Design and evaluation of antibacterials crosslinked chitosan nanoparticle as a novel carrier for the delivery of metronidazole to treat bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a recurring, chronic infection that is difficult to treat due to the limited bioavailability of antimicrobials within vaginal epithelial cells. Vaginal administration, because of lower dosing and systemic exposure offers a viable option for treating vaginal infections. In this study, Metronidazole-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were synthesised employing borax (BX) or tannic acid (TA) as an antimicrobial crosslinking agent for treating BV. The prepared NPs were characterized for various physical, physicochemical, pharmaceutical, thermal and antibacterial properties. Morphological investigation revealed that nanoparticles prepared from 0.5 % w/v chitosan, 1.2 % w/v BX, and 0.4 % w/v metronidazole (MTZ) were non-spherical, with particle sizes of 377.4 ± 37.3 nm and a zeta potential of 34 ± 2.1 mV. The optimised formulation has MIC values of 24 ± 0.5 and 59 ± 0.5 µg/mL, against Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Candida albicans (C.albicans) respectively. The results of DSC and XRD demonstrated no change in the physical state of the drug in the finished formulation. Under simulated vaginal fluid, the optimised formulation demonstrates a cumulative drug release of about 90 % within 6h. The prepared borax crosslinked NPs exhibit anti-fungal activities by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis. The in-vivo antibacterial data indicated a comparable reduction in bacterial count compared to the marketed formulation in female Swiss albino mice treated with optimised nanoparticles. According to histopathological findings, the prepared nanoparticle was safe for vaginal use. Based on the experimental findings, it was concluded that MBCSNPs, due to their good physiochemical and antimicrobial properties, could serve as a potential topical alternative for treating BV and reducing fungal infection.

Novel Drug Delivery Approaches for the Localized Treatment of Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cancer type in females globally. Being an ailment of the birth canal, primitive treatment strategies, including surgery, radiation, or laser therapy, bring along the risk of infertility, neonate mortality, premature parturition, etc. Systemic chemotherapy led to systemic toxicity. Therefore, delivering a smaller cargo of therapeutics to the local site is more beneficial in terms of efficacy as well as safety. Due to the regeneration of cervicovaginal mucus, conventional dosage forms come with the limitations of leaking, the requirement of repeated administration, and compromised vaginal retention. Therefore, these days novel strategies are being investigated with the ability to combat the limitations of conventional formulations. Novel carriers can be engineered to manipulate bioadhesive properties and sustained release patterns can be obtained thus leading to the maintenance of actives at therapeutic level locally for a longer period. Other than the purpose of CC treatment, these delivery systems also have been designed as postoperative care where a certain dose of antitumor agent will be maintained in the cervix postsurgical removal of the tumor. Herein, the most explored localized delivery systems for the treatment of CC, namely, nanofibers, nanoparticles, in situ gel, liposome, and hydrogel, have been discussed in detail. These carriers have exceptional properties that have been further modified with the aid of a wide range of polymers in order to serve the required purpose of therapeutic effect, safety, and stability. Further, the safety of these delivery systems toward vital organs has also been discussed.

Spray-Dried Mucoadhesive Re-dispersible Gargle of Chlorhexidine for Improved Response Against Throat Infection: Formulation Development, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

Drug delivery to the buccal mucosa is one of the most convenient ways to treat common mouth problems. Here, we propose a spray-dried re-dispersible mucoadhesive controlled release gargle formulation to improve the efficacy of chlorhexidine. The present investigation portrays an approach to get stable and free-flowing spray-dried porous aggregates of chlorhexidine-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles. The ionic gelation technique aided with the chlorhexidine's positive surface charge-based crosslinking, followed by spray drying of the nanoparticle's dispersion in the presence of lactose- and leucine-yielded nano-aggregates with good flow properties and with a size range of about 120-350 nm. Provided with the high entrapment efficiency (87%), the particles showed sustained drug release behaviors over a duration of 10 h, where 87% of the released drug got permeated within 12 h. The antimicrobial activity of the prepared formulation was tested on S. aureus, provided with a higher zone of growth inhibition than the marketed formulation. Aided with an appropriate mucoadhesive strength, this product exhibited extended retention of nanoparticles in the throat region, as shown by in vivo imaging results. In conclusion, the technology, provided with high drug retention and extended effect, could be a potential candidate for treating several types of throat infections.

Exploring the Biofilm Inhibition Potential of a Novel Phytic Acid-Crosslinked Chitosan Nanoparticle: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations.

The primary factor underlying the virulence of Candida albicans is its capacity to form biofilms, which in turn leads to recurrent complications. Over-the-counter antifungal treatments have proven ineffective in eliminating fungal biofilms and the inflammatory cytokines produced during fungal infections. Chitosan nanoparticles offer broad and versatile therapeutic potential as both antifungal agents and carriers for antifungal drugs to combat biofilm-associated Candida infections. In our study, we endeavoured to develop chitosan nanoparticles utilising chitosan and the antifungal crosslinker phytic acid targeting C. albicans. Phytic acid, known for its potent antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, efficiently crosslinks with chitosan. The nanoparticles were synthesised using the ionic gelation technique and subjected to analyses including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. The synthesised nanoparticles exhibited dimensions with a diameter (Dh) of 103 ± 3.9 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.33, and zeta potential (ZP) of 37 ± 2.5 mV. These nanoparticles demonstrated an antifungal effect with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 140 ± 2.2 µg/mL, maintaining cell viability at approximately 90% of the MIC value and reducing cytokine levels. Additionally, the nanoparticles reduced ergosterol content and exhibited a 62% ± 1.2 reduction in biofilm susceptibility, as supported by colony-forming unit (CFU) and XTT assays-furthermore, treatment with nanoparticles reduced exopolysaccharide production and decreased secretion of aspartyl protease by C. albicans. Our findings suggest that the synthesised nanoparticles effectively combat Candida albicans infections. In vivo studies conducted on a mouse model of vaginal candidiasis confirmed the efficacy of the nanoparticles in combating fungal infections in vivo.

Physicochemical Stimuli-Mediated Precipitation Approach for the Modulation of Rifampicin's Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability.

The intricate process of protein binding orchestrates crucial drug interactions within the bloodstream, facilitating the formation of soluble complexes. This research endeavours to improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of Rifampicin (RMP) by strategically manipulating drug-protein binding dynamics and the hydrophobic characteristics of human serum albumin (HSA). Various precipitation techniques leveraging methanol, ammonium sulfate, and heat treatment were meticulously employed to tailor the properties of colloidal albumin (HSA NPs). The resultant complexes underwent comprehensive characterization encompassing evaluations of hydrophobicity, size distribution, surface charge, and structural analyses through FTIR, TG-DSC, XRD, and morphological examinations. The findings revealed a significant binding affinity of 78.07 ± 6.6% with native albumin, aligning with prior research. Notably, the complex RMP-HSA NPs-M13, synthesized via the methanolic precipitation method, exhibited the most substantial complexation, achieving a remarkable 3.5-fold increase, followed by the ammonium sulfate (twofold) and heat treatment (1.07-fold) methods in comparison to native albumin binding. The gastric simulated media exhibited accelerated drug release kinetics, with maximal dissolution achieved within two hours, contrasting with the prolonged release observed under intestinal pH conditions. These findings translated into significant improvements in drug permeation, as evidenced by pharmacokinetic profiles demonstrating elevated Cmax, AUC, t1/2, and MRT values for RMP-HSA NPs-M13 compared to free RMP. In summary, this innovative approach underscores the potential of precipitation methods in engineering stable colloidal carrier systems tailored to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, offering a pragmatic and scalable alternative to conventional surfactants, polymers, or high-energy methods for complex formation and production.

Chitosan as a potential biomaterial for the management of oral mucositis, a common complication of cancer treatment.

Oral mucositis is a serious issue in patients receiving oncological therapies. Mucosal protectants considered to be one of the preferred choices used in the management of mucositis. However, the protective efficacy of currently available mucosal protectants has been significantly compromised due to poor retention, lack of lubrication, poor biodegradability, and inability to manage secondary complications. Chitosan is a promising material for mucosal applications due to its beneficial biomedical properties. Chitosan is also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and capable of scavenging free radicals, makes it a good candidate for the treatment of oral mucositis. Additionally, chitosan's amino polysaccharide skeleton permits a number of chemical alterations with better bioactive performance. This article provides a summary of key biological properties of chitosan and its derivatives that are useful for treating oral mucositis. Current literature evidence shows that Chitosan has superior mucosal protective properties when utilised alone or as delivery systems for co-encapsulated drugs.

Nanofibers of Glycyrrhizin/Hydroxypropyl-ß-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: Enhanced Solubility Profile and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Glycyrrhizin.

Despite having a wide range of therapeutic advantages, glycyrrhizin (GL) has few commercial applications due to its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, we combined the benefits of hydroxypropyl ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ßCD) supramolecular inclusion complexes and electrospun nanofibers to improve the solubility and therapeutic potential of GL. A molecular inclusion complex containing GL and HP-ßCD was prepared by lyophilization at a 1:2 molar ratio. GL and hydroxypropyl ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes were also incorporated into hyaluronic acid (HA) nanofibers. Prepared NF was analyzed for physical, chemical, thermal, and pharmaceutical properties. Additionally, a rat model of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and macrophage cell lines was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of GL-HP-ßCD NF. The DSC and XRD analyses clearly showed the amorphous state of GL in nanofibers. In comparison to pure GL, GL-HP-ßCD NF displayed improved release (46.6 ± 2.16% in 5 min) and dissolution profiles (water dissolvability ≤ 6 s). Phase solubility results showed a four-fold increase in GL solubility in GL-HP-ßCD NF. In vitro experiments on cell lines showed that inflammatory markers like IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly lower in GL-HP-ßCD NF compared to pure GL (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). According to in vivo results, the prepared nanofiber exhibits a better anti-inflammatory effect than pure GL (63.4% inhibition vs 53.7% inhibition). The findings presented here suggested that GL-HP-ßCD NF could serve as a useful strategy for improving the therapeutic effects of GL.

Current Treatment Strategies Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: A Review.

There are several bacteria called superbugs that are resistant to multiple antibiotics which can be life threatening specially for critically ill and hospitalized patients. This article provides up-to-date treatment strategies employed against some major superbugs, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. The pathogen-directed therapeutics decrease the toxicity of bacteria by altering their virulence factors by specific processes. On the other hand, the host-directed therapeutics limits these superbugs by modulating immune cells, enhancing host cell functions, and modifying disease pathology. Several new antibiotics against the global priority superbugs are coming to the market or are in the clinical development phase. Medicinal plants possessing potent secondary metabolites can play a key role in the treatment against these superbugs. Nanotechnology has also emerged as a promising option for combatting them. There is urgent need to continuously figure out the best possible treatment strategy against these superbugs as resistance can also be developed against the new and upcoming antibiotics in future. Rational use of antibiotics and maintenance of proper hygiene must be practiced among patients.

Nanotherapeutics approaches to overcome P-glycoprotein-mediated multi-drug resistance in cancer.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer chemotherapy is a growing concern for medical practitioners. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression is one of the major reasons for multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. The P-gp overexpression in cancer cells depends on several factors like adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), and drug physicochemical properties such as lipophilicity, molecular weight, and molecular size. Further multiple exposures of anticancer drugs to the P-gp efflux protein cause acquired P-gp overexpression. Unique structural and functional characteristics of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems provide opportunities to circumvent P-gp mediated MDR. The primary mechanism behind the nanocarrier systems in P-gp inhibition includes: bypassing or inhibiting the P-gp efflux pump to combat MDR. In this review, we discuss the role of P-gp in MDR and highlight the recent progress in different nanocarriers to overcome P-gp mediated MDR in terms of their limitations and potentials.

Recent Advancement in Topical Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a life-threatening autoimmune inflammatory skin disease, triggered by T lymphocyte. Recently, the drugs most commonly used for the treatment of psoriasis include methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporine (CsA), acitretin, dexamethasone, and salicylic acid. However, conventional formulations due to poor absorptive capacity, inconsistent drug release characteristics, poor capability of selective targeting, poor retention of drug molecules in target tissue, and unintended skin reactions restrict the clinical efficacy of drugs. Advances in topical nanocarriers allow the development of prominent drug delivery platforms can be employed to address the critical issues associated with conventional formulations. Advances in nanocarriers design, nano-dimensional configuration, and surface functionalization allow formulation scientists to develop formulations for a more effective treatment of psoriasis. Moreover, interventions in the size distribution, shape, agglomeration/aggregation potential, and surface chemistry are the significant aspects need to be critically evaluated for better therapeutic results. This review attempted to explore the opportunities and challenges of current revelations in the nano carrier-based topical drug delivery approach used for the treatment of psoriasis.

In-silico, in-vitro and in-vivo Biological Activities of Flavonoids for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes.

In spite of the fact that many medicinal plants have been truly utilized for the management of diabetes all through the world, very few of them have been reported scientifically. Recently, a diverse variety of animal models have been established to better understand the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, and new medications to treat the condition have been introduced in the market. Flavonoids are naturally occurring substances that can be found in plants and various foods and may have health benefits in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Flavonoids have also been shown to have an anti-inflammatory impact that is significant to neuropathic pain, as indicated by a decrease in several pro-inflammatory mediators such TNF-, NF-B IL-6, and IL-1. Flavonoids appear to be a viable novel therapy option for macrovasular complications in preclinical models; however, human clinical data is still inadequate. Recently, several in silico, in-vitro and in-vivo aproaches were made to evaluate mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of diabetes in a better way. Screening of natural antidiabetic agents from plant sources can be analysed by utilizing advanced in-vitro techniques and animal models. Natural compounds, mostly derived from plants, have been studied in diabetes models generated by chemical agents in the majority of research. The aim of this work was to review the available in silico, in-vitro and animal models of diabetes for screening of natural antidiabetic agents. This review contributes to the scientist's design of new methodologies for the development of novel therapeutic agents having potential antihyperglycemic activity.

Implementation of Quality by Design Approaches for Development and Validation of Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Assay Method for Determination of Glycyrrhizin in Nanoformulation.

Glycyrrhizin (GL) is the principal constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra, having antiallergic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial action. The reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analytical method was used to quantitatively estimate GL in a nanoformulation and validated as per International Conference on Harmonization Q2 (R1) standards. A stationary phase of the C18-HL reversed-phase column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile and water were used for effective elution. The chromatographic conditions of RP-HPLC were optimized utilizing a quality-by-design approach to accomplish the required chromatographic separation of GL from its nanoformulation with minimal experimental runs. Optimized RP-HPLC conditions for the assay method consist of acetonitrile (41%) and water, pH 1.8, balanced with phosphoric acid (0.1%) as a mobile phase with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The retention time was found at 7.25 min, and method validation confirmed its sensitivity, preciseness, accuracy, and robustness.

Metronidazole loaded chitosan-phytic acid polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles as mucoadhesive vaginal delivery system for bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a recurring infection that is difficult to treat due to the limited bioavailability of antimicrobials. In this study, Metronidazole (MTZ)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (MCSNP) were synthesized employing phytic acid (PA) as a crosslinking agent for treating bacterial vaginosis. The prepared MCSNPs were characterized for size, shape, surface charge, compatibility, cytotoxicity, biofilm inhibition, and in-vitro/in-vivo antimicrobial activities. Morphological examination revealed that nanoparticles generated from 0.535 % w/v chitosan and 0.112 % w/v PA were non-spherical, discontinuous, and irregular, with zeta potential ranging from 25.00 ± 0.45 to 39 ± 0.7. The results of DSC and XRD demonstrated no change in the physical state of the drug in the finished formulation. The optimized formulation demonstrates a cumulative drug release of about 98 ± 1.5 % within 8 h. Antimicrobial studies demonstrated that the optimized formulation had enhanced efficacy against acid-adapted BV pathogens, with a MIC value of 0.9 ± 0.1 µg/mL. Compared to the MTZ alone, the in-vivo antibacterial results of in the case of developed nanoparticles showed a four-fold reduction in bacterial count in female Swiss albino mice. Based on the experimental findings, it was concluded that MCSNPs, due to their excellent physiochemical and antibacterial properties, could serve as a potential topical alternative for treating BV.

Chemometric profiling and anti-arthritic activity of aerial parts of Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. belongs to the family Molluginaceae, an annual prostrate herb traditionally used to treat inflammations, arthritis, malarial, wounds, fevers, diarrhoea, cancer, stomach discomfort, jaundice, and intestinal parasites. However, the anti-arthritic activity of the aerial part has still not been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity of G. oppositifolius in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dried aerial parts of this plant material were defatted with n-hexane and extracted by methanol using a soxhlet apparatus. The in vitro anti-arthritic activity of methanolic extract of G. oppositifolius (MEGO) was evaluated in protein denaturation, membrane stabilization, and inhibition of proteinase assay at 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml concentrations. Female Wistar rats were immunized sub-dermally into the right hind paw with 0.1 ml of CFA. Rats were administered with MEGO at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg once daily for fourteen days after arthritis induction. Assessment of arthritis was performed by measuring paw diameter, arthritic index, arthritic score, body weight, organ weight, and hematological and biochemical parameters, followed by the analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin 13 (IL-13) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and histopathological study. In vivo antioxidant effect was investigated in enzymatic assays. The presence of phytoconstituents was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), respectively. In silico molecular docking study of the compounds was carried out against COX-2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α using AutoDock 4.2 and BIOVIA-Discovery Studio Visualizer software. RESULTS: MEGO's in vitro anti-arthritic activity showed dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, membrane stabilization, and proteinase inhibition, followed by significant in vivo anti-arthritic activity. The rats treated with MEGO showed tremendous potential in managing arthritis-like symptoms by restoring hematological, biochemical, and histological changes in CFA-induced rats. MEGO (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed a significant alleviation in the levels of hyper expressed inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) and oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GSH, and LPO) in CFA-induced rats. Spergulagenin-A as identified by LC-MS analysis, exhibited the highest binding affinity against COX-2 (-8.6), IL-1ß (7.2 kcal/mol), IL-6 (-7.4 kcal/mol), and TNF-α (-6.5 kcal/mol). CONCLUSIONS: Provided with the comprehensive investigation, methanolic extract of G. oppositifolius against arthritic-like condition is a proof of concept that revalidates its ethnic claim. The presence of Spergulagenin-A might be responsible for the anti-arthritic activity.

Development and Evaluation of Dutasteride Nanoemulgel for the Topical Delivery against Androgenic Alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Dutasteride is approximately three times more potent than finasteride in treating alopecia. For reducing systemic exposure to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), researchers have shown special interest in developing topical formulations for treating androgenic alopecia. Dutasteride emulsification may lead to good skin penetration and improved availability in different lipophilic skin environments. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to encapsulate the drug into the lipidic carrier system for better local availability in the scalp skin, develop and evaluate nanoemulgel of dutasteride to ensure efficient topical administration, and perform the in-vivo activity of the developed gel for improved efficacy against alopecia. METHODS: Dutasteride-loaded nanoemulsion was prepared by a high-speed homogenizer, followed by thickening of the dispersion using Carbopol 934. Skin permeation and accumulation were investigated in the excised skin of male Swiss albino mice. The nanoemulgel was characterized based on pH, stress stability, viscosity, and hardness. RESULTS: The optimized dutasteride-loaded nanoemulsion had a size of 252.33 ± 8.59 nm, PDI of 0.205 ± 0.60, and drug content of 98.65 ± 1.78%. Stress stability was performed was well observed in nanoemulsion formulation. Nanoemulgel evaluation results were as follows: pH 5-6 was desirable for topical application, hardness was 43 gm, and spreadability was 79 gm with in vitro release of nanoemulgel at 91.98% and permeation study at 13.67%. CONCLUSION: The in vivo studies demonstrated the growth of newer hair follicles and increased hair diameter and length in dutasteride-loaded nanoemulgel-treated alopecia animals compared to the marketed sample and testosterone-treated group. Provided with the same and long-term storage stability, the developed formulation is supposed to offer a good option for the topical administration of dutasteride in treating androgenic alopecia.

Novel Approaches for the Enhancement of Bioavailability of Drugs: An Updated Review.

In medicine, bioavailability is the percentage of a drug that enters the bloodstream and can be used to treat a patient. It has proven challenging throughout time to develop techniques that allow oral administration of most drugs, regardless of their properties, to achieve therapeutic systemic availability. This will be an impressive feat, considering that over 90% of pharmaceuticals are known to have limitations on their oral bioavailability. Improving bioavailability is crucial for optimizing the efficacy and safety of drugs. This review covers a wide range of techniques, including physical, chemical, and formulation approaches, highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. Inhibitions of efflux pumps, inhibition of presystemic metabolism, and innovative drug delivery systems that capitalize on the gastrointestinal regionality of medicines are some of the new techniques that have drawn increased interest. Nanotechnology in pharmaceuticals is also being used in this field. We have collected the literature data from 2009 to 2024 using Science Direct, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

The Recent Development of Luteolin-loaded Nanocarrier in Targeting Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Luteolin (LUT), a naturally occurring flavonoid found in vegetables, fruits, and herbal medicines, has been extensively studied for its pharmacological activities, including anti-proliferative and anticancer effects on various cancer lines. It also exhibits potent antioxidant properties and pro-apoptotic activities against human cancers. However, its therapeutic potential is hindered by its poor solubility in water (5 µg/ml at 45°C) and low bioavailability. This research on the development of luteolin-loaded nanocarrier aims to overcome these limitations, thereby opening up new possibilities in cancer treatment. METHODS: This paper covers several nanoformulations studied to increase the solubility and bioavailability of LUT. The physicochemical characteristics of the nanoformulation that influence luteolin's solubility and bioavailability have been the subject of more in-depth investigation. Furthermore, it examines how LUT's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties aid in lessening the side effects of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Most nanoformulations, including phytosomes, lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, protein nanoparticles, polymer micelles, nanoemulsions, and metal nanoparticles, have shown promising results in improving the solubility and bioavailability of LUT. This is a significant step forward in enhancing the therapeutic potential of LUT in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the study found that LUT's ability to scavenge free radicals can significantly reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, further highlighting its potential to improve patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Nanoformulations, because of their unique surface and physiochemical properties, improve the solubility and bioavailability of LUT. However, poor in-vitro and in-vivo correlation and scalability of nanoformulations need to be addressed to achieve good clinical performance of LUT in oncology.

Local delivery of methotrexate/glycyrrhizin-loaded hyaluronic acid nanofiber for the management of oral cancer.

The challenges in treating oral cancer include the limited effectiveness and systemic side effects of conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Hyaluronic acid (HA) based Glycyrrhizin (GL) and Methotrexate (MT) loaded localized delivery systems, specifically nanofiber (NF) based platforms, were developed to address these challenges. The electrospinning method was used for the successful fabrication of a homogenous NF membrane and characterized for morphology, drug entrapment efficiency, tensile strength, and ex-vivo mucoadhesive study. Also, it was evaluated for in-vitro drug release profile, ex-vivo drug permeability, in-vitro anti-inflammatory, apoptosis assay by MTT and flow, and against specific cell lines in order to determine their potential for therapeutic use. Superior tensile breaking force (50 g), mucoadhesive strength of 153 gm/cm2, drug permeability, and releasing properties of designed NF, making them perfect requirements for oral cavity delivery. The anticancer potential of MT in the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis was significantly increased in oral epidermal carcinoma cell (KB cell) for drug-loaded NF with 63.97 ± 1.99 % apoptosis, at 24 h. With these incorporated, GL with MT in NF had an anti-inflammatory potential, also demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo. In the Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) induced mice model, the optimal formulation's shows better potential for tumor regression when comparing the developed NF formulation to the drugs. Experimental results show that by lowering mucositis-related inflammation and enhancing the effectiveness of oral cancer treatment, a developed nanofiber-based local drug delivery system offers a feasible strategy for managing oral cancer.

Antitumor activity and antioxidant role of Streblus asper bark against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice.

The present study assessed the methanol extract of Streblus asper stem bark (MESA) for antitumor effect and antioxidant influence against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Twenty four hours after intraperitonial inoculation of tumor (EAC) cells in mice, MESA was administered at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 9 consecutive days. On the 10 th day, half of the mice were sacrificed for estimation of tumor parameters, haematological, liver and kidney antioxidant parameters; and the rest were kept alive for assessment of survival. MESA exhibited dose dependent and significant (p < 0.01) decrease in tumor proliferation and extended the life span of EAC bearing mice. Hematological profiles were significantly (p < 0.01) restored near to normal in MESA treated mice as compared to EAC control. MESA treatment significantly (p < 0.01) modulated the hepatic and renal antioxidant parameters as compared to EAC control. The present study demonstrated that S. asper bark possessed promising antitumor efficacy in mice, plausibly mediated by amelioration of oxidative stress by multiple mechanisms.

Antitumor activity and antioxidant property of Curcuma caesia against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma bearing mice.

CONTEXT: Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as "Kala Haldi" in Bengali, has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, bruises, inflammation and as an aphrodisiac. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antitumor activity and antioxidant status of the methanol extract of Curcuma caesia (MECC) rhizomes on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC)-treated mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity assay of MECC was evaluated by using Trypan blue method. Determination of in vivo antitumor activity was performed after 24 h of EAC cells (2 × 10(6) cells/mouse) inoculation; MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was administered daily for nine consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were sacrificed and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in lifespan. Antitumor effect of MECC was assessed by the study of tumor volume, tumor weight, viable and non-viable cell count, hematological parameters and biochemical estimations. Furthermore, antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimating liver and kidney tissue enzymes. RESULTS: MECC showed direct cytotoxicity (IC50 90.70 ± 8.37 µg/mL) on EAC cell line. MECC exhibited significant (p < 0.01) decrease in tumor volume, tumor weight, viable cell count and percentage increased the lifespan (57.14 and 88.09%) of EAC-treated mice. Hematological profile, biochemical estimation, tissue antioxidant assay significantly (p < 0.01) reverted to normal level in MECC-treated mice. CONCLUSION: MECC possesses potent antitumor activity that may be due to its direct cytotoxic effect or antioxidant properties. Further research is in progress to find out the active principle(s) of MECC for its antitumor activity.