Nanoparticles (NPs), due to their size, have a key position in nanotechnology as a spectrum of solutions in medicine. NPs improve the ability of active substances to penetrate various routes: transdermal, but also digestive (active endocytosis), respiratory and injection. Chitosan, an N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a natural biodegradable cationic polymer with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Cross-linked chitosan is an excellent matrix for the production of nanoparticles containing active substances, e.g., the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). Chitosan nanoparticles with the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) were obtained by ion gelation using TPP as a cross-linking agent. The obtained product was characterized in terms of morphology and size based on SEM and Zeta Sizer analyses as well as an effective encapsulation of GBE in nanoparticles—FTIR-ATR and UV-Vis analyses. The kinetics of release of the active substance in water and physiological saline were checked. Biological studies were carried out on normal and cancer cell lines to check the cytotoxic effect of GBE, chitosan nanoparticles and a combination of the chitosan nanoparticles with GBE. The obtained nanoparticles contained and released GBE encapsulated in research media. Pure NPs, GBE and a combination of NPs and the extract showed cytotoxicity against tumor cells, with no cytotoxicity against the physiological cell line.

Growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified research into eco-friendly alternatives to conventional and synthetic leathers. Traditional bovine leather and its chromium-tanning process heavily contribute to water pollution, toxic waste generation, and carbon emissions, while synthetic leather derived from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) presents challenges related to fossil fuel dependence and non-biodegradability. This review explores bio-based and sustainable leather substitutes that are made of plants, microbial cellulose, and mycelium fungi. Plant-based leather substitutes such as Vegea^®, Desserto^®, and Piñatex^® use agricultural waste products to create durable, partially biodegradable composites. Microbial cellulose from kombucha fermentation offers material with good physical and aesthetic properties. Mycelium leather, derived from fungal biomass, demonstrates potential for scalable and low-impact production. Comparative analyses of mechanical and physical properties show that mycelium composites are approaching industrial standards, though challenges remain regarding tensile strength, water resistance, and process standardization. Despite current limitations, bio-based leathers, particularly mycelium composites, offer a promising way toward circular material innovation and carbon-neutral manufacturing in fashion, automotive, design and other industries.

The ferulic acid (FA) is a natural antioxidant, abundantly present in plants, which acts as the plant's immune system. In order to take advantage of its properties, a method has been developed, which combines antioxidant FA with bio‐based biodegradable poly(lactic acid) fibers and biocompatible hydrophilic polyallylamine, enabling the production of versatile base material that could be used for active anti‐inflammatory wound dressings. The fibers are first subjected to aminolysis in order to obtain amino moieties on the surface, able to react with the molecules of FA. Next, the FA was attached to the aminolyzed fibers surface with use of 1‐ethyl‐3–(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysuccinimide. The anti‐inflammatory properties of the modified fibers were assessed using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Presence of FA on the fibers’ surface was investigated through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and Folin–Ciocalteu (total phenolic content) test. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45112.

In this paper, we present a new methodology of clothing engineering construction for the medical application. Project “BIOAKOD” intends to propose clothing solutions for elderly people with dermatological defects. This purpose requires a particular concept of clothing because of the additional functionality expected in the clothing. It means that the proposed clothing needs to cover a human body in an aesthetic way and gives comfort of use it, and it should also bring an adding value in health treatment of people with dermatosis (psoriasis)..

This study focuses on functionalized nonwoven fabrics, modified with complexes of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and divalent metal ions (M²⁺). A bioactive PDMAEMA with tertiary amines was synthesized and applied to nonwoven fabrics using a spray-coating method. Functionalization was achieved by in situ complexation on PDMAEMA-modified nonwovens with solutions of divalent metal salts. The aim of the study was to demonstrate that the proposed textiles can serve as biologically active materials, effectively inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. The modification process was designed to ensure that the amount of PDMAEMA was sufficient to cover the entire surface of the nonwoven fabric. The weight efficiency of the polymer application was approximately 1.4% and 2.0%. The presence of the polymer was confirmed through functional group analysis and electrokinetic property measurements. The PDMAEMA surface layer on the nonwoven fabrics was subsequently cross-linked by divalent metal ions (M²⁺), supplied from aqueous solutions of the corresponding salts, thereby converting the modifier into an insoluble form. Morphological changes in the functionalized nonwoven fabrics demonstrated the effect of the complexes on surface topography. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of metal ions on the functionalized nonwoven fabrics. The modified polylactide (PLA) nonwoven fabrics exhibited antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli.

The dynamic development of various branches of medicine and pharmacy, along with the emergence of new preventive and alternative therapies for various diseases, creates opportunities for new solutions utilizing carriers of active substances. Their therapeutic effect may occur through direct contact with skin lesions or indirectly, where medicinal substances penetrate the capillary network in the deeper layers of the skin and reach the bloodstream. The aim of the research was to obtain carriers with a matrix consisting of two renewable-source polymers (chitosan and ethylcellulose) and a core material derived from Ginkgo biloba green leaf extract (GBE). The obtained ethylcellulose microcapsules with encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles with extract {Et[Ch(GB)NP]} were characterized with respect to size, shape, surface morphology (SEM microscopy), and active substance release kinetics (UV-VIS and mathematical release models). The kinetics of active substance release were analyzed using UV-VIS spectroscopy and mathematical release models. The released active components were assessed microbiologically for activity against six bacterial strains and two fungal strains, as well as chromatographically using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS fingerprinting. The microcapsules with a dual polymer layer exhibited a slow release of the core material, which demonstrated microbiological activity. The strongest antimicrobial effects were observed against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enteritidis, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 410 µg/mL. The release of the core material from the double-layer polymer structures was more efficient in a physiological saline environment, with the best fit for the extract release kinetics following a zero-order model (regression coefficient R² = 0.9939). The obtained microcapsules with a dual polymer layer show great potential for therapeutic applications in the medical industry. Their controlled release properties and antibacterial effectiveness make them a promising carrier for active substances in modern therapies.