This work involves the preparation and characterization of alginate nanoparticles (Alg NPs) as a new transdermal carrier for site particular transport of glucosamine sulfate (GS). The GS–Alg NPs were examined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric spectroscopy. GS–Alg NPs was efficiently prepared via ionic gelation method which generates favorable conditions for the entrapment of hydrophilic drugs. The TEM studies revealed that GS–Alg NPs are discrete and have spherical shapes. FTIR studies showed a spectral change of the characteristic absorptions bands of Alg NPs after encapsulation with GS because of the amine groups of GS and the carboxylic acid groups of Alg. The DSC data showed changes in the thermal behavior of GS–Alg NPs after the addition of GS indicating signs of main chemical interaction among the drug (GS) and the polymer (Alg). The absence of the drug melting endothermic peak within the DSC thermogram of GS–Alg NPs indicating that GS is molecularly dispersed in the NPs and not crystallize. From the dielectric study, it was found modifications within the dielectric loss (ε″) and conductivity (σ) values after the addition of GS. The ε″ and σ values of Alg NPs decreased after the addition of GS which indicated the successful encapsulation of GS within Alg NPs. Furthermore, the dielectric study indicated an increase of the activation energy and the relaxation time for the first process in the GS–Alg NPs as compared to Alg NPs. Consequently, the existing observations indicated an initiation of electrostatic interaction among the amine group of GS and carboxyl group of Alg indicating the successful encapsulation of GS inside Alg NPs which could provide favorable circumstance for the encapsulation of GS for topical management.

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone/polyvinyl alcohol (PVP/PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone/starch (PVP/St) blends were prepared with different compositions. The compatibility studies indicate that PVP/PVA is compatible while PVP/St is incompatible. The addition of glycerol and glutaraldehyde can improve to some extent the phase separation behavior between PVP and St. The permittivity e 0 and the dielectric loss e 00 were measured in the frequency range 0.01 Hz up to 10 MHz and temperatures from 30 up to 90 C. It is found that the blend ratio (50/50) of both investigated systems is preferable for insulation purposes in comparable with the other blends under investigation. The data of the loss electric modulus M 00 was calculated from the dielectric parameters e 0 and e 00 and analyzed into three relaxation mechanisms ascribing the cooperative motion of the main and side chains s 1 (ab), the side chain motion s 2 (b) and the segmental motion of the groups attached to the side chains s 3 (bc). The activation energy corresponds to the second relaxation process DH 2 was calculated using Arrhenius equation and found to be in the range which justifies the presumption of b-relaxation process.

The present study evaluates the synergistic antimicrobial effect of the propolis-encapsulated alginate nanoparticles (propolis-ALg NPs) against different pathogenic bacteria. The prepared samples were characterised by transimissin electron microscope (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential and dielectric spectroscopy. The morphological analysis using TEM revealed that, the propolis-ALg NPs are spherical, discrete and have a small particle size (13 nm) in the nanometer scale. FTIR studies showed a spectral change of the characteristic absorption bands of ALg NPs after being encapsulated with propolis. A high negative zeta potential value is obtained for propolis-ALg NPs which indicates a high suspension stability of the prepared formulation. The dielectric study showed a decrease in the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″) and conductivity (σ) values after the incorporation of the propolis into ALg NPs. All these investigations confirm the successful encapsulation of propolis within ALg NPs. On the other hand, the propolis-ALg NPs sample showed the highest antimicrobial activity against all examined pathogens in comparison with pure propolis and/or antibiotic (clindamycin). So, it can be concluded that the propolis-ALg NPs exhibited a synergistic antibacterial activity against different bacterial strains.

Glucosamine sulfate (GS) has been used orally for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). However, it may be susceptible to the liver first pass phenomenon, which greatly affects its bioavailability, in addition to its side effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Alginate nanoparticles (Alg NPs) were investigated as a new drug carrier for transdermal delivery of GS to improve its effectiveness and reduce side effects. GS-Alg NPs were characterized by encapsulation efficiency, NP yield, particle size and surface charge properties. The in vitro release studies of GS and the ex vivo permeability through rat skin were determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. GS-Alg NPs are within the nanometer range of size. High negative surface charge values are obtained and indicate the high suspension stability of the prepared formulation. The in vitro release studies showed that GS is released from Alg NPs in a sustained and prolonged manner. The ex vivo permeability of GS through rat skin is enhanced significantly after encapsulation in the negatively charged Alg NPs. We successfully reported a highly stable nanoparticlulate system using Alg NPs that permits the encapsulation of GS for topical administration, overcoming the disadvantages of oral administration.

This investigation aimed to improve and enhance the immune system status of newborn Egyptian-Nubian goats using Alginate nanoparticles (ALg NPs) as a new drug carrier for the oral delivery of propolis. Propolis was selected as a natural additive of colostrum due to its amazing functional properties. In addition, through its implementation into ALg NPs, its handling properties have been improved and potentiated. Alginate-propolis NPs were prepared by the controlled gellification method. Morphological analysis of the ALg-propolis NPs was examined using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The flavonoids content of the propolis was analyzed by HPLC. Thirty twins Egyptian Nubian goats (Zaraibi) kids were randomly allotted into three groups; 10 in each group. The rearing systems during the suckling period were extended to 13 weeks as follows: C: Free suckling (FS), where the born kids were kept with their dams until being 13 weeks old (control). T1: (FS) + 0.6 ml propolis (twice/week). T2: (FS) + 0.06 ml Alg-propolis NPs (twice/week). The kids were weighed biweekly and the daily body weight gains were recorded. The serum levels of immunoglobulins; IgA and IgG, serum total protein as well as the serum cytokine levels; IFN-γ, TNFα, IL1β, and IL6 after treatment with propolis and ALg-Propolis NPs were determined at different treatment time. The HPLC analysis revealed 15 flavonoid compounds that are characteristic of propolis. The TEM result showed that the ALg-Propolis NPs are discrete and have spherical shapes with small particle sizes in the nanometer scale (10 nm). Also, the results revealed that both propolis and ALg-Propolis NPs caused a significant increase (P<0.05) of the serum IgG and IgA immunoglobulin levels and a decrease of the serum cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNFα, IL1β, and IL6) of newborn Egyptian-Nubian goats. However, the ALg-Propolis NPs have a more potent effect on the IgG and IgA immunoglobulin levels and cytokine levels than pure propolis. The results indicated that the nano-encapsulation of propolis within ALg NPs reflected on the health status of the kids, increased the titer of the immunoglobulins; IgG and IgA and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines. It could conclude that the feasibility of developing a successful propolis oral delivery nano-system on an industrial scale using the ALg NPs to improve the immune status of the Egyptian-Nubian newborn kids.

Gallic acid (GA) is a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anticancer effects. However, the potential of GA as an anticancer agent is restricted by its poor absorption, rapid elimination, and low bioavailability. Nanostructure-drug carriers have opened up a new field in cancer therapy by improving the efficacy of drugs. In this work, we developed a nanoformulation of GA in carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). The particle size, surface charge and molecular structure of the CMC NPs loaded and unloaded with GA were measured using TEM, DLS and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. The dielectric parameters (permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″) were measured in the frequency range (0.1 Hz–5 MHz) at room temperature. Additionally, the in-vitro anti-cancer effects of the GA, CMC NPs, and GA-CMC NPs were tested against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), and normal skin fibroblast cells (BJ1) using MTT assay. TEM confirmed that the NPs have a spherical morphology within the size range of 15 nm. DLS studies revealed NPs with a mean diameter of 31.06 nm. The zeta potential results indicated the high suspension stability of the prepared nanoformulation. The FTIR results indicated the interaction between GA and CMC NPs. The dielectric study showed a decrease within the ε″ and conductivity values of GA-CMC NPs which confirmed the successful encapsulation of GA within the CMC NPs. Cytotoxicity studies indicated that the GA-CMC NPs showed specific toxicity towards cancer cells and non-toxicity to normal cells. Overall, these results indicate that the GA-CMC NPs will be an efficient nanocarrier for delivering gallic acid to cancer cells.

Introduction: The encapsulations of phytochemical compounds within nanoparticles are attracting interest as a novel effective strategy to induce bacterial damage regardless of antibiotic sensitivity. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activities of different extracts of Moringa Oleifera combined with alginate nanoparticles (ALg NPs) against different pathogenic bacteria. Methods : The Moringa-ALg NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and FTIR. In addition to that, the antimicrobial activities were assessed by using the agar well diffusion method. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was utilized to examine the ultrastructural changes induced in bacteria by Moringa-ALg NPs. In this study, the Moringa-ALg NPs have a hydrodynamic diameter of 12 nm and zeta potential of -56 mV. Results: The FTIR results indicate the successful encapsulation of Moringa within ALg NPs. On the other hand, the Moringa-ALg NPs exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against all examined pathogens as compared to pure Moringa extracts. Furthermore, the SEM images revealed that the bacterial cells exposed to Moringa-ALg NPs had an irregular and wrinkled appearance. Conclusion: In summary, these results suggest that the Moringa-ALg NPs could be used as a powerful antibacterial agent against a wide range of microbes.

L umpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious, fatal skin disease affecting cattle and caused by LSDV which belongs to the family Poxviridae. LSDV is a double-stranded DNA virus (Onyejekwe et al., 2019). It is a member of the genus Capripoxvirus of Poxviridae with the size of its genome 151-kbp (Bhanuprakash et al., 2006). LSDV is a transboundary high-impact cattle disease characterized by fever, nodular formation, a rapid eruption of skin nodules, enlarged superficial lymph node, generalized lymphadenitis, and edema with great economic losses (Abera et al., 2015, Şevik et al., 2016; Rouby et al., 2019). It is usually more prevalent during the wet summer and au-research Article Abstract | Background: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious disease caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) which belongs to the genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. Cattle are the only animal species affected, with high morbidity and mortality rate in the young. LSD causes economic losses, abortions in females, and sterility in males. Nanoparticles are one of the novel strategies that adopted in the treatment of diseases in the last few years owing to their pioneering and functional properties. Aim: This study aimed to treat the clinically infected cattle with LSDV using Propolis-Alginate nanoparticles (Propolis-ALg NPs) through different routes such as eye drop, oral route and topical spray. Materials and methods: The Propolis-ALg NPs were characterized through Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), in-vitro cytotoxicity, and hemolysis assays. The animal study was carried out during the outbreak of LSD in July 2018 at Beni-suef Governorate, Egypt. 35 infected cows with different ages were used in the present study. The animals were divided into two groups; group A (20 animals) and group B(15 animals). Animals in group A were treated with Propolis-ALg NPs and animals in group B were treated with tetracycline antibiotics. Confirmation of the isolated LSDV was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal primers. results: The Propolis-ALg NPs showed spherical morphology with small particle sizes. The thermal analysis revealed the successful encapsulation of the propolis within the ALg NPs. Also, the in-vitro cytotoxicity study confirmed the safety of the Propolis-ALg NPs. In addition to that, the prepared nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic when they come in contact with blood. On the other hand, the clinically infected cattle with LSDV which treated with the Propolis-ALg NPs revealed a 100 % recovery. While, the animals treated with the tetracycline showed only 13.3% recovery. conclusion: Therefore, the Propolis-ALg NPs were shown to be a potential candidate in the therapy against LSDV infections.