Recent Patents on Biotechnology - Volume 20, Issue 3, 2026

Endovascular aortic repair involves the placement of stents through minimally invasive methods to seal rupture sites near the aortic inflow tract, thereby preventing blood entry into the false lumen and promoting thrombosis, which reduces the risk of aortic rupture. Endovascular stents typically consist of a metal framework and a flexible membrane graft designed to reopen obstructed aortic segments and maintain blood flow through the true lumen. Consequently, stents are widely used to treat aortic expansion diseases and aortic occlusive stenosis. However, traditional stents have limitations in terms of adaptability to complex anatomical structures, long-term durability, biomechanical stability, and reliance on radial support force for fixation, lacking active fixation mechanisms. These shortcomings remain the primary causes of postoperative complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for patients with aortic dissection.

Integrating patent and academic literature, the research status of the endovascular stent was discussed in depth, and the main factors for the optimal design of the stent (geometry, pattern configuration, additional fixtures, and optimization methods) were analyzed and summarized according to the complications targeted by the repair device.

The composition structure, working principle, and development status of the stent grafts under review are elaborated in detail. Stent grafts attempt to alleviate postoperative complications through three approaches: enhancing the flexibility of the stent framework, improving the fit between the vessel wall and the stent, and reducing vascular injury. Blood flow guiding channels are established to alleviate the obstruction of branch blood flow. Additional self-anchoring devices are added to adapt to the dynamic remodeling of blood vessels.

The effects of various factors, including geometric parameters, structural design, and parameter optimization techniques, on the optimization of stent primary mechanical performance are discussed. The current research status of functional improvement methods for stents is also summarized.

Refining the quantitative relationship between stent structural parameters and mechanical performance, as well as exploring the balance criteria between flexibility and radial support force, represent promising directions for future development. These objectives necessitate further in-depth analysis and research.

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., commonly known as Kalijiri, has been used for the treatment of different ailments, including stomach aches, skin diseases, asthma, and cough, and is popular as a powerful anthelmintic agent.

This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical parameters along with the in-vivo antiulcer activity of the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd.

The pharmacognostical evaluation included macroscopic and microscopic characterization of the seed and powder of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. Physicochemical parameters, such as moisture content, ash values, and extractive values, were evaluated, and fluorescence analysis was carried out. Phytochemical screening, including total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC), was conducted, along with antioxidant analysis. The anti-ulcer activity of ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds was also evaluated using an aspirin-induced ulcer model by employing multiple biochemical and histopathological assessment parameters.

The morphological characteristics of V. anthelmintica seeds demonstrated that the seed was 0.8-1 cm in length and 0.1-0 in width, with a bitter taste, whereas microscopical findings revealed the presence of pericarp, endosperm, sclerenchymatous zone, parenchymatous zone, bundles of sclereids, seed coat, and prismatic crystals. Moisture content and ash values, including total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash, were approximately 10.05%, 8.50%, 2.06%, and 4.35%, respectively. Extractive values of different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, benzene, ethanol, and water) were approximately 16.00%, 15.80%, 2.00%, 7.05%, and 1.06%, respectively. Moreover, fluorescence analysis revealed a characteristic brown colour. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenolic, carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids, saponins, diterpenes, steroids, and amino acids. The TFC and TPC revealed that the ethanolic extract contained more phenolic content, whereas the aqueous extract contained more flavonoids. The ethanolic extract exhibited 90% DPPH radical scavenging activity at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, while the aqueous extract showed 85.71% activity at the same concentration. In comparison, ascorbic acid demonstrated 94.32% scavenging activity at 40 µg/mL. The ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds at doses 200 and 400mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the ulcer index values, gastric volume, and total acidity levels, whereas an increase was observed in the SOD and GSH levels. The extract demonstrated a moderate effect on the levels of Hb and total protein when compared with the disease control group. The histopathological findings revealed the antiulcer potential of ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds at both doses.

This study confirmed the identity, quality, and bioactive content of V. anthelmintica seeds, highlighting strong antioxidant and significant antiulcer activity of the ethanolic extract. The results support traditional use and suggest potential for developing patented herbal formulations, encouraging further research on its therapeutic applications.

This research plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the gastroprotective potential of V. anthelmintica. It encourages researchers to explore and further investigate its gastroprotective properties across varying doses and alternative screening models other than those used in this study.

The plant Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & C.H. Ebern. (Family: Lauraceae) is commonly known as ‘tejpaat’ in India, has leaves and bark reported to possess anticancer, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and diuretic activities. The objective of the present study was to explore the antitumor potential of the chloroform extract of Cinnamomum tamala leaves (CTCE) in BALB/c mice against Ehrlich’s Carcinoma (EC).

Based on preliminary in-vitro cytotoxicity studies, CTCE was selected for an in-vivo antitumor study. Anticancer activity of CTCE was evaluated in BALB/c mice against EC at the doses of 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight. CTCE was administered for 15 consecutive days after induction of the tumor. After 24 hours from the last administered dose and 18 hours of fasting, half of the mice were sacrificed, while the other half was kept alive to evaluate any potential for increasing the lifespan. The antitumor effect of CTCE was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, hematological parameters, and the life span of the EC-bearing host.

CTCE showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in tumor volume and increased the lifespan of EC tumor-bearing mice in a dose-dependent manner compared with the untreated group. The hematological profile, including RBC count, hemoglobin, WBC count, and DLC, was also improved upon treatment.

C. tamala chloroform extract (CTCE) showed significant anticancer potential by reducing cell viability, inhibiting tumor growth, and prolonging survival without toxicity, suggesting it as a promising source of bioactive compounds for anticancer drug development.

The results suggest that CTCE exhibits dose-dependent anticancer activity in comparison with EC control mice and demonstrates significant effects relative to doxorubicin. Its antitumor activity may be attributed to the presence of active constituents within the extract. This investigation also highlights recent advancements in intellectual property rights and patent strategies related to plant-derived anticancer agents.