Flavonoid-containing Gratiola officinalis extract has been studied in relation to breast carcinoma and human cervical cancer cells in encapsulated and native form. Encapsulation was realized in polymer shells, which were formed by the layer-by-layer method using sequential adsorption of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) on the destructible cores. The extract was prepared by the author’s method and characterized using high performance liquid chromatography. By means of optical and fluorescent microscopy, cell changes under the action of pure and encapsulated extracts were comprehensively studied, and statistical analysis was carried out. Cells were stained with propidium iodide, acridine orange, and Hoechst 33258. A fluorescence microscope with a digital video camera were used for cell imaging. The encapsulated extract caused 100% death of breast cancer SKBR-3 cells and 34% death of cervical cancer HeLa cells and prevented the formation of autophagosomes in both cultures. Analysis of the viability and morphological features of tumor cells under the action of microencapsulated extract allows us to consider microencapsulation as an effective strategy for delivering Gratiola officinalis extract to tumor cells and a promising way to overcome the protective autophagy.

Aims The goal of this study was to characterize the Herbaspirillum lusitanum P6‐12 biopolymers under various environmental conditions. Methods and Results Differences in biopolymers composition from planktonic and biofilm cells of H. lusitanum strain P6‐12 were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), and colorimetric and gas–liquid chromatography (GLC). A high degree of polymer separation and purification was achieved by ultracentrifugation, and column chromatography allowed us to identify the chemical differences between biopolymers from biofilm and planktonic Herbaspirillum lusitanum. The planktonic cells of H. lusitanum P6‐12 had capsules containing two high‐molecular‐weight glycoconjugates (CPS‐I and CPS‐II) of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) nature and one EPS as a lipid–polysaccharide complex. The EPS, CPS‐I, CPS‐II had different monosaccharide and lipid compositions. The extracellular polymeric matrix (EPM) produced by the biofilm cells was mostly proteinaceous, with a small amount of carbohydrates (up to 3%). From the biofilm culture medium, a free extracellular polymeric substance (fEPS) was obtained that contained proteins and carbohydrates (up to 7%). The cells outside the biofilm produced capsules (CPS_FBC) that consisted of carbohydrates (up to 10%), proteins (up to 16%), and lipids. Conclusions During biofilm formation, the bacteria secreted surface biopolymers that differed from those of the planktonic cells. The heterogeneity of the polysaccharidic polymers of the H. lusitanum P6‐12 surface is probably conditioned by their different functions in plant colonization and formation of an efficient symbiosis, as well as in cell adaptation to existence in plant tissues. Significance and Impact of Study The results of the study permit a better understanding of the physiological properties of the biopolymers, e.g., in plant–microbe interactions.