Wound healing-associated difficulties continue to drive biotechnological creativeness into complex grounds. The sophisticated architecture of skin wound sites and the intricate processes involved in the response to the use of regenerative devices play a critical role in successful skin regeneration approaches and their possible outcomes. Due to a plethora of complications involved in wound healing processes as well as the coordination of various cellular mechanisms, biomimetic approaches seems to be the most promising starting ground. This study evaluates the behavior of a crosslinked, porous collagen scaffold obtained by lyophilization and dehydrothermal reticulation (DHT). We address the key physio-chemical and mechanical factors, such as swelling, density and porosity, mechano-dynamic properties, SEM and TG-DSC, as well as important biological outcomes regarding scaffold biocompatibility and cellular metabolic activity, cytokine expression in inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis, as well as hemocompatibility and biodegradation. The mechanical and visco-elastic behavior are correlated, with the samples found to present similar thermal behavior and increased rigidity after DHT treatment. High biocompatibility rates were obtained, with no inflammatory stimulation and a reduction in necrotic cells. Higher percentages of cellular early apoptosis were observed. The hemocompatibility rate was under 2%, coagulation effects expressed after 4 min, and the DHT scaffold was more resistant to the biodegradation of collagenase compared with the untreated sample.

Nutraceuticals are experiencing a high-rise use nowadays, which is incomparable to a few years ago, due to a shift in consumers’ peculiarity tendencies regarding the selection of alternatives to Western medicine, potential immunity boosters, or gut-health promoters. Nutraceuticals’ compositions and actual effects should be proportional to their sought-after status, as they are perceived to be the middle ground between pharma rigor and naturally occurring actives. Therefore, the health benefits via nutrition, safe use, and reduction of potential harm should be the main focus for manufacturers. In this light, this study assess the nutritional profile (proteins, fats, fibers, caloric value, minerals) of a novel formulated nutraceutical, its physico-chemical properties, FTIR spectra, antioxidant activity, anthocyanins content, and potential hazards (heavy metals and microbiological contaminants), as well as its cytotoxicity, adherence, and invasion of bacteria on HT-29 cells, as well as its evaluation of beneficial effect, potential prebiotic value, and duplicity effect on gut microbiota in correlation with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The results obtained indicate the growth stimulation of Lb. rhamnosus and the inhibitory effects of E.coli, Ent. Faecalis and Lc. lactis. The interaction between active compounds suggested a modulator effect of the intestinal microbiota by reducing the number of bacteria that adhere to epithelial cells or by inhibiting their growth.

Achieving and maintaining a well-balanced immune system has righteously become an insightful task for the general population and an even more fundamental goal for those affected by immune-related diseases. Since our immune functions are indispensable in defending the body against pathogens, diseases and other external attacks, while playing a vital role in maintaining health and modulating the immune response, we require an on-point grasp of their shortcoming as a foundation for the development of functional foods and novel nutraceuticals. Seeing that immunoceuticals are considered effective in improving immune functions and reducing the incidence of immunological disorders, the main focus of this study was to assess the immunomodulatory properties and possible acute toxicity of a novel nutraceutical with active substances of natural origin on C57BL/6 mice for 21 days. We evaluated the potential hazards (microbial contamination and heavy metals) of the novel nutraceutical and addressed the acute toxicity according to OECD guidelines of a 2000 mg/kg dose on mice for 21 days. The immunomodulatory effect was assessed at three concentrations (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) by determining body and organ indexes through a leukocyte analysis; flow cytometry immunophenotyping of lymphocytes populations and their subpopulations (T lymphocytes (LyCD3+), cytotoxic suppressor T lymphocytes (CD3+CD8+), helper T lymphocytes (CD3+CD4+), B lymphocytes (CD3−CD19+) and NK cells (CD3−NK1.1.+); and the expression of the CD69 activation marker. The results obtained for the novel nutraceutical referred to as ImunoBoost indicated no acute toxicity, an increased number of lymphocytes and the stimulation of lymphocyte activation and proliferation, demonstrating its immunomodulatory effect. The safe human consumption dose was established at 30 mg/day.

In recent years, the scientific community has made significant progress in understanding nutrition, leading consumers to shift their preferences away from animal-based protein products and towards natural, plant-based protein sources. This study aimed to determine the nutritional value, in vitro cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity for different sources of high protein content products (pea, yeast, almond, spirulina and Pleurotus spp.) with potential usage as raw materials for dietary supplements, especially since these products do not benefit from stricter regulation requirements regarding their actual health benefits. The characterization of raw materials consisted in evaluation of their nutritional profile (by addressing moisture content, crude protein content, extractable fat, ash, carbohydrates) and microbial contamination (TAMC, TYMC, Enterobacteriaceae and β-glucuronidase positive Escherichia coli), total content of free amino acids, soluble proteins, phenols and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant activity through chemical assays. We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity of selected raw materials. Results obtained indicate high percentages of proteins for the pea powder (77.96%) and Spirulina powder (64.79%), Pleurotus spp. flour had strong antioxidant activity, while the highest contamination values were registered for Pleurotus spp. powder (4.6 × 10⁵ CFU/g or 5.66 log CFU/g). Cytotoxicity results demonstrate that tested ingredients have an impact on the metabolic activity of cells, affecting cellular integrity and provoking leakage of DNA at several concentrations. While plant-based protein supplementation may appear to be a promising solution to balance our busy lives, there are several advantages and disadvantages associated with them, including issues related to their absorption rate, bioavailability, cytotoxicity and actual nutritional benefits.