3D printed microneedles: revamping transdermal drug delivery systems.

One of the advancements of the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is the development of microneedles (MNs). These micron-sized needles are used for delivering various types of drugs to address the disadvantage of other transdermal techniques as well as oral drug delivery systems. MNs have high patient acceptance due to self-administration with minimally invasive and pain compared to the parenteral drug delivery. Over the years, various methods have been adopted to evolve the MNs and make them more cost-effective, accurate, and suitable for multiple applications. One such method is the 3D printing of MNs. The development of MN platforms using 3D printing has been made possible by improved features like precision, printing resolution, and the feasibility of using low-cost raw materials. In this review, we have tried to explain various types of MNs, fabrication methods, materials used in the formulation of MNs, and the recent applications that utilize 3D-printed MNs.

Fullerenes for the treatment of cancer: an emerging tool.

Cancer is a most common cause of mortality globally. Available medicines possess severe side effects owing to their non-specific targeting. Hence, there is a need of an alternative in the healthcare system that should have high efficacy with the least side effects, also having the ability to achieve site-specific targeting and be reproducible. This is possible with the help of fullerenes. Fullerenes are having the unique physicochemical and photosensitizer properties. This article discusses the synthesis, functionalization, mechanism, various properties, and applications of C60 fullerenes in the treatment of cancer. The review article also addresses the various factors influencing the activity of fullerenes including the environmental conditions, toxicity profile, and future prospective.

Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on exercise and dexamethasone-induced functional impairment in skeletal muscles.

BACKGROUND: Chronic administration of steroids like dexamethasone produces symptoms including weight loss and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Similar events are reported in chronic or high-intensity exercises, that can lead to fatigue and muscle damage. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract was evaluated against dexamethasone (Dex) and exercise (Exe)-induced muscle changes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six groups each containing 6 rats, namely normal, Dex control, Exe Control, Dex + M. oleifera leaf extract (300mg/kgp.o.), Dex + Exe, Dex + Exe + M. oleifera leaf extract were assessed in the study. Dex was administered at 0.6 mg/kg i.p. daily for 7 days. Exercise was given for a total of 10 days after 30 minutes of dosing using treadmill equipment for 900 seconds at speed 18 m/min. Animals were assessed for variation in body weight, muscular endurance using treadmill, locomotor activity using actophotometer, motor coordination using rotarod on day zero, and day seven. Hemidiaphragm of rats were isolated and used for evaluation of the glucose uptake. Gastrocnemius muscle was isolated and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Dex and Exe control animals showed a significant decrease in skeletal muscle activity when compared to normal control animals in the actophotometer test. Improvement in endurance were seen in Dex + M. oleifera leaf extract, and Dex + exercise + M. oleifera leaf extract groups compared to Dex control group. Improvement in locomotor activity was seen in Dex group subjected to exercise and was significant when treated with M. oleifera leaf extract. Histology reports were in accordance with the functional parameters. CONCLUSION: M. oleifera leaf extract supplemented with exercise showed a reversal in the dexamethasone-induced functional impairment in skeletal muscles.