Background: Impaired wound healing is commonly associated with many health problems, including diabetes, bedsores and extensive burns. In such cases, healing often takes a long time, which subjects patients to various complications. This study aims to investigate whether single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes complexed with chitosan hydrogel can improve wound healing. Materials and methods: Initially, the effects of the complexes on the viability and functionality of fibroblasts were investigated in engineered connective tissues. Then, their activity on wound healing was investigated in a mouse model with induced full-thickness wounds, in which the wounds were treated daily with these complexes. Finally, the effect of the complexes on collagen deposition by fibroblasts was investigated in vitro. Results: The engineered connective tissue studies showed that fibroblasts were viable in the presence of the complexes and were still able to effectively organize and contract the extracellular matrix. In vivo data showed that both types of complexes improved the re-epithelialization of the healing wounds; however, they also increased the percentage of wounds with higher fibrosis. In particular, the chitosan-multi-wall carbon nanotube complex significantly enhanced the extensiveness of this fibrosis, which is in line with in vitro data showing a concentration-dependent enhancement of collage deposition by these complexes. These observations were associated with an increase in inflammatory signs in the wound bed. Conclusion: Single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes complexed with chitosan improved the re-epithelialization of wounds, but an increase in fibrosis was detected.

As infectious diseases continue to be one of the greatest health challenges worldwide, the demand toward alternative agents is continuously increasing. Recent advancement in nanotechnology has expanded our ability to design and construct nanomaterials to treat bacterial infections. Carbon nanotubes are one among these nanomaterials. Herein, we describe the covalent functionalization of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with multiple molecules of ciprofloxacin. The prepared nanoantibiotics were characterized using different techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The characterization of the nanoantibiotics confirmed the successful covalent functionalization of the SWCNTs with 55% of functionalization as has been observed by thermogravimetric analysis. The release profile revealed that 90% of the loaded ciprofloxacin was released within 2.5 h at pH 7.4 showing a first-order release profile with R²>0.99. Interestingly, the results of the antibacterial activity indicated that the functionalized SWCNTs have significant increase in the antibacterial activity against the three strains of bacteria – by 16-fold for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and by 8-fold for Escherichia coli – in comparison to the ciprofloxacin free drug. Moreover, the synthesized nanoantibiotic showed high hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility over a wide concentration range.

Cosmeceuticals are a branch of cosmetic products that forms a bridge between cosmetic and drug products. It is a fast-growing branch of the cosmetic industry, especially after the introduction of novel formulation and manufacturing techniques such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). These LNPs-based cosmeceutical products offer several advantages such as enhanced bioavailability of cosmeceutical active ingredients (CAIs), improved aesthetic appeal, and stability of the final products. However, the use of these LNPs may raise some concerns about possible side effects of these LNPs and potential hazards to the customer’s health. Accordingly, an update that focuses on the use of this important branch of nanoparticles is necessary since most review papers are dealing with all types of nanocarriers in the same review with little focus on LNPs. Therefore, in the current review, a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of LNPs in this field was highlighted, to emphasize the LNPs-based cosmeceuticals on the market, as well as the potential risk posed by LNPs on exposure and recently introduced regulatory guidelines to address them. In addition, if these products can be a candidate as products that meet the sustainable development goals raised by the UN are discussed.

Introduction. Interest in essential oils was recently revived with their popularity increasing in medicine, pharmacy, and aromatherapy. This study was performed to identify the chemical compositions of the essential oil ofRuta chalepensisgrowing wildly in three regions in Palestine and to assess and compare their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.Methods. Identification of the essential oil was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity was tested againstStaphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus, andCandida albicansby using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, while antioxidant activity was analyzed by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method.Results. The essential oils ofR. chalepensisfrom Jerusalem and Hebron regions have almost identical components; the major compounds identified were linalyl acetate andβ-linalool; these essential oils exerted potential antioxidant and antibacterial activities. On the other hand, the major components of the plant essential oil from Jenin region were 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone, which exhibited potential antifungal activity.Conclusions. The phytoconstituents and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil ofR. chalepensisfrom different regions in Palestine were established in this study. The obtained results indicate possible applications forR. chalepensisin the treatment of various infectious and noninfectious diseases.

We have developed an efficient strategy for the non-covalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) which allows a biomimetic presentation of carbohydrates on their surface by π-π stacking interactions. The strategy is based on the use of sugar-based amphiphiles functionalized with tetrabenzo[a,c,g,i]fluorene (Tbf), a polyaromatic compound with a topology that resembles a butterfly with open wings. The new carbohydrate-tethered Tbf amphiphiles have been synthesized in a straightforward manner using click chemistry. The reported method has been developed in order to improve the rather low ability of pyrene-based systems to exfoliate MWCNTs in water. By means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and fluorescence spectroscopies the interaction between MWCNTs and the Tbf group has been found to be stronger than those involving pyrene-based amphiphilic carbohydrates. The resulting aggregates with a multivalent sugar exposition on their surface are able to engage in specific ligand-lectin interactions similar to glycoconjugates on a cell membrane.