Liposomes: An Emerging Strategy for the Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: A Liposomal delivery system is a novel and distinguishing way of organized medicine administration. The advancements in liposomal technology allow for controlled drug distribution to treat rheumatoid arthritis effectively. Liposomes are microscopic lipid-based vesicles that have shown promise in transporting substances, such as superoxide dismutase, hemoglobin, erythrocyte interleukin-2, gamma interferon, and smaller compounds. OBJECTIVE: Liposomes are biocompatible, nontoxic, biodegradable, non-immunogenic, and flexible, with sizes ranging from 0.025 to 2.5 micrometers. LDS is normally employed to distribute drugs through topical conduits, but fresh investigation has shown that it offers promise for oral, ocular, and parenteral administration. Our major objective is to gather information about liposomes, focusing on their applicability in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. METHODS: In the current review, we have tried to cover the preparation techniques, clinical trials, patents, marketed formulations, vesicle types, formulations used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments, and layered liposomal formulations with improved characteristics. CONCLUSION: Research has established LDS as a biocompatible, sustainable, non-toxic, adaptable material. Researchers working on LDS technology in rheumatoid arthritis will find this review particularly useful as it may unclutter novel ways for therapeutic intercessions in treating the disease.

Therapeutic Potential and Clinical Effectiveness of Quercetin: A Dietary Supplement.

Fruits and vegetables (like apples, citrus, grapes, onions, parsley, etc.) are the primary dietary sources of quercetin. In addition, isolated quercetin is also available on the market as a dietary supplement with a daily dose of up to 1000 mg/d. The objective of the present study is to explore the therapeutic potential and clinical efficacy of quercetin as a dietary supplement. The present paper highlights the safety parameters and clinical trial studies with several targets reviewed from the data available on PubMed, Science Direct, ClinicalTrails. gov, and from many reputed foundations. The results of the studies prove the unique position of quercetin in the treatment of various disorders and the possibility of using phytochemicals such as quercetin for an efficient cure. As evidenced by the numerous published reports on human interventions, it has been concluded that quercetin intake significantly improves disease conditions with minimal adverse effects.

Chebulinic Acid: An Incipient Anticancer Agent.

BACKGROUND: Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) comprising chebulinic acid as its principle active constituent is used to cure various diseases. T. chebula and chebulinic acid are used as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, radioprotective, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, antiarthritic, anticaries, and so on. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this current study is to give an overview of the recent literature and patents of T. chebula and chebulinic acid including methods of its isolation/extraction and their application in the prevention of various cancers and other diseases. METHODS: Present research and patents highlighting the anti-cancer potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid have been studied and discussed keeping in view the scientific novelty and impact. RESULTS: Both T. chebula and chebulinic acid are currently being explored for their anticancer potential in vitro and in vivo. They are either incorporated alone or in combination with other plants or drugs to show their activity and many clinical trials are also going on various potentials of the plant and chebulinic acid. Novel extraction techniques are also explored and patented. Efforts are being made to improve the bioavailability by developing Novel herbal drug delivery systems of the plant extract or chebulinic acid itself. CONCLUSION: Anti-cancer potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid may be well established by promising clinical trials and may open new interventions in various tumors. Clinical trials in conjunction with standard therapies are required to explore and validate the actual potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid respectively.

An Update on Herbal Products for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD), is a continuously increasing healthcare problem mainly characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation. The common symptoms of UC and CD include inflammation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding, and weight loss. IBD is generally caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental or microbial factors that influence the body's immune response and is responsible for digestive disorders and inflammation of the intestinal tract. However, a complete understanding of the pathophysiology and work-up of IBD is necessary to ensure appropriate treatment for the management of this complex disease. This review enlightens herbal therapeutics and drug delivery systems for the management of IBD, and thus provides new insights into this field and facilitates access to new treatments.

Hemorrhoid Disease: A Review on Treatment, Clinical Research and Patent Data.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoid disease (HD) is an anal-rectal ailment that is commonly painful or may be painless and causes rectal bleeding with or without prolapsing anal tissue. It is generally associated with bleeding, prolapse, pruritus, and discomfort, which results in a diminished quality of life and well-being. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the recent developments in terms of safety, clinical efficacy, and marketed formulation for the effective management of hemorrhoids. METHOD: Reported literature available on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Clinicaltrails.gov, and from many reputed foundations has been studied to summarize the recent development and clinical studies for the management of hemorrhoids. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The high incidence of hemorrhoids obliges the development of new molecules; therefore, safe and efficient drugs to confer protection against hemorrhoids are urgently needed. This review article mainly focuses on the newer molecules to overcome hemorrhoids and also emphasizes various studies carried out in the past.

Microsponges: A Neoteric Approach for the Effective Management of Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: A microsponge delivery system (MDS) is a cutting-edge and distinctive method of structured medication delivery. Regulated drug distribution is now possible with the use of microsponge technology. Techniques for drug release are created specifically to distribute medications to the body's various locations. As a result, pharmacological therapy becomes more effective, and patient compliance significantly affects the health care system. MAIN BODY: MDS consists of porous microspheres with a substantially porous structure and a very small spherical shape, ranging in size from 5 to 300 microns. MDS is typically used to administer medications through topical channels, but new research has demonstrated the promise of this technique for parenteral, oral, and ocular drug delivery. Topical formulations are an attempt to manage diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, etc. While reducing the drug's side effects, MDS can readily change the pharmaceutical release shape and enhance formulation stability. Reaching the highest peak plasma concentration in the blood is the main goal of microsponge medication delivery. The ability of MDS to self-sterilize is by far the most notable quality. CONCLUSION: In countless studies, MDS is employed as an anti-allergic, anti-mutagenic, and nonirritant. This review covers the overview of microsponges along with their release mechanism. The article focuses on the marketed formulation of microsponges and patent data of the same. This review will be helpful for researchers working in MDS technology.

Nanotechnology a Boon for Colorectal Cancer Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most widely spread tumor among the human population. It is usually adenocarcinomatous and develops as a polyp on the inner wall of the colon or rectum which may become malignant with time. Though its treatment is limited, its early diagnosis and prevention play a better role, thereby decreasing mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: The molecular markers in CRC-affected tissues may play an important role to develop novel strategies to cure the disease. Nanotechnology consists of both an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic array of nanomaterials that may be used to target CRC like dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, etc. Methods: Current patents and research covering the nanotechnology used to target and diagnose CRC is included in the review. RESULTS: Nanotechnology is playing a wonderful role in both the treatment and diagnosis of CRC. CONCLUSION: The present review may cover the recent advancements in nanotechnology in the treatment and diagnosis of CRC.

An Investigation on Self-Medication Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among the Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Self-medication has both negative and beneficial effects on people's health, as the COVID-19 epidemic has demonstrated. The goal of the study is to look into the epidemiology of self-medicated medications used for respiratory symptoms, as a COVID-19 preventive, for its symptoms, or after a positive COVID-19 test, and to see how symptom relief is viewed in India, as well as what demographic factors encourage self-medication. METHODS: Using a trial version of Qualtrics Core XM software to prototype 24 surveys, a webbased questionnaire was built, tested, and disseminated in several Indian states. RESULT: In the survey, 519 candidates participated. 43% of respondents reported that all symptoms were relieved. However, just 39% of all respondents took the government-recommended Ayushkwath, and 56% took a vitamin C tablet to improve immunity. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and azithromycin were shown to be the most commonly used medications for various symptoms, including fever, weariness, cough, sneezing, loose motion, and immune boost, and breathing problems. CONCLUSION: Self-medication was common, with many people taking drugs for which there was little scientific evidence. The frequency of self-medication was connected to age, region, and employment position.

Bourgeoning Cancer Targets.

Identifying cancer genomes has provided acuity into somatically altered genes athwart tumors, transformed our understanding of biology, and helped us design therapeutic strategies. Though the action of most cancer cells remains furtive yet many features of cancer surpass their genomes. Consequently, the characterization of tumor genome does not affect the treatment of many patients. Strategies to know the circuity and function of cancer genes provide corresponding methods to explicate both non-oncogene and oncogene deficiencies. The emerging techniques specify that the therapeutic targets produced by non-oncogene deficiencies are much grander than the mutated genes. In the present review, a framework of the long-drawn-out list of cancer targets viz. synthetic lethal targets, oncogene dependence, response to DNA damage, tumor suppressor rescue, metabolic susceptibility, protein-protein interaction, cell state or master regulators, targeting immune cells, fibroblasts, etc. giving innovative prospects for clinical translation, are discussed.

Transdermal Drug Delivery: A Step towards Treatment of Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transdermal drug delivery is an emerging and appealing alternative to oral and hypodermic drug delivery systems. With the new developments in skin penetration techniques, anticancer drugs ranging from hydrophilic macromolecules to lipophilic drugs can be administered via a transdermal route to treat cancer. OBJECTIVE: In the present review, various approaches to enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs are discussed, including micro and nanotechnology-based transdermal formulations like chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, phototherapy, vaccines, and medical devices. Limitations and advantages of various transdermal technologies are also elaborated. METHODS: In this review, patent applications and recent literature of transdermal drug delivery systems employed to cure mainly cancer are covered. RESULTS: Transdermal drug delivery systems have proved their potential to cure cancer. They increase the bioavailability of the drug by site-specific drug delivery and can reduce the side effects/- toxicity associated with anticancer drugs. CONCLUSION: The potential of transdermal drug delivery systems to carry the drug may unclutter novel ways for therapeutic intercessions in various tumors.

Eudragit, a Nifty Polymer for Anticancer Preparations: A Patent Review.

BACKGROUND: Polymers are the backbone of modern pharmaceutical formulations and drug delivery technologies. Polymers that may be natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic are used to control the release of drugs in a pre-programmed fashion. The drug delivery systems are mainly prepared to enhance the bioavailability, site-specific release, sustained release, controlled release, i.e., to modify the release of drug from dosage form may be a tablet, capsule, etc. Objectives: The objective of the present study is to overview the recent patents concerning the application of eudragit in the prevention of cancer and other ailments. Eudragit polymers are polymethacrylates and may be anionic, cationic, or non-ionic polymers of methacrylic acid, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, and methacrylic acid esters in varying ratios. Eudragit is available in various grades with solubilities at different pH, thus helping the formulators design the preparation to have a well-defined release pattern. METHODS: In this review, patent applications of eudragit in various drug delivery systems employed to cure mainly cancer are covered. RESULTS: Eudragit has proved its potential as a polymer to control the release of drugs as coating polymer and formation of the matrix in various delivery systems. It can increase the bioavailability of the drug by site-specific drug delivery and can reduce the side effects/toxicity associated with anticancer drugs. CONCLUSION: The potential of eudragit to carry the drug may unclutter novel ways for therapeutic intercessions in various tumors.

HPMC- A Marvel Polymer for Pharmaceutical Industry-Patent Review.

At the present time, designing of defined release dosage forms, either controlled, sustained, modified, are gaining much importance. For the development of such delivery systems, proper blend of polymers is required so that drug release occurs by polymer erosion, swelling, diffusion/ dissolution. HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) is the most commonly used cellulosic polymer available in various grades to develop such types of systems. Depending upon the molecular weight and viscosity chosen, it can be applied for emulsification, adhesion, bonding, thickening, suspension, film forming and gelation. It consists of polymeric units linked together, which retain water, thereby acting as an excellent hydrophilic gel forming polymer. It generally hydrates on the outer surface to form a gelatinous layer. It swells, expands upon contact with water and releases the drug in predetermined manner initially and then forms viscous gel to control the release further. The objective of the present review is to overview the recent patents and articles of HPMC, its properties, grades and its use in various drug delivery systems and as a binder, dispersing agent, bioavailability enhancer and as capsule forming material have been identified and reviewed.

Chitosan - A Potential Polymer to Prepare Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems: Patent Review.

BACKGROUND: Polymers are used in drug delivery systems to encapsulate and release the drug. Natural polymers have the advantages of biodegradability, biocompatibility, and recognizable biological moieties that maintain cellular functions as compared to synthetic polymers. Chitosan is a natural polycationic linear polysaccharide that originates from chitin. Its easy modification, release rate of drug, ability to cross-link with other polymers, gelling ability, immunostimulation, bioadhesion, biocompatibility, and biodegradability has increased its application in various drug delivery systems. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to overview the recent patents of the application of chitosan in various drug delivery systems and their use in the prevention of cancer and other ailments. METHODS: In this review, the patent application of chitosan in various drug delivery systems employed to cure mainly cancer has been covered with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and novelty. RESULTS: Chitosan has proved its potential as a polymer to control and target the drug at the site of action. CONCLUSION: The potential of chitosan and its derivatives to deliver and target the drug may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in different tumors.

Curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes.

The development and spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs is hampering the management of microbial infectious and wound healing processes. Curcumin is the most active and effective constituent of Curcuma longa L., also known as turmeric, and has a very long and strong history of medicinal value for human health and skincare. Curcumin has been proposed as strong antimicrobial potentialities and many attempts have been made to determine its ability to conjointly control bacterial growth and promote wound healing. However, low aqueous solubility, poor tissue absorption and short plasma half-life due its rapid metabolism needs to be solved for made curcumin formulations as suitable treatment for wound healing. New curcumin nanoformulations have been designed to solve the low bioavailability problem of curcumin. Thus, in the present review, the therapeutic applications of curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes is described.

Formulation optimization and characterization of transdermal film of curcumin by response surface methodology.

Objective: India is referred as goldmine of herbal drugs but still lack of optimization of herbal drugs, which has kept us on the back foot. The rationale of the study is to prepare optimized transdermal drug delivery system of curcumin employing response surface methodology to study the collective effect of independent variables like concentration of ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose and dibutyl phthalate which significantly influenced characteristics like percentage elongation and in vitro drug release. Method: Twenty formulations containing varying concentrations of polymers and permeation enhancer were prepared using solvent casting technique. Result: The study revealed that the effect of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) concentration was the highest on percentage elongation (P < 0.0001), while hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) concentration exhibited pronounced effect on drug release (P < 0.0001) through dialysis membrane. Linear model fitted the best for curcumin release and elongation for all formulations. According to Derringer's desirability prediction tool, the composition of optimized film was found to be 242.14% of HPMC, 109.59% of ethyl cellulose (EC), and 1.03% of DBP. Under these conditions, the optimized patch exhibited a predicted value of %elongation and in vitro drug release of 94.35% and 80.0306%, respectively, which was comparable to the actual values of percent elongation and in vitro drug release i.e. 95.02% and 81.03% respectively. FTIR and thermal studies were also performed which revealed no interaction or complexation between drug and excipients. The ex vivo study performed using rat skin showed that the cumulative drug release from the optimized patch showed flux of (30.68 ± 18) µg/cm2/h. Conclusion: It can be concluded that in future if proper optimization of herbal formulations is carried out, they can become the first choice for patients as compare to synthetic drugs.

Preparation and Evaluation of '3 Cap' Pulsatile Drug Delivery System of Ramipril.

BACKGROUND: Chronotherapeutics, the drug delivery based on circadian rhythm, is recently gaining much attention worldwide. Various diseases like asthma, hypertension, and arthritis show the circadian variation that demands time scheduled drug release for effective drug action. Therefore, the pulsatile drug delivery system has been designed to confer preprogrammed drug delivery. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, a '3 Cap' pulsatile drug delivery system has been developed, optimized, and characterized in order to achieve the floating and pulsatile release of ramipril. METHODS: An optimal response surface design was employed to investigate the effect of isopropanol: formaldehyde vapors for varying time on drug release from the capsules. '3 Cap' pulsatile drug delivery system was evaluated in terms of floating time, density, the effect of gastric flow rate, and type of dissolution apparatus on drug release. RESULTS: Independent variables exhibited a significant effect on the drug release of the prepared formulations. Results showed that time between the release of fractions of dose increased with an increase in formaldehyde: isopropanol ratio and duration of exposure to formaldehyde vapors with no effect of gastric flow rate. CONCLUSION: The results of the designed system revealed that an optimum exposure of 1:2 of isopropanol: formaldehyde vapors for sixty minutes resulted in the desired release of second pulse of dose after a predetermined lag time of 5 hours as desired. '3Cap' system was successful in achieving floating and pulsed release of hypertensive drug opening a 'new lease of life' to the existing drug molecule.

Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Potential of Helenalin.

BACKGROUND: Arnica montana, containing helenalin as its principal active constituent, is the most widely used plant to treat various ailments. Recent studies indicate that Arnica and helenalin provide significant health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, immunomodulatory, and most important, anti-cancer properties. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to overview the recent patents of Arnica and its principal constituent helenalin, including new methods of isolation, and their use in the prevention of cancer and other ailments. METHODS: Current prose and patents emphasizing the anti-cancer potential of helenalin and Arnica, incorporated as anti-inflammary agents in anti-cancer preparations, have been identified and reviewed with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and novelty. RESULTS: Helenalin has shown its anti-cancer potential to treat multiple types of tumors, both in vitro and in vivo. It has also portrayed synergistic effects when given in combination with other anti- cancer drugs or natural compounds. New purification/isolation techniques are also developing with novel helenalin formulations and its synthetic derivatives have been developed to increase its solubility and bioavailability. CONCLUSION: The promising anti-cancer potential of helenalin in various preclinical studies may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in different tumors. Thus clinical trials validating its tumor suppressing and chemopreventive activities, particularly in conjunction with standard therapies, are immediately required.

Novel Herbal Topical Patch Containing Curcumin and Arnica montana for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) ranks fifth among all forms of disability affecting 10% of the world population. Current treatments available are associated with multiple side effects and do not slow down the progression of the disease. Moreover, no such effective treatment is available to date in various systems of medicine to treat osteoarthritis. Curcumin and Arnica have shown evident clinical advances in the treatment of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to design, optimize and characterize novel herbal transdermal patches of curcumin and Arnica montana using factorial design. METHODS: A multiple factorial design was employed to investigate the effect of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and jojoba oil on elongation and drug release. Transdermal patches were evaluated by FTIR, DSC, FESEM, ex vivo drug permeation, anti osteoarthritic activity and analgesic activity. RESULTS: Independent variables exhibited a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of the prepared formulations. The higher values of drug release and elongation were observed with the higher concentration of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and jojoba oil. Anti osteoarthritic activity was assessed by complete Freund's adjuvant arthritis model; using rats and analgesic activity by Eddy's hot plate method, using mice. Combination patch exhibited good anti osteoarthritic and analgesic activity as compare to individual drug patches. CONCLUSION: The design results revealed that the combination patch exhibited good physicochemical, anti osteoarthritic and analgesic activity for the treatment of osteoarthritis in animals. More plants and their combinations should be explored to get reliable, safe and effective formulations that can compete with synthetic drugs.

Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review.

OBJECTIVES: Arnica montana is a widely used therapeutic plant used traditionally to treat various ailments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the botany, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology along with special emphasis given on pharmacological activity of plant A. montana. KEY FINDINGS: The plant extracts have been reported to possess antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and immunomodulatory activity. A wide range of chemical compounds including sesquiterpene lactones and their short-chain carbonic acid esters, flavonoids, carotenoids, essential oils, diterpenes, arnidiol, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, coumarins, phenolic acids, lignans and oligosaccharides, etc., are found in different parts of the plant. SUMMARY: It has been scrutinized that extensive research has been carried out to explore the therapeutic potential of flowers of the plant. Therefore, investigations should be carried out to explore the therapeutic potential of other parts of the plant for better therapeutic utilization.