Freeze–Thaw-Induced Physically Cross-linked Superabsorbent Polyvinyl Alcohol/Soy Protein Isolate Hydrogels for Skin Wound Dressing: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

Abstract

In this work, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-and soy protein isolate (SPI)-based scaffolds were prepared by physical cross-linking using the freeze−thaw method. The PVA/SPI ratio was varied to examine the individual effects of the two constituents. The physicochemical properties of the fabricated scaffolds were analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The SPI concentration significantly affected the properties of scaffolds, such as the extent of gelation (%), pore size, porosity, degradation, swelling, and surface wettability. The in vitro degradation of fabricated hydrogels was evaluated in phosphatebuffered saline and lysozyme solution for a duration of 14 days. The in vitro compatibility of prepared hydrogels was evaluated by the MTT assay with NIH-3T3 cells (fibroblast). The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) assays showed that all hydrogels possessed WVTR values in the range of 2000−2500 g m −2 day −1 , which is generally recommended for ideal wound dressing. Overall, the obtained results reveal that the fabricated scaffolds have excellent biocompatibility, mechanical strength, porosity, stability, and degradation rate and thus carry enormous potential for tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, a full-thickness wound healing study performed in rats supported them as a promising wound dressing material.

Supramolecular Host–Guest Strategy for the Accelerating Detection of Nitroreductase

“…Having determined the outstanding sensitivity and selectivity of the host–guest reporter for NTR in solution, we focused on the application of NAQA ⊂ Zn-MPPB for the fluorescence imaging of NTR activity in cells. , NTR is a well-known riboflavin-binding protein that is overexpressed in many cancer cells, especially in solid tumors, often showing varying degrees of hypoxia. , The ability of a probe to accurately image NTR activity at the cellular level can help to monitor whether the hypoxia metabolic pathway is in order, and it can offer useful tools for cancer diagnosis. To evaluate the application potential of NAQA ⊂ Zn-MPPB in cell imaging, first the MTT assays were conducted to analyze the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of NAQA and Zn-MPPB . The viability assays of MCF-7 and A549 cells were both over 80% after preincubation with various concentrations for 24 h. The data indicated that NAQA and Zn-MPPB did not impact cell proliferation, even at a concentration of 20 μM, which is ∼4-fold greater than that we had used for cell imaging, revealing their low cytotoxicity in organisms (Figure S42 in the Supporting Information).…”

“…50,51 The ability of a probe to accurately image NTR activity at the cellular level can help to monitor whether the hypoxia metabolic pathway is in order, and it can offer useful tools for cancer diagnosis. To evaluate the application potential of NAQA⊂Zn-MPPB in cell imaging, first the MTT assays 52 were conducted to analyze the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of NAQA and Zn-MPPB. The viability assays of MCF-7 and A549 cells were both over 80% after preincubation with various concentrations for 24 h. The data indicated that NAQA and Zn-MPPB did not impact cell proliferation, even at a concentration of 20 μM, which is ∼4-fold greater than that we had used for cell imaging, revealing their low cytotoxicity in organisms (Figure S42 in the Supporting Information).…”

Preparation and Study of Polyvinyl Alcohol Gel Structures with Acrylamide and 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic Acid for Application in Saline Oil Reservoirs for Profile Modification

“…PVA contains a large number of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups exhibiting strong chemical diversities. The entanglement between molecular chains can be enhanced by chemical and physical crosslinking to improve the mechanical performance of polymer gels, , while the reduction in the number of hydroxyl groups during crosslinking effectively improves the water resistance of the gel . Han et al , crosslinked the PVA gel with borax to get reversibly crosslinkable hydrogel owing to the dynamic borate–diol ester bonds.…”

Soy Protein Isolate/Genipin-Based Nanoparticles for the Stabilization of Pickering Emulsion to Design Self-Healing Guar Gum-Based Hydrogels

“…27 Besides, soy protein isolate (SPI), possessing 18 diverse amino acids, is an enriched commercial form of soy protein. 28 Compared with inorganic and synthetic high molecular polymer materials, the advantages of SPI-based nanoparticles are reflected in noncytotoxicity, economic viability, renewability, higher nutritional values, biodegradability, and eco-friendly. 29 Due to these superior properties, SPI-based micro/nanomaterials are playing an increasingly significant role in the applications of cosmetics, food engineering, and many other fields.…”

“…Soybean, a kind of abundant natural resource, possesses excellent nutritional value and low production costs . Besides, soy protein isolate (SPI), possessing 18 diverse amino acids, is an enriched commercial form of soy protein . Compared with inorganic and synthetic high molecular polymer materials, the advantages of SPI-based nanoparticles are reflected in noncytotoxicity, economic viability, renewability, higher nutritional values, biodegradability, and eco-friendly .…”