Simona Ardelean

The incorporation of natural bioactive compounds to modern cosmetic formulations is increasing due to their multifunctional biological activity and the growing consumer interest in naturally derived ingredients. Today’s cosmetic research goes beyond the mere empirical use of botanical extracts and focuses more and more on scientifically validated mechanisms such as skin barrier regulation, oxidative stress modulation, inflammation control and microbiome-related interactions. This chapter provides an integrative summary of the main classes of natural bioactives utilized in advanced cosmetic systems, encompassing polyphenols, terpenoids, polysaccharides, tannins and peptide-like compounds obtained from botanical, marine and biotechnological sources. In particular, the relationship between chemical structure, physicochemical behavior and biological performance at the skin interface is emphasized. It also highlights their major formulation challenges such as poor solubility, limited skin penetration, compositional variability, and compatibility issues in complex topical systems. To overcome theses limitations, cosmetic science has increasingly used advanced delivery technologies such as nanoencapsulation, lipid-based carriers, hydrogels, polymeric systems, and controlled-release platforms to improve stability, bioavailability, and targeted skin interaction. Also, biotechnological routes like fermentation, enzymatic functionalization, recombinant production and metabolic engineering are explored as strategies to get more reproducible and sustainable cosmetic ingredients. Overall, the chapter emphasizes the shift from traditional extract-based cosmetics to evidence-based, technologically optimized formulations that combine natural sourcing with improved efficacy, safety, stability, and functional performance in modern skin care applications.

Most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) reach their target by passive systemic distribution, so the dose required for efficacy at the lesion is set by what healthy tissue can tolerate; conventional dosage forms consequently produce pharmacokinetic profiles that oscillate between toxic peaks and sub-therapeutic troughs. Nanoparticulate carriers (liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric and inorganic systems, and biomimetic carriers) and hydrogels (natural, synthetic, supramolecular, and microgel-assembled) have emerged as the dominant strategies to address this, increasingly combined as hybrid nanoparticle–hydrogel constructs in which the gel provides locoregional retention and the nanoparticles provide cargo protection, intracellular delivery and stimuli responsiveness. Stimuli-responsive chemistries (pH, redox, enzyme, ROS, hypoxia, temperature, light, magnetic, ultrasound, glucose, and multi-stimuli logic) translate the molecular signatures of a disease into spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. This narrative review consolidates the state of the art (prioritizing 2022–2026) and departs from the conventional carrier-type survey in one respect: the literature is read along an explicit chain—disease cue, sensing chemistry, carrier architecture, release mechanism and kinetics, administration route, and clinical readiness—which exposes a variable that classification by carrier type conceals. Across all three material classes, what governs release behavior is not primarily the carrier chemistry but the identity of the released species (dissolved drug, drug from an embedded nanoparticle, an intact nanoparticle, and a matrix fragment) and the transport step that limits it. This is why power-law exponent analysis developed for dissolved drug fits particulate release poorly, why statistical goodness-of-fit cannot by itself establish a release mechanism, and why carrier class predicts clinical readiness less well than administration route and regulatory product type. Translational hurdles—CMC complexity, regulatory fragmentation, anti-PEG immunogenicity, and the structural mismatch between preclinical promise and clinical efficacy—are critically appraised in light of previously reported <1% delivery efficiency analysis. This review identifies converging strategies that could move stimuli-responsive controlled release from an aspirational outcome to a routine clinical reality.

Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is a Lamiaceae species widely used in traditional and contemporary herbal practice, yet its reported bioactivities are strongly preparation-dependent, reflecting variability between polyphenol-rich extracts and volatile essential-oil fractions. This integrative review links phytochemistry with recent preclinical findings and available clinical evidence. Across model systems, lemon balm most consistently shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signatures, with additional domain-specific signals reported in neurobehavioral, cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, and dermatological models; however, comparability is limited by heterogeneous plant parts, extraction procedures, and chemical standardization. Preclinical findings were organized by biological domain, whereas clinically, the most consistent signals are observed for symptom-oriented endpoints, particularly anxiety/stress and sleep-related outcomes reported in controlled trials, including aromatherapy studies, while evidence for other indications remains mixed or insufficiently confirmed. Overall, the evidence supports continued development of chemically characterized, standardized preparations and mechanism-informed trials with harmonized outcomes and robust safety reporting to improve translational interpretability.

This study investigates the preparation of electrospun recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) coated with chitosan (CS) and evaluates their antibiofilm properties and in vivo response. rPET scaffolds were first fabricated via electrospinning at different flow rates (10, 7.5, 5 and 2.5 mL/h) and subsequently coated with chitosan. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that fiber morphology varied with electrospinning parameters, influencing microbial adhesion. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated that rPET@CS significantly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans biofilm formation compared to control and uncoated rPET surfaces. Subcutaneous implantation of rPET@CS scaffolds induced a transient inflammatory response, with macrophage recruitment and collagen deposition supporting tissue integration. These findings highlight the potential of rPET@CS scaffolds as sustainable antimicrobial biomaterials for applications in infection-resistant coatings and biomedical implants.

Background: Coffea arabica, commonly known as Arabica coffee, has garnered attention in recent years for its potential applications in dermato-cosmetic formulations. This review aims to critically evaluate the emerging role of Coffea arabica as an active ingredient in skin care products, focusing on its bioactive compounds derived from both the leaves and beans, mechanisms of action, and efficacy in dermatological applications. A comparative analysis between the bioactive profiles of the leaves and beans is also presented to elucidate their respective contributions to dermato-cosmetic efficacy. Results: This review synthesizes findings from various studies that highlight the presence of key bioactive compounds in Coffea arabica, including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and flavonoids. Notably, the leaves exhibit a higher concentration of certain phenolic compounds compared to the beans, suggesting unique properties that may enhance skin health. These compounds have demonstrated significant anticellulite, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, photoprotective, anti-aging, antibacterial, and moisturizing properties. Discussion: This article delves into the biochemical pathways through which bioactive compounds derived from both the leaves and beans of Coffea arabica exert their beneficial effects on skin and hair health. Furthermore, this review highlights the growing trend of incorporating natural ingredients in cosmetic formulations and the consumer demand for products with scientifically substantiated benefits. Conclusions: The findings of this review underscore the potential of Coffea arabica as a valuable active ingredient in dermato-cosmetic applications. Its multifaceted bioactivity suggests that it can contribute significantly to skin health and cosmetic efficacy. Future research should focus on clinical trials to further validate these benefits and explore optimal formulation strategies for enhanced delivery and stability in cosmetic products.

With the growing interest in nanofibers and the urgent need to address environmental concerns associated with plastic waste, there is an increasing focus on using recycled materials to develop advanced healthcare solutions. This study explores the potential of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanofibers, functionalized with copper-enhanced alginate, for applications in wound dressings. Nanofibers with desirable antimicrobial properties were developed using chemical recycling and electrospinning techniques, offering a sustainable and effective option for managing wound infections and promoting healing. SEM and FT-IR analyses confirmed that the obtained nanofibers possess optimal physicochemical properties, including well-organized morphology, appropriate dimensions, and structural integrity. Biological evaluations revealed significant antimicrobial activity, with the materials effectively inhibiting microbial adherence and biofilm formation while maintaining good biocompatibility in both in vitro and in vivo studies. These findings highlight the potential of recycled PET-based nanofibers as advanced wound dressing materials to reduce infection risks and support tissue regeneration in clinical applications.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely utilized synthetic polymer, favored in various applications for its desirable physicochemical characteristics and widespread accessibility. However, its extensive utilization, coupled with improper waste disposal, has led to the alarming pollution of the environment. Thus, recycling PET products is essential for diminishing global pollution and turning waste into meaningful materials. Therefore, this study proposes the fabrication of electrospun membranes made of recycled PET nanofibers as a cost-effective valorization method for PET waste. ZnO nanoparticles were coated onto polymeric materials to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the PET fibers. Morphostructural investigations revealed the formation of fibrillar membranes made of unordered nanofibers (i.e., 40–100 nm in diameter), on the surface of which zinc oxide nanoparticles of 10–20 nm were attached. PET@ZnO membranes demonstrated effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds, while imparting no toxicity to amniotic fluid stem cells. In vivo tests confirmed the materials’ biocompatibility, as no side effects were observed in mice following membrane implantation. Altogether, these findings highlight the potential of integrating ZnO nanoparticles into recycled PET to develop multifunctional materials suitable for healthcare facilities (such as antimicrobial textiles) and biomedical devices, including applications such as textiles, meshes, and sutures.

Chronic liver injuries often lead to hepatic fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive extracellular matrix accumulation and abnormal connective tissue hyperplasia. Without effective treatment, hepatic fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments, including liver transplantation, are limited by donor shortages and high costs. As such, there is an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the potential of plant-based therapeutics, particularly polyphenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, in treating hepatic fibrosis. These compounds have demonstrated anti-fibrotic activities through various signaling pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, AMPK/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and hedgehog pathways. Additionally, this review highlights the advancements in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems that enhance the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of these bioactive compounds. Methodologically, this review synthesizes findings from recent studies, providing a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms and benefits of these plant-based treatments. The integration of novel drug delivery systems with plant-based therapeutics holds significant promise for developing effective treatments for hepatic fibrosis.

Background: Diagnosis and treatment for pharyngeal cancer are decisive in determining prognosis. Diagnosis delays are frequent, representing a significant cause of avoidable mortality, and an important factor in subpar survival across the continuous HNC care delivery. Methods: The present study represents a retrospective analysis of medical records from Western Romania, which included 180 patients, to evaluate the impact of time-to-treatment delay on patients diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer. The data analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method R (version 3.6.3) packages, including tidyverse, final-fit, mcgv, survival, stringdist, janitor, and Hmisc. Results: The mean days from diagnosis until the end of treatment were higher for the nasopharynx group. Cox regression analysis regarding diagnosis to treatment duration categories showed an increased risk mortality by 3.11 times (95%CI: 1.51–6.41, p = 0.0021) with a Harrell’s C-index of 0.638 (95%CI: 0.552–0.723). The hypopharynx and oropharynx locations increased risk mortality by 4.59 (95%CI: 1.55–13.55) and 5.49 times (95%CI: 1.79–16.81) compared to the nasopharynx location. Conclusions: The findings of this study led to the conclusion that it seems there is a trend of mortality risk for oropharynx and hypopharynx cancers due to delays in the time to treatment over 70 days, standing as a basis for further research as there is an imperative need for prospective multicenter studies.