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Polymers
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Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications
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Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 10435

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tingting Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: preparation and application of biomass materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-based materials have been widely used in all aspects of production and life because of their excellent physical and chemical properties as well as processing properties. With the development of life science and the progress of the medical industry, the improvement and regulation of polymer-based biomaterials in biomedical aspects such as mechanical stability, chemical stability, histocompatibility, aging resistance and biodegradation have attracted the attention of researchers. 

This Special Issue of Polymers aims to report full research papers, communications and review articles based on the latest advances in the synthesis, characterization and applications of polymer-based biomaterials in the biomedical field.

Dr. Tingting Xu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer-based biomaterials
  • biomedical applications
  • mechanical stability
  • chemical stability
  • histocompatibility
  • aging resistance
  • biodegradation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4816 KiB  
Article
Folic-Acid-Conjugated Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with Gallic Acid Induce Glioblastoma Cell Death by Reactive-Oxygen-Species-Induced Stress
by Maria João Ramalho, Bruna Alves, Stéphanie Andrade, Jorge Lima, Joana Angélica Loureiro and Maria Carmo Pereira
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152161 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) conventional treatment is not curative, and it is associated with severe toxicity. Thus, natural compounds with anti-cancer properties and lower systemic toxicity, such as gallic acid (GA), have been explored as alternatives. However, GA’s therapeutic effects are limited due to its [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma (GBM) conventional treatment is not curative, and it is associated with severe toxicity. Thus, natural compounds with anti-cancer properties and lower systemic toxicity, such as gallic acid (GA), have been explored as alternatives. However, GA’s therapeutic effects are limited due to its rapid metabolism, low bioavailability, and low permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This work aimed to develop poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) modified with folic acid (FA), as its receptor is overexpressed in BBB and GBM cells, for GA delivery to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. The preparation of NPs was optimized by a central composite design (CCD). The obtained NPs showed physicochemical features suitable for drug internalization in BBB and tumor cells (sizes below 200 nm, monodispersity, and negative surface charge) and the ability to maintain a slow and sustained release for 40 days. In vitro studies using a human GBM cell line (U215) revealed the NPs’ ability to accumulate in the target cells, further promoting GA antiproliferative activity by inducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, GA encapsulation in the developed nanosystems conferred higher protection to healthy cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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25 pages, 16199 KiB  
Article
Targeted Polymeric Micelles System, Designed to Carry a Combined Cargo of L-Asparaginase and Doxorubicin, Shows Vast Improvement in Cytotoxic Efficacy
by Igor D. Zlotnikov and Elena V. Kudryashova
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152132 - 26 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 687
Abstract
L-asparaginases (ASP) and Doxorubicin (Dox) are both used in the treatment of leukemia, including in combination. We have attempted to investigate if their combination within the same targeted delivery vehicle can make such therapy more efficacious. We assembled a micellar system, where the [...] Read more.
L-asparaginases (ASP) and Doxorubicin (Dox) are both used in the treatment of leukemia, including in combination. We have attempted to investigate if their combination within the same targeted delivery vehicle can make such therapy more efficacious. We assembled a micellar system, where the inner hydrophobic core was loaded with Dox, while ASP would absorb at the surface due to electrostatic interactions. To make such absorption stronger, we conjugated the ASP with oligoamines, such as spermine, and the lipid components of the micelle—lipoic and oleic acids—with heparin. When loaded with Dox alone, the system yielded about a 10-fold improvement in cytotoxicity, as compared to free Dox. ASP alone showed about a 2.5-fold increase in cytotoxicity, so, assuming additivity of the effect, one could expect a 25-fold improvement when the two agents are applied in combination. But in reality, a combination of ASP + Dox loaded into the delivery system produced a synergy, with a whopping 50× improvement vs. free individual component. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown prolonged circulation of micellar formulations in the bloodstream as well as an increase in the effective concentration of Dox in micellar form and a reduction in Dox accumulation to the liver and heart (which reduces hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity). For the same reason, Dox’s liposomal formulation has been in use in the treatment of multiple types of cancer, almost replacing the free drug. We believe that an opportunity to deliver a combination of two types of drugs to the same target cell may represent a further step towards improvement in the risk–benefit ratio in cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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12 pages, 2471 KiB  
Article
Silver Nanoparticle-Embedded Conductive Hydrogels for Electrochemical Sensing of Hydroquinone
by Tingting Xu, Huanli Gao, Orlando J. Rojas and Hongqi Dai
Polymers 2023, 15(11), 2424; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15112424 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
In this work, a conductive hydrogel was successfully synthesized, taking advantage of the high number density of active amino and hydroxyl groups in carboxymethyl chitosan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. These biopolymers were effectively coupled via hydrogen bonding with the nitrogen atoms of the [...] Read more.
In this work, a conductive hydrogel was successfully synthesized, taking advantage of the high number density of active amino and hydroxyl groups in carboxymethyl chitosan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. These biopolymers were effectively coupled via hydrogen bonding with the nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic rings of conductive polypyrrole. The inclusion of another biobased polymer, sodium lignosulfonate (LS), was effective to achieve highly efficient adsorption and in-situ reduction of silver ions, leading to silver nanoparticles that were embedded in the hydrogel network and used to further improve the electro-catalytic efficiency of the system. Doping of the system in the pre-gelled state led to hydrogels that could be easily attached to the electrodes. The as-prepared silver nanoparticle-embedded conductive hydrogel electrode exhibited excellent electro-catalytic activity towards hydroquinone (HQ) present in a buffer solution. At the optimum conditions, the oxidation current density peak of HQ was linear over the 0.1–100 μM concentration range, with a detection limit as low as 0.12 μM (signal-to-noise of 3). The relative standard deviation of the anodic peak current intensity was 1.37% for eight different electrodes. After one week of storage in a 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer solution at 4 °C, the anodic peak current intensity was 93.4% of the initial current intensity. In addition, this sensor showed no interference activity, while the addition of 30 μM CC, RS, or 1 mM of different inorganic ions does not have a significant impact on the test results, enabling HQ quantification in actual water samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 8763 KiB  
Article
Hemigraphis alternata Leaf Extract Incorporated Agar/Pectin-Based Bio-Engineered Wound Dressing Materials for Effective Skin Cancer Wound Care Therapy
by Jijo Koshy and Dhanaraj Sangeetha
Polymers 2023, 15(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010115 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3044
Abstract
The rapidly expanding area of regenerative medicine may soon enter a new phase owing to developments in biomaterials and their application in generating new tissues. Chemicals and synthetic drugs are currently the subject of heated debate due to their effects on human health [...] Read more.
The rapidly expanding area of regenerative medicine may soon enter a new phase owing to developments in biomaterials and their application in generating new tissues. Chemicals and synthetic drugs are currently the subject of heated debate due to their effects on human health and the environment. Therefore, scientists seek out new products and procedures that are harmless to both the environment and human health concerns. Bio-based materials provide excellent functional qualities with a variety of applications. This study resulted in the development of a film with antimicrobial, hydrophilic, and anti-cancer properties, which is most beneficial in the medical sectors. In this study, we developed a blended biodegradable film containing agar and pectin (AP), with excellent surface functional properties framed through a casting technique. Additionally, the property can be changed by the addition of extract of hemigraphis alternata (HA) extract. The incorporation of extract in AP (APH) can be used for anti-cancer wound care therapy. The fabricated film is biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. This material is entirely based on a green methodology, and it was prepared in a concise manner without the use of any hazardous solvents. Based on the overall nature of biopolymer, the prepared material is a promising alternative to our society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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26 pages, 810 KiB  
Review
Polyvinyl Alcohol, a Versatile Excipient for Pharmaceutical 3D Printing
by Nadine Couți, Alina Porfire, Rareș Iovanov, Andrea Gabriela Crișan, Sonia Iurian, Tibor Casian and Ioan Tomuță
Polymers 2024, 16(4), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040517 - 14 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2848
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in the pharmaceutical field allows rapid manufacturing of a diverse range of pharmaceutical dosage forms, including personalized items. The application of this technology in dosage form manufacturing requires the judicious selection of excipients because the selected materials must be appropriate [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in the pharmaceutical field allows rapid manufacturing of a diverse range of pharmaceutical dosage forms, including personalized items. The application of this technology in dosage form manufacturing requires the judicious selection of excipients because the selected materials must be appropriate to the working principle of each technique. Most techniques rely on the use of polymers as the main material. Among the pharmaceutically approved polymers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is one of the most used, especially for fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. This review summarizes the physical and chemical properties of pharmaceutical-grade PVA and its applications in the manufacturing of dosage forms, with a particular focus on those fabricated through FDM. The work provides evidence on the diversity of dosage forms created using this polymer, highlighting how formulation and processing difficulties may be overcome to get the dosage forms with a suitable design and release profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
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