Nanomaterials: Versatile Drug Carriers for Nanomedicine
275
photosensitizing molecules, respectively to achieve the anti-microbial activity. Sherwani et al. synthesized AuNPs combined with photosensitizer showing anti-fungal
activity in mice with Candida albicans infected wounds [82]. Topical application at
the site of the injury helped to enhance wound healing distinguished by increased
granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, collagen fiber content, and ECM
deposition.
Chitosan-AuNPs showed increased free-radical scavenging activity by several
folds with enhanced biocompatibility. In a rat surgical wound model study, chitosanAuNPs substantially increased epithelial tissue formation, improved hemostasis with
a faster rate of healing than that of chitosan dressing alone. Also, in the in vitro studies
carried in rats, the cryopreserved human fibroblasts combined with AuNPs (CrHFCAuNPs) were topically applied to burn wounds showed enhanced healing rate with
increased deposition of collagen and reduced inflammatory phase [97].
15 Peptide Nanoparticles
Peptide nanoparticles can be synthesized through self-assembly approaches and
molecular chemistry used in biomedicines for targeted drug delivery and also helpful
in understanding cell signaling. Mimicking of the natural ECM is possible with the
help of a self-assembled peptide scaffold with functionally modified for increased
interaction with the other cells and tissues. A typical example is of peptide hydrogels,
which are shown to have excessive cytocompatibility along with the biocompatibility
in various biological systems [98].
Fibrils are made up of synthesized peptides by folding, thereby converting it into
hydrogels, stimulated, and distributed evenly in cell cultures without affecting its
viability [99]. In in vitro studies, the peptide hydrogels are shown to stimulate the
ability of cell attachment, helps to differentiate liver progenitor cells into hepatocytes, thus significant contribution towards the regeneration of the liver tissue [100].
In many studies, peptide hydrogels help to smoothen the survival of endogenous
endothelial cells, thus providing a better microenvironment [101].
Some tailor-made, peptide amphiphile (PA) systems have been synthesized
expressing bioactive epitopes, helping in augmentation of the scaffolds for interesting cell types. For example, a PA was designed with specific cell adhesion epitope
Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) aimed to alternately support the development of mononuclear cells of bone marrow and epithelial cells present in enamel. At the same time,
the absence of the RGDS epitope in the control group resulted in a lowered number
of mononuclear cells of bone marrow [102].
In a new strategy developed, a mixture of different hyaluronic acids was allowed
to yield a self-sealing pouch. This was filled with specific liquids used to encapsulate
human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and to be used to target sites to deliver MSCs
for tissue regeneration [103]. In recent studies, a self-assembled conjugated peptide
was used in bone injury to promote regeneration, and the functional recovery of the
chondrocytes [104]. The peptide hydrogels thus reveal to have significant benefits
275
photosensitizing molecules, respectively to achieve the anti-microbial activity. Sherwani et al. synthesized AuNPs combined with photosensitizer showing anti-fungal
activity in mice with Candida albicans infected wounds [82]. Topical application at
the site of the injury helped to enhance wound healing distinguished by increased
granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, collagen fiber content, and ECM
deposition.
Chitosan-AuNPs showed increased free-radical scavenging activity by several
folds with enhanced biocompatibility. In a rat surgical wound model study, chitosanAuNPs substantially increased epithelial tissue formation, improved hemostasis with
a faster rate of healing than that of chitosan dressing alone. Also, in the in vitro studies
carried in rats, the cryopreserved human fibroblasts combined with AuNPs (CrHFCAuNPs) were topically applied to burn wounds showed enhanced healing rate with
increased deposition of collagen and reduced inflammatory phase [97].
15 Peptide Nanoparticles
Peptide nanoparticles can be synthesized through self-assembly approaches and
molecular chemistry used in biomedicines for targeted drug delivery and also helpful
in understanding cell signaling. Mimicking of the natural ECM is possible with the
help of a self-assembled peptide scaffold with functionally modified for increased
interaction with the other cells and tissues. A typical example is of peptide hydrogels,
which are shown to have excessive cytocompatibility along with the biocompatibility
in various biological systems [98].
Fibrils are made up of synthesized peptides by folding, thereby converting it into
hydrogels, stimulated, and distributed evenly in cell cultures without affecting its
viability [99]. In in vitro studies, the peptide hydrogels are shown to stimulate the
ability of cell attachment, helps to differentiate liver progenitor cells into hepatocytes, thus significant contribution towards the regeneration of the liver tissue [100].
In many studies, peptide hydrogels help to smoothen the survival of endogenous
endothelial cells, thus providing a better microenvironment [101].
Some tailor-made, peptide amphiphile (PA) systems have been synthesized
expressing bioactive epitopes, helping in augmentation of the scaffolds for interesting cell types. For example, a PA was designed with specific cell adhesion epitope
Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) aimed to alternately support the development of mononuclear cells of bone marrow and epithelial cells present in enamel. At the same time,
the absence of the RGDS epitope in the control group resulted in a lowered number
of mononuclear cells of bone marrow [102].
In a new strategy developed, a mixture of different hyaluronic acids was allowed
to yield a self-sealing pouch. This was filled with specific liquids used to encapsulate
human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and to be used to target sites to deliver MSCs
for tissue regeneration [103]. In recent studies, a self-assembled conjugated peptide
was used in bone injury to promote regeneration, and the functional recovery of the
chondrocytes [104]. The peptide hydrogels thus reveal to have significant benefits