Dissolving microneedles are extensively applied in drug delivery systems to enhance penetration into the skin. In this study, dissolving microneedles fabricated from polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVP-K90) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) E50 in different ratios were characterized. The selected formulations incorporated Oryza sativa L. extract complex and its characteristics, transfollicular penetration, and safety were observed. The microneedles, fabricated from PVP K90: HPMC E50 in a ratio of 25:5 (P25H5) and 20:10 (P20H10), revealed excellent morphological structure, proper mechanical strength, and excellent skin insertion. P25H5 microneedles exhibited faster dissolution than P20H10 microneedles. Microneedles containing Oryza sativa L. extract complex showed excellent morphological structure via scanning electron microscopy but decreased mechanical strength. P25H5-O, which exhibited an effective ability to enter skin, was selected for further investigation. This microneedle formulation had a high percentage of drug-loading content, enhanced skin penetration via the transfollicular route, and was safe for keratinocytes. As a result, the dissolving microneedle containing Oryza sativa L. extract complex can be used to enhance transfollicular delivery through the skin with safety.

Wound infections can lead to life-threatening infection and death. Antibacterial materials from biopolymers in the form of films are a promising strategy for wound dressings. Carboxylate-dialdehyde cellulose (CDAC) is a proper candidate for use as an antibacterial material due to its biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and antibacterial property. Additionally, CDAC can be synthesized from cellulose through environmentally friendly and nontoxic methods. Thus, this study aims to synthesize CDAC from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) PH102 and use it in composite films for an antibacterial application. The CDAC was synthesized using Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, followed by NaIO₄ oxidation. The obtained CDAC was characterized in terms of carboxylate and aldehyde content as well as FTIR and XRD spectra. The CDAC was mixed with HPMC in different ratios to prepare films. To determine the optimal formulation for clindamycin HCl loading, the films were evaluated for morphology, mechanical properties, and swelling ratio. Finally, the films containing clindamycin HCl were evaluated for drug loading content, in vitro drug release, and antibacterial activity. This study found that CDAC contained 2.1 ± 0.2 carboxylate and 4.15 ± 0.2 mmol/g of aldehyde content. The FTIR spectra confirmed the successful synthesis. X-ray diffractograms indicated that CDAC was less crystalline than MCC. The film, consisting of CDAC and HPMC E50 in the ratio of 2:1 (D2H1), was identified as the most suitable for clindamycin HCl loading due to its superior appearance, mechanical strength, and swelling properties compared to other formulations. D2H1 exhibited a high drug loading capacity (91.49 ± 5.48%) and demonstrated faster drug release than the film composed only of HPMC because of the higher swelling ratio and lower mechanical strength. This formulation was effective against Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), S. aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the D2H1 film containing clindamycin HCl showed a larger inhibition zone against these bacteria, likely due to a synergistic effect. This study found that CDAC has the potential to be applied as an antibacterial material for wound dressing.

Active packaging supports sustainable development by extending food shelf life and reducing spoilage, contributing to global food security. In this study, cellulose dialdehyde was synthesized and blended with polyvinyl alcohol in varying ratios to produce composite films. The incorporation of dialdehyde cellulose into films tended to increase puncture strength and Young’s modulus, decrease elongation, reduce water solubility, and enhance resistance to water vapor transmission because of crosslinking. Carbon quantum dots were subsequently incorporated into composite films to enhance their antibacterial property. This represents a novel combination of a natural bio-based crosslinker and fluorescent nanomaterials in a single packaging system. Carbon quantum dots were synthesized by an electrochemical method and incorporated as functional agents. The addition of carbon quantum dots influenced the mechanical properties of the films due to interactions between polymers and carbon quantum dots. This interaction also slightly reduced the antibacterial effectiveness of the films, consisting of dialdehyde cellulose and PVA in ratios of 3:1 and 4:0. Nevertheless, the composite films maintained sufficient antimicrobial activity against common foodborne bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium. Overall, the findings demonstrate that multifunctional material made from dialdehyde cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and carbon quantum dots are a promising alternative to conventional plastic packaging.

This work presents an innovative application of the sugar templating method to fabricate highly porous floating tablets based on cellulose derivatives for gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS). Ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were utilized to develop formulations that optimize porosity, buoyancy, and drug release. Among the tested formulations, E₁₀H₅/CPM, consisting of 10% w/w EC and 5% w/w HPMC loaded with chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), exhibited the most favorable properties, including high porosity (94.4%), uniform pore distribution, immediate buoyancy, and over 24 h of floating time. E₁₀H₅/CPM tablets demonstrated superior drug release performance compared to an EC-only formulation (E₁₀/CPM), attributed to the presence of HPMC, which facilitated improved hydration and diffusion. The in vitro release study showed that E₁₀H₅/CPM achieved a cumulative release of 79.01% over 72 h, following a Fickian diffusion mechanism. However, a limitation was noted in drug loading, with E₁₀H₅/CPM incorporating 6.40 mg of CPM, compared to 8.72 mg in E₁₀/CPM. Future work should focus on enhancing drug load and further optimizing polymer composition to improve the release profile. Overall, this study underscores the potential of sugar templating in developing cost-effective, scalable floating tablet formulations for improved gastric retention and localized drug delivery.