In this study, a gelatin- and xanthan-gum-based biomaterial enhanced with barbaloin was developed and evaluated for its potential application in wound healing. The scaffold was designed to leverage the biocompatibility of gelatin, structural stability provided by xanthan gum, and therapeutic properties of barbaloin. Physicochemical characterization was conducted using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. XRD patterns indicated an amorphous structure, favorable for enhanced swelling and controlled drug release, whereas FTIR confirmed effective molecular interactions among the components. SEM imaging revealed a porous and interconnected architecture that is essential for cell migration and nutrient exchange. Swelling and porosity assessments demonstrated the ability of the scaffold to efficiently absorb wound exudates and maintain a moist environment conducive to tissue regeneration. Biocompatibility, evaluated via the MTT assay, showed high fibroblast viability, confirming the non-toxic nature of the material. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities between barbaloin and wound healing-related proteins, suggesting its role in modulating inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Overall, the Gelatin/Xanthan Gum/Barbaloin scaffold exhibited excellent physicochemical characteristics, cytocompatibility, and therapeutic potential, making it a promising candidate for advanced wound dressing applications.
Raam Kumar, Saranya Srinivasan, Ashwathi Vijayalekha et al.· Trends in Biomaterials & Art...· 0 citations
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory disease. The potential therapeutic benefits of natural products in modifying the inflammatory pathways linked to RA have drawn increasing attention. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory property of Leea indica using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methodology: Bioactive compounds of Leea indica were identified using public phytochemical databases. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to determine RA-associated genes and construct a compound–target–disease interaction network. Enrichment analysis identified key signalling pathways involved in inflammation, particularly NF-κB and cytokine-mediated pathways. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of major phytocompounds with RA-related protein targets. In addition, qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify major secondary metabolites in the leaf extract. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated using the phosphomolybdenum (PM) assay and the egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay for anti-inflammatory properties. Results: Phytochemical analysis verified the existence of multiple bioactive compounds. The egg albumin denaturation assay also showed increasing anti-inflammatory activity, reaching 85.23% inhibition at 300 μL. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that multiple Leea indica compounds strongly interacted with RA-associated targets. Pathway enrichment highlighted significant involvement of inflammation-related pathways, including NF-κB, TNF, and IL-17 signalling. Among the compounds, kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside exhibited strong binding with caspase-3 (−9.23 kcal/mol) and GAPDH (−10.17 kcal/mol), suggesting a role in apoptotic and metabolic regulation. Catechin gallate also demonstrated strong binding with AKT1 (−9.4 kcal/mol). Conclusion: The findings of the study support the plant as a promising candidate for further pharmacological investigation.
Mersiha Abdul Rahim, Vinith Roshan Victor Rajesh, Yasmin Banu Chanbasha et al.· Natural Resources for Human...· 0 citations
