A Review on Torilis japonica: Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical, and Biological Features.

The present study was aimed at comprehensive overviewing a phytochemically and biologically important species namely Torilis japonica (Apiaceae family). Treatment of dysentery, fever, haemorrhoids, spasm, uterine tumors, lymphadenitis, rheumatism, impotence, infertility, women's diseases, and chronic diarrhea are reported as the main folk medicinal applications of the T. japonica fruits. So far, the plant is phytochemically characterized for its diverse terpene derivatives, predominantly sesquiterpenes. The plant's fruit is a rich source of torlin, a guaiane-type sesquiterpene, possessing various potent bioactivities. To date, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, skin photoaging activities of the plant extracts and its constituents have been evaluated. Further investigation of the plant, specifically bioassay-guided isolation and identification of its major bioactive constituents can lead to discover potential phytopharmaceutical candidates.

The Genus Ferulago: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology.

The Ferulago genus appertains to the Umbelliferae family comprises 49 species which are mainly distributed in Asia, Europe, and Africa. This paper aims to review the morphological properties of Ferulago species, herbal components, and their pharmacological properties. The information of this review paper has been collected from journals available in databases including Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Hindawi up to March 2020. In traditional medicine, the genus of Ferulago has been used to treat intestinal worms, snake bites, wound skin infections, diseases of the spleen and gastrointestinal tract, and headaches. It not only has been used traditionally as a preservative agent to dairy, oil ghee, and meat but also has given them a pleasant taste. The main components of Ferulago spp. are monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, coumarin, furanocoumarin, flavonoids, and terpenoids have been the reason for the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antidiabetic, Alzheimer, and larvicidal properties of this plant. This review confirms that many traditional uses of some Ferulago species have now been validated by modern pharmacology research. Rigorous investigations of all the species of Ferulago concerning phytochemical and pharmacological properties, mainly their mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety might offer a context for researchers to prosper plant-derived medications like anti-diabetes, antibiotics, and sedatives treating drugs, and the key to directing clinical trials.

Solid lipid microparticles for enhanced dermal delivery of tetracycline HCl.

Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a most common skin disease during adolescence, afflicting more than 85% of teenagers. Topical tetracycline (Tc) is used for mild inflammatory acne and as an adjunct to systemic treatment in more severe forms. Solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) are useful tool for topical delivery because of their biodegradable, biocompatible and low toxic characteristic accompanying with excellent skin hydration, occlusiveness and controlled release properties. The purpose of this study was to prepare Tc-loaded SLMs were produced by the spray drying technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. In vitro and ex vivo release characteristics of Tc through SLMs and control formulations (aqueous carbopol gel) were evaluated over 24h using a vertical Franz diffusion cell through cellulose acetate membranes and exercised rat skin, respectively. SLM formulations present high encapsulation values above 97% without significant different among formulations (p<0.05). The sustained release pattern of Tc through SLMs was illustrated by in vitro release study. The ex vivo drug skin permeation study revealed that Tc dermal deposition of optimum SLMs formulation was about 7 times that of the control formulations. The enhanced skin penetration and accumulation of Tc observed for Tc-loaded SLMs may increase the efficiency of acne therapy and decrease the associated Tc side effects.

Proniosomes in transdermal drug delivery.

Proniosomes are liquid crystalline-compact niosomal hybrid that can be hydrated to form niosomal dispersion instantly before use. It is a promising drug carrier with better physical and chemical stability than niosomes. Proniosomes have the potential to be scaled up for industrial purposes. They have been remarkably considered for transdermal drug delivery because of their competences, including the penetration enhancing ability of surfactants and their non-toxic characteristics. This review offers current approaches in the research and development of proniosomal formulations for the transdermal delivery of drugs with a focus on therapeutic applications.

Alternative carriers in dry powder inhaler formulations.

The aerosolization efficiency of a powder is highly dependent on carrier characteristics, such as particle size distribution, shape and surface properties. The main objective in the inhalation field is to achieve a high and reproducible pulmonary deposition. This can be provided by successful carrier selection and careful process optimization for carrier modification. Lactose is the most common and frequently used carrier in dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. But lactose shows some limitations in formulation with certain drugs and peptides that prohibit its usage as a carrier in DPI formulations. Here, we criticality review the most important alternative carriers to lactose with merits, demerits and applications in DPI formulations.

Niosomes as a propitious carrier for topical drug delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Topical delivery is defined as drug targeting to the pathologic sites of skin with the least systemic absorption. Drug localization in this case is a crucial issue. For these purposes vesicular drug delivery systems including niosomes, proniosomes, liposomes and transferosomes have been developed. AREAS COVERED: This review first highlights the role of niosome in dermatology focusing on localized skin delivery and then reviews the most recent literatures regarding specific applications of niosomal drug delivery systems in clinics. EXPERT OPINION: Niosomes are becoming popular in the field of topical drug delivery due to their outstanding characteristics like enhancing the penetration of drugs, providing a sustained pattern of drug release, increasing drug stability and ability to carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.

Liposomes in cosmeceutics.

INTRODUCTION: Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients purporting to have medical or drug-like benefits. Some cosmeceuticals can act effectively when reaching their target sites in the deeper layers of the skin. However, the barrier nature of skin causes significant difficulties for compounds to be delivered through. Therefore, scientists are investigating various strategies to overcome these barrier properties. Liposomes have been claimed to improve the topical delivery of compounds. AREAS COVERED: This paper offers a brief overview of current approaches in the research and development of liposomal formulations to improve the performance of cosmeceuticals, from recent literature. This review deals with the potential of liposomes as a skin delivery system for cosmeceuticals, with a focus on the clinical application of liposomes. EXPERT OPINION: Liposomes are well-known vesicular cosmetic delivery systems. The topical application of liposomes offers a wide range of advantages including increased moisturization, restoring action, biodegradability, biocompatibility and extended and slow dermal release. Their similar structure to biological membranes allows penetration into the epidermal barrier, compared with other delivery systems. The incorporation of cosmeceuticals using suitable delivery systems is important in the management of cosmetic disorders.

Lactose engineering for better performance in dry powder inhalers.

Dry powder inhaler (DPI) is generally formulated as a powder mixture of coarse carrier particles and micronized drug with aerodynamic diameters of 1-5 µm. Carrier particles are used to improve drug particle flowability, thus improving dosing accuracy, minimizing the dose variability compared with drug alone and making them easier to handle during manufacturing operations. Lactose is the most common and frequently used carrier in DPIs formulations and nowadays various inhalation grades of lactose with different physico-chemical properties are available on the market. Therefore, the purpose of this manuscript is to review evolution of lactose as a carrier in inhalable formulations, their production and the impact of its physico-chemical properties on drug dispersion. This review offers a perspective on the current reported studies to modify lactose for better performance in DPIs.