This work aimed to develop chitosan/gelatin scaffolds loaded with ethanolic extract of Jatropha mollissima (EEJM) to evaluate the influence of its content on the properties of these structures. The scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying, with different EEJM contents (0–10% (w/w)) and crosslinked with genipin (0.5% (w/w)). The EEJM were characterized through High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD), and the determination of three secondary metabolites contents was accomplished. The physical, chemical and biological properties of the scaffolds were investigated. From the HPLC-DAD, six main substances were evidenced, and from the quantification of the total concentration, the condensed tannins were the highest (431.68 ± 33.43 mg·g⁻¹). Spectroscopy showed good mixing between the scaffolds’ components. Adding and increasing the EEJM content did not significantly influence the properties of swelling and porosity, but did affect the biodegradation and average pore size. The enzymatic biodegradation test showed a maximum weight loss of 42.89 within 28 days and reinforced the efficiency of genipin in crosslinking chitosan-based materials. The addition of the extract promoted the average pore sizes at a range of 138.44–227.67 µm, which is compatible with those reported for skin regeneration. All of the scaffolds proved to be biocompatible for L929 cells, supporting their potential application as skin tissue engineering materials.

Chitosan/montmorillonite nanocomposite films were prepared by the solvent evaporation method to immobilize the drug ibuprofen (IBU) and delay its release in a medium that simulates the environment of the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of montmorillonite, at different mass proportions (10, 20, and 50%), on the morphological and physical properties of the films were studied. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), degree of swelling, drug encapsulation, and drug release efficiency. According to the XRD it was evidenced that the incorporation of montmorillonite to chitosan led to the formation of nanocomposites of ordered morphology. The infrared spectra confirmed the good interaction between montmorillonite and chitosan by the formation of nanocomposites. This fact, which favored the imprisonment of the IBU, reduced the diffusion coefficient in the studied systems. The micrographs comproved the formation of dense and uniform films. The controlled release profile, especially for the nanocomposite with 10% clay mass, showed a slow drug release rate. The incorporation of montmorillonite at different proportions produced different morphologies, with good encapsulation efficiency and an adequate profile for the controlled release of the drug.

Chitosan is a natural, biodegradable, non-toxic and biocompatible polymer, with characteristics such as a healing, hemostatic, antimicrobial agent, among others. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a tubular chitosan device for use as a prosthetic coating application in vascular surgery. The chitosan wires were obtained by the spinning method in a 2M sodium hydroxide coagulant solution (NaOH) and used in the form of wires and screens as a reinforcement structure to obtain the tubes. In order to characterize the tubes, optical microscopy, contact angle, degree of swelling, in vitro biodegradation, cytotoxicity and tensile strength were used. The results indicated that the tubes have uniformity over the entire length and as for the resistance to the trace, the tube reinforced with mesh presented greater deformation, while the tube reinforced with wire presented a higher value of rupture stress. The degree of swelling was higher in chitosan tubes with mesh. As for the biodegradation test, it was observed that the lysozyme samples showed greater loss of mass and the cytotoxicity test confirmed the cell viability of the material, concluding that the tubes reinforced with chitosan wires are promising for use in vascular surgeries.

Episiotomy is an obstetric technique that consists of making an incision in the perineum during vaginal childbirth, to facilitate the baby to pass through. After delivery, the perineal region is sutured with absorbable threads to heal the cut. However, are frequent reports of pain, infections, and dyspareunia after the execution of this technique. In this context, the use of biomaterials becomes relevant as they promote faster and safer tissue repair, making it an attractive alternative for the healing process of episiotomy. Based on the physical-chemical and biological properties of chitosan and Aloe vera, this research developed three different vaginal gels, with the purpose of promoting tissue regeneration and infection prevention post-episiotomy. Chitosan solutions with concentrations of 5% w/v were prepared by dissolving the chitosan powder in 2% v/v aqueous solution of acetic acid. After the extraction and processing of the mucilage, the pulp of the Aloe vera leaf was added to the chitosan gel in the proportions of 1, 2, and 3% v/v. All formulations were neutralized by the slow drip technique of a neutralizing solution of sodium hydroxide (2 M). The compositions were analyzed according to their organoleptic aspect, optical microscopy, spreadability, hydrogen potential, absorption spectroscopy, cytotoxicity, and rheological behavior. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that gels produced have the potential to be used as vaginal gels.

There are few works in the literature regarding the study and development of new bioceramic compounds for ophthalmologic applications, especially considering the use of advanced laboratory technologies such as the sol-gel process, which presents the possibility of controlling various parameters as namely temperature, stoichiometry and alkalinity. In this regard, the present work synthesized alumina-based bioceramic compounds in combination with silica and zirconia via the sol-gel process, having evaluated the possibility/viability of these biomaterials for orbital reconstruction. The materials were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results show the formation of different structures, with the tendency to form alpha alumina, silica in the form of orthorhombic mullite and zirconia in its monoclinic and tetragonal phases, demonstrated by the characteristic reaction bonds between the precursors, as observed in the FTIR assay. The morphological characterization highlighted that the most determining factor which influences agglomerate size is temperature, followed by silica concentration. These results are relevant for ophthalmological applications, considering the intrinsic properties of each oxide.

O transporte de recém-nascidos implica a garantia de um manejo seguro, confortável e livre de contaminações, tendo em vista o maior risco de contato do bebê com agentes patológicos no ambiente hospitalar. Considerando a capacidade antimicrobiana da quitosana e a possibilidade de deposita-la sobre tecidos, este trabalho se propôs a desenvolver um sistema de transporte neonatal para recém-nascido de risco habitual (Baby-Bag) impregnado com este polímero. Partindo-se do briefing, foram desenvolvidos desenhos a mão e em softwares de manipulação de imagem para melhor expressão dos conceitos sugeridos, seguindo-se a renderização 3D da Baby-Bag. As amostras foram produzidas em malha do tipo Ribana (200g/m²). Para impregnação da quitosana utilizou-se o método de jateamento, com soluções do polímero em diferentes concentrações (0,5; 1 e 2 %), seguindo-se a etapa de neutralização. Em seguida, as malhas foram caracterizadas por Microscopia Ótica (MO), Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Resistência a Tração, Atividade Antimicrobiana e Citotoxicidade. As técnicas de MO e FTIR indicaram um desprendimento/perda parcial da impregnação da quitosana durante os processos de lavagem e secagem, enquanto o ensaio mecânico indicou que a incorporação da quitosana elevou o modulo elástico dos tecidos. De acordo com os resultados biológicos pode-se afirmar que o material é atóxico e possui atividade antimicrobiana gram-positiva (Staphylococcus aureus) e gram-negativa (Escherichia coli). Desta forma, pode-se concluir que o sistema de transporte neonatal para recém-nascido apresenta potencialidades para ser utilizado como transporte seguro materno infantil.