This study compared the mechanical behavior and chemical evolution of three temporary dental cements-zinc phosphate (FOZ), glass ionomer (CIS), and resin-based (DT)-aged in air and artificial saliva, and explored how microstructural changes relate to their mechanical performance. Cylindrical specimens of FOZ, CIS, and DT were prepared according to manufacturers' instructions and aged for 3, 14, and 28 days in air or artificial saliva at 25 degrees C. Compressive strength and elastic response were measured by uniaxial testing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize crystalline phases and functional groups. FOZ showed marked phase evolution, with XRD revealing a shift from a mixed ZnO-Hopeite composition toward ZnO dominance in air, while saliva preserved higher Hopeite content; these changes were associated with reduced compressive strength in air and increased strength in saliva. CIS remained crystallographically and chemically stable, with BaSO4 as the main crystalline phase and minimal FTIR changes, matching its nearly unchanged compressive strength in air. DT maintained a broadly constant biphasic calcium phosphate-zirconia pattern and a stable resin FTIR signature, consistent with its predominantly elastic behavior and modest variation in elastic force, especially in saliva. The three cements exhibit distinct, material-dependent aging patterns that directly influence their mechanical performance under simulated oral conditions.

Over the last decade, the necessity to improve osseous tissue regeneration has gained great interest, focusing on the treatment of damaged tissues due to accidents or orthopedic disorders. Further, bone regeneration is mostly influenced by the dimensions of the affected tissue which could lead to additional surgeries. The latest studies focused on the development of novel materials that could improve bone healing without affecting the surrounding tissues, thus avoiding any additional treatments. As hydroxyapatite is the most used material in bone tissue engineering, researchers focused on developing new synthesis methods with the aid of biogenic sources. In this regard, this study focused on the synthesis of hydroxyapatite materials using mussel shells and eggshells as CaO sources, in which the Ca2+ ions were further substituted with Mg2+ ions in different molar concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5% respectively). The morpho-structural and biological characteristics of the obtained powders were investigated to confirm their applicability to the biomedical field. With the aid of XRD, SEM, and FT-IR analyses, the successful synthesis of hydroxyapatite and incorporation of doping ions were confirmed. Moreover, the obtained samples showed good biological activity on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells. Considering these aspects, it could be assumed that both substituted and unsubstituted powders are suitable for further application in bone tissue engineering.

The production of green nanomaterials has drawn considerable interest lately in the fields of tissue engineering and biomedicine. Thus, the environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing orange peel extract as a natural capping and reducing agent is the main focus of this study. Our comprehensive approach allows for a direct and systematic comparison of physicochemical attributes, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity under identical experimental circumstances, in contrast to other research that looked at individual nanoparticles under different conditions. The produced nanoparticles were characterized by techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and zeta potential assessment. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells, primary human dermal fibroblast BJ cells, and murine fibroblast L929 cells were used to evaluate biocompatibility using the MTT assay. The results showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, especially above 25 µg/mL. Furthermore, both qualitative (growth inhibition zone diameter) and quantitative (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) techniques were used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy against Candida albicans and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. According to the obtained results, ZnO NPs showed broad-spectrum efficacy, whereas CuO NPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., S. aureus, MIC = 0.313 μg/μL). The study highlights the potential of green-synthesized nanoparticles for utilization in biomedical applications, and it stresses the need for additional mechanistic research, including ROS measurement, to completely understand how they work.

Burns are a widespread issue affecting many individuals, and their complications can lead to significant consequences. To mitigate these complications, it is advisable to substitute synthetic active ingredients with natural ones that offer various properties conducive to effective wound healing and prevent the formation of bacterial biofilms. This study focuses on creating systems from natural materials, specifically collagen derived from bovine skin and propolis, a productfrom bees, with antibacterial properties. The resulting systems were examined through several characterization techniques to assess their morphology, active ingredient content, release profile, and enzymatic degradation. The findings indicate that this natural component-based system shows great potential as a substitute for synthetic materials, offering the potential for effective dermal tissue regeneration and antimicrobial activity.

Over the years, nanoparticle development has been recognized as one of the most researched topics in materials science. Thus, their continuous assessment is strongly connected to their synthesis method and applicability in tissue engineering. Metal oxide nanoparticles have gained significant importance among various nanoparticles due to their outstanding antimicrobial properties. The improvement of their characteristics is highly influenced by the synthesis method. Considering this, the main concern about their route of fabrication through chemical methods is represented by the use of toxic solvents and precursors that lead to the generation of toxic by-products. Therefore, green synthesis by using bacteria, fungi, algae, and plant extracts or plant by-products is the most suitable alternative to overcome this drawback. This study aims to present the green synthesis of copper oxide, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide nanoparticles (NPs), with average sizes of 10.48 nm (CuO), 9.08 nm (MgO), and 22.81 nm (ZnO), and their physicochemical characterization. The SEM images revealed a tendency to agglomerate, particularly in CuO and ZnObased powders, with untreated ZnO NPs ranging from 100-190 nm and untreated CuO NPs exhibiting granular morphology with similar size characteristics. Post-calcination, CuO NPs'size reduced to 10-20 nm, ZnO NPs ranged from 3-15 nm, and MgO NPs were between 10-40 nm.

Honey, propolis or royal jelly are considered natural remedies with therapeutic properties since antiquity. Many papers explore the development of antimicrobial biomaterials based on individual bee products, but there is a lack of studies on their synergistic effects. Combining honey, propolis and royal jelly with silver nanoparticles in a biopolymer matrix offers a synergistic strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. This approach supports progress in wound healing, soft tissue engineering and other domains where elimination of the microorganisms is needed like food packaging. In this study we have obtained antimicrobial films based on bee products and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated in an alginate–chitosan blend. The novel biomaterials were analyzed by UV-Vis, fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopy or microscopy, SEM and thermal analysis. Antibacterial tests were conducted against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while the antifungal properties were tested against Candida albicans. The diameters for growth inhibition zones were up to 10 mm for bacterial strains and 8 mm for the fungal strain. Additionally, cytotoxicity assays were performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of the materials, the results indicating that the combination of honey, propolis, royal jelly and AgNPs does not produce synergistic toxicity.

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has stimulated the search for alternative antimicrobial agents with greater efficacy, low toxicity, and minimal resistance potential. Natural products, such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly, have shown promise due to their biological properties. The integration of natural products like honey and propolis in biomaterials represents a synergistic approach to combat the growing threat of resistant bacterial infections while improving wound care and soft tissue engineering applications. In the present work, we obtained sodium alginate films based on honey, propolis, royal jelly, and their mixture coated with chitosan for soft tissue regeneration. SEM showed that adding bee products altered surface morphology, affecting roughness, porosity, and microstructure. Spectral analysis confirmed specific chemical bonds, while thermal studies indicated a good stability up to 115 °C. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast strains (Candida albicans), with growth inhibition zone diameters up to 12 mm. In vitro cytotoxicity studies, made on human gingival fibroblasts, suggested good biocompatibility. Antimicrobial assays showed that films containing propolis tincture, alone or as a mixture, were most effective against pathogens. Future research will focus on formulation optimization for biomedical use.

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, or MgO NPs, have garnered a lot of attention because of their exceptional stability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. However, many of the green production methods used today have limited mechanistic knowledge and low reproducibility. In order to get over these challenges, we created a standardized and environmentally friendly process for producing MgO NPs using orange peel extract, a naturally occurring biowaste source rich in phytochemicals that acts as a stabilizing and reducing agent. Active precursor alteration during synthesis was clearly shown by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TGA-FTIR), while imaging techniques showed extremely crystalline cubic-phase MgO nanoparticles that were about 9 nm in size. The NPs displayed an irregular shape between 10 and 40 nm and a positive surface charge of +11.74 mV. Terpenoids, polymethoxyflavones, fatty acids, and sugars all work in collaboration with direct nucleation, regulate particle growth, and stabilize the nanoparticles, according to GC-MS analysis. The MgO NPs showed remarkable cytocompatibility in biology, preserving >80% viability in fibroblast and osteoblast cell lines while causing distinct metabolic regulation in osteoblasts without changing the shape of the cells. Consistent moderate activity against a variety of pathogens was confirmed by antimicrobial and antibiofilm assays, with special effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. This study shows that these MgO NPs have good biocompatibility and antimicrobial qualities, indicating the need for more research for possible biomedical applications. It also clarifies the molecular role of phytochemicals in nanoparticle formation and provides a repeatable green synthesis pathway.

The development of bioactive coatings that improve implant performance is critical due to bacterial colonization, biofilm formation, foreign body responses, and inadequate tissue integration for biomedical applications. To address these issues, this study aimed to synthesize and characterize hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings derived from biogenic sources (eggshells and mussel shells). Both unsubstituted and Mg2+, Sr2+, and Cu2+-substituted HAp materials were synthesized and deposited on three different substrates: two magnesium-based alloys and titanium. Structural and chemical analyses using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed successful HAp formation, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological variations influenced by the biogenic source and dopant concentration. XRD analysis showed that Cu2+ doping reduced crystallinity by 15-20 % compared to undoped HAp, while Mg2+ and Sr2+ maintained structural integrity within 5 % of undoped samplesAccording to biological evaluations, Mg substrates (I and II) reduced S. aureus biofilms by up to 8 CFU/mL, while the titanium substrate (III) demonstrated 25-30 % higher cell viability compared to Mg substrates. Further, substrate II increased its biocompatibility by 33 % from 24h to 48h (120 %-160 %). Mg2+ and Sr2+ substitutions enhanced cell proliferation, while Cu2+ presented a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that biogenic HAp coatings, with personalized composition and substrates, have good potential as multifunctional materials for inhibiting bacterial colonization and promoting osseointegration, offering valuable insights for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Osteoporosis and bone defects are commonly observed in postmenopausal women, often linked to decreased folic acid levels, which play a crucial role in bone metabolism and regeneration. This study investigates 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)-based porous scaffolds impregnated with chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HAp), and folic acid (FA) for bone tissue engineering applications. The PETG-CS scaffold serves as the primary structural framework, with HAp incorporated to enhance bioactivity through its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. FA was included to address potential deficiencies in bone quality and to stimulate cellular differentiation. The scaffolds were fabricated using precise 3D printing techniques, yielding structures with controlled porosity. Physicochemical analyses confirmed the successful integration of HAp and FA into the PETG-CS matrix. Biological evaluations using preosteoblast cell lines demonstrated enhanced cell viability, proliferation, and biocompatibility of the scaffolds. These findings highlight the promising applications of PETG-CS-HAp-FA scaffolds in bone tissue engineering, providing a platform for future investigations into personalized regenerative therapies.

One of the main challenges in hydroxyapatite research is to develop cost-effective synthesis methods that consistently produce materials closely resembling natural bone, while maintaining high biocompatibility, phase purity, and mechanical stability for biomedical applications. Traditional synthetic techniques frequently fail to provide desirable mechanical characteristics and antibacterial activity, necessitating the development of novel strategies based on natural precursors and selective ion doping. The present study aims to explore the possibility of synthesizing hydroxyapatite through the co-precipitation method, followed by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal maturation process. The main CaO sources selected for this study are eggshells and mussel shells. Cu2+ and Sr2+ ions were added into the hydroxyapatite structure at concentrations of 1% and 5% to investigate their potential for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the morpho-structural and biological properties have been investigated. Results demonstrated the success of hydroxyapatite synthesis and ion incorporation into its chemical structure. Moreover, HAp samples exhibited significant antimicrobial properties, especially the samples doped with 5% Cu and Sr. Additionally, all samples presented good biological activity on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells, demonstrating good cellular viability of all samples. Therefore, by correlating the results, it could be concluded that the undoped and doped hydroxyapatite samples are suitable biomaterials to be further applied in orthopedic applications.

The field of pharmaceutical science is witnessing a surge in interest in developing controlled-release dosage forms to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Biodegradable polymers like chitosan, sodium alginate, and starch offer significant advantages due to their biocompatibility and ability to form diverse drug delivery systems. Alginate, derived from brown seaweed or bacterial sources, is particularly promising for its antimicrobial properties. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of a porous composite material comprising alginate (Alg) as a matrix and microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as a reinforcing agent. Leveraging the distinctive properties of both alginate and ZnO NPs, this research seeks to develop a material with prospective antimicrobial efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity, potentially applicable in biomedical fields, particularly for advanced wound dressing solutions. The innovation in this study also stems from incorporating salicylic acid (SA) into the proposed Alg-ZnO wound dressings, addressing critical aspects such as infection control, inflammation reduction, and tissue regeneration promotion. The obtained materials were characterized morphologically and spectroscopically, as well as tested to establish cytotoxicity and biocompatibility. Thus, SEM/EDS and FTIR analysis indicated a good structural integrity and high functional performance of the composites. XTT and LDH assays indicated high cellular viability and a minimal cell membrane damage, which recommends them for biomedical applications.

The growing concern over antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wound infections has driven researchers to develop innovative solutions. Nanotechnology represents an effective and modern solution to overcoming wound infections that hinder healing. Developing a hydrogel with antimicrobial agents in the form of nanoparticles leads to a composite dressing that includes the characteristics required for successful healing, reassuring the properties of each material used and thus ensuring the action ofAall in one place. The present work is centralized on developing a hydrogel dressing made from polyvinyl alcohol and alginate, including silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial mandarin oil. The samples were analyzed using physicochemical techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and biological tests, to assess their antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility. The results obtained confirm that this solution developed to stimulate the natural healing process through its main activity against the development of biofilms presents an effective approach due to the architecture of the hydrogel, which allows the release of silver nanoparticles covered with mandarin oil as well as due to its structure which fulfills many of the necessary conditions for the healing of an infected wound.

This study explores the deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles onto cotton fibers to enhance their antimicrobial properties, aiming to create advanced materials for medical gowns. ZnO nanoparticles were deposited onto cotton fibers using the spin-coating method with varying concentrations of precursor solutions and numbers of layers. The structural, morphological, and chemical properties of the coated textiles were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) and correlated with the antimicrobial assay results. Results indicated that a precursor concentration of 0.5 M and optimal layering (20 layers) led to a uniform distribution of ZnO nanoparticles, with sizes ranging from 40 to 90 nm. This configuration exhibited also the highest antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans). In contrast, samples with higher precursor concentrations and larger microparticles showed reduced antimicrobial performance. These findings highlight the importance of controlling nanoparticle size and deposition conditions to achieve maximum antimicrobial efficacy.

The treatment of chronic wounds involves precise requirements and complex challenges, as the healing process cannot go beyond the inflammatory phase, therefore increasing the healing time and implying a higher risk of opportunistic infection. Following a better understanding of the healing process, oxygen supply has been validated as a therapeutic approach to improve and speed up wound healing. Moreover, the local implications of antimicrobial agents (such as silver-based nano-compounds) significantly support the normal healing process, by combating bacterial contamination and colonization. In this study, silver (S) and tannylated calcium peroxide (CaO2@TA) nanoparticles were obtained by adapted microfluidic and precipitation synthesis methods, respectively. After complementary physicochemical evaluation, both types of nanoparticles were loaded in (Alg) alginate-based gels that were further evaluated as possible dressings for wound healing. The obtained composites showed a porous structure and uniform distribution of nanoparticles through the polymeric matrix (evidenced by spectrophotometric analysis and electron microscopy studies), together with a good swelling capacity. The as-proposed gel dressings exhibited a constant and suitable concentration of released oxygen, as shown for up to eight hours (UV–Vis investigation). The biofilm modulation data indicated a synergistic antimicrobial effect between silver and tannylated calcium peroxide nanoparticles, with a prominent inhibitory action against the Gram-positive bacterial biofilm after 48 h. Beneficial effects in the human keratinocytes cultured in contact with the obtained materials were demonstrated by the performed tests, such as MTT, LDH, and NO.

In recent years, significant advancements in nanotechnology have facilitated the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with tailored sizes and shapes, offering versatile applications across various fields, particularly in biomedicine. ZnO’s multifunctional properties, such as semiconductor behavior, luminescence, photocatalytic activity, and antibacterial efficacy, make it highly attractive for biomedical applications. This study focuses on synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles via the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, varying the precursor concentrations (0.3488 mol/L, 0.1744 mol/L, 0.0872 mol/L, 0.0436 mol/L, and 0.0218 mol/L) and reaction times (15, 30, and 60 min). Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, BET surface area analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to assess the structural, morphological, and chemical properties. The predominant morphology is observed to be platelets, which exhibit a polygonal shape with beveled corners and occasionally include short rod-like inserts. The thickness of the platelets varies between 10 nm and 50 nm, increasing with the concentration of Zn2+ in the precursor solution. Preliminary antimicrobial studies indicated that all strains (S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans) were sensitive to interaction with ZnO, exhibiting inhibition zone diameters greater than 10 mm, particularly for samples with lower precursor concentrations. Cell viability studies on human osteoblast cells demonstrated good compatibility, affirming the potential biomedical applicability of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. This research underscores the influence of synthesis parameters on the properties of ZnO nanoparticles, offering insights for optimizing their design for biomedical applications.

Since cancer is a continuously increasing concern for the general population, more efficient treatment alternatives ought to be developed. In this regard, a promising direction is represented by the use of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) to act both as a nanocarrier for the targeted release of antitumoral drugs and as hyperthermia agents. Thus, the present study focused on improving the control upon the outcome properties of MNPs by using two synthesis methods, namely the co-precipitation and microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, for the incorporation of usnic acid (UA), a natural lichen-derived metabolite with proven anticancer activity. The obtained UA-loaded MNPs were thoroughly characterized regarding their morpho-structural and physicochemical properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Results demonstrated the formation of magnetite as the unique mineralogical phase through both types of synthesis, with increased uniformity regarding the drug loading efficiency, size, stability, and magnetic properties obtained through the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the nanostructures against the HEK 293T cell line was investigated through the XTT assay, which further proved their potential for anticancer treatment applications.

Combining polimers with polyphenols such as gallic acid opens up new directions in healthcare system. By encapsulating secondary metabollites within PLGA nanoparticles, we tried to enhance their stability, solubility, and obtain a targeted delivery system. In this study, we synthesized a PLGA-gallic acid sustained release system, using the solvent evaporation method. This approach improved the therapeutic efficacy of gallic acid. The numerical distribution showed that most PLGA-GA nanoparticles have a size of 10 nm. Through the method of solvent evaporation, an incorporation efficiency of 49% was obtained.

The aim of our study was to develop a more advanced method of using some already existing drugs by synthesizing a multicomponent biopolymeric nanocomposite material, which would function as a local drug release system. Thus, we started from simple polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles, synthesized by the double emulsion method. Then we functionalized the surface of the obtained material with polydopamine (PDA) to which we bound bisphosphonates (used in the current medical practice for the treatment of osteosarcoma). This resulted in a composite material with improved properties compared to constituent materials. The synthesized polymer biocomposites were characterized by SEM (morphological aspects) and Diffusion Light Scattering (DLS) (granulometric dimensions, zeta potential). The chosen synthesis method is simple, inexpensive, with easily adjustable parameters. The theoretical studies carried out regarding the bisphosphonate-polydopamine interaction showed a better stability for the risedronate interaction complex which agrees with the experimental data obtained for it.

Orthopedic bone graft infections are major complications in today's medicine, and the demand for antibacterial treatments is expanding because of the spread of antibiotic resistance. Various compositions of hydroxyapatite (HAp) in which Calcium (Ca2+) ions are substituted with Cerium (Ce3+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) are herein proposed as biomaterials for hard tissue implants. This approach gained popularity in recent years and, in the pursuit of mimicking the natural bone mineral's composition, over 70 elements of the Periodic Table were already reported as substituents into HAp structure. The current study aimed to create materials based on HAp, Hap-Ce, and Hap-Mg using hydrothermal maturation in the microwave field. This route has been considered a novel, promising, and effective way to obtain monodisperse, fine nanoparticles while easily controlling the synthesis parameters. The synthesized HAp powders were characterized morphologically and structurally by XRD diffraction, Dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, FTIR spectrometry, and SEM analysis. Proliferation and morphological analysis on osteoblast cell cultures were used to demonstrate the cytocompatibility of the produced biomaterials. The antimicrobial effect was highlighted in the synthesized samples, especially for hydroxyapatite substituted with cerium. Therefore, the samples of HAp substituted with cerium or magnesium are proposed as biomaterials with enhanced osseointegration, also having the capacity to reduce device-associated infections.