Cosmetic patches have recently been developed as skin products for personal care owing to rapid advances in the technology of delivery of active ingredients, moisture, and adhesiveness to skin. Alginate and Spirulina are typical marine resources used in cosmetic products. This research involved the development of a Spirulina extract-impregnated alginate nanofiber cosmetic patch supported by a polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber cover (Spi/Alg-PCL NF patch). In addition to the ability of alginate to affect moisture and adhesiveness to skin, the impregnation of Spirulina extract strengthened those abilities as well as its own bioactive effectiveness. All fabrication processing steps were undertaken in aqueous solution. The three components (alginate, Spirulina extract, and PCL) had no detected cytotoxicity in human keratinocyte cell-based examination. In addition, wetting the pre-dried patch on the skin resulted in the Spirulina extract being released within 30 min. The results indicate the excellence of the Spi/Alg-PCL NF patch as a skin-care cosmetic device.

The time window for neuroprotection during ischemic brain stroke is short, and hence, development of neuroprotectants is critical to extend this time window. This study sought to verify if muco-adhesive chitosan coating improves the neuroprotective potential of the pre-proven C-Phycocyanin-pertaining liposome (C-Pc liposome). The use of chitosan-coated liposomes extended the neuroprotective time window by 6 h after occlusion, and further improved the neuroprotection efficiency of the C-Pc liposome in a rat Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model. Beneficial changes in mRNA expressions of antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines and glia scar proteoglycans were evident in the C-Pc liposomes. In addition, in the cultured astrocytes, the chitosan- coated C-Pc liposome expressed anti-oxidative activity without cytotoxicity.

Ischemic stroke can result from blockage of blood vessels, forming fibrin clots in the body and causing irreparable brain damage. Remedial thrombolytic agents or anticoagulants have been studied; however, because the FDA-approved tissue plasminogen activator has low efficacy and side effects, it is necessary to develop safer and more effective treatment candidates. This study aimed at assessing the fibrinolytic and anticoagulation features of a novel serine protease extracted and purified from , a polychaeta that inhabits tidal flats. The purified serine protease was obtained through ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. Its molecular size was identified via SDS-PAGE. To characterize its enzymatic activities, the protease activity at various pH and temperatures, and in the presence of various inhibitors, was measured via azocasein assay. Its fibrinolytic activity and anticoagulant effect were assessed by fibrin zymography, fibrin plate assay, and fibrinogenolytic activity assays. The novel 38 kDa serine protease had strong indirect thrombolytic activity rather than direct activity over broad pH (4-10) and temperature (37°C-70°C) ranges. In addition, the novel serine protease exhibited anticoagulant activity by degrading the α-, β-, and γ-chains of fibrinogen. In addition, it did not produce cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. Therefore, this newly isolated serine protease is worthy of further investigation as a novel alkaline serine protease for thrombolytic therapy against brain ischemia.

No abstract