Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oils and are responsible for the aroma characteristics of cannabis. Together with the cannabinoids, terpenes illustrate synergic and/or entourage effect and their interactions have only been speculated in for the last few decades. Hundreds of terpenes are identified that allude to cannabis sensory attributes, contributing largely to the consumer’s experiences and market price. They also enhance many therapeutic benefits, especially as aromatherapy. To shed light on the importance of terpenes in the cannabis industry, the purpose of this review is to morphologically describe sources of cannabis terpenes and to explain the biosynthesis and diversity of terpene profiles in different cannabis chemovars.

Curcumin is a phenolic compound derived from turmeric roots (Curcuma longa L.). This research studied the effects of curcumin extract on the properties of chitosan films. The film characteristics measured included mechanical properties, visual aspects, color parameters, light transmission, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, infrared spectroscopy, and antioxidant activity. The results suggest that adding curcumin to chitosan-based films increases yellowness and light barriers. Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed interactions between the phenolic compounds of the extract and the chitosan, which may have improved the mechanical properties and reduced the moisture content, water solubility, and water vapor permeability of the films. The antioxidant activity of the films increased with increasing concentrations of the curcumin extract. This study shows the potential benefits of incorporating curcumin extract into chitosan films used as active packaging.

This study developed the interests of low-methoxyl pectin (LMP) together with plasticizers for the preparation of elastic thin films. The effect of different plasticizer types (glycerol: Gly; sorbitol: Sor; propylene glycol: PG; and polyethylene glycol 300: PEG 300) and concentrations (20–40% w/w) on mechanical and thermal properties of LMP films as well as on in vitro release of indomethacin were evaluated. Without any plasticizer, a brittle LMP film with low tensile strength and % elongation at break was obtained. Addition of plasticizers from 20% to 40% caused reduction in the tensile strength and Young’s modulus values, whereas percent elongation was increased. Forty percent Gly-plasticized and PG-plasticized films were selected to deliver indomethacin in comparison with non-plasticized film. No significant difference in indomethacin release profiles was displayed between the films. The analysis of indomethacin release model indicated that more than one drug release mechanism from the film formulation was involved and possibly the combination of both diffusion and erosion. Even though indomethacin incorporated in non-plasticized film showed similar release profile, Gly or PG should be added to enhanced film flexibility and decrease film brittleness.

Cellulose from Asparagus officinalis stalk end was extracted and synthesized to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC_as) using monochloroacetic acid (MCA) via carboxymethylation reaction with various sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations starting from 20% to 60%. The cellulose and CMC_as were characterized by the physical properties, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, mechanical properties of CMC_as films were also investigated. The optimum condition for producing CMC_as was found to be 30% of NaOH concentration for the carboxymethylation reaction, which provided the highest percent yield of CMC_as at 44.04% with the highest degree of substitution (DS) at 0.98. The melting point of CMC_as decreased with increasing NaOH concentrations. Crystallinity of CMC_as was significantly deformed (p < 0.05) after synthesis at a high concentration. The L* value of the CMC_as was significantly lower at a high NaOH concentration compared to the cellulose. The highest tensile strength (44.59 MPa) was found in CMC_as film synthesized with 40% of NaOH concentration and the highest percent elongation at break (24.99%) was obtained in CMC_as film treated with 30% of NaOH concentration. The applications of asparagus stalk end are as biomaterials in drug delivery system, tissue engineering, coating, and food packaging.

In this study, hydrogel films composed of low methoxyl pectin (LMP), gelatin, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were fabricated. Glycerin was used as a plasticizer while glutaraldehyde (Glu) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) were used as crosslinking agents in film preparation. Hydrogel films were morphologically characterized and evaluated for mechanical properties. In addition, the investigations for fluid uptake ability, water retention capacity, water vapor transmission rate, and integrity value of the invented films were performed. The results showed that F-Glu-Ca-G30 film demonstrated superior properties when compared to other prepared films. It demonstrated a high percentage of elongation at break (32.80%), fluid uptake ability (88.45% at 2 h), water retention capacity (81.70% at 2 h), water vapor transmission rate (1889 g/m²/day), and integrity value (86.42%). F-Glu-Ca-G30 film was subsequently selected for 10% w/w povidone iodine (PI) loading and tested for anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity using an agar diffusion assay. Notably, F-Glu-Ca-G30-PI film demonstrated a dramatic ability to inhibit microbial growth, when compared to both a blank film and iodine solution control. Our LMP/gelatin/CMC hydrogel film promises to be an effective dressing material with high fluid absorption capacity, fluid holding ability, and water vapor transmission rate. Incorporation of antibiotics such as povidone iodine into the films conferred its antimicrobial property thereby highlighting its potential dermatological use. However, further clinical studies of the application of this hydrogel film as wound dressing material is recommended.

Microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a promising approach for delivering therapeutic agents to the skin, offering significant potential in treating various dermal conditions. Among these technologies, hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMNs) represent a transformative advancement in the management of dermal diseases through non-invasive drug delivery. These innovative devices consist of micrometer-sized needles made of native or crosslinked hydrophilic polymers, capable of penetrating the stratum corneum without damaging underlying tissues. Upon insertion, HFMNs rapidly absorb interstitial fluid, swelling to form a hydrogel conduit that enables the efficient transport of therapeutic agents directly into the dermal microcirculation. The non-invasive nature of HFMNs enhances patient compliance by eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with traditional hypodermic needles. This technology allows for the delivery of a wide range of drugs, including macromolecules and biomacromolecules, which are often difficult to administer dermally due to their size and polarity. Moreover, HFMNs provide controlled and regulated release profiles, enabling sustained therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects. Additionally, HFMNs can be used for both drug delivery and real-time interstitial fluid monitoring, offering valuable insights into disease states and treatment responses. This dual functionality positions HFMNs as a versatile dermatology tool capable of effectively addressing various dermal complications. This review explores the potential use of polymeric biomaterials in HFMN fabrication and their application in treating major dermal disorders, such as acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. Furthermore, the review highlights the non-invasive nature of MN-based treatments, underscoring their potential to reduce patient discomfort and improve treatment adherence, as supported by the recent literature.