Preparation of barley and yeast β-glucan scaffolds by hydrogel foaming: Evaluation of dexamethasone release

Abstract

Porous polymeric materials are studied in tissue engineering, because they can act as support for cell proliferation and as drug delivery vehicles for regeneration of tissues. Hydrogel foaming with supercritical CO 2 is a suitable alternative for the creation of these structures, since it avoids the use of organic solvents and high temperature in the processing. In this work, β-glucans were used as raw materials to create hydrogels due to their easily gelation and biological properties. The enhancement of porosity was generated by a fast decompression after keeping the hydrogels in contact with CO 2. The effect of the processing conditions and type of β-glucan in the final properties was assessed regarding morphological and mechanical properties. Finally, the ability of these materials to sustainably deliver dexamethasone was evaluated. The scaffolds had good morphology and provided a controlled release, thus being suitable to be used as scaffolds and drug delivery vehicles.

From Cancer Therapy to Winemaking: The Molecular Structure and Applications of β-Glucans and β-1, 3-Glucanases

“…Beyond their use as immunostimulants and metabolic enhancers, β-glucans have also had their properties explored in the development of new biotechnological solutions. Notably, there are a number of recent studies exploring the potential of β-glucans as a novel support for cell culture and as scaffolds to create 3D tissue constructs [ 135 , 242 , 243 , 244 ]. Martins et al (2018) developed photopolymerizable microparticles from methacrylated laminarin, using a microfluidics device, which were incorporated with platelet lysates and further conjugated with an adhesive peptide [ 242 ].…”

Microbial Exopolysaccharides as Drug Carriers

“…Hydrogels of two beta-glucans were dried with scCO2 to produce aerogels for tissue engineering purposes. These aerogels were loaded with acetylsalicylic acid [ 107 ] or with dexamethasone [ 108 ]. High water uptakes were obtained for both glucans (between 600% and 1400%, depending on the concentration and glucan type).…”

“…These differences in water uptake promoted a different sustained drug release over 24 h. Since their specific surface areas were always higher than 100 m 2 ·g −1 , this article demonstrates the possibility of producing aerogels via scCO 2 drying. However, the Young´s modulus of the obtained aerogels was between 8–15 kPa and their application for tissue engineering must be chosen carefully [ 107 , 108 ].…”

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Aminated Zymosan

“…19 Caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid from Sonchus oleraceus Linn crude extract have a synergistic effect and delay hepatic dysfunction and improve hepatic insulin resistance. 20 ZM has been shown to have the ability to protect and deliver drugs, 21 adjuvants, 22,23 and single-strand DNA 24 and in the adsorption of toxins. 25 ZM has a large and complex molecular structure, and it is insoluble in water (a molecular weight of ∼ 296 kDa), which influences its biological effects and absorbance.…”

“…ZM has been shown to have the ability to protect and deliver drugs, adjuvants, , and single-strand DNA and in the adsorption of toxins . ZM has a large and complex molecular structure, and it is insoluble in water (a molecular weight of ∼ 296 kDa), which influences its biological effects and absorbance .…”