Enhancing Tensile Strength, Thermal Stability, and Antioxidant Characteristics of Transparent Kappa Carrageenan Films Using Grapefruit Essential Oil for Food Packaging Applications.

The trends in food packaging technologies are shifting toward utilizing natural and environmentally friendly materials prepared from biopolymers such as kappa carrageenan to replace synthetic polymers. In the current study, varying amounts (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) of grapefruit essential oil (GFO) were incorporated in kappa carrageenan-based edible films to improve their physicochemical properties. The developed film samples were characterized for their barrier, mechanical, morphological, optical, thermal, antioxidant, and biodegradable properties. The results obtained showed that the tensile strength of the carrageenan films enhanced significantly from 65.20 ± 4.71 to 98.21 ± 6.35 MPa with the incorporation of GFO in a concentration-dependent manner. FTIR and SEM analysis confirmed the intermolecular bonding between carrageenan and GFO, resulting in the formation of compact films. Incorporating GFO significantly enhanced the thermal resistance of oil-loaded films, as confirmed by TGA, DSC, and DTG analysis. The addition of GFO led to a substantial increase in the radical scavenging activity of the films, as evidenced by the DPPH and ABTS assays. Furthermore, the developed films were biodegradable in soil and seawater environments, indicating their potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. Findings demonstrated that GFO can be used as a natural antioxidant agent in kappa carrageenan-based films for potential applications in food packaging.

Tuning the structure and physiochemical properties of sodium alginate and chitosan composite films through sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) crosslinking.

Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), an inorganic and non-toxic polyphosphate, has potential applications as a crosslinking agent in the fabrication of edible films. This study utilized STPP in the development of sodium alginate-chitosan composite films, with a focus on their suitability for food packaging applications. The results indicate that the incorporation of STPP led to an increase in film thickness (from 0.048 ± 0.004 to 0.078 ± 0.008 mm), elongation at break (from 11.50 ± 1.49 % to 15.88 ± 2.14 %), water permeation (from 0.364 ± 0.010 to 0.521 ± 0.021 gmm/(m2h*kPa)), and moisture content (from 25.98 ± 0.20 % to 28.12 ± 0.17 %). In contrast, there was a decrease in tensile strength (from 30.23 ± 2.08 to 25.60 ± 1.22 MPa) and swelling index (from 752.9 ± 17.1 to 533.5 ± 8.9 %). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of distinctive needle-like microcrystals with the incorporation of STPP. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated intermolecular interactions between STPP and the film-forming biopolymers. The data obtained from Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated enhanced thermal stability of STPP-loaded films at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the films exhibited increased DPPH scavenging activity with the addition of STPP. This study underscores the potential of STPP as a crosslinking agent for the development of composite edible films, suggesting applications in the field of food packaging.

A novel film based on a cellulose/sodium alginate/gelatin composite activated with an ethanolic fraction of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin.

Boswellia sacra and its derivatives exhibit notable bioactive properties, which have been the subject of extensive scientific research; however, their potential applications in food packaging remain largely untapped. In the current study, cellulose, sodium alginate, and gelatin composite edible films were fabricated with the addition of different concentrations (0.2% and 0.3%) of the ethanolic fraction of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin (BSOR). The resultant films were examined for their physical, chemical, mechanical, barrier, optical, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, the films were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to study the impact of incorporating BSOR on the morphological, crystalline, and chemical properties of the films. The addition of BSOR increased the film thickness (0.026-0.08 mm), water vapor permeability (0.210-0.619 (g.mm)/(m2.h.kPa), and the intensity of the yellow color (3.01-7.20) while reducing the values of both tensile strength (6.67-1.03 MPa) and elongation at break (83.50%-48.81%). SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the interaction between the BSOR and film-forming components. The antioxidant properties of the edible films were significantly increased with the addition of BSOR. The comprehensive findings of the study demonstrated that BSOR possesses the potential to serve as an efficient natural antioxidant agent in the fabrication of edible films.

Structural, mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of pectin and xanthan gum edible films loaded with grapefruit essential oil.

This research focused on the development of films based on pectin and xanthan gum composite loaded with different concentrations of grapefruit essential oil (GFO). The fabricated films were characterized to assess the effect of GFO on the structural, mechanical, barrier, chemical, and antioxidant properties. The addition of GFO enhanced the functional properties of the films, as confirmed by FTIR analysis showing molecular interactions within the film matrix. SEM observations revealed that films with higher GFO content had a smoother, more compact structure with uniform oil distribution. Films loaded with oil demonstrated enhanced water resistance, as their decreased permeability ranged from 0.733 ± 0.009 to 0.561 ± 0.020 (g mm)/(m2.h.kPa). Additionally, these films showed a notable increase in tensile strength, ranging from 2.91 ± 0.19 to 8.55 ± 0.62 MPa. However, the addition of oil led to a reduction in the elongation at break of the films, which decreased from 52.84 ± 3.41 % to 12.68 ± 1.52 %, and a decline in transparency from 87.57 ± 0.65 % to 76.18 ± 1.12 %. Fabricated films exhibited enhanced antioxidant properties, as evidenced by increased DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activities with the addition of GFO. The findings of the current study suggest that GFO is an effective natural additive for enhancing the physiochemical properties of pectin and xanthan gum-based films, making them more suitable for food packaging applications.

Novel applications of black pepper essential oil as an antioxidant agent in sodium caseinate and chitosan based active edible films.

In the current study, sodium caseinate and chitosan-based composite edible films were developed with the incorporation of black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil (BPO) in various concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 %) for potential food packaging applications. The chemical composition of BPO was determined using GCMS and the major compound detected were ß-caryophyllene, limonene, ß-phellandren, pinene, copaene and α-humulene. The addition of BPO resulted in an increase in the thickness, EAB, WVP, moisture content and swelling index values of the films; however, the TS and water solubility decreased. The inclusion of BPO led to a substantial enhancement in the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capabilities of the edible films. SEM micrographs demonstrated intermolecular interaction between BPO, sodium caseinate, and chitosan. FTIR spectra confirmed the interaction of the functional groups of the polymers and BPO. The incorporation of the BPO increased the crystallinity of the films. Moreover, the thermal analysis including TGA, DSC and DTG demonstrated an increase in the thermal stability of the edible films with the addition of the BPO. These findings demonstrated that sodium caseinate and chitosan composite based edible films loaded with BPO can be used as sustainable active food packaging material.

Physical, Chemical, Barrier, and Antioxidant Properties of Pectin/Collagen Hydrogel-Based Films Enriched with Melissa officinalis.

The essential oil extracted from Melissa officinalis (MOEO) exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The current research aimed to analyze the mechanical, barrier, chemical, and antioxidant properties of pectin and collagen-based films. Hydrogel-based films loaded with varying concentrations of MOEO (0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2%) were prepared by solvent-casting method, and their physicochemical as well as antioxidant properties were examined. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of major components in MOEO such as 2,6-octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl, citral, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, citronellal, and linalool. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed the interaction between components of the essential oil and polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that films loaded with the highest concentration (0.2%) of MOEO showed more homogeneous structure with fewer particles, cracks, and pores as compared to control film sample. MOEO-incorporated films exhibited higher elongation at break (EAB) (30.24-36.29%) and thickness (0.068-0.073 mm); however, they displayed lower tensile strength (TS) (3.48-1.25 MPa) and transparency (87.30-82.80%). MOEO-loaded films demonstrated superior barrier properties against water vapors. According to the results, the incorporation of MOEO into pectin-collagen composite hydrogel-based films resulted in higher antioxidant properties, indicating that MOEO has the potential to be used in active food packaging material for potential applications.

A Comparative Study of the Properties of Gelatin (Porcine and Bovine)-Based Edible Films Loaded with Spearmint Essential Oil.

Gelatin (bovine/porcine)-based edible films are considered as an excellent carrier for essential oils (EOs) to preserve food quality and extend their shelf life. Spearmint essential oil (SEO) is known for its potential antioxidant and antimicrobial effects; nevertheless, its food applications are limited due to the volatile nature of its active components. Thus, edible films loaded with essential oil can be an alternative to synthetic preservatives to improve their food applications. In the present study, the effect of SEO addition was investigated on the physicochemical properties of bovine and porcine gelatin films, and antioxidant activity was assessed. GCMS (Gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis revealed the presence of carvone (55%) and limonene (25.3%) as major components. The incorporation of SEO into the films decreased the opacity, moisture content, water solubility, and elongation at break of bovine and porcine gelatin films. However, with the addition of EO, the thickness and water vapor permeability of bovine and porcine-based gelatin films increased. Moreover, the addition of SEO increased the tensile strength (TS) of the porcine-based film, whereas bovine samples demonstrated a decrease in tensile strength. XRD (X-ray diffraction) findings revealed a decrease in the percentage crystallinity of both types of gelatin films. SEM (scanning electron microscope) results showed the changes in the morphology of films after the addition of SEO. Antioxidant properties significantly increased with the incorporation of EO (p < 0.05) when compared with control films. Therefore, the addition of SEO to gelatin-based edible films could be an effective approach to prepare an active food packaging material to prevent food oxidation.

Fabrication, Characterization, and Antioxidant Potential of Sodium Alginate/Acacia Gum Hydrogel-Based Films Loaded with Cinnamon Essential Oil.

Several studies have reported the advantages of incorporating essential oils in hydrogel-based films for improving their physiochemical and antioxidant attributes. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has great potential in industrial and medicinal applications as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. The present study aimed to develop sodium alginate (SA) and acacia gum (AG) hydrogel-based films loaded with CEO. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and texture analysis (TA) were performed to analyze the structural, crystalline, chemical, thermal, and mechanical behaviour of the edible films that were loaded with CEO. Moreover, the transparency, thickness, barrier, thermal, and color parameters of the prepared hydrogel-based films loaded with CEO were also assessed. The study revealed that as the concentration of oil in the films was raised, the thickness and elongation at break (EAB) increased, while transparency, tensile strength (TS), water vapor permeability (WVP), and moisture content (MC) decreased. As the concentration of CEO increased, the hydrogel-based films demonstrated a significant improvement in their antioxidant properties. Incorporating CEO into the SA-AG composite edible films presents a promising strategy for producing hydrogel-based films with the potential to serve as food packaging materials.

Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of Chitosan and Sodium Alginate Based Films Incorporated with Ficus Extract.

Aqueous extract of fruit obtained from Ficus racemosa enriched with phenolic components was used for the first time to fabricate chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA)-based edible films. The edible films supplemented with Ficus fruit aqueous extract (FFE) were characterized physiochemically (using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Texture analyser (TA), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and colourimeter) and biologically (using antioxidant assays). CS-SA-FFA films showed high thermal stability and high antioxidant properties. The addition of FFA into CS-SA film decreased transparency, crystallinity, tensile strength (TS), and water vapour permeability (WVP) but ameliorate moisture content (MC), elongation at break (EAB) and film thickness. The overall increase in thermal stability and antioxidant property of CS-SA-FFA films demonstrated that FFA could be alternatively used as a potent natural plant-based extract for the development of food packaging material with improved physicochemical and antioxidant properties.

The Effect of Sage (Salvia sclarea) Essential Oil on the Physiochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Sodium Alginate and Casein-Based Composite Edible Films.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oil (SEO) on the physiochemical and antioxidant properties of sodium alginate (SA) and casein (CA) based films. Thermal, mechanical, optical, structural, chemical, crystalline, and barrier properties were examined using TGA, texture analyzer, colorimeter, SEM, FTIR, and XRD. Chemical compounds of the SEO were identified via GC-MS, the most important of which were linalyl acetate (43.32%) and linalool (28.51%). The results showed that incorporating SEO caused a significant decrease in tensile strength (1.022-0.140 Mpa), elongation at break (28.2-14.6%), moisture content (25.04-14.7%) and transparency (86.1-56.2%); however, WVP (0.427-0.667 × 10-12 g·cm/cm2·s·Pa) increased. SEM analysis showed that the incorporation of SEO increased the homogeneousness of films. TGA analysis showed that SEO-loaded films showed better thermal stability than others. FTIR analysis revealed the compatibility between the components of the films. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of SEO increased the antioxidant activity of the films. Thus, the present film shows a potential application in the food packaging industry.

Cyclodextrin-Based Arsenal for Anti-Cancer Treatments.

Anti-cancer drugs are mostly limited in their use due to poor physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Their lower solubility is the most common hurdle limiting their use upto their potential. In the recent years, the cyclodextrin (CD) complexation have emerged as existing approach to overcome the problem of poor solubility. CD-based nano-technological approaches are safe, stable and showed well in vivo tolerance and greater payload for encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs for the targeted delivery. They are generally chosen due to their ability to get self-assembled to form liposomes, nanoparticles, micelles and nano-sponges etc. This review paper describes a birds-eye view of the various CD-based nano-technological approaches applied for the delivery of anti-cancer moieties to the desired target such as CD based liposomes, niosomes, niosoponges, micelles, nanoparticles, monoclonal antibody, magnetic nanoparticles, small interfering RNA, nanorods, miscellaneous formulation of anti-cancer drugs containing CD. Moreover, the author also summarizes the various shortcomings of such a system and their way ahead.

Combined Effect of Drying Temperature and Varied Gelatin Concentration on Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Ginger Oil Incorporated Chitosan Based Edible Films.

In the present work, ginger essential oil (GEO) loaded chitosan (CS) based films incorporated with varying concentrations of gelatin (GE) were fabricated and dried at different conditions (25 °C and 45 °C). The physio-chemical, mechanical and antioxidant potential of the films were determined. Films dried at 45 °C showed better physical attributes and less thickness, swelling degree (SD), moisture content, water vapor permeability (WVP), more transparency, and better mechanical characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the chemical composition and interaction between the functional groups of the film components. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) findings revealed that samples dried at 45 °C had more crystalline structure, were thermally stable, and smoother. Antioxidant results showed that films dried at low temperature showed comparatively more (p < 0.0001) antioxidant activity. Additionally, an increase in gelatin concentration improved the tensile strength and swelling factor (p < 0.05), however, had no significant impact on other parameters. The overall results suggested better characteristics of GEO-loaded CS-GE based edible films when dried at 45 °C.

Multifunctional Patented Nanotherapeutics for Cancer Intervention: 2010- Onwards.

Even today, cancer is one of the prominent leading causes of death worldwide. However, there are a couple of treatment options available for management, but the adverse effects are more prominent as compared to therapeutic effects. Therefore, there is a need to design some midway that may help to bypass the negative effects or lower their severity. Nanotechnology has addressed many issues, still many miles are needed to cover before reaching the center stage. The developed nanoformulations can target distant organs owing to their multifunctionality and targeting potential. Stimuli-responsive nanomedicine is one of the most exploited formulations. They can encapsulate and release the drugs for a higher period. However, they release a burst mechanism. The other nanoformulations contain dendrimers, micelles, and lipid-based nano-formulations that have been developed and evaluated for their efficacy in cancer treatment. This review paper highlights some significant patents granted/applied in various patent offices around the globe to treat cancer using the nanotechnology. The Google Patent, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Escapenet, and many others were used as the search engine for patent search, and data were collected and analyzed. They used these patented technologies for diagnostic and treatment options, enhancing the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profile of therapeutic molecules.

Exploring the Role of Self-Nanoemulsifying Systems in Drug Delivery: Challenges, Issues, Applications and Recent Advances.

Nanotechnology has attracted researchers around the globe owing to the small size and targeting properties of the drug delivery vectors. The interest in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) has shown an exponential increase from the formulator's point of view. SNEDDS have shown wide applicability in terms of controlled and targeted delivery of various types of drugs. They chemically consist of oil, surfactants and co-surfactants that decrease the emulsion particle size to the range of <100 nm. However, stability issues such as drug precipitation during storage, incompatibility of ingredients in shell, decrease their application for the long run and these issues have been highlighted in this paper. The current review throws limelight on the biological aspects and process parameters. In addition, the process of absorption from GI is also discussed in detail. SNEDDS have been utilized as a treatment option for various diseases like cancer, diabetes, and ocular and pulmonary diseases. Along with this, the authors highlight the advances involving in vivo and in vitro lipolysis studies on SNEDDS, also highlighting recent innovations in this field, such as novel combinations of drug-free solid SNEDDS + solid dispersions, lipid-modified chitosan containing mucoadhesive SNEDDS, pHsensitive SNEDDS and several others.

Autologous fat grafting for the correction of cicatricial ectropion.

BACKGROUND: Cicatricial ectropion can be corrected by invasive surgical modalities such as full-thickness skin graft, lateral tarsal strip procedure, etc., which are associated with donor site morbidity and additional scars. Use of autologous fat graft (AFG) in treatment of burn scars has previously shown encouraging clinical results as to skin color, texture, and softness. OBJECTIVE: We aim to introduce the use of AFG for the correction of mild to moderate grades of cicatricial ectropion of the lower eyelid in adult patients. METHODS: This was a prospective, interventional, non-comparative, pilot study including 5 patients with a cicatricial ectropion of grade I-III. All these patients underwent a pre-injection workup to assess anatomical outcomes (grade of ectropion, vertical palpebral aperture (VPA), lagophthalmos, and eyelid retraction), functional outcomes (dry eye status) and aesthetic outcome (change of scar color, thickness, pain, and consistency). RESULTS: At 6-months follow-up assessment, all patients had improvement in grade of ectropion, significant improvement in VPA and eyelid retraction, and almost complete resolution of lagophthalmos in all the three patients who had pre-injection lagophthalmos. There was a significant improvement in scar color, thickness and consistency on Visual Analogue Score (VAS) with no donor site or systemic complications after the procedure but mild pain on day 1 post-injection at the donor site CONCLUSION: AFG transfer of cicatricial ectropion not only eludes the need of a invasive surgery but provides satisfactory correction with stable outcome with an overall improvement in texture of the scar and has low risk.

Preparation and Physiochemical Characterization of Bitter Orange Oil Loaded Sodium Alginate and Casein Based Edible Films.

Biopolymers-based composite edible films are gaining interest in the food packaging industry due to their sustainable nature and diverse biological activities. In the current study, we used sodium alginate (SA) and casein (CA) for the fabrication of composite film using the casting method. We also added orange oil to the edible film and assessed its impact on the biological, chemical, physical, and barrier properties of the films. The fabricated films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed that CA-SA films loaded with 1.5% OEO had better visual attributes, and a further increase in oil concentration was not found to be as favorable. Mechanical assessment of the films revealed that CA-SA-OEO (1.5%) film showed lower puncture deformation and higher puncture force values. XRD data showed that all samples exhibited peaks at similar positions (21° of 2θ) with different intensities. In FTIR analysis, characteristic peaks of the film components (sodium alginate, casein, and orange oil) were reported at corresponding positions. The thermal stability of films was enhanced after the addition of the OEO (1.5%), however, a greater increase in OEO caused a decrease in the thermal stability, observed during TGA analysis. Moreover, the surface of the blank CA-SA film (FL1) was found to be rough (with cracks) compared to CA-SA films (FL2) containing 1.5% OEO. Additionally, FL2 was found to be relatively better than the other samples in terms of swelling degree (SD), thickness, water solubility (WS), oxygen permeability (OP), water vapor permeability (WVP), moisture content (MC), and transparency (T).

Effect of Drying Temperature on Physical, Chemical, and Antioxidant Properties of Ginger Oil Loaded Gelatin-Sodium Alginate Edible Films.

The drying temperature is one of the crucial parameters that impacts the physical, chemical, and biological properties of edible films (EFs). This parameter determines the degree of crystallinity, which can further impact the film's mechanical, barrier, and optical properties. The present work is designed to investigate the effect of different drying temperature conditions (25 °C and 45 °C) on ginger essential oil (GEO) loaded Gelatin-sodium alginate composite films over their physical, chemical, and antioxidant properties. Results indicated that drying of films at 25 °C had a positive effect on certain properties of the EFs, such as the moisture content (MC), water solubility (S), swelling degree (SD), water vapor permeability (WVP), and mechanical and optical properties. SEM analysis showed that films dried at 25 °C presented more uniform surface properties with fewer cracks and pores compared to films dried at 45 °C. TGA analysis demonstrated the higher thermal stability of the films when dried at 25 °C. Findings obtained from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed film crystallinity and electrostatic interactions between GE, SA, and GEO. Results obtained from antioxidant assays revealed that films dried at 25 °C showed comparable antioxidant capacity to that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Furthermore, it was found that the addition of SA and GEO to the blank GE films improved their physical, chemical, and antioxidant properties. The present work suggests that GEO loaded GE-SA based films showed better physical, chemical, and antioxidant potential when dried at a lower temperature. These novel materials can be utilized as potential packaging materials in the food industry.

"Cutting the Mustard" with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: An Overview and Applications in Healthcare Paradigm.

Treatment of numerous ailments has been made accessible by the advent of genetic engineering, where the self-renewal property has unfolded the mysteries of regeneration, i.e., stem cells. This is narrowed down to pluripotency, the cell property of differentiating into other adult cells. The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was a major breakthrough in 2006, which was generated by a cocktail of 4 Yamanaka Factors, following which significant advancements have been reported in medical science and therapeutics. The iPSCs are reprogrammed from somatic cells, and the fascinating results focused on developing authentic techniques for their generation via molecular reprogramming mechanisms, with a plethora of molecules, like NANOG, miRNAs, and DNA modifying agents, etc. The iPSCs have exhibited reliable results in assessing the etiology and molecular mechanisms of diseases, followed by the development of possible treatments and the elimination of risks of immune rejection. The authors formulate a comprehensive review to develop a clear understanding of iPSC generation, their advantages and limitations, with potential challenges associated with their medical utility. In addition, a wide compendium of applications of iPSCs in regenerative medicine and disease modeling has been discussed, alongside bioengineering technologies for iPSC reprogramming, expansion, isolation, and differentiation. The manuscript aims to provide a holistic picture of the booming advancement of iPSC therapy, to attract the attention of global researchers, to investigate this versatile approach in treatment of multiple disorders, subsequently overcoming the challenges, in order to effectively expand its therapeutic window.

Mechanistic insights into the role of FOXO in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin-deficiency or insulin-resistant conditions. The foremost microvascular complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR). This is a multifaceted ailment mainly caused by the enduring adverse effects of hyperglycaemia. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and advanced glycation products (AGES) are part and parcel of DR pathogenesis. In regulating many cellular and biological processes, the family of fork-head transcription factors plays a key role. The current review highlights that FOXO is a requisite regulator of pathways intricate in diabetic retinopathy on account of its effect on microvascular cells inflammatory and apoptotic gene expression, and FOXO also has the foremost province in regulating cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Blockage of insulin turns into an exaggerated level of glucose in the bloodstream and can upshot into the exaggerated triggering of FOXO1, which can ultimately uplift the production of several factors of apoptosis and inflammation, such as TNF-α, NF-kB, and various others, as well as reactive oxygen species, which can also come up with diabetic retinopathy. The current review also focuses on various therapies which can be used in the future, like SIRT1 signalling, resveratrol, retinal VEGF, etc., which can be used to suppress FOXO over activation and can prevent the progression of diabetic complications viz. diabetic retinopathy.

Exploring the role of biologics in depression.

Depression is a chronic and prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder; clinical symptoms include excessive sad mood, anhedonia, increased anxiety, disturbed sleep, and cognitive deficits. The exact etiopathogenesis of depression is not well understood. Studies have suggested that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (ILs) perform vital roles in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. Increasing evidence suggests the upregulation of TNF-α and ILs expression in patients with depression. Therefore, biologics like TNF inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and IL inhibitors (ustekinumab) have become key compounds in the treatment of depression. Interestingly, treatment with an antidepressant has been found to decrease the TNF-α level and improve depression-like behaviors in several preclinical and clinical studies. In the current article, we have reviewed the recent findings linking TNF-α and the pathogenesis of depression proving TNF-α inhibitors as potential new therapeutic agents. Animal models and clinical studies further support that TNF-α inhibitors are effective in ameliorating depression-like behaviors. Moreover, studies showed that peripheral injection of TNF-α exhibits depressive symptoms. These symptoms have been improved by treatment with TNF-α inhibitors. Hence suggesting TNF-α inhibitors as potential new antidepressants for the management of depressive disorder.