained and visualized using confocal microscopy. The acquired data showed that poly-ε-caprolactone functionalized with platelets promoted the viability and proliferation of melanocytes. According to the results, such a functionalized scaffold combining nanofibers and platelets may be suitable for melanocyte culture.