Compositions comprising lignin and methods of making and using the same
Lignins have a number of bioactivities including the inhibition of cellular proliferation and inhibition of thrombus formation which are applicable for their use in coating for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. As such, a composition comprising lignins and methods for making and using the same are provided herein.
1 . A method for inhibiting cellular proliferation comprising the step of administering to a cell a bioactive agent selected from the group consisting of an oxidized lignin and oxidized functional derivatives of lignin.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said bioactive agent is an oxidized lignosulfonate.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the lignosulfonate is prepared by ethanol precipitation from concentrated waste liquor.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the lignosulfonate is obtained from natural resources.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the lignosulfonate is oxidized with ceric ammonium nitrate.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent has a molecular weight between 1,000 to 20,000 Daltons.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent has a molecular weight between 8,000 and 15,000 Daltons.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the bioactive agent has a molecular weight between 9,000 and 12,000 Daltons.
9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the cellular proliferation is of cancerous cells.
10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the cellular proliferation is in an individual with cancer.
11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the cellular proliferation is of virally infected cells.
12 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the cellular proliferation is in an individual with a viral infection.