Development of alkaline-stable nanoformulation of nisin: special insights through cytotoxic and antibacterial studies.

Nisin, a thermostable, approved food preservative, has limited therapeutic applications because of its high pH and proteolytic enzyme instability. The unavailability of a rapid, simple method of detection also restricts the research of nisin. The objective of this study was to adapt the simple, rapid protein estimation method of detection for nisin formulation and to formulate and evaluate site-specific nanoformulation for therapeutic applications, viz.

In vitro study on aspects of molecular mechanisms underlying invasive aspergillosis caused by gliotoxin and fumagillin, alone and in combination.

Gliotoxin (GT) and fumagillin (FUM) are mycotoxins most abundantly produced by Aspergillus fumigatus during the early stages of infection to cause invasive aspergillosis (IA). Therefore, we hypothesized that GT and FUM could be the possible source of virulence factors, which we put to test adopting in vitro monoculture and the novel integrated multiple organ co-culture (IdMOC) of A549 and L132 cell. We found that (i) GT is more cytotoxic to lung epithelial cells than FUM, and (ii) GT and FUM act synergistically to inflict pathology to the lung epithelial cell.

Phytol loaded PLGA nanoparticles ameliorate scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction by attenuating cholinesterase activity, oxidative stress and apoptosis in Wistar rat.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an acquired neurological disorder of cognitive and behavioral impairments, with a long and progressive route. Currently, efforts are being made to develop potent drugs that target multiple pathological mechanisms that drive the successful treatment of AD in human beings. The development of nano-drug delivery systems has recently emerged as an effective strategy to treat AD.

Passiflora caerulea L. fruit extract and its metabolites ameliorate epileptic seizure, cognitive deficit and oxidative stress in pilocarpine-induced epileptic mice.

The anticonvulsant potential of aqueous fruit extract of Passiflora caerulea (PCAE) was evaluated in swiss albino mice induced by pilocarpine. The antioxidant activities of PCAE were determined which showed strong antioxidant activity and the polyphenol compounds such as ginsenoside, naringenin, chrysoeriol 8-c-glucoside, luteolin-6-C-glucoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-β-D-glucopyranoside were profiled through RP-HPLC and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Chronic effects of PCAE on pilocarpine (85 mg/kg; i.

β-Sitosterol targets Trx/Trx1 reductase to induce apoptosis in A549 cells via ROS mediated mitochondrial dysregulation and p53 activation.

β-Sitosterol (BS), a major bioactive constituent present in plants and vegetables has shown potent anticancer effect against many human cancer cells, but the underlying mechanism remain elusive on NSCLC cancers. We found that BS significantly inhibited the growth of A549 cells without harming normal human lung and PBMC cells. Further, BS treatment triggered apoptosis via ROS mediated mitochondrial dysregulation as evidenced by caspase-3 & 9 activation, Annexin-V/PI positive cells, PARP inactivation, loss of MMP, Bcl-2-Bax ratio alteration and cytochrome c release.

A novel biphenolic ligand for selective Mg and Zn ions sensing followed by colorimetric, spectroscopic and cell imaging methods.

The (E)-2-((2-hydrohy-5-methylphenylimino) methyl) phenol ligand was synthesized. The receptor was characterized by IR, H and C NMR and CHN analysis. The ligand exhibits colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of Zn and Mg ions in semi-aqueous medium (DMSO-H2O).

Exploring the Anti-quorum Sensing and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Phytol against Associated Acute Pyelonephritis Infection in Wistar Rats.

Quorum Sensing (QS) mechanism, a bacterial density-dependent gene expression system, governs the pathogenesis through the production of virulence factors and biofilm formation. The present study demonstrates the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS), antibiofilm potential and protective effect of phytol, a diterpene alcohol broadly utilized as food additive and in therapeutics fields. treatment of phytol (5 and 10 μg/ml) showed decreasing level of biofilm formation, lipase and hemolysin production in compared to their respective controls.

Anti-amyloidogenic and anti-apoptotic effect of α-bisabolol against Aβ induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia, with a progressive decline in memory and other thinking skills of elderly populace. Of the multiple etiological factors of AD, the accumulation of senile plaques (SPs) particularly as Aβ oligomers correlates with the relentlessness cognitive impairment in AD patients and play a vital role in AD pathology. Since natural essential oil constituents have successfully served as a source of drugs for AD treatment, the present study aims at the in vitro and in silico investigation of anti-amyloidogenic potential and anti-apoptotic property of the α-bisabolol against Aβ induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Phytol-loaded PLGA nanoparticle as a modulator of Alzheimer's toxic Aβ peptide aggregation and fibrillation associated with impaired neuronal cell function.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an unfavourable neurological condition of the brain leading to the loss of behavioural and cognitive skills of the aging population. At present, drugs representing cholinesterase inhibitors provide lateral side effects to AD patients. Hence, there is a need for improved fabrication of drugs without side effects, for which nanoencapsulated bioactive compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier offer new hope as novel alternative treatment strategy for AD.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of biosynthesized colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles for a fortified cold cream formulation: A potent nanocosmeceutical application.

Nanocosmeceuticals are promising applications of nanotechnology in personal care industries. Zinc oxide is an inorganic material that is non-toxic and skin compatible with self-cleansing and microbicidal properties. Herein, exploitation of colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONps) as potent biomaterial for a topical formulation of cosmetic and dermatological significance is employed.

Beta sitosterol and Daucosterol (phytosterols identified in Grewia tiliaefolia) perturbs cell cycle and induces apoptotic cell death in A549 cells.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths both in developed and developing countries. Since majority of the existing therapeutic methods harms both normal and malignant cells, a viable alternative is to switch into safe and beneficial traditional medicinal plants. Hence the present study was framed to identify selective anti-lung cancer agents from the medicinal plant Grewia tiliaefolia (GT).

Synergistic antibacterial effect of apigenin with β-lactam antibiotics and modulation of bacterial resistance by a possible membrane effect against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are easily spread among infected patients, where resistance has dramatically increased resulted in serious health issues. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative natural or combination drug therapies. Apigenin (AP) is a natural poly phenolic flavonoid has been found to possess many beneficial biological actions.

Cigarette smoke and related risk factors in neurological disorders: An update.

Cigarette smoking is known to be harmful to health, and is considered the main cause of death worldwide, especially in India. Among the well-distinguished diseases related to smoking are, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, oral and peripheral cancers, and cardiovascular complications. However, the impact of cigarette smoking on neurocognitive and neuropathological effects, including anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ischemic stroke, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, still remains unclear.

Microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea and its biological activities.

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters for microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea. The results showed a good fit with a second-order polynomial equation that was statistically acceptable at P<0.05.

Heterogeneous polymer composite nanoparticles loaded in situ gel for controlled release intra-vaginal therapy of genital herpes.

Herpes simplex virus causes serious and contagious genital infections in high percentage of female population world-wide. Acyclovir is a clinically successful antiviral molecule till date, in-spite of limitations as poor solubility, low half-life, reduced oral bioavailability and side effects at higher doses. In the present work, controlled release in situ gelling system loaded with polymeric nanoparticles of acyclovir containing a dose of drug equivalent to 105mg/day has been developed.

Recent Trends of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery: A Review.

A vast amount of research on nanoparticles has been conducted in recent years with versatile applications in the field of drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles are designed as a carrier molecule to deliver drugs in a sustained and stimuli response manner. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of long circulating nanoparticles with high encapsulation efficiency.

Exploitation of novel gum Prunus cerasoides as mucoadhesive beads for a controlled-release drug delivery.

The present study deals with the formulation of pH-sensitive mucoadhesive beads using natural gum isolated from Prunus cerasoides (PC) in combination with sodium alginate (SA) for the controlled release of diclofenac sodium (DS). PC and SA composite (PC-SA), DS loaded SA (DS-SA) and DS loaded PC-SA (DS-PC-SA) beads were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. The absence of interaction between DS and PC-SA was shown by FTIR, DSC and TGA analyses.

A versatile effect of chitosan-silver nanocomposite for surface plasmonic photocatalytic and antibacterial activity.

Chitosan-silver (CS-Ag) nanocomposite was green synthesised without the aid of any external chemical-reducing agents. The synthesised nanocomposite was characterised by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zeta potential analyser. The particle size of the synthesised CS-Ag nanocomposite was around 20 nm and was found to be thermally stable in comparison with pure chitosan.

Hyaluronic acid co-functionalized gold nanoparticle complex for the targeted delivery of metformin in the treatment of liver cancer (HepG2 cells).

In this study, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was achieved using the extract of eggplant as a reducing agent. Hyaluronic acid (HA) serves as a capping and targeting agent. Metformin (MET) was successfully loaded on HA capped AuNPs (H-AuNPs) and this formulation binds easily on the surface of the liver cancer cells.

Alginate beads of Captopril using galactomannan containing Senna tora gum, guar gum and locust bean gum.

Gastro-retentive Captopril loaded alginate beads were prepared by an ionotropic gelation method using sodium alginate in combination with natural gums containing galactomannans (Senna tora seed gum, guar gum and locust bean gum) in the presence of calcium chloride. The process variables such as concentration of sodium alginate/natural polymer, concentration of calcium chloride, curing time, stirring speed and drying condition were optimized. Prepared beads were evaluated for various parameters such as flow property, drug content and entrapment efficiency, size and shape, and swelling index.

Determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC-UV.

A liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection was developed for determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulation. Sodium hyaluronate is a polymer of disaccharides, composed of d-glucuronic acid and d-N-acetylglucosamine, linked via alternating β-1, 4 and β-1, 3 glycosidic bonds. Being a polymer compound it lacks a UV absorbing chromophore.

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determining tobramycin in pharmaceutical formulations by direct UV detection.

Background: Tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is a polar pharmaceutical compound which lacks a UV absorbing chromophore. Due to the absence of a UV absorbing chromophore and high polar nature of this antibiotic, the analysis of such compounds becomes a major challenge.

Objective: To overcome these problems, a novel method for the determination aminoglycoside tobramycin was developed and validated based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detector.

In vitro and In vivo characterization of the transdermal delivery of sertraline hydrochloride Films.

Background And The Purpose Of The Study: Sertraline hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor principally used in the treatment of major depressive disorder. To maintain the therapeutic plasma drug concentration of the drug for prolonged period, the transdermal drug delivery has been chosen as an alternative route of drug delivery. The pharmacokinetic properties of sertraline hydrochloride make it suitable for transdermal delivery.

Formulation and optimization of Zidovudine niosomes.

Zidovudine (AZT) is commonly used to treat patients with AIDS, but it is limited by toxicity and high dosing needs. Alternative formulations have been proposed to overcome these drawbacks. The objective of this study was to evaluate process-related variables like hydration and sonication time, rotation speed of evaporation flask, and the effects of charge-inducing agent and centrifugation on zidovudine entrapment and release from niosomes.

Tissue distribution, pharmacokinetics and stability studies of zidovudine delivered by niosomes and proniosomes.

Niosomes containing zidovudine (ZDV), an anti-HIV drug for intravenous administration were formulated by a thin-film hydration technique. Proniosomes were prepared in the form of a slurry using beta-cyclodextrin as carrier. The effect of the surfactants Tween and Span and the negative charge-inducing agent dicetylphosphate (DCP) on tissue distribution of niosomes and proniosomes was studied.