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In the present study, possibilities for using novel nanocomposites based on alginate and silver nanoparticles for wound treatment were investigated in a second-degree thermal burn model in Wistar rats. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were electrochemically synthesized in alginate solutions that were further utilized to obtain the Ag/alginate solution and microfibers for subsequent in vivo studies. Daily applications of the Ag/alginate colloid solution, containing AgNPs, alginate and ascorbic acid (G3), wet Ag/alginate microfibers containing AgNPs (G5) and dry Ag/alginate microfibers containing AgNPs (G6) were compared to treatments with a commercial cream containing silver sulfadiazine (G2) and a commercial Ca-alginate wound dressing containing silver ions (G4), as well as to the untreated controls (G1). Results of the in vivo study have shown faster healing in treated wounds, which completely healed on day 19 (G4, G5 and G6) and 21 (G2 and G3) after the thermal injury, while the period for complete reepitelization of untreated wounds (G1) was 25 days. The macroscopic analysis has shown that scabs fell off between day 10 and 12 after the thermal injury induction in treated groups, whereas between day 15 and 16 in the control group. These macroscopic findings were supported by the results of histopathological analyses, which have shown enhanced granulation and reepithelization, reduced inflammation and improved organization of the extracellular matrix in treated groups without adverse effects. Among the treated groups, dressings based on Ca-alginate (G4-G6) induced enhanced healing as compared to the other two groups (G2, G3), which could be attributed to additional stimuli of released Ca. The obtained results indicated potentials of novel nanocomposites based on alginate and AgNPs for therapeutic applications in wound treatments.

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Nepeta rtanjensis Diklić & Milojević (fam. Lamiaceae) is an endemic, critically endangered plant, protectedby the law in Serbia. Various biological activities have been ascribed to its major constituents, nepeta-lactones. In this study we describe for the first time cytotoxic activity of N. rtanjensis essential oil (EO),obtained from field cultivated plants, which was found to be especially rich in trans,cis-nepetalactone.MTT assays indicated that after 72 h of treatment the EO exhibited cytotoxic activity on investigatedcancer cell lines: HeLa, K562, A549, LS-174 and MDA-MB-231. Normal cell line (MRC-5) was the leastsensitive to the treatment and IC50value for this cell line was not reached within the tested range ofEO concentrations (up to 0.1 L/mL). Analysis of morphological changes of treated cells confirmed thehigher sensitivity of tumor cells than normal cells to the tested EO. Application of N. rtanjensis EO resultedin the appearance of morphological changes in tested cancer cell lines characteristic for apoptotic celldeath, and induced perturbations of the cell cycle of HeLa cells. In addition, upregulation of Bax and p53,and downregulation of Bcl-2, and Skp2 genes, involved in apoptotic signalling cascades, confirmed anapoptosis-inducing effect of N. rtanjensis EO on HeLa cells. Presented results highlighted the potential ofN. rtanjensis EO in anticancer therapy.