Gelatin-based anticancer drug delivery nanosystems: A mini review

Drug delivery nanosystems (DDnS) is widely developed recently. Gelatin is a high-potential biomaterial originated from natural resources for anticancer DDnS, which can effectively improve the utilization of anticancer drugs and reduce side effects. The hydrophilic, amphoteric behavior and sol-gel transition of gelatin can be used to fulfill various requirements of anticancer DDnS. Additionally, the high number of multifunctional groups on the surface of gelatin provides the possibility of crosslinking and further modifications. In this review, we focus on the properties of gelatin and briefly elaborate the correlation between the properties and anticancer DDnS. Furthermore, we discuss the applications of gelatin-based DDnS in various cancer treatments. Overall, we have summarized the excellent properties of gelatin and correlated with DDnS to provide a manual for the design of gelatin-based materials for DDnS

Applications of Gelatin in Biosensors: Recent Trends and Progress

Gelatin is a natural protein from animal tissue with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, biosafety, low cost, and sol–gel property. By taking advantage of these properties, gelatin is considered to be an ideal component for the fabrication of biosensors. In recent years, biosensors with gelatin have been widely used for detecting various analytes, such as glucose, hydrogen peroxide, urea, amino acids, and pesticides, in the fields of medical diagnosis, food testing, and environmental monitoring. This perspective is an overview of the most recent trends and progress in the development of gelatin-based biosensors, which are classified by the function of gelatin as a matrix for immobilized biorecognition materials or as a biorecognition material for detecting target analytes

Diuretic Activity of Rubus idaeus L (Rosaceae) in Rats

Purpose: To evaluate the diuretic activity of Rubus idaeus L in experimental rats. Methods: Hot-water and methanol extract of three kinds of Rubus idaeus L. fruits were administered to experimental rats orally at a dose of 2 and 5 mg/kg. Hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control in study. The diuretic effect of the extracts was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and potassium excretion in the urine. Results: Compared with the control group, significant increase in urine volume was observed from the experimental animal treated with wild raspberry methanol extract. In addition, we find that the methanol extract of wild raspberry fruits shows a potassium-conservation diuretic effect, which is a very interesting property in a phytodiuretic. Conclusion: Methanol extract of wild raspberry fruits have diuretic effect on experimental rats. This might be the first formal reports on diuretic effect of raspberry fruits, which can also, to some extent, explain the use of raspberry as a cure for renal diseases in Chinese traditional medical practice

Improved Thrombin Hemostat Using the Cross-Linked Gelatin by Microbial Transglutaminase

It is well known that the thrombin obtained from animal is available in clinical treatment, which plays an important role in hemostasis and the treatment of hemorrhagic diseases. However, how to achieve complete hemostasis in 2 min is still a challenge. In this report, the thrombin hemostatic has been improved using the cross-linked gelatin by microbial transglutaminase, and its efficacy was demonstrated by the vitro experiment. Compared with the traditional thrombin hemostatic the clotting time with the improved hemostat is significantly shorter. It may rapidly stop blood loss, which would provide a simple, safe, and cost-effective surgical sealant