Formulation of Transliposomal Nanocarrier Gel Containing Strychnine for the Effective Management of Skin Cancer.

Strychnine (STCN) has demonstrated an exceptional anticancer effect against various cancers. However, the STCN clinical utility has been hampered by its low water solubility, restricted therapeutic window, short half-life, and significant toxicity. The objective of this investigation was to design and optimize a formulation of strychnine-loaded transliposomes (STCN-TLs) for dermal administration of STCN to treat skin cancer. The formulations of STCN-TL were examined in terms of vesicle size (VS), polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (EE), and in vitro delivery. The improved STCN-TL formulation exhibited VS, PDI, EE, and in vitro delivery of 101.5 ± 2.14 nm, 0.218 ± 0.12, 81.74 ± 1.43%, and 85.39 ± 2.33%, respectively. In an ex vivo penetration, the created STCN-TL formulation demonstrated a 2.5-fold increase in permeability compared to the STCN solution. CLSM pictures of skin (rat) revealed that the rhodamine B-loaded transliposome preparation penetrated deeper than the rhodamine B hydroalcoholic mixture. Additionally, rat skin managed with STCN-TL nanogel exhibited a significant increase in Cskin max and AUC0-8 compared to rat skin treated with traditional STCN gel. The findings demonstrated that the transliposome preparation might be a suitable nanocarrier for the cutaneous distribution of STCN in the amelioration of skin cancer.

Combinatorial drug-loaded quality by design adapted transliposome gel formulation for dermal delivery: In vitro and dermatokinetic study.

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid is a powerful drug that possesses many therapeutic properties, such as hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, antiulcer, and anticancer activity. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Umbelliferae) contains a triterpene called asiatic acid, which has been used effectively in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine system for centuries. Anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties are only some of the many pharmacological actions previously attributed to asiatic acid . AIM: The present work developed an optimized combinatorial drug-loaded nano-formulation by Quality by design approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The optimize transliposome for accentuated dermal delivery of dual drug. The optimization of drug-loaded transliposome was done using the "Box-Behnken design." The optimized formulation was characterized for vesicles size, entrapment efficiency (%), and in vitro drug release. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and dermatokinetic study were performed for further evaluation of drug-loaded optimized transliposome formulation. RESULTS: The optimized combinatorial drug-loaded transliposome formulation showed a particle size of 86.36 ± 2.54 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) 0.230 ± 0.008, and an entrapment efficiency of 87.43 ± 2.66% which depicted good entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release of ursolic acid and asiatic acid transliposomes was found to be 85.12 ± 2.54% and 80.23 ± 3.23%, respectively, as compared to optimized ursolic acid and asiatic acid transliposome gel drug release that was 67.18 ± 2.85% and 60.28 ± 4.12%, respectively. The skin permeation study of ursolic and asiatic acid conventional formulation was only 32.48 ± 2.42%, compared with optimized combinatorial drug-loaded transliposome gel (79.83 ± 4.52%) at 12 h. After applying combinatorial drug-loaded transliposome gel, rhodamine was able to more easily cross rat skin, as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, in comparison with when the rhodamine control solution was used. DISCUSSION: The UA_AA-TL gel formulation absorbed more ursolic acid and asiatic acid than the UA_AA-CF gel formulation, as per dermatokinetic study. Even after being incorporated into transliposome vesicles, the antioxidant effects of ursolic and asiatic acid were still detectable. In most cases, transliposomes vesicular systems generate depots in the skin's deeper layers and gradually release the medicine over time, allowing for fewer applications. CONCLUSION: In overall our studies, it may be concluded that developed dual drug-loaded transliposomal formulation has great potential for effective topical drug delivery for skin cancer.

Electrochemical study on the effect of polar and non-polar extract of Artemisia vulgaris on the corrosion inhibition of mild-steel in an acidic medium.

Electrochemical methods were used to characterize the inhibition efficacy of the extract of the high-altitude plant Artemisia vulgaris as an environmentally acceptable inhibitor for mild steel in 1.0 M H2SO4. The Artemisia vulgaris was extracted in hexane and methanol separately and applied on mild steel (MS) as an inhibitor. A detailed electrochemical characterization such as potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit potential, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed on the MS surface covered with the extract molecules. The hexane extracts adsorbed slower to the MS surface than the methanol extract, but both molecular extracts showed similar corrosion inhibition efficacies (IE). The IE for 1000 ppm extract in hexane and methanol was 73.10% and 91.99%, respectively, after 0.5 hour immersion of MS, whereas it was 98.79% and 96.73% in hexane and methanol extract after 24 hours of immersion of MS in acidic medium. The IE of the methanol extract increased with concentration. From the EIS analytical analysis, adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the charge transfer kinetics was confirmed. The potentiodynamic polarization showed a decrease in current density with the concentration of methanol extract without affecting the Tafel slopes. ATR-FTIR of the extract indicated the presence of the different functionalities in it. Adsorption of the extract molecules on the metal surface obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The computed value of ΔG* implies that the adsorption is of mixed type. The formation of a protective film of inhibitor molecules on the MS surface was confirmed from EIS and using a scanning electron microscope. The adsorption mechanism based on the experimental data supported by the thermodynamic calculations is highlighted in this article.

Phytoconstituents-loaded nanomedicines for the management of acne.

BACKGROUND: According to epidemiological data, a large percentage (80-90%) of adolescents suffer from acne vulgaris and approximately 30% of them need treatment. Possible outcomes of the inflammatory acne lesions are acne scars which, although they can be treated in several ways, may have a negative psychological impact on social life and relationships. There are three levels of acne: mild, moderate, and severe. The main types of acne scars are atrophic and hypertrophic scars. The pathogenesis of acne scarring is still not fully understood, but several hypotheses have been proposed. AIM: The aim of this review is phytoconstituents-loaded nanomedicines for the management of acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online literature assessment was steered for the acne, phytochemical composition, and nanomedicines, types of acne, types of nanotechnology. Appropriate information were taken from different electronic scientific databases such as Web of Science, Elsevier, Science Direct, Springer, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc., Additional data was summarized from textbooks, local prints, and scripts. RESULTS: Nanotechnology-based nanomedicines provide a great coincidence for the enhancement in the efficacy and safety of pharmaco-therapeutic agents for acne. DISCUSSION: In this review, we discuss the phytoconstituent that are natural compounds present in plants extensively used for the anti-acne activity. Phytochemicals target cytokine signaling pathways and thus exhibit their anti-acne activity. We further outline the advantages of loading phytoconstituents as a drug in nanocarriers such as emulsion, niosomes, SLN, and nanocrystal for better and improved topical treatment. CONCLUSION: This review is mainly focused on the usage of herbal nanomedicines in acne, nano delivery carriers used in the delivery of phytoconstituents with an improved therapeutic profile and reduced toxicity. In recent years, phytoconstituents showing their anti-acne potential, and phytoconstituents-loaded nanomedicines have high treatment potential in the management of acne.

Myco-remediation: A mechanistic understanding of contaminants alleviation from natural environment and future prospect.

Industrialization and modernization of agricultural systems contaminated lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere of the Earth. Sustainable remediation of contamination is essential for environmental sustainability. Myco-remediation is proposed to be a green, economical, and efficient technology over conventional remediation technologies to combat escalating pollution problems at a global scale. Fungi can perform remediation of pollutants through several mechanisms like biosorption, precipitation, biotransformation, and sequestration. Myco-remediation significantly removes or degrades metal metals, persistent organic pollutants, and other emerging pollutants. The current review highlights the species-specific remediation potential, influencing factors, genetic and molecular control mechanism, applicability merits to enhance the bioremediation efficiency. Structure and composition of fungal cell wall is crucial for immobilization of toxic pollutants and a subtle change on fungal cell wall structure may significantly affect the immobilization efficiency. The utilization protocol and applicability of enzyme engineering and myco-nanotechnology to enhance the bioremediation efficiency of any potential fungus was proposed. It is advocated that the association of hyper-accumulator plants with plant growth-promoting fungi could help in an effective cleanup strategy for the alleviation of persistent soil pollutants. The functions, activity, and regulation of fungal enzymes in myco-remediation practices required further research to enhance the myco-remediation potential. Study of the biotransformation mechanisms and risk assessment of the products formed are required to minimize environmental pollution. Recent advancements in molecular "Omic techniques"and biotechnological tools can further upgrade myco-remediation efficiency in polluted soils and water.

Trace level monitoring of Cu(II) ion using CuS particles based membrane electrochemical sensor.

Cu(II) monitoring is a matter of great interest to researchers due to its toxicity and adverse environmental effects. Among different methods for detecting Cu(II), ion-selective electrode (ISE) is more advantageous as they are low-cost, easy to fabricate, and highly selective. Here, we report a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible procedure for the fabrication of Cu(II) ion-selective electrodes using CuS particles and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a matrix. CuS particles, obtained by chemical precipitation, were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). Optimization of the membrane compositions was done to get a well-behaved sensor by varying amounts of CuS, PVC, and acetophenone (AP). A membrane composition of 0.4 g CuS, 0.5 g PVC, and 1.0 mL AP in 5.0 mL tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave a Nernstian slope of 27.31 mV per decade change of Cu(II) ion over a wide range of concentration down to 64 ppb (1 × 10-6 M). The sensor gave a fast response time of 25 s, and it indicated the endpoint in a potentiometric titration of Cu(II) with standard EDTA solution. A pH-independent potential response was obtained in the pH 4.0-6.0.

Dataset for the selection of electrolytes for Electropolymerization of aniline.

The most investigated conducting polymer (CP) is polyaniline (PANI)), a promising polymer due to its excellent environmental stability, simplicity of synthesis, and high electrical conductivity [1], [2], [3], [4]. In corrosion protection applications, the PANI film has shown promising potential in protecting active metals such as iron by acting as physical barrier coatings, as a primer layer and as component in a multi-layer coating system [5]. The PANI has an excellent potential to replace the toxic metal, such as chromates, in corrosion protection and is considered a green anti-corrosion candidate [5], [6], [7]. The electrochemical synthesis of PANI coatings on active metals is accomplished by the dissolution of the metal at a potential lower than the monomer oxidation potential [8], [9]. Therefore, electrochemical synthesis of PANI coatings on active metal requires a proper choice of the electrolyte and solvent that should strongly passivate the metal without hindering the electropolymerization process [10], [11]. The data reported here are obtained while the anodic polarization of mild steel (MS) is carried out in succinic acid, sulphanilic acid, sodium orthophosphate, sodium potassium tartrate (Na-K tartrate), and benzoic acid in 3:1 alcohol-water (BAW) solutions [11]. However, the results of electrolytes sodium-potassium tartrate (Na-K tartrate) and benzoic acid in alcohol-water (BAW) are reported for the polymerization of aniline onto MS [11]. The SEM image of MS sample polarized in 0.3 M oxalic acid solution and 0.1 M aniline in 0.3 M oxalic acid is reported as a dataset or a supplementary material of the main manuscript 'The Effect of Electrolytes on the Coating of Polyaniline on Mild Steel by Electrochemical Methods and Its Corrosion Behaviour [11].'

Nickel in terrestrial biota: Comprehensive review on contamination, toxicity, tolerance and its remediation approaches.

Nickel (Ni) has been a subject of interest for environmental, physiological, biological scientists due to its dual effect (toxicity and essentiality) in terrestrial biota. In general, the safer limit of Ni is 1.5 µg g-1 in plants and 75-150 µg g-1 in soil. Litreature review indicates that Ni concentrations have been estimated up to 26 g kg-1 in terrestrial, and 0.2 mg L-1 in aquatic resources. In case of vegetables and fruits, mean Ni content has been reported in the range of 0.08-0.26 and 0.03-0.16 mg kg-1. Considering, Ni toxicity and its potential health hazards, there is an urgent need to find out the suitable remedial approaches. Plant vascular (>80%) and cortical (<20%) tissues are the major sequestration site (cation exchange) of absorbed Ni. Deciphering molecular mechanisms in transgenic plants have immense potential for enhancing Ni phytoremediation and microbial remediation efficiency. Further, it has been suggested that integrated bioremediation approaches have a potential futuristic path for Ni decontamination in natural resources. This systematic review provides insight on Ni effects on terrestrial biota including human and further explores its transportation, bioaccumulation through food chain contamination, human health hazards, and possible Ni remediation approaches.

Circular economy fertilization: Phycoremediated algal biomass as biofertilizers for sustainable crop production.

There is an urgent need to meet the demand of water and nutrients by their reuse and recycling to gratify sustainable food production system and resource conservation. Chlorella minutissima was found to be very effective in the removal of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), ammonium, nitrate, biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of sewage wastewater. We tested the effects of phycoremediated algal biomass addition to soil in field plots of baby corn and spinach, on plant growth, yield and soil chemical properties. The application of 100% nitrogen (N) fertilizer by algal biomass lead to higher economic yield of spinach and baby corn than recommended dose of mineral fertilizers. The available N and P content in experimental plots applied with algae biomass as biofertilizers were significantly higher than other treatments. The soil enzymes, such as urease, nitrate reductase, and dehydrogenase were analysed during the cropping season of baby corn and spinach. The soil supplied with 100% N by algae biomass (C. minutissima) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the dehydrogenase activity in spinach grown soil. While the nitrate reductase activity in soil supplied with algal manure was maximum (0.13 mg NO2-N produced g-1 soil 24 h-1) and significantly higher than other treatments in baby corn grown soil. This study revealed that phycoremediation coupled with biofertilizers production from algae biomass is a recycling and resource conservation exercise to reduce eutrophication, recycling of wastewater, recycling of plant nutrients and improvement of the soil quality in circular economy fertilization.

Lead Toxicity: Health Hazards, Influence on Food Chain, and Sustainable Remediation Approaches.

Lead (Pb) toxicity has been a subject of interest for environmental scientists due to its toxic effect on plants, animals, and humans. An increase in several Pb related industrial activities and use of Pb containing products such as agrochemicals, oil and paint, mining, etc. can lead to Pb contamination in the environment and thereby, can enter the food chain. Being one of the most toxic heavy metals, Pb ingestion via the food chain has proven to be a potential health hazard for plants and humans. The current review aims to summarize the research updates on Pb toxicity and its effects on plants, soil, and human health. Relevant literature from the past 20 years encompassing comprehensive details on Pb toxicity has been considered with key issues such as i) Pb bioavailability in soil, ii) Pb biomagnification, and iii) Pb- remediation, which has been addressed in detail through physical, chemical, and biological lenses. In the review, among different Pb-remediation approaches, we have highlighted certain advanced approaches such as microbial assisted phytoremediation which could possibly minimize the Pb load from the resources in a sustainable manner and would be a viable option to ensure a safe food production system.

Methane production, oxidation and mitigation: A mechanistic understanding and comprehensive evaluation of influencing factors.

Methane is one of the critical greenhouse gases, which absorb long wavelength radiation, affects the chemistry of atmosphere and contributes to global climate change. Rice ecosystem is one of the major anthropogenic sources of methane. The anaerobic waterlogged soil in rice field provides an ideal environment to methanogens for methanogenesis. However, the rate of methanogenesis differs according to rice cultivation regions due to a number of biological, environmental and physical factors like carbon sources, pH, Eh, temperature etc. The interplay between the different conditions and factors may also convert the rice fields into sink from source temporarily. Mechanistic understanding and comprehensive evaluation of these variations and responsible factors are urgently required for designing new mitigation options and evaluation of reported option in different climatic conditions. The objective of this review paper is to develop conclusive understanding on the methane production, oxidation, and emission and methane measurement techniques from rice field along with its mitigation/abatement mechanism to explore the possible reduction techniques from rice ecosystem.