A. Palavenienė “Characterisation and application of cuttlebone for development of biomedical and pharmaceutical compositions” doctoral thesis defence

Author, Institution: Alisa Palavenienė, Kaunas University of Technology,

Science area, field of science: Physical Sciences, Chemistry – 03P

Summary of doctoral thesis: Summary

Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jolanta Liesienė (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P)

Dissertation Defence Board of Chemistry Science Field:
Prof. Dr. Habil. Algirdas Šačkus (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P), chairman
Prof. Dr. Saulius Grigalevičius (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P)
Prof. Dr. Jolita Ostrauskaitė (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P)
Dr. Aiva Plotniece (Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P)
Prof. Dr. Nijolė Savickienė (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, pharmacy – 08B).

The doctoral dissertation is available on the internet and at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio str. 20, Kaunas).

Annotation:
Nowadays, natural materials are of great interest for a wide variety of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. One of such nature-derived materials is cuttlebone, the bone of mollusc Sepia. Cuttlebone has already been used for medical applications for many centuries in the traditional medicine of China and India. However, there is lack of data on the chemical composition of cuttlebone and evaluation of the biocompatibility. Therefore, the key task of this work is to fulfil a comprehensive research on cuttlebone with the objective to demonstrate its high curative potential and safety. Protein removal from cuttlebone by using sodium dodecylsulphate was developed. Here, deproteinisation aims to avoid the risk of immunoresponse and therefore to enhance biocompatibility of the developed material. Porous cellulose-based composites with cuttlebone materials, such as cuttlebone microparticles or cuttlebone-derived hydroxyapatite, were developed for bone tissue engineering applications. In vitro mineralisation assay was used in order to show the bioactivity of the composites by means of calcium deposition on its surface. Non-cytotoxic and osteoconductive characteristics of the composites were proven by using hepatocytes and osteoblasts MG-63. Dexamethasone-loaded calcium alginate capsules with cuttlebone materials, such as cuttlebone microparticles or cuttlebone-derived hydroxyapatite, were developed for treating small intrabony defects in oral cavity. The haemostatic characteristics of the cuttlebone microparticles in vitro were outlined. Semisolid compositions with deproteinised cuttlebone microparticles, such as suspended gels and Witepsol-based suppositories, were prepared and characterised.