I have worked on various biomaterials spanning from natural biomaterials, biodegradable materials and nanocomposites. These includes chitosan, pluronic acid, carbopol, polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), hyaluronic acid, and montmorrilonite (MMT), β-glucan, acrylic acid. My research is focused on utilisation of these biomaterials in various applications including their role in burn wound infections, drug delivery, as an oxygen releasing scaffolds pancreatic tissue engineering and bone tissue repair. Here are some of the highlights of my work.
Antimicrobial Hydrogels for burn wound Infections
The present study focuses on addressing the challenges associated with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections in thermally injured patients, which often lead to severe invasive diseases and increased mortality rates. The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in treatment has been hindered by limitations such as oxidative damage and tissue toxicity. In this context, the study explores the synthesis of biocompatible AgNPs using an antioxidant-rich Aerva javanica. These newly synthesized antibacterial AgNPs were evaluated for their radical scavenging properties and cytotoxic potential on both primary (HCEC) and cancerous cell lines (Huh-7, HeLa). To assess their safety and potential agglomeration, AgNPs were intraperitoneally administered to balb/c mice, and histological analysis of liver, spleen, and kidney was conducted. Corresponding mortality and weight loss studies were also performed. Subsequently, the AgNPs were incorporated into chitosan hydrogels and topically applied to partial-thickness burn wound infections in balb/c mice, where a significant reduction in infection was observed.
Chitosan based hydrogels were used because of its inherent antibacterial, wound healing and tissue regeneration properties. They are used popularly for moisture retention and exudate management and are an excellent vehicle for inflammation reduction. This application of AgNPs incorporated in hydrogels not only demonstrated antibacterial efficacy against MRSA and PA but also improved the healing time of the burn wounds.
Liposomal hydrogels for drug delivery
Hydrogels are recognized for their effectiveness as drug delivery systems due to their advantageous features, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustained drug release. This study explored the release dynamics of Fluroscein isothiocynate (FITC)-tagged Relaxin peptide in both free and liposomal forms using chitosan-based hydrogels. Liposomes were formulated with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol (Chol), encapsulating the fluorescently tagged relaxin (RLX-FITC) and were prepared through microfluidics, optimizing parameters such as Total Flow Rate (TFR) and Flow Rate Ratio (FRR) to achieve a maximum encapsulation efficiency.
Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed a considerably slower release of RLX from liposomal hydrogels compared to RLX-hydrogels. Importantly, the developed system demonstrated no cytotoxicity in vitro, as assessed by MTT assay in HEK293 cells. The results suggest that liposomal gels hold promise as scaffolds in tissue engineering, offering a platform for encapsulating peptides or growth hormones to achieve prolonged drug release within a matrix.
Bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
The focus of this research lies in advancing bone tissue engineering, specifically through the development of composite scaffolds, a crucial aspect for effective bone tissue regeneration. We synthesized a polymeric matrix using β-glucan, acrylic acid, and nano-hydroxyapatite via free radical polymerization. The resulting bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds (BNSs) were produced through the freeze-drying method, with a silver coating applied using the dip-coating technique. Characterization of the scaffolds involved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) to assess functional groups, surface morphology, and phase composition, respectively.
The study revealed that the pore size and porosity of the BNS samples were influenced by the concentration of silver. Mechanical testing demonstrated substantial compressive strength in dry form, comparable to cancellous bone. Notably, the BNS samples exhibited a significant antibacterial effect against DH5 alpha E. coli. Biocompatibility and non-cytotoxicity were confirmed through biological studies using the MC3T3-E1 cell line and the neutral red dye assay. The findings suggest that these bioactive scaffolds hold great potential for diverse applications in bone tissue repairs and regenerations
Hydrogels as scaffolds for pancreatic tissue engineering
Tissue engineering, especially in the context of pancreatic tissue, faces a significant hurdle related to meeting the unmet oxygen demand for cells encapsulated in 3D scaffolds. Establishing neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for sustained oxygen supply, preventing hypoxia-induced necrosis, and facilitating successful tissue development. To address this challenge, a multifunctional platform was engineered, focusing on different nano-formulations of CaO2 to enhance oxygen release from hydrogels. The platform also investigated the loading of immunomodulatory and angiogenic molecules to create a comprehensive system. Hyaluronic acid (HA) based hydrogels were chosen for their biocompatibility and non-immunogenic nature, being naturally present in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, these hydrogels were reinforced with Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay to mimic the mechanical strength of pancreatic tissue.
Several nano-systems were developed, and their oxygen release potential in hydrogels for pancreatic tissue engineering was assessed. Among these, HMSNCaO2 and PCL-CaO2 nano-systems exhibited superior release kinetics, attributed to reduced exposure to water molecules through improved encapsulation of CaO2. Detailed studies including UV-Vis, FTIR, and Alizarin Red provided insights into the mechanisms of oxygen production and degradation profile of CaO2. Oxygen release kinetics confirmed these insights. While these two candidates demonstrated promising release kinetics, further optimization in terms of size and encapsulation is anticipated to enhance not only their oxygen release potential but also their suitability as a multifunctional platform. This engineered platform holds promise for addressing the critical challenges associated with oxygen supply in tissue engineering and sets the stage for the development of advanced pancreatic tissue constructs
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