The use of antioxidants in the dermatocosmetic industry has become increasingly popular to help protect and stabilize other sensitive active ingredients, prolonging the effectiveness and durability of the cosmetic product. Grape pomace, as the main by-product generated through winemaking, and Polygonum cuspidatum, concentrate bioactive metabolites with high antioxidant activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from grape pomace (Merlot and Feteasca Neagra varieties) and the root and flower of Japanese knotweed, respectively, alone and in mixtures, were characterized, and preliminary assays were conducted for their incorporation in two gel-based cosmetic formulations. The characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, resveratrol, and kaempferol. The hydroalcoholic extract of P. cuspidatum flower and root was found to have the highest content of total phenolic compounds (10.920 ± 0.268 mg GAE/mL, respectively, 4.751 ± 0.072 mg GAE/mL), and the highest antioxidant activity (expressed as DPPH Radical Scavenging Capacity, IC₅₀) by 28.04 ± 1.12 µg GAE/mL and 83.91 ± 1.13 µg GAE/mL, respectively. Catechin was the most abundant polyphenol found in pomace extract (687.87 mg/kg). The type and the concentration of the plant extract used in dermatocosmetic gel formulations influenced their antioxidant activity. Encapsulation of P. cuspidatum flower extract in liposomes prior to their incorporation into the gel formulation demonstrated the role of liposomes in enhancing the stability and modulation of phenolic compound delivery. It is worth noting that this dermatocosmetic formulation, which contains the flower extract of P. cuspidatum, was the subject of a pending patent application.

The objective of this paper is to develop polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a cardiovascular drug (an angiotensin II receptor blocker, valsartan). Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared via the nanoprecipitation method using pullulan acetate as biodegradable polymeric matrix and Pluronic F127 as a stabilizer. Pullulan acetate was obtained through the chemical modification of pullulan (produced through a fermentation process using the Aureobasidium pullulans strain) with dimethylformamide, pyridine and acetic anhydride. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency, size, and polydispersity index using spectrophotometric and dynamic light scattering techniques. The valsartan-loaded nanoparticles showed a good entrapment efficiency of valsartan, nanometric sizes (lower than 200 nm), and a narrow dispersity (polydispersity index below 0.2). This research revealed that pullulan and pullulan derivatives show great potential for the production of nanoparticles, with potential application in the delivery of cardiovascular agents.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to obtain and characterize pullulan acetate-based nanoparticles, loaded with an anticancer agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)

This study’s objective was to assess pullulan, in the form of pullulan acetate, as a matrix for senotherapeutics delivery. Polymeric nanoparticles loaded with various senotherapeutics (metformin, quercitin, kaempferol, curcumin, and luteolin) were prepared via nanoprecipitation or double emulsion methods using pullulan acetate as a biodegradable polymeric matrix. Quercitin, kaempferol, curcumin, and luteolin nanoparticles showed good yield (<70%), satisfactory values of entrapment efficiency (<60%), and nanometric sizes ranging between 205 and 270 nm, with narrow dispersity and good stability at 4 °C. The formulations demonstrated that pullulan showed great potential for producing nanoparticles with application in senotherapeutics delivery.

Modern diets are high in fructans, which may lead to abdominal discomfort, particularly in sensitive individuals. Microbial inulinase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes inulin into fructose and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), has significant prebiotic potential and may contribute to the prevention of metabolic disorders by enhancing fructan digestion. This study investigates inulinase production by the Aspergillus niger ICCF 92 strain under various growth conditions. Three carbon sources (inulin, molasses, and carob pod decoction), the time required for biosynthesis processes, and stirring speed were evaluated for their influence on inulinase activity. Nitrogen sources included yeast extract, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium phosphate. Process monitoring included pH measurement, protein quantification via the Bradford assay, and inulinase activity assessment using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. The highest inulinase production (38.29 U/mL) and protein concentration (0.7548 mg/mL) were achieved after 14 days of static fermentation with carob pod decoction as the carbon source.

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with growing interest for its senolytic properties. However, its poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit clinical application. This study aimed to develop and compare two types of nanocarriers, liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles, for the efficient delivery of luteolin in senolytic therapies. Liposomes with luteolin were prepared using the lipid film hydration method, followed by sonication and extrusion. Polymeric nanoparticles were developed via the nanoprecipitation method using pullulan acetate, a hydrophobic derivative obtained by chemical functionalization of pullulan. Pullulan was biosynthesized over 72 h using the microorganism Aureobasidium pullulans ICCF 36 (from CMII–INCDCF-ICCF). The formulation used a polymer-to-luteolin ratio of 10:1 (g/g) and Pluronic F127 as a stabilizer. Nanoprecipitation was carried out under controlled conditions: stirring at 700 rpm and dropwise addition at 0.5 mL/min. Luteolin was successfully encapsulated in both delivery systems. Liposomes showed an encapsulation efficiency of 85.07 ± 0.09% and nanoscale diameter. Polymeric nanoparticles demonstrated an encapsulation efficiency of 74.87 ± 0.05%, nanometric size and a formulation yield of 73.29 ± 0.09%. Both liposomal and polymeric nanoparticle systems effectively encapsulated luteolin, with high efficiency and yield. The formulations present promising potential for use in senolytic therapies, targeting age-related cellular dysfunction. Further studies will assess their release kinetics, biological activity, and senolytic effects in vitro and in vivo.