Marine Biomaterials II, 2017

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2017) | Viewed by 8240

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent technological and methodological advances in structural biology, genomics, proteomics, biomineralization, bioinspired materials chemistry, biological assays and biomimetics have resulted in the isolation and practical evaluation of diverse biomaterials. These compounds range in structural class from simple linear peptides to complex biopolymers, bioadhesives, bioelastomers and hierarchically structured biocomposites. There is no doubt that the diversity of biological materials of marine origin is almost equivalent to marine biodiversity, including very special aquatic niches such as in the Arctic and Antarctic seas, or abyssal and hadal zones. According to the generalized classification of biological materials of marine origin, we have chosen the following topics to be covered in the Special Issue:

  • Biomineralized structures and biocomposites of invertebrates origin (skeletal networks, macro- and microscleres, spicules, spines, bristles, cell walls, cyst walls, loricae, etc.)
  • Biomineralized structures and biocomposites of vertebrates origin (bones of whales; fish scales, spines, bones and otoliths; calculi and stones)
  • Non-mineralized structures (bioelastomers such as abductin; cartilage; bioadhesives e.g., byssus and related DOPA-based polymers; biocements and glues)
  • Macromolecular biopolymers (marine polysaccharides of algal origin; chitin, chitosan; conchiolin (periostracum), collagens, hagfish keratins, resilin, gorgonin, spongin, antipathin; marine amphipod silk)
  • Self-made biological materials (tubular structures of marine invertebrates like some protists, foraminifera or worms which are made by co-agglutination of external mineral debris, sand grains or other particles)

Prof. Dr. Hermann Ehrlich
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Keywords

  • biominerals
  • biocomposites
  • biomimetics
  • biomaterial
  • biosilica
  • bioelastomers
  • calcification
  • chitin /chitosan
  • collagen
  • corals
  • marine invertebrates
  • spicule

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

8395 KiB  
Article
Carrageenans-Sulfated Polysaccharides from Red Seaweeds as Matrices for the Inclusion of Echinochrome
by Irina M. Yermak, Natalia P. Mischchenko, Viktoria N. Davydova, Valery P. Glazunov, Daria V. Tarbeeva, Anna O. Kravchenko, Evgeniya A. Pimenova and Irina V. Sorokina
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(11), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15110337 - 01 Nov 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3737
Abstract
The possibility of using different types of carrageenans (CRG) as matrixes for incorporating of echinochrome A (Ech) was investigated. Ech interacts with carrageenans and is incorporated into the macromolecular structure of the polysaccharide. The inclusion of Ech in carrageenan matrices decreased its oxidative [...] Read more.
The possibility of using different types of carrageenans (CRG) as matrixes for incorporating of echinochrome A (Ech) was investigated. Ech interacts with carrageenans and is incorporated into the macromolecular structure of the polysaccharide. The inclusion of Ech in carrageenan matrices decreased its oxidative degradation and improved its solubility. The changing in the charge and morphology of CRGs during binding with Ech was observed. The rate of Ech release from CRG matrices depended on the structure of the used polysaccharide and the presence of specific ions. The gastroprotective effect of CRG/Ech complexes was investigated on the model of stomach ulcers induced by indomethacin in rats. Complexes of CRG/Ech exhibited significant gastroprotective activity that exceeded the activity of the reference drug Phosphalugel. The gastroprotective effect of the complexes can be associated with their protective layer on the surface of the mucous membrane of a stomach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biomaterials II, 2017)
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2531 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Ascorbate Nanoparticles for the Vaginal Delivery of Antibiotic Drugs in Atrophic Vaginitis
by Silvia Rossi, Barbara Vigani, Antonella Puccio, Maria Cristina Bonferoni, Giuseppina Sandri and Franca Ferrari
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(10), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15100319 - 19 Oct 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3949
Abstract
The aim of the present work was the development of chitosan ascorbate nanoparticles (CSA NPs) loaded into a fast-dissolving matrix for the delivery of antibiotic drugs in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. CSA NPs loaded with amoxicillin trihydrate (AX) were obtained by ionotropic [...] Read more.
The aim of the present work was the development of chitosan ascorbate nanoparticles (CSA NPs) loaded into a fast-dissolving matrix for the delivery of antibiotic drugs in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. CSA NPs loaded with amoxicillin trihydrate (AX) were obtained by ionotropic gelation in the presence of pentasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Different CSA:TPP and CSA:AX weight ratios were considered and their influence on the particle size, polydispersion index and production yield were investigated. CSA NPs were characterized for mucoadhesive, wound healing and antimicrobial properties. Subsequently, CSA NPs were loaded in polymeric matrices, whose composition was optimized using a DoE (Design of Experiments) approach (simplex centroid design). Matrices were obtained by freeze-drying aqueous solutions of three hydrophilic excipients, polyvinylpirrolidone, mannitol and glycin. They should possess a mechanical resistance suitable for the administration into the vaginal cavity and should readily dissolve in the vaginal fluid. In addition to antioxidant properties, due to the presence of ascorbic acid, CSA NPs showed in vitro mucoadhesive, wound healing and antimicrobial properties. In particular, nanoparticles were characterized by an improved antimicrobial activity with respect to a chitosan solution, prepared at the same concentration. The optimized matrix was characterized by mechanical resistance and by the fast release in simulated vaginal fluid of nanoparticles characterized by unchanged size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biomaterials II, 2017)
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