Chitosan, which is obtained from chitin, is a positively charged polysaccharide that possesses distinctive characteristics like bioactivity, antibacterial capabilities, biocompatibility, and compatibility with other substances. Green mussel shells waste has the potential to be used as a raw material for the manufacturing of chitosan. By employing this waste, we can effectively tackle pollution problems and make a valuable contribution to endodontic therapy. Nanoparticles possess superior physiochemical characteristics at the nanoscale, rendering them a highly potential substitute for bulk materials. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the production of chitosan from green mussel shell waste using the ionic gelation process. The purpose is to explore its potential as a material for endodontic treatment, serving as an alternative to currently available materials. Research findings indicate that the degree of de-acetylation of nanochitosan derived from green mussel shells is 82.9%, while the particle size measures is 12.4 nm. In conclusion, nanochitosan has been successfully produced from green mussel shells, and it holds potential for applications in the medical field.

Background: Chlorpheniramine maleate (CM) is widely used as an antihistaminic drug but it is very bitter and as yet no mouth dissolving/ disintegrating taste-masked preparation that might be useful for pediatric and geriatric patients is available in the market.Objectives: The purpose of this research was to mask the bitter taste of CM by formulating microspheres of the taste-masked drug.Materials and Methods: This work was done to develop alginate/chitosan particles prepared by ionic gelation (Ca2+ and Al3+) for the CM release. The effect of different chitosan and Ca2+ concentrations on taste masking and the characteristics of the microspheres were investigated. Ca2+ and Al3+ alginates microspheres of CM were prepared using cross-linked insoluble complexes that precipitate, incorporating the drug. Formulations were characterized for particle size and shape, entrapment efficiency, fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), bitter taste threshold and in vitro drug release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids.Results: FTIR, XRD and DSC demonstrated unstable characters of CM in the drug-loaded microspheres and revealed an amorphous form. Also, the peak of alginate microparticles (Ca2+ and Al3+ ions) in all formulations remained the same, with low intensity of spectrum. The results of DSC, X-ray diffraction and FTIR showed the presence of several CM chemical interactions with alginate and ions (Ca2+ and Al3+). The microsphere formulations showed desirable drug entrapment efficiencies (62.2-94.2%). Calcium/aluminum alginate retarded the release of CM at low pH=1.2 and released the drug from microspheres slowly at pH=6.8, simulating intestine pH. The drug release duration and the release kinetics were dependent on the nature of the polymers, the cation concentrations, and valences (Ca2+ and Al3+). The drug release rate was decreased by an increase in chitosan and cation concentrations.Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that oral preparation of CM with an acceptable taste is feasible.

A Monte Carlo approach based on kinetic gelation model is used to simulate the kinetics of non-linear free radical copolymerization of vinyl-divinyl monomer mixture or chemical gelation, and to characterize kinetic effects on polymerization statistics and microstructures. New algorithm for random selection of the next neighbour site in a self-avoiding random walk and efficient mechanisms of mobility of components are introduced to improve the universality of the predictions by removing commonly occurring simulation deficiencies due to early trapping of radicals. The model has the capability of predicting the onset of the sol-gel transition, and the effect of chemical composition on the transition point. It is shown that it is attain a better understanding of microstructure evolution and appearance of gel phase during polymerization and chemical gelation. Finally, an important benefit of the simulation method is its ability to characterize the system in which, the dominant combination reaction leads to highly branched structure.

Development of the recombinant vaccines against infectious diseases is dependent on the identification of immunogenic antigens and vaccine delivery systems such as polymeric nanoparticles that are able to stimulate immune responses similar to or better than conventional vaccines and reduce complications associated with traditional vaccines. At the present study, synthesis and properties of the sodium alginate nanoparticles carrying CRM197 protein as an antigen delivery system were evaluated. Synthesis of the blank optimized without protein loading and protein-containing nanoparticles was performed by ionic gelation method. After designing of the experiment (DoE) and determining the influential physicochemical factors in ideal nanoparticles synthesis,size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, release pattern and FT-IR spectroscopy were investigated. The optimized nanoparticles were prepared at a concentration of 0. 2% w/v sodium alginate, 0. 1% w/v calcium chloride, 0. 04% w/v poly-L-lysine during 45 minutes of stirring at 2000 rpm and in pH 6. 5. The average nanoparticle size for blank and CRM197 loaded nanoparticles were 88 and 245 nm also zeta potential-21 and-24. 2 mV, respectively. LE and LC were >80% and >20%, respectively, associated with a stable and long-term encapsulated protein release pattern from nanoparticles. Absence of local and systemic signs, as well as weight gain in the mice group studied, indicated the safety of the nanoparticles and CRM197 protein combination. Based upon the above achievements, alginate nanoparticles can be used as an antigen delivery system for targeted delivery with controlled, slow release and improved stability of recombinant diphtheria antigen (CRM197) for immunization against diphtheria disease.

In recent years, chitosan nanoparticles have been studied widely for protein delivery. In this study, Hemiscorpius lepturus (HL) venom was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles. The aim of the present work was to carry out a systematic study for preparing biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles for loading HL scorpion venom and to evaluate their potential as an antigen delivery system. In this study, HL venom loaded chitosan nanoparticles fabricated by ionic gelation of chitosan and tripolyphosphate and the factors which may be influenced in the preparation of nanoparticles were analyzed. Also, their physicochemical properties and in vitro release behavior were studied. The optimum encapsulation efficiency and capacity were observed when the chitosan concentration and HL venom were 2 mg/ml and 500 mg/ml, respectively. The HL venom loaded nanoparticles were in the size range of 130-160 nm (polydispersity index values of 0.423) and exhibited the positive zeta potential. Transmission electron microscope imaging showed spherical and smooth surface of nanoparticles. The profiles of the release exhibited a burst releases about 50% in the first 4 hr and then slowed down at a constant rate. The obtained results suggested that the chitosan nanoparticles prepared in this work had the potential for antigen delivery.