Objective(s): Rapid healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis as one of the most important parasitic diseases leads to the decrease of scars and prevention of a great threat to the looks of the affected people. Today, the use of nano-scaffolds is rapidly increasing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine with structures similar to the target tissue. Chitosan (CS) is a bioactive polymer with antimicrobial and accelerating features of healing wounds, which is commonly used in biomedicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CS/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/berberine (BBR) nanofibers on the experimental ulcers of Leishmania major in BALB/c mice.Materials and Methods: CS/PEO/BBR nanofibers were prepared by the electrospinning method, and their morphology was examined by SEM, TEM, and AFM. Then, water absorption, stability, biocompatibility, porosity, and drug release from nano-scaffolds were explored. Afterward, 28 BALB/c mice infected with the parasite were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, and their wounds were dressed with the produced nano-scaffolds. Finally, the effect of nanobandage on the animals was investigated by macroscopic, histopathologic, and in vivo imaging examinations.Results: The prepared nanofibers were completely uniform, cylindrical, bead-free, and biocompatible with an average diameter of 94±12 nm and had appropriate drug release. In addition, the reduced skin ulcer diameter (P=0.000), parasite burden (P=0.003), changes in the epidermis (P=0.023), and dermis (P=0.032) indicated significantly strong effectiveness of the produced nano-scaffolds against leishmania ulcers. Conclusion: Studies showed that CS/PEO/BBR nanofibers have a positive effect on the rapid healing of leishmania ulcers. Future studies should focus on other chronic ulcers treatment.

https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_15482_4642212b26932d029c503b45b9f0cc25.pdf

Chitosan-based nano-scaffolds as antileishmanial wound dressing in BALB/c mice treatment: Characterization and design of tissue regeneration

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the infectious diseases and health problems in tropical regions. Glucantime is commonly used to treat CL and it, not only has some side effects but also observation shows the drug resistance of some of the various Leishmania species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and bioresonance waves on Leishmania, in vitro. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, Leishmania major promastigotes were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin and streptomycin at 23°C. After 6 days, the parasites achieved stationary phases of promastigotes, Then the effects of different concentrations of AgNPs (1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 μg/mL) and different radiation times of bioresonance wave (5 and 20 minutes) were investigated. Herein, the effects of various treatment on parasites proliferation were evaluated with live promastigotes counting after 24, 48 and 72 hours treatment. Results: The parasite count showed that the various concentrations of AgNPs, radiation of bioresonance wave and combination significantly decreased the numbers of live promastigotes over time compared with the control group after 72 hours. The highest antileishmanial activity was seen for AgNPs at concentration of 1 μg/mL when combined with 20 minutes radiation of bioresonance wave (proliferation inhibition: 79.92%). Conclusions: Based on our result, AgNPs and bioresonance waves are potent antileishmanial agents. The authors declare that the more studies should be done.

http://www.biotechrep.ir/article_106075_d891cd0aeeb864e30ce54dd8a86b4f98.pdf

Investigation the Effect of Silver Nanoparticles and Bioresonance Wave Radiation on Leishmania major: An In Vitro Study

Osteogenic differentiation of pre-conditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with Nisin on modified poly-L-lactic-acid nanofibers

Objective(s): Design and construction of biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds are among the main goals of tissue engineering. Recently, use of nano-hydroxyapatite as a bioactive bioceramic agent with high similarity to the mineral phase of the human bone tissue, in combination with biodegradable polymers and implant coatings has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of biomaterial sciences. The present study aimed to assess the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in osteoblast-like cells on the chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold in mature rats.Materials and Methods: Chitosan and PEO solution with the weight ratio of 80:20 and 70:30 were prepared, and 2% weight of nano-hydroxyapatite was added. Nanofibers were prepared using the electrospinning method, and the morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Afterwards, the BMSCs of mature rats were cultured on nanofibers and differentiated by adding a differentiation medium. The survival of the differentiated cells was evaluated at the end of the first, second, and third week using acridine orange staining, and the morphology of the differentiated cells exposed to nanofibers was assessed using SEM. Results: The mean diameter of the nanofibers with the ratio of 80:20 was 150±17 nanometers. The differentiation of BMSCs into the osteoblast-like cells on nanofibers was confirmed using Alizarin red staining. The results indicated a significant decrease in the survival of the differentiated cells in the nanofiber groups by the end of the third week of differentiation compared to the control samples.Conclusion: According to the results, BMSCs could be differentiated into osteoblast-like cells in the presence of the chitosan/PEO nanofibers containing nano-hydroxyapatite.

https://nmj.mums.ac.ir/article_13124_b13fd1b4758abc627c32734b3320bb0f.pdf

Investigation of osteoblast-like cells cultured on nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan based composite scaffold in the treatment of bone defects and limited mobility

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are progenitor cells of connective tissue with the ability of proliferation, self-renewal, and multilineage differentiation that make it a promising source with an enormous potential to be utilized for tissue repairing and vehicles of cell-based gene therapy. The low survival rate of MSCs following transplantation is their drawback. Preconditioning with some factors is a novel and effective strategy, improving the survival of the cells by protecting them from harmful conditions and result in the good recovery of injured tissues. Nisin is a prebiotic with antimicrobial activity. This manuscript aimed to evaluate the effect of Nisin preconditioning of MSCs on in vitro cell viability. MSCs were cultured and preconditioned with Nisin in different concentrations. Then, they are separately exposed to H2O2 and serum deprivation. Cell survival and cell apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and Real-time PCR, respectively. Furthermore, Annexin-PI staining and caspase activity was performed to visualize apoptotic cells. MSC-Nisin viability and proliferation significantly increased when exposed to H2O2 and serum deprivation, compared to that of MSCs. About 250 and 500 IU/mL of Nisin donate a significant anti-apoptotic impact to MSCs. Our data suggest that preconditioning with Nisin has been improved cell viability and the anti-apoptotic capacity of MSCs. However, the mechanism related to the protective properties of preconditioning and using this strategy in stem cell therapy requires more research.

Asgar Emamgholi

Papers

Investigation of osteoblast-like cells cultured on nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan based composite scaffold in the treatment of bone defects and limited mobility

Anti-apoptotic effect of Nisin as a prebiotic on human mesenchymal stem cells in harsh condition