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Abstract The popular organophosphorus (OP) compound chlorpyrifos (CP) has recently gained significant attention due to its health risks, particularly among farmers exposed to OP pesticides. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Cuscuta reflexa seed extract (CRSE) and its efficacy of mitigating the adverse effects of CP in albino male mice. For acute toxicity analysis, the first group was served as the control group, while the second group was received CRSE (200 mg/kg/bw) on the first day of the 14-day experiment. For hepatotoxicity analysis, the first group was the control group, the second group (vehicle control) received corn oil (CO) (2 mL/kg/bw), the third group was given CP (20 mg/kg/bw) dissolved in corn oil and the fourth group was given CP (20 mg/kg/bw) along-with CRSE (200 mg/kg/bw) orally via gavage once daily for 21 days. The acute toxicity examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the CRSE-treated and control groups in serum biochemical indicators and histopathological analyses of various organs, suggesting that CRSE as safe at a dosage of 200 mg/kg/bw, with an oral LD50 in mice higher than 200 mg/kg. The hepatotoxicity study demonstrated that the CP administration resulted in liver damage and oxidative stress, while CRSE acted as an antioxidant and attenuated the signs of oxidative stress in liver damage. Hence, a promising therapeutic approach for lowering CP hepatotoxicity is co-treatment with CRSE.

Abstract Prunus armeniaca gum is used as food additive and ethno medicinal purpose. Two empirical models response surface methodology and artificial neural network were used to search for optimized extraction parameters for gum extraction. A four-factor design was implemented for optimization of extraction process for maximum yield which was obtained under the optimized extraction parameter (temperature, pH, extraction time, and gum/water ratio). Micro and macro-elemental composition of gum was determined by using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Gum was evaluated for toxicological effect and pharmacological properties. The maximum predicted yield obtained by response surface methodology and artificial neural network was 30.44 and 30.70% which was very close to maximum experimental yield 30.23%. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopic spectra confirmed the presence Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Lithium, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen. Acute oral toxicity study showed that gum is non-toxic up to 2000 mg/Kg body weight in rabbits, accompanied by high cytotoxic effects of gum against HepG2 and MCF-7cells by MTT assay. Overall, Aqueous solution of gum showed various pharmacological activities with significant value of antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-nociceptive, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activities. Thus, optimization of parameters using mathematical models cans offer better prediction and estimations with enhanced pharmacological properties of extracted components.

The current research was to develop nanoparticles based on Mimosa pudica mucilage (MPM) that could encapsulate losartan potassium (LP). Nanoparticles (NPs) produced through ionic-gelation method; the polymerization of the mucilage carried out using calcium chloride as cross-linking agent. The MPMLP-NPs demonstrated vastly enhanced pharmaceutical characteristics, presented discrete surface with spherical shape of 198.4–264.6 nm with PDI ranging 0.326–0.461 and entrapment efficiency was in the range of 80.65 ± 0.82–90.79 ± 0.96%. FTIR and DSC indicated the stability of drug during the formulation of nanoparticles. An acute oral toxicity investigation found no significant alterations in behavior and histopathology criteria. The MPMLP-NPs formulation revealed the better rates and sustained effect as assessed with the commercial product. Moreover, low dose of MPMLP-NPs showed similar anti-hypertensive effect as assessed with the marketed tablet.

The goal of this research was to develop, fabricate and analyze polymeric nanoparticles for the administration of methotrexate (MTX). Linseed mucilage and chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a slightly modified polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) method. The size, shape, and encapsulation effectiveness of the resultant nanoparticles were measured. MTX release profiles at gastrointestinal pH (1.2 and 7.4) and tumor pH (5.5) were examined to determine the targeted potential of NPs as pH-responsive nanocarriers. Zeta analysis showed that nanoparticles prepared by PEC have a size range of 192.1 nm to 246 nm, and PDI was 0.3 of the optimized formulation, which showed homogenous nature of prepared nanoparticles formulation. The findings demonstrated that NPs have a low polydispersity index and a positive zeta potential (PDI). The in-vitro release of the drug indicated a pH-dependent, sustained drug release up to 24 h. Blank LSMCSNPs had almost no in-vivo cytotoxicity for 14 days, while optimum MTX loaded NPs had strong antitumor effects on HepG2 and MCF-7 cells as measured by the MTT assay. Cell apoptosis induction was also checked and MCF-7 cells treated with MTX-LSMCSNPs had a significantly greater rate of apoptosis (21.2 %) than those treated with MTX alone (14.14 %). The findings show that LSMCSNPs could be a potential delivery mechanism for methotrexate to cancer cells in a secure, steady, and ideally controlled manner to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Curcumin’s applications in the treatment of conditions including osteoarthritis, dementia, malignancies of the pancreas, and malignancies of the intestines have drawn increasing attention. It has several wonderful qualities, including being an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-mutagenic agent, and an antioxidant, and has substantially reduced inherent cytotoxicity outcomes. Although curcumin possesses multiple known curative properties, due to its limited bioavailability, it is necessary to develop efficient strategies to overcome these hurdles. To establish an effective administration method, various niosomal formulations were optimized using the Box–Behnken design and assessed in the current investigation. To examine the curcumin niosomes, zeta sizer, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, SEM, antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity, and release studies were performed. The optimized curcumin niosomes exhibited an average particle size of 169.4 nm, a low PDI of 0.189, and high entrapment efficiency of 85.4%. The release profile showed 79.39% curcumin after 24 h and had significantly higher antioxidant potential as compared with that of free curcumin. The cytotoxicity results of curcumin niosomes presented increased mortality in human ovarian cancer A2780.

Quince seed mucilage was used in a combination of sodium alginate to develop sustained-release microspheres of cefixime. Physical characterizations such as FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM were performed on the prepared microspheres. The swelling of microspheres was maximum at pH 7.4 and reduced at acidic pH. The average particle size ranged from 679 µm ± 0.21 to 810 µm ± 0.31, while the drug encapsulation efficiency range was found as 73.76 ± 0.24–85.63 ± 0.46. In vitro release profile of QSM-alginate-cefixime microspheres followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.9732-–0.9946); and release was non-Fickian as we found value of n > 1. This study reveals the benefits of QSM-alginate microspheres for the sustained release of cefixime without any toxicity and it also improved antibacterial properties.

The screening of hair follicles, dermal papilla cells, and keratinocytes through in vitro, in vivo, and histology has previously been reported to combat alopecia. Ficus benghalensis has been used conventionally to cure skin and hair disorders, although its effect on 5α-reductase II is still unknown. Currently, we aim to analyze the phytotherapeutic impact of F. benghalensis leaf extracts (FBLEs) for promoting hair growth in rabbits along with in vitro inhibition of the steroid isozyme 5α-reductase II. The inhibition of 5α-reductase II by FBLEs was assessed by RP-HPLC, using the NADPH cofactor as the reaction initiator and Minoxin (5%) as a positive control. In silico studies were performed using AutoDock Vina to visualize the interaction between 5α-reductase II and the reported phytoconstituents present in FBLEs. Hair growth in female albino rabbits was investigated by applying an oral dose of the FBLE formulation and control drug to the skin once a day. The skin tissues were examined by histology to see hair follicles. Further, FAAS, FTIR, and antioxidants were performed to check the trace elements and secondary metabolites in the FBLEs. The results of RP-HPLC and the binding energies showed that FBLEs reduced the catalytic activity of 5α-reductase II and improved cell proliferation in rabbits. The statistical analysis (p < 0.05 or 0.01) and percentage inhibition (>70%) suggested that hydroalcoholic FBLE has more potential in increasing hair growth by elongating hair follicle’s anagen phase. FAAS, FTIR, and antioxidant experiments revealed sufficient concentrations of Zn, Cu, K, and Fe, together with the presence of polyphenols and scavenging activity in FBLE. Overall, we found that FBLEs are potent in stimulating hair follicle maturation by reducing the 5α-reductase II action, so they may serve as a principal choice in de novo drug designing to treat hair loss.

The first and only antidepressant drug on the market with solid proof of clinically significant serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition is clomipramine (CLP). However, significant first-pass metabolism reduces its absorption to less than 62%. It is heavily protein-bound and broadly dispersed across the body (9–25 L/kg volume of distribution). The purpose of this research was to formulate CLP orodispersible tablets that immediately enable the drug to enter the bloodstream and bypass systemic portal circulation to improve its bioavailability. A factorial design was employed using varied amounts of Plantago ovata mucilage (POM) as a natural superdisintegrant, as well as croscarmellose sodium and crospovidone as synthetic disintegrants. Their physiochemical compatibility was evaluated by FTIR, DSC/TGA, and PXRD analysis. The blend of all formulations was assessed for pre- and post-compaction parameters. The study found that tablets comprising Plantago ovata mucilage as a superdisintegrant showed a rapid in vitro disintegration time, i.e., around 8.39 s, and had an excellent dissolution profile. The anti-depressant efficacy was evaluated by an open-field test (OFT) and the forced swimming test (FST) was applied to create hopelessness and despair behavior as a model of depression in animals (Albino rats). The in vivo study revealed that the efficiency of the optimized formulation (F9) in the treatment of depression is more than the marketed available clomfranil tablet, and may be linked to its rapid disintegration and bypassing of systemic portal circulation.

Cuscuta, commonly known as dodder, is a genus of family convolvolaceace. Approximately 170 species of Cuscuta are extensively distributed in temperate and subtropical areas of the world. Species of this genus are widely used as essential constituents in functional foods and traditional medicinal systems. Various parts of many members of Cuscuta have been found efficacious against a variety of diseases. Phytochemical investigations have confirmed presence of biologically active moieties such as flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, saponines, phenolics, tannins, and fatty acids. Pharmacological studies and traditional uses of these plants have proved that they are effective antibacterial, antioxidant, antiostioporotic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antipyretic, antihypertensive, analgesic, anti hair fall, and antisteriogenic agents.

The pH-sensitive polymeric matrix of basil seed gum (BSG), with two different monomers, such as acrylic acid (AA) and N, N-Methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA), was selected to use in hydrogels preparation through a free radical copolymerization technique using potassium per sulfate (KPS) as a cross linker. BSG, AA and MBA were used in multiple ratios to investigate the polymer, monomer and initiator effects on swelling properties and release pattern of captopril. Characterization of formulated hydrogels was done by FTIR, DSC/TGA, XRD and SEM techniques to confirm the stability. The hydrogels were subjected to a variety of tests, including dynamic swelling investigations, drug loading, in vitro drug release, sol–gel analyses and rheological studies. FTIR analysis confirmed that after the polymeric reaction of BSG with the AA monomer, AA chains grafted onto the backbone of BSG. The SEM micrographs illustrated an irregular, rough, and porous form of surface. Gel content was increased by increasing the contents of polymeric gum (BSG) with monomers (AA and MBA). Acidic and basic pH effects highlighted the difference between the swelling properties with BSG and AA on increasing concentration. Kinetic modelling suggested that Korsmeyer Peppas model release pattern was followed by the drug with the non-Fickian diffusion mechanism.

Combinations of polymers can improve the functional properties of microspheres to achieve desired therapeutic goals. Hence, the present study aimed to formulate Prunus armeniaca gum (PAG) and sodium alginate microsphere for sustained drug release. Blended and coated microspheres were prepared using the ionotropic gelation technique. The effect of polymer concentration variation was studied on the structural and functional properties of formulated microspheres. FTIR, XRD, and thermal analysis were performed to characterize the microspheres. All the formulations were well-formed spherical beads having an average diameter from 579.23 ± 07.09 to 657.67 ± 08.74 μm. Microspheres entrapped drugs within the range 65.86 ± 0.26–83.74 ± 0.79%. The pH-dependent swelling index of coated formulations was higher than blended. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of characteristic peaks of entrapped Tramadol hydrochloride showing no drug-polymer interaction. In vitro drug release profile showed sustained release following the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model with an R2 value of 0.9803–0.9966. An acute toxicology study employing the oral route in Swiss albino mice showed no signs of toxicity. It can be inferred from these results that blending PAG with sodium alginate can enhance the stability of alginate microspheres and improve its drug release profile by prolonging the release time.

Herbal industry of developing countries is facing several technical issues related to the extraction conditions in order to attain the maximum yield of a plant extract with maximum therapeutic attributes. Therefore the present study was aimed to investigate the best technique for respective herbal products. The effect of three different extraction techniques: ultrasonic assisted extraction, microwave assisted and orbital shaker assisted extraction, by using three solvents (80% methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) on the antioxidant potential of Caralluma tuberculata stem (non-conventional vegetable) extracts were investigated. Folin-Ciocalteu method was applied on tested samples in order to find the concentration of total phenols. Therefore, the optimized extract of high yield and maximum total phenolic content was selected for further analysis like total flavonoid contents, FRAP, DPPH and ABTS scavenging potential. Quantification of phenolic acids in the extracts was also carried out by HPLC. Significant variation was observed in the yield of total phenols within the extracts, but better results were obtained in aqueous methanolic extract of ultrasonic assisted extraction, followed by microwave assisted and orbital shaker assisted extraction. Present findings supported the view that ultrasonic assisted extraction can be used for phytochemicals profiling, activity guided assays and the development of herbal products. Correlation coefficients of active principles indicated a significant relationship to antioxidant capacity P < 0.05.