Theoretical investigations of structural, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of group V (X = V, Nb, Ta) added CeO2-X materials for optoelectronic applications.

CONTEXT: Depletion of natural resources, responsible for energy production, is a serious concern for researchers to develop alternate energy resources or materials. Scientists have proposed various energy materials which are based on semiconductors and their underlying physics. Cerium oxide (CeO2) is a versatile energy material which receives much attention owing to excellent photocatalytic, photonic, thermal stability, and optoelectronic applications. Even though CeO2 exhibited remarkable physical properties, but yet, they can be enhanced upon suitable doping. Focus on current research is to dope group V elements into CeO2 in order to enhance its electronic and optical response. The density of states (DOS) and band gaps of proposed materials are calculated, and significant improvement is noted after applying TB-mbj method. Optical absorption spectra of V/Nb/Ta-doped CeO2 show blueshift and decrease in reflectivity along with the presence of magnetism illustrate potential uses of these materials in future UV optoelectronics, spintronics, sensing, and energy harvesting devices. METHODS: This research is based on computational work carried using Wien2k code where PBE-GGA approximation is used to approximate exchange and correlation potentials. Supercells of vanadium/niobium/tantalum-doped CeO2 are constructed, and spin-polarized density of states (DOS) along with optical constant are calculated. TB-mbj method is used to bring improvements in DOS and band gaps of proposed materials. Iterations are conducted using convergence criterion, and non-relativistic calculations are performed.

Nanotechnology-mediated delivery of resveratrol as promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): progress and promises.

INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Resveratrol exhibits potential as a therapeutic intervention against TNBC by regulating various pathways such as the PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF/ERK, PKCδ, and AMPK, leading to apoptosis through ROS-mediated CHOP activationand the expression of DR4 and DR5. However, the clinical efficacy of resveratrol is limited due to its poor biopharmaceutical characteristics and low bioavailability at the tumor site. Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to improving the biopharmaceutical characteristics of resveratrol to achieve clinical efficacy in different cancers. The small dimension (<200 nm) of nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery system is helpful to improve the bioavailability, internalization into the TNBC cell, ligand-specific targeted delivery of loaded resveratrol to tumor site including reversal of MDR (multi-drug resistance) condition. AREAS COVERED: This manuscript provides a comprehensive discussion on the structure-activity relationship (SAR), underlying anticancer mechanism, evidence of anticancer activity in in-vitro/in-vivo investigations, and the significance of nanotechnology-mediated delivery of resveratrol in TNBC. EXPERT OPINION: Advanced nano-formulations of resveratrol such as oxidized mesoporous carbon nanoparticles, macrophage-derived vesicular system, functionalized gold nanoparticles, etc. have increased the accumulation of loaded therapeutics at the tumor-site, and avoid off-target drug release. In conclusion, nano-resveratrol as a strategy may provide improved tumor-specific image-guided treatment options for TNBC utilizing theranostic approach.

Autophagy related genes mediated mitophagy in yeast, mammals and higher plants.

Autophagy is classified into macro-autophagy and micro-autophagy. Two major types of autophagy in the complex eukaryotic organism are microautophagy and macroautophagy. During microautophagy, cytoplasmic components that need to be degraded are taken up by lysosomes in animals and by vacuole in yeast and plants via the invagination of tonoplast. While macroautophagy is initiated after the formation of a cup-shaped membrane structure, a phagophore develops at cargo that grows in size and is sealed by double-membrane vesicles to form autophagosome; a generalized mechanism for degradation of the organelle. Autophagic removal of damaged mitochondria is a conserved cellular process to maintain a healthy mitochondrion called Mitophagy. In plants and animals, mitophagy has crucial roles in stress responses, senescence, development, and programmed cell death. Mitophagy appears in mammals, fungi, and plants but many genes that controlled mitophagy are absent from plants. Numerous studies have been conducted by using ATG mutants for the identification of functional roles of Autophagy Related Genes (ATG) required during the autophagy process at various steps like; auto phagosome formation, ATG protein recruitment, etc. The role of more than 25 ATG genes in mitophagy has been discussed in this review paper. The main parameters, reviewed and summarized in this review paper, are the name of species, common name, function, domain, deletion, induction, and localization of these autophagy-related genes in the cell. This review will facilitate the students, researchers, and academics for their further research insights.

3D printed capsule shells for personalized dosing of cyclosporine-loaded SNEDDS.

Cyclosporine (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant agent that has been used since 1980 for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and is extensively used to enhance the survival rate of patients and grafts following organ transplant surgeries. CsA is a poorly soluble drug with a narrow therapeutic window and inter-subject variability, which can lead to graft rejection, nephrotoxicity and other severe adverse effects. This study explores a novel method that combines solubility enhancement of CsA using SNEDDS formulation and personalized dosage delivery using 3D printing technology. The oil phase was chosen as a combination of caproyl 90 and octanoic acid while the Smix phase was chosen as a combination of cremophore El and PEG 400. The optimized liquid SNEDDS was solidified using PEG 6000. An FDM printer was used to print a capsular shell with an oval base that ascends to form a dome with an opening at the top. This opening is used to fill the molten CsA-loaded SNEDDS formulation using a pipette or syringe. The CsA-loaded SNEDDS formulation was characterized by FTIR, DSC and SEM/EDX. The in-vitro release of CsA showed complete release within sixty minutes and followed Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics. The drug release was not affected by either the shell opening size or the amount of the loaded formulation. This novel method is simple and straightforward for personalized dosage delivery of drug-loaded SNEDDS formulations.

Marine Natural Compound (Neviotin A) Displays Anticancer Efficacy by Triggering Transcriptomic Alterations and Cell Death in MCF-7 Cells.

We investigated the anticancer mechanism of a chloroform extract of marine sponge (Haliclona fascigera) (sample C) in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. Viability analysis using MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays showed that sample C exposure decreased the proliferation of cells. Flow cytometric data exhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), dysfunction of mitochondrial potential, and apoptosis in sample C-treated MCF-7 cells. A qPCR array of sample C-treated MCF-7 cells showed crosstalk between different pathways of apoptosis, especially BIRC5, BCL2L2, and TNFRSF1A genes. Immunofluorescence analysis affirmed the localization of p53, bax, bcl2, MAPKPK2, PARP-1, and caspase-3 proteins in exposed cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation of sample C revealed Neviotin A as the most active compound triggering maximum cell death in MCF-7, indicating its pharmacological potency for the development of a drug for the treatment of human breast cancer.

Iron oxide nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, and DNA damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology and material science have developed enormously fast in recent years. Due to their excellent magnetic properties, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been broadly applied in the field of bioengineering and biomedical. Thus, it is important to evaluate the safety issues and health effects of these nanomaterials. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of IONPs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The cytotoxic potential of IONPs was assessed by MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. The impact of IONPs on oxidative stress markers (glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was also examined. Furthermore, the toxic effect of IONPs was quantified by assessing DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis by quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS: We found that IONPs induce a dose-dependent cytotoxicity on HUVECs with IC50 value of 79.13 µg/mL. The results also displayed that IONPs induce oxidative stress, ROS production, and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction. The comet assay results exhibited IONPs induces DNA damage in HUVECs. We found significant cell cycle arrest at SubG1 phase in treated cells and consequent cell death was evidenced by microscopic analysis. Moreover, IONPs display substantial up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic gene evidenced by real time qPCR. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results clearly demonstrated that IONPs have the potential to induce cytotoxicity, DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in HUVECs mediated through oxidative stress and ROS production. Thus, IONPs are cytotoxic and it should be handled with proper care.

Flavonoids as promising anticancer therapeutics: Contemporary research, nanoantioxidant potential, and future scope.

Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds considered safe, pleiotropic, and readily available molecules. It is widely distributed in various food products such as fruits and vegetables and beverages such as green tea, wine, and coca-based products. Many studies have reported the anticancer potential of flavonoids against different types of cancers, including solid tumors. The chemopreventive effect of flavonoids is attributed to various mechanisms, including modulation of autophagy, induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense. Despite of significant anticancer activity of flavonoids, their clinical translation is limited due to their poor biopharmaceutical attributes (such as low aqueous solubility, limited permeability across the biological membranes (intestinal and blood-brain barrier), and stability issue in biological systems). A nanoparticulate system is an approach that is widely utilized to improve the biopharmaceutical performance and therapeutic efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. The present review discusses the significant anticancer potential of promising flavonoids in different cancers and the utilization of nanoparticulate systems to improve their nanoantioxidant activity further to enhance the anticancer activity of loaded promising flavonoids. Although, various plant-derived secondary metabolites including flavonoids have been recommended for treating cancer, further vigilant research is warranted to prove their translational values.

Effectiveness of Nonfunctionalized Graphene Oxide Nanolayers as Nanomedicine against Colon, Cervical, and Breast Cancer Cells.

Recent studies in nanomedicine have intensively explored the prospective applications of surface-tailored graphene oxide (GO) as anticancer entity. However, the efficacy of nonfunctionalized graphene oxide nanolayers (GRO-NLs) as an anticancer agent is less explored. In this study, we report the synthesis of GRO-NLs and their in vitro anticancer potential in breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. GRO-NLs-treated HT-29, HeLa, and MCF-7 cells showed cytotoxicity in the MTT and NRU assays via defects in mitochondrial functions and lysosomal activity. HT-29, HeLa, and MCF-7 cells treated with GRO-NLs exhibited substantial elevations in ROS, disturbances of the mitochondrial membrane potential, an influx of Ca2+, and apoptosis. The qPCR quantification showed the upregulation of caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, and SOD1 genes in GRO-NLs-treated cells. Western blotting showed the depletion of P21, P53, and CDC25C proteins in the above cancer cell lines after GRO-NLs treatment, indicating its function as a mutagen to induce mutation in the P53 gene, thereby affecting P53 protein and downstream effectors P21 and CDC25C. In addition, there may be a mechanism other than P53 mutation that controls P53 dysfunction. We conclude that nonfunctionalized GRO-NLs exhibit prospective biomedical application as a putative anticancer entity against colon, cervical, and breast cancers.

3D Printing Technology as a Promising Tool to Design Nanomedicine-Based Solid Dosage Forms: Contemporary Research and Future Scope.

3D printing technology in medicine is gaining great attention from researchers since the FDA approved the first 3D-printed tablet (Spritam®) on the market. This technique permits the fabrication of various types of dosage forms with different geometries and designs. Its feasibility in the design of different types of pharmaceutical dosage forms is very promising for making quick prototypes because it is flexible and does not require expensive equipment or molds. However, the development of multi-functional drug delivery systems, specifically as solid dosage forms loaded with nanopharmaceuticals, has received attention in recent years, although it is challenging for formulators to convert them into a successful solid dosage form. The combination of nanotechnology with the 3D printing technique in the field of medicine has provided a platform to overcome the challenges associated with the fabrication of nanomedicine-based solid dosage forms. Therefore, the major focus of the present manuscript is to review the recent research developments that involved the formulation design of nanomedicine-based solid dosage forms utilizing 3D printing technology. Utilization of 3D printing techniques in the field of nanopharmaceuticals achieved the successful transformation of liquid polymeric nanocapsules and liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) to solid dosage forms such as tablets and suppositories easily with customized doses as per the needs of the individual patient (personalized medicine). Furthermore, the present review also highlights the utility of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques (Pressure-Assisted Microsyringe-PAM; Fused Deposition Modeling-FDM) to produce tablets and suppositories containing polymeric nanocapsule systems and SNEDDS for oral and rectal administration. The manuscript critically analyzes contemporary research related to the impact of various process parameters on the performance of 3D-printed solid dosage forms.

Microsatellite markers-aided dissection of iron, zinc and cadmium accumulation potential in Triticum aestivum.

Background: Wheat is a staple cereal food around the globe. It provides a significant source of proteins, carbohydrates, and other micronutrients to humans. When grown on cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils, the uptake of trace elements e.g., iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) has also been affected drastically that in turn affected the wheat grain. Methods: In this study, wheat accessions were used to investigate the impact of soil application of Zn (5 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg) and Cd (0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) on accumulation of these elements in wheat grains. A total of 45 Fe, Zn, and Cd transporter-related genes were used to design 101 gene-specific SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. Results: In response to Cd stress, application of 20 mg/Kg Zn improved Fe (64.6 ug/g) and Zn (48.3 ug/g) accumulation in wheat grains as well as agronomic traits. Marker trait association revealed that SSR markers based on NAM-B1 gene (PR01 and PR02) were associated with Zn accumulation. Similarly, SSR markers based on TaVTL5-2B_5 (PR19 PR20), TaVTL5-2B_2 (PR25, PR26), TaVTL5-2D_3 (PR30), TaVTL2-2A (PR31), TaVTL1-6A (PR32), and TaVTL2-2D_1 (PR37) were significantly associated with Fe accumulation, while HMA3-5B1 (PR62) and TaNRAMP3-7D (PR89) were linked to Cd accumulation in grains. The highly associated markers may be used in marker-assisted selection of suitable wheat genotypes for breeding bio-fortified varieties with low Cd accumulation.

3D Printed Pharmaceutical Systems for Personalized Treatment in Metabolic Syndrome.

The current healthcare system is widely based on the concept of "one size fit for all", which emphasizes treating a disease by prescribing the same drug to all patients with equivalent doses and dosing frequency. This medical treatment scenario has shown varied responses with either no or weak pharmacological effects and exaggerated adverse reactions preceded by more patient complications. The hitches to the concept of "one size fits all" have devoted the attention of many researchers to unlocking the concept of personalized medicine (PM). PM delivers customized therapy with the highest safety margin for an individual patient's needs. PM has the potential to revolutionize the current healthcare system and pave the way to alter drug choices and doses according to a patient's clinical responses, providing physicians with the best treatment outcomes. The 3D printing techniques is a solid-form fabrication method whereby successive layers of materials based on computer-aided designs were deposited to form 3D structures. The 3D printed formulation achieves PM goals by delivering the desired dose according to patient needs and drug release profile to achieve a patient's personal therapeutic and nutritional needs. This pre-designed drug release profile attains optimum absorption and distribution, exhibiting maximum efficacy and safety profiles. This review aims to focus on the role of the 3D printing technique as a promising tool to design PM in metabolic syndrome (MS).

Genetic Effects of GA-Responsive Dwarfing Gene Rht13 on Plant Height, Peduncle Length, Internodal Length and Grain Yield of Wheat under Drought Stress.

Reduction in plant height is generally associated with an increase in lodging resistance, drought tolerance and grain yield of wheat worldwide. Historically, a significant increase in grain yield was observed through the introduction of semi-dwarf wheat varieties utilizing the gibberellic acid-insensitive Rht genes (Rht1 or Rht2). The gibberellic acid sensitive (GA-sensitive) reduced height (Rht) genes are available that are alternatives to gibberellic acid insensitive (GA-insensitive) Rht genes, having a neutral effect on coleoptile length seedling vigor suggesting their potential in using alone or in combination with GA-insensitive Rht genes to improve grain yield and drought tolerance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate parents and F1 crosses under drought stress. The crossing was done using line × tester mating design, comprising eight lines and five testers having different GA-sensitive and GA-insensitive Rht genes. Parents and F1 crosses were sown in the field under RCBD with three replications in normal and drought stress. Data were recorded for morpho-physiological traits. The mean comparison showed significant differences among parents and hybrids for most of the studies' traits. The general combining ability showed that line 1 is the good general combiner for days to heading, lodging (%), plant height, peduncle length, internodal length and days to maturity under normal conditions while L5 was the good general cobiner for chlorophyll contents and stomatal conductance both under normal and drought stress. The spcaicfic combing ability estimases showed that the cross L1 × T1 was best for days to heading, lodging (%), plant height and internodal length both under normal and drought stress. F1 hybrids showed a significant reduction in plant height (18-25%), peduncle length (20-28%) and increased grain yield (15-18%) under drought stress. Expression analysis showed upregulation of Rht13 at the middle part of the peduncle internode under drought stress. From the expression analysis, five crosses were selected, and their segregating population was raised and space-plated. Rht13 genes reduced plant height (-30 to -45%), peduncle length (-30 to -53%), peduncle internode length (-28% to -48%), increased spike length (+20% to +50%), number of grains per spike (+17 to +26%) and grain yield per plant (+29% to +50%) compared to Rht1 gene. These results suggested the possibility of using the GA-sensitive Rht13 gene for the development of high-yielding and drought-tolerant wheat varieties.

Enhancement of diterpenoid steviol glycosides by co-overexpressing SrKO and SrUGT76G1 genes in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Stevia rebaudiana (stevia) contains commercially important steviol glycosides, stevioside and rebaudioside A, these compounds have insulinotropic and anti-hyperglycemic effect. Steviol, stevioside and rebaudioside-A have taste modulation and insulin potentiation activity. Stevia leaves are composed of steviol (2-5%), stevioside (4-13%) and rebaudioside-A (1-6%). Stevioside has after-taste bitterness, rebaudioside-A is sweetest in taste among all the glycosides present. Therefore, lower ratio of rebaudioside-A to stevioside has bitter after-taste, which makes stevia plants unpalatable. By over-expressing the genes, SrUGT76G1 and SrKO, we propose to increase the ratio of RebA to stevioside in stevia. Various lines were generated and amongst them, seven lines had both the transgenes present. Co-overxpresion of SrUGT76G1 and SrKO led to the increased concentration of RebA in all the seven transgenic lines (KU1-KU7) than control plant and RebA to stevioside ratio also increased significantly. Steviol, stevioside and RebA showed a differential concentration in all the seven lines, but the pattern was the same in all of them and the ratio of RebA to stevioside increased dramatically. In transgenic line 2 (KU2), RebA showed a steep increase in concentration 52% the rebaudioside-A to stevioside ratio increased from 0.74 (control) to 2.83. In overall all the lines, RebA showed a positive correlation with steviol and stevioside. Overexpression of SrKO led to an increase in steviol which increased the stevioside, overexpression of SrUGT76G1 ultimately increased RebA concentration. In conclusion, concentration of RebA increased significantly with co- overexpression of SrUGT6G1 and SrKO genes. Lines with increased RebA are more palatable and commercially viable.

Recent Progress in Chitosan-Based Nanomedicine for Its Ocular Application in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a degenerative, chronic ocular disease that causes irreversible vision loss. The major symptom of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure, which happens when the flow of aqueous humor between the front and back of the eye is blocked. Glaucoma therapy is challenging because of the low bioavailability of drugs from conventional ocular drug delivery systems such as eye drops, ointments, and gels. The low bioavailability of antiglaucoma agents could be due to the precorneal and corneal barriers as well as the low biopharmaceutical attributes of the drugs. These limitations can be overcome by employing nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. Over the last decade, there has been a lot of interest in chitosan-based nanoparticulate systems to overcome the limitations (such as poor residence time, low corneal permeability, etc.) associated with conventional ocular pharmaceutical products. Therefore, the main aim of the present manuscript is to review the recent research work involving the chitosan-based nanoparticulate system to treat glaucoma. It discusses the significance of the chitosan-based nanoparticulate system, which provides mucoadhesion to improve the residence time of drugs and their ocular bioavailability. Furthermore, different types of chitosan-based nanoparticulate systems are also discussed, namely nanoparticles of chitosan core only, nanoparticles coated with chitosan, and hybrid nanoparticles of chitosan. The manuscript also provides a critical analysis of contemporary research related to the impact of this chitosan-based nanomedicine on the corneal permeability, ocular bioavailability, and therapeutic performance of loaded antiglaucoma agents.

Promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of Parkinson's disease: recent advancements and contemporary research.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the progressive neurological diseases which affect around 10 million population worldwide. The clinical manifestation of motor symptoms in PD patients appears later when most dopaminergic neurons have degenerated. Thus, for better management of PD, the development of accurate biomarkers for the early prognosis of PD is imperative. The present work will discuss the potential biomarkers from various attributes covering biochemical, microRNA, and neuroimaging aspects (α-synuclein, DJ-1, UCH-L1, ß-glucocerebrosidase, BDNF, etc.) for diagnosis, recent development in PD management, and major limitations with current and conventional anti-Parkinson therapy. This manuscript summarizes potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, based on available preclinical and clinical evidence, for better management of PD.

Topical gel containing Polysiloxanes and hyaluronic acid for skin scar: Formulation design, characterization, and In vivo activity.

BACKGROUND: Scar formation is undesirable both cosmetically and functionally. It shows that silicone gel is effective in preventing and improving scars formed due to a wound formation after injury. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether a silicone gel composition based on a novel concept of infusing a biologically active material such as hyaluronic acid and/or salts with various polysiloxane derivatives in a specific proportion to achieve desired viscosity range and their action has a synergistic beneficial effect on skin scar after injury. METHODS: We have developed a topical gel utilizing a combination of emulsifiers, sodium hyaluronate, polysiloxane, and its derivatives. The method of preparation comprises mixing of aqueous phase dispersion and polysiloxanes blend under stirring at room temperature. RESULTS: It results in the formation of a homogenous smooth gel formulation. The developed topical gel formulation was characterized for physicochemical properties, rheology, stability, and anti-scar activity in Wistar rats. It was found that the developed formulation system consists of desirable attributes for skin applications. In vivo investigation of developed polysiloxane gel formulation for anti-scar activity shown promising outcomes compared to marketed product (Kelo-cote scar gel). Furthermore, a histopathology study of healed skin tissues observed the formation of microscopic skin structures compared to the Kelo-cote scar gel. CONCLUSIONS: It indicates that the combination of polysiloxanes and sodium hyaluronate resulting an improvement in anti-scar activity compared to the marketed product containing polysiloxanes alone.

Fill in the blank for fashion complementary outfit product Retrieval: VISUM summer school competition.

Every year, the VISion Understanding and Machine intelligence (VISUM) summer school runs a competition where participants can learn and share knowledge about Computer Vision and Machine Learning in a vibrant environment. 2021 VISUM's focused on applying those methodologies in fashion. Recently, there has been an increase of interest within the scientific community in applying computer vision methodologies to the fashion domain. That is highly motivated by fashion being one of the world's largest industries presenting a rapid development in e-commerce mainly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Computer Vision for Fashion enables a wide range of innovations, from personalized recommendations to outfit matching. The competition enabled students to apply the knowledge acquired in the summer school to a real-world problem. The ambition was to foster research and development in fashion outfit complementary product retrieval by leveraging vast visual and textual data with domain knowledge. For this, a new fashion outfit dataset (acquired and curated by FARFETCH) for research and benchmark purposes is introduced. Additionally, a competitive baseline with an original negative sampling process for triplet mining was implemented and served as a starting point for participants. The top 3 performing methods are described in this paper since they constitute the reference state-of-the-art for this particular problem. To our knowledge, this is the first challenge in fashion outfit complementary product retrieval. Moreover, this joint project between academia and industry brings several relevant contributions to disseminating science and technology, promoting economic and social development, and helping to connect early-career researchers to real-world industry challenges.

Enhanced In Vivo Wound Healing Efficacy of a Novel Piperine-Containing Bioactive Hydrogel in Excision Wound Rat Model.

These days an extensive amount of the attention of researchers is focused towards exploring bioactive compounds of natural or herbal origin for therapeutic intervention in different ailments of significant importance. One such novel bioactive compound that has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, is piperine. However, until today, piperine has not been explored for its potential to improve inflammation and enhance healing in acute and chronic wounds. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of piperine hydrogel formulation after topical application. Hydrogels fit the need for a depot system at the wound bed, where they ensure a consistent supply of therapeutic agents enclosed in their cross-linked network matrices. In the present study, piperine-containing carbopol 934 hydrogels mixed with Aloe vera gels of different gel strengths were prepared and characterized for rheological behavior, spreadability, extrudability, and percent (%) content uniformity. Furthermore, the wound healing potential of the developed formulation system was explored utilizing the excision wound healing model. The results of an in vivo study and histopathological examination revealed early and intrinsic healing of wounds with the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system compared to the bioactive hydrogel system without piperine. Therefore, the study's findings establish that the piperine-containing bioactive hydrogel system is a promising therapeutic approach for wound healing application that should be diligently considered for clinical transferability.

Assessment of health risk, genotoxicity, and thiol compounds in Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) under arsenic stress.

Arsenic (As) traces have been reported worldwide in vegetables and crops cultivated in As-polluted soils. Being carcinogenic, the presence of As in edibles is of great concern as it ultimately reaches humans and animals through the food chain. Besides, As toxicity adversely affects the growth, physiology, metabolism, and productivity of crops. In the present study, Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) was exposed to the As stress (0, 50, 100, and 150 µM sodium arsenate) for a week. Further, evaluation of As accumulation in roots and shoots, magnitude and visualization of oxyradicals, and thiol-based defence offered by Fenugreek was assessed. The root and leaf accumulated 258-453 µg g-1 dry wt (DW) and 81.4-102.1 µg g-1 DW of As, respectively. An arsenic-mediated decline in the growth index and increase in oxidative stress was noted. Arsenic stress modulated the content of thiol compounds; especially cysteine content increased from 0.36 to 0.43 µmole g-1 FW protein was noted. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-based analysis showed DNA damage in As-treated plants. Health risk assessment parameters showed that As concentration in the consumable plant shoot was below the critical hazard level (hazard quotient < 1). Moreover, T. foenum-graecum showed varied responses to As-induced oxidative stress with applied concentrations (150 µM being more toxic than lower concentrations). In addition, the RAPD profile and level of thiol compounds were proved significant biomarkers to assess the As toxicity in plants. The conclusion of this study will help users of fenugreek to have a clue and create awareness regarding the consumption.

Green Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract: In Vitro Characterization and Its Healing Efficacy in Diabetic Wounds.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired glucose metabolism. Overproduction of free radicals due to chronic hyperglycemia may cause oxidative stress, which delays wound healing in diabetic conditions. For people with diabetes, this impeded wound healing is one of the predominant reasons for mortality and morbidity. The study aimed to develop an Ocimum sanctum leaf extract-mediated green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and further incorporate them into 2% chitosan (CS) gel for diabetic wound healing. UV-visible spectrum analysis recorded the sharp peak at 235 and 320 nm, and this was the preliminary sign for the biosynthesis of TiO2 NPs. The FTIR analysis was used to perform a qualitative validation of the biosynthesized TiO2 nanoparticles. XRD analysis indicated the crystallinity of TiO2 NPs in anatase form. Microscopic investigation revealed that TiO2 NPs were spherical and polygonal in shape, with sizes ranging from 75 to 123 nm. The EDX analysis of green synthesized NPs showed the presence of TiO2 NPs, demonstrating the peak of titanium ion and oxygen. The hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index (PDI) of the TiO2 NPs were found to be 130.3 nm and 0.237, respectively. The developed TiO2 NPs containing CS gel exhibited the desired thixotropic properties with pseudoplastic behavior. In vivo wound healing studies and histopathological investigations of healed wounds demonstrated the excellent wound-healing efficacy of TiO2 NPs containing CS gel in diabetic rats.