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The purpose of the current study was to prepare and evaluate a citronella oil-loaded microemulsion-based micro-emulgel for the treatment of Candida albicans. The primary objective was to use the skin to transfer hydrophobic medications into the bloodstream. The formulation included cinnamon oil as an antifungal oil and citronella oil as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, respectively. Tween 80 and PEG 200 were used as the surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, to create phase diagrams. Carbopol 940, one of the frequently used polymers, was investigated for its ability to prepare gel formulations. The optimized (F3) batch contained the highest percentage (87.05 ± 0.03%) of drug content and, according to the statistics provided, had the highest drug release rate of around 87.05% within 4 h. The Korsmeyer–Peppas model with n value of 0.82, which is in the range 0.5–1, had the highest r2 value, indicating that release following non-Fickian/anomalous diffusion provided a better dimension for all of the formulations. The optimized (F3) formulation had stronger antifungal activity in comparison to other formulations. This leads to the conclusion that citronella oil can be made into a micro-emulgel, which may improve its release in aqueous systems while maintaining a high level of drug release at the target site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanosilver has been tremendously gaining attention among scientific world owing to its impressive features. Use of appropriate reducing and capping agents results in the formation of homogeneous population of silver nanoforms. Here, we have compared the properties and efficacy of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared via green route using two different monosaccharides, glucose and galactose. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) showed a sharp peak at 400nm and 430nm for glucosyl- (Glu) and galactosylated (Gal) AgNPs, respectively, confirming the presence of AgNPs. The hydrodynamic size of Glu-AgNPs and Gal-AgNPs was found to be ~191 and 136 nm, respectively, with their respective surface charges ~ -35 and -13 mV. These NPs acted as efficient nanocatalysts in combination with sodium borohydride for converting Congo red (highly toxic azo colorant) into benign products. Besides, these particles were found to have significant antibacterial potential and potent antibiofilm effects with minimal toxic effects on human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells but highly toxic towards lung carcinoma (A549). Altogether, the present work affirms formation of efficient nanoparticles with excellent pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth is a heritage of plants with an abundance of species, many of which are known among us, but many of them are still unknown for us. There are many traditional plants which have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, and Nagkesar (Mesua ferrea Linn) is one of them, which is grown in many countries like India, Indochina, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka and many other countries. It is used to treat diseases like bleeding piles, renal disease, dysentery, fever, and asthma, as well as bacterial and fungal infections. It is known for its medicinal properties but has also been used as an ornamental plant since ancient times. It contains active phytoconstituents like steroids, coumarins and their derivatives, terpenoids, xanthones and their derivatives, flavonoids and pyranoxanthones, which act as precursors of other ailments. The goal of this study is to summarise the all-pharmacological activities of Nagkesar as well as some novel uses of Nagkesar. A thorough bibliographic investigation was launched by examining internationally recognized scientific databases such as Cochrane library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google scholar, and several data sets from Herbalist library. We searched several clinical trial databases of the recent past year and previous systematic reviews from 1980-2022. In this review article, all probable pharmacological effects of the Nagkesar plant, as well as the active components responsible for the biological role, are discussed. Nagkesar is important in the treatment of a variety of ailments. Inflammation, bleeding piles, bronchitis, severe infection, fungal growth, diarrhea, and kidney disease are among conditions that can be treated with the Nagkesar plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee is a popular and widely consumed beverage worldwide, with epidemiological studies showing reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, few studies have investigated the health effects of the post-brewing coffee product, spent coffee grounds (SCG), from either hot- or cold-brew coffee. SCG from hot-brew coffee improved metabolic parameters in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome and improved gut microbiome in these rats and in humans; further, SCG reduced energy consumption in humans. SCG contains similar bioactive compounds as the beverage including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, polyphenols and melanoidins, with established health benefits and safety for human consumption. Further, SCG utilisation could reduce the estimated 6–8 million tonnes of waste each year worldwide from production of coffee as a beverage. In this article, we explore SCG as a major by-product of coffee production and consumption, together with the potential economic impacts of health and non-health applications of SCG. The known bioactive compounds present in hot- and cold-brew coffee and SCG show potential effects in cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease and metabolic disorders. Based on these potential health benefits of SCG, it is expected that foods including SCG may moderate chronic human disease while reducing the environmental impact of waste otherwise dumped in landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond nanoparticles discovery and extensive applications in modern biosciences. Because of its excellent biocompatibility, it serves as useful platforms that can be implanted within polymer-based microfilm devices. Nanodiamonds complex with a chemotherapeutic show sustained release of the drug for a month, with a significant amount of drug in reserve. It serves the potential for highly localized drug release as a complementary and potent form of treatment with systemic injection towards the reduction of continuous dose, and as such, attenuation of the often-powerful side effects of chemotherapy. Nano-diamonds are very economical, allowing the wide impact of these devices for a range of physiological disorders like supporting as a local chemotherapeutic patch, or as a pericardial device to suppress inflammation after open heart surgery. Nano-diamond patch could be used to treat a localized region where residual cancer cells might remain after a tumour is removed. Nano-diamonds may be used to discover a wide range of therapeutic classes, including small molecules, proteins, therapeutic antibodies, RNAi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zadow, EK, Edwards, KH, Kitic, CM, Fell, JW, Adams, MJ, Singh, I, Kundur, A, Johnstone, ANB, Crilly, J, Bulmer, AC, Halson, SL, and, and Wu, SSX. Compression socks reduce running-induced intestinal damage. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2461–2464, 2022—Exercise is associated with a reduction in splanchnic blood flow that leads to the disruption of intestinal epithelium integrity, contributing to exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. Strategies that promote intestinal blood flow during exercise may reduce intestinal damage, which may be advantageous for subsequent recovery and performance. This study aimed to explore if exercise-associated intestinal damage was influenced by wearing compression garments, which may improve central blood flow. Subjects were randomly allocated to wear compression socks (n = 23) or no compression socks (control, n = 23) during a marathon race. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and immediately after marathon and analyzed for intestinal fatty acid–binding protein (I-FABP) concentration as a marker of intestinal damage. The magnitude of increase in postmarathon plasma I-FABP concentration was significantly greater in control group (107%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72–428%) when compared with runners wearing compression socks (38%; 95% CI, 20–120%; p = 0.046; d = 0.59). Wearing compression socks during a marathon run reduced exercise-associated intestinal damage. Compression socks may prove an effective strategy to minimize the intestinal damage component of exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is defined as a neurological deficit which lasts more than 24 h or leads to death, which is caused by a focal acute injury to the central nervous system with a vascular origin. Strokes are one of the greatest challenges in public health. As an acutely stressful event, strokes have been associated with an increased release in the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol has been linked to deleterious impacts on the brain, particularly the hippocampus, and has been associated with the development of dementia, though the mechanisms behind this remain unclear. Dementia is also an important stroke outcome, affecting approximately a third of stroke survivors in the long term. This review explores the relationship between strokes and cortisol, to determine the association between cortisol and hippocampal/neuronal damage and poststroke dementia and cortisol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunscreen lotion is a sort of product that protects against the sun's harmful rays by containing ultraviolet radiation (UV rays), which is divided into two types: ultraviolet radiation A (UVA) and ultraviolet radiation B (UVB). The incorporation of herbal materials into sunscreen is one of the most effective and natural ways to protect against the sun, as measured by the sun protection factor (SPF), as well as the detrimental side effects of toxic chemicals. The present study aimed to develop herbal sunscreens containing turmeric (strong antiseptic property which protects skin from bacteria caused by excess sweat), coconut oil (used as a sun-block agent and helps to protect skin from sun damage), aloe vera (give a cooling effect to the skin and work as skin barrier), lemon (used to protect skin for sunburn) which will be effective for skin and protect skin against harmful sun rays, sunburn, and skin cancer. Prepared herbal sunscreens were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, SPF, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, in vitro mutagenicity, and stability. Results showed that the F5 and F6 herbal sunscreens were of good consistency and viscosity with excellent antioxidant, non-mutagenic, nonirritant, stability activity and possessed 33.50 SPF for normal skin. In comparison to F1 through F4, formulations with a coconut oil base and carrot seed extract (F5 and F6) were shown to be stable and effective, with a high SPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platelet hyperactivity has a crucial role in initiating vascular thrombosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD).Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of anthocyanins (AC) on platelet aggregation and activation and lipid profile.Study Design: A total of 26 healthy participants consumed 320 mg of AC/day in the form of Medox® capsules for 28 days.Setting: This study was conducted in the laboratories of the School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.Participants: A total of 26 randomly recruited healthy 25- to 75-year-old participants completed this study.Primary Outcome Measures: Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-the intervention period to perform platelet activation studies by measuring platelet surface marker expression of CD41a and P-selectin, and platelet-monocyte aggregates in adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulated platelets. Platelet aggregation studies were performed by stimulating platelets with various agonists such as ADP, collagen and arachidonic acid. Full blood examination, coagulation and biochemistry profile analyses were also performed pre- and post-intervention. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant effect of AC on the expression of P-selectin as measured by the platelet surface expression of CD62p.Results: There was a significant reduction of ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation. Hematologic analysis showed a significant reduction of mean platelet volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. Coagulation analysis demonstrated significant attenuation of fibrinogen level in the blood.Conclusion: This study showed inhibition of platelet activity, platelet aggregation and mean platelet volume (MPV). These results suggest that AC has a positive impact on attenuating platelet activity, which might minimize thrombotic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a persistent neurological condition that affects 60 million individuals globally, with recurrent spontaneous seizures affecting 80% of patients. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main course of therapy for approximately 65% of epileptic patients, and the remaining 35% develop resistance to medication, which leads to Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE). DRE continues to be an important challenge in clinical epileptology. There are several theories that attempt to explain the neurological causes of pharmacoresistance in epilepsy. The theory that has been studied the most is the transporter hypothesis. Therefore, it is believed that upregulation of multidrug efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which extrudes AEDs from their target location, is the major cause, leading to pharmacoresistance in epilepsy. The most effective strategies for managing this DRE are peripheral and central inhibition of P-gp and maintaining an effective concentration of the drug in the brain parenchyma. Presently, no medicinal product that inhibits P-gp is being used in clinical practice. In this review, several innovative and promising treatment methods, including gene therapy, intracranial injections, Pgp inhibitors, nanocarriers, and precision medicine, are discussed. The primary goal of this work is to review the P-gp transporter, its substrates, and the latest novel treatment methods for the management of DRE., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Contact lenses (CLs) have become an essential tool in ocular drug delivery, providing effective treatment options for specific eye conditions. In recent advancements, Therapeutic CLs (TCLs) have emerged as a promising approach for maintaining therapeutic drug concentrations on the eye surface. TCLs offer unique attributes, including prolonged wear and a remarkable ability to enhance the bioavailability of loaded medications by more than 50%, thus gaining widespread usage. They have proven beneficial in pain management, medication administration, corneal healing, and protection. To achieve sustained drug delivery from TCLs, researchers are exploring diverse systems, such as polymeric nanoparticulate systems, lipidic systems, and the incorporation of agents like vitamin E or rate-limiting polymers. However, despite breakthrough successes, certain challenges persist, including ensuring drug stability during processing and manufacturing, controlling release kinetics, and biomaterial interaction, reducing protein adhesion, and addressing drug release during packaging and storage etc. While TCLs have shown overall success in treating corneal and ocular surface disorders, careful consideration of potential issues and contraindications is vital. This review offers an insightful perspective on the critical aspects that need to be addressed regarding TCLs, with a specific emphasis on their advantages and limitations., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease affecting the lungs and the respiratory system that carries along a high fatality rate with no specific therapeutic approaches, making it a disorder sometimes termed as incurable. There have been various researches elaborating on the potential treatment and formulation approaches. Therapeutically effective drugs, new molecules, potential drug targets and novel delivery approaches have been identified. Recent findings suggest galectin-3 as a potential target to alleviate the condition by inhibition of the lectin. Certain molecules of galectin-3 have been discovered as promising therapeutic agents. These drug molecules have been administered either orally or through inhalation, and as of now, there is no candidate in the market to pose as a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. There is a wide window to research and find novel dosage forms for the drug molecules to be presented as an efficacious and tolerable drug therapy against pulmonary fibrosis., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The World Health Organization estimates that the world's population over 60 years of age will nearly double in the next 30 years. This change imposes increasing demands on health and social services with increased disease burden in older people, hereafter defined as people aged 60 years or more. An older population will have a greater incidence of cardiovascular disease partly due to higher levels of blood fibrinogen, increased levels of some coagulation factors, and increased platelet activity. These factors lead to a hypercoagulable state which can alter haemostasis, causing an imbalance in appropriate coagulation, which plays a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. These changes in haemostasis are not only affected by age but also by gender and the effects of hormones, or lack thereof in menopause for older females, ethnicity, other comorbidities, medication interactions, and overall health as we age. Another confounding factor is how we measure fibrinogen and coagulation through laboratory and point-of-care testing and how our decision-making on disease and treatment (including anticoagulation) is managed. It is known throughout life that in normal healthy individuals the levels of fibrinogen and coagulation factors change, however, reference intervals to guide diagnosis and management are based on only two life stages, paediatric, and adult ranges. There are no specific diagnostic guidelines based on reference intervals for an older population. How ageing relates to alterations in haemostasis and the impact of the disease will be discussed in this chapter. Along with the effect of anticoagulation, laboratory testing of fibrinogen and coagulation, future directions, and implications will be presented., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)