Superficially similar carbohydrate polymers from similar sources can have dramatically different characteristics. This work seeks to examine the molecular properties responsible for these differences. Protons responsible for cross-polarization in the anomeric region of Acacia nilotica (AN) were replaced easily by deuterium, but not for Acacia modesta (AM). Time constants describing the mobility and cross-polarization transfer were both found to be lower for AM. Variable contact time experiments showed poorer fits and more heterogeneity for AN. Solution state HSQC experiments showed a lower number of environments in the anomeric region for AM. The relaxation time T2 of AM solutions had a lower value consistent with a higher viscosity. The Tg' of solutions were -14.5°C AN and -18.5°C AM. These results form a largely self-consistent picture of molecular differences between AN and AM, suggesting a more compact but heterogeneous structure for AN and more branching in the case of AM.

After an injury, the wounds need to be covered with a dressing. Lack of absorptive potential and sticking of dressing with the wound causes pain and slows the healing process. The aim of this study was to develop wound dressings having more absorptive potential and less sticking with the wound. The hemicelluloses from Lallemantia royleana seeds possess desirable properties for a wound dressing. The hemicellulose was blended with chitosan/chitin and glutaraldehyde to enhance the absorptive properties of the hemicellulose through cross-linking. Two types of formulations incorporating silver nanoparticles and ciprofloxacin were prepared. The composites were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against E. coli (Gram-negative) and S. aureus (Gram-positive). The dressings were subjected to in vivo studies on Albino rats. The dressings were found to be porous and the silver nanoparticles and drug particles were found to be uniformly distributed in the polymeric matrix. The composite containing ciprofloxacin released the drug in a sustained manner for 14 to 16 days. From extrapolation of the data, it was discovered that the formulation would release around 80% of ciprofloxacin in about two weeks. Silver- ciprofloxacin nano-composites exhibited comparable activity (zone of inhibition 19-30 mm) against E. coli to that of ciprofloxacin (standard, 21-35mm) and relatively lower activity in case of S. aureus (zone of inhabitation 11-17 mm). The dressings did not stick to the wound site and the site remained wet during the healing process. Thus the use of hemicellulose from Lallemantia royleana seeds proved to be beneficial for preparing wound dressings with improved properties because of having high swelling index, porosity and spongy texture. Graphical Abstract

The development of new strategies and biomaterials to augment the healing process is essential to overcome the emerging challenges encountered in treating and managing chronic wounds. The present study aimed to develop and characterize hemicellulose-based (Ocimum basilicum seed) 3D composite (sponges) and evaluate their suitability for wound healing in vitro and in vivo. The composite sponge formulations (CF) were fabricated by blending Ocimum basilicum (OB) seed hemicellulose with other polysaccharides, followed by crosslinking using glutaraldehyde (as crosslinker) and freeze-drying. These composites were characterized using CHNS, FTIR, SEM, and TGA-DSC techniques. Then swelling, microbial penetration, cytocompatibility, effect on blood coagulation, and in vivo wound healing effect were investigated to evaluate the suitability of composites for wound healing. The findings suggest that composites were non-toxic, compatible with human blood, and prevented the penetration of Gram + ve and Gram -ve bacteria. The composite sponges treated rats (as an implant) exhibited faster healing than the control. The findings of this study suggest that these Ocimum basilicum-based composites (sponges) are promising biomaterials for wound healing/tissue engineering applications as they exhibit the potential to augment tissue regeneration.

Strontium-based nanoparticles (NPs) find applications in energy storage, electronics, optoelectronic devices, lightning, FETs, LEDs, television screens, display units, fabrication of sensors, wastewater treatment, vehicles of space and navigation, remote weather stations, and in the field of medicine (antibacterial agents, tissue engineering, orthopedics, bone regeneration, bone health, and in the treatment of osteoporosis, etc.). Recently, plant-mediated green synthesis of NPs has gained significant attention due to its eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective approach. The green production of strontium oxide (SrO) NPs is rarely reported in earlier literature, which is the focus of the current study. We synthesized SrO_aq and SrO_et NPs by utilizing the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass). The synthesized NPs were analyzed by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UVvisible spectroscopies. FTIR analysis showed the presence of organic moieties and characteristic Sr-O bands. UV-visible spectroscopy displayed an absorption peak at 298 and 298.9 nm in SrO_aq and SrO_et, respectively. SrO_et exhibited a smaller band gap (4.25 eV) than SrO_aq (4.47 eV). The synthesized NPs possessed well-defined crystalline structures and exhibited good electrocatalytic performance for water splitting. SrO_et was found to be a more effectual electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its higher electrochemically active surface area (EASA) and smaller charge transfer resistance (R_ct = 60Ω) than those of SrO_aq. The investigated NPs displayed promising redox behavior, charge storage capacity, and catalytic efficiency, highlighting their potential usage in energy storage and electrocatalytic water splitting.