This study developed a dual-network hydrogel patch loaded with Dictyophora indusiata β-glucans to enhance diabetic wound healing. The hydrogel combines a flexible primary network formed by polymerized sulfobetaine methacrylate with a rigid secondary alginate network crosslinked via metal ions. The resulting material demonstrates favorable mechanical properties for wound care, achieving 600 % elongation at break, 3.12 MPa compressive strength, and 1.5 kPa tissue adhesion strength. These characteristics meet with the physical requirements necessary for effective diabetic wound management. Furthermore, the β-glucans derived from Dictyophora indusiata, which serve as the main bioactive component, endowed the hydrogel patch with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cellular experiments have demonstrated that the hydrogel patch significantly reduces reactive oxygen species levels in cells and inhibits inflammatory responses. In animal wound model, diabetic wound treated with a hydrogel patch achieved a closure rate of 98.26 % by the second week. Additionally, histological analyses revealed that the hydrogel patch significantly facilitates angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization in diabetic wound. Consequently, the hydrogel patch based on β-glucans from Dictyophora indusiata appears to be an effective agent for promoting wound healing, thereby offering a novel therapeutic strategy for the repair of diabetic wound.

This study evaluated the effect of Stemregen® nutritional supplement on inflammation and resorption in apical periodontitis using a rat model.

Rats were divided in three groups: negative control (n=7), positive control (n=10), and Stemregen® (Stem) (n=10). Apical periodontitis was induced in the positive control and Stem groups, and all rats were sacrificed on the 30th day. Serum phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were analyzed. Histopathological assessments measured osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity, inflammation, fibrosis, and abscess density. Immunohistochemical analyses evaluated RANKL, TRAP, and OPG levels.

Results showed significantly lower osteoblastic activity in the negative control compared to Stem and positive control groups (p=0.005). Osteoclastic activity was higher in the positive control (p=0.032). Inflammation and abscess formation were reduced in the Stem group compared to the positive control (p<0.001). OPG levels were lower in the negative control compared to the other groups (p=0.005).

Stemregen® effectively reduced inflammation and bone destruction, suggesting potential benefits for apical periodontitis management, though further research is needed.

As one of the most common and serious infections caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans), periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) increasingly concerns surgeons and scientists. Generally, biofilms shield C. albicans from antifungal agents and immune clearance and induce drug-resistant strains. Developing novel strategies for PJI to get rid of current drug-resistant problems is highly needed. In our study, splitomicin (SP) can inhibit the mycelium formation of C. albicans and enhance the drug sensitivity of C. albicans to miconazole nitrate (MCZ). The combination of SP and MCZ significantly inhibited the viability, proliferation and adhesion of C. albicans, reduced the yeast to hyphae transition and biofilm formation. When SP and MCZ were coloaded in the β-glucan hydrogel, a viscoelastic solid with porous 3D network, sustained release and erosion properties was obtained. In the in vivo PJI mice model, SP-MCZ-β-glucan hydrogel effectively reduced the colonization and aggregation of C. albicans around the implant, reduced the pathological changes caused by C. albicans in the femur tissue. Therefore, SP-MCZ-β-glucan hydrogel holds a great promise for the management of C. albicans infection around joint prosthesis.

Yeast cell wall (YCW) polysaccharides, including β-glucans, mannans, chitins, and glycogens, can be extracted from the waste of beer industry. They are environmentally friendly, abundant, inexpensive raw materials, and have shown broad biological activities and application potentials. The exploitation of yeast polysaccharides is of great importance for environmental protection and resource utilization. This paper reviews the structural features and preparation of YCW polysaccharides. The solubility and emulsification of yeast polysaccharides and the properties of binding metal ions are presented. In addition, biological activities such as blood glucose and lipid lowering, immune regulation, antioxidant, promotion of intestinal health, and promotion of wound healing are proposed, highlighting the beneficial effects of yeast polysaccharides on human health. Through modification, the physical and chemical properties of yeast polysaccharides are changed, which emphasizes the promotion of their biological activities and properties. In addition, the food applications of yeast polysaccharides, including the food packaging film, emulsifier, thickening agent, and fat alternatives, are focused and discussed.

The cell surface of fungus contains a large number of β-glucans, which exhibit various biological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation. Fungal β-glucans with highly branched structure show great potential as wound healing reagents, because they can stimulate the expression of many immune- and inflammatory-related factors beneficial to wound healing. Recently, the wound healing ability of many fungal β-glucans have been investigated in animals and clinical trials. Studies have proved that fungal β-glucans can promote fibroblasts proliferation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration during the wound healing process. However, the development of fungal β-glucans as wound healing reagents is not systematically reviewed till now. This review discusses the wound healing studies of β-glucans obtained from different fungal species. The structure characteristics, extraction methods, and biological functions of fungal β-glucans with wound healing ability are summarized. Researches about fungal β-glucan-containing biomaterials and structurally modified β-glucans for wound healing are also involved.

The study aimed to develop a biopolymer-based mupirocin film-forming spray (MUP-FFS) for wound healing using chitosan and α-cellulose. MUP-FFS formulation was optimized by box-Behnken design, wherein the amount of chitosan, glycerol, and microfluidizer cycles showed a significant effect on the drying time and sprayability, but drug release remained unaffected. The optimized MUP-FFS formulation prepared by 13 microfluidizer cycles containing chitosan (0.125 %), glycerol (2.76 %) was quickly sprayable with 235 s drying time. The viscosity, spray uniformity and occlusive potential were found optimum for MUP-FFS. MUP-FFS released 98.066 % of MUP, 2-fold and 4-fold greater than the marketed ointment and MUP-API. The transmission electron microscopy displayed a homogeneous fibrous network, and scanning electron microphotographs showed uniform drug distribution on the MUP-film surface. The antimicrobial study revealed the efficacy of MUP-FFS against S.aureus and E.coli, wherein the former was more susceptible to formulation than the later. MUP-FFS indicated better wound contraction and healing than other groups on 7th and 14th day in rats. On Day-21, MUP-FFS could regress TGF-β1 to a normal level similar to the marketed formulation, which was also reflected in histopathological observations. Therefore, MUP-FFS can be a treatment option for chronic wounds, applied without touch and with minimal mechanical pressure.

β-Glucans, which are naturally present in cereals, yeast, and mushrooms, have gained attention as a potential natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Due to the availability of β-glucans from several sources, different extraction methods can be employed to obtain high purity extracts that can be further modified to enhance their solubility or other biological properties. Apart from their known ability to interact with the immune system, β-glucans possess specific properties that could benefit overall skin health and prevent age-related signs, including soothing and antioxidant activities. As a result, the use of β-glucans to mitigate damage caused by environmental stressors or skin-related issues that accelerate skin aging or trigger chronic inflammation may represent a promising, natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to maintaining skin homeostasis balance. This review outlines β-glucan extraction methodologies, molecular structure, functionalization approaches, and explores skin-related benefits of β-glucans, along with an overview of related products in the market.