Current Drug Discovery Technologies - Volume 23, Issue 1, 2026

Scopoletin, a naturally occurring coumarin derivative, has garnered significant attention for its diverse pharmacological properties, including potent anticancer activity. This review provides a comprehensive examination of scopoletin's anticancer effects across a wide range of tumor cell lines. The paper explores its modulation of apoptotic pathways, inhibition concentration (IC50) of cancer cell proliferation, and suppression of metastasis and angiogenesis. Additionally, the review discusses the role of scopoletin in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. A detailed analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies highlights its efficacy, specificity, and potential for synergistic effects when used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics. Hence, this comprehensive review aims to provide a foundation for future research and development of scopoletin as a promising anticancer agent.

Microgravity, space radiation, and pharmaceutical degradation are all long-term challenges for astronauts traveling through space. Radiation exposure is one of the greatest health risks to astronauts in space. Associated with these conditions are acute radiation syndromes, degenerative tissue effects, damage to the central nervous system (CNS), and carcinogenesis. Microgravity and the stress people experience as astronauts cause immunological dysregulation. This study explores strategies to counteract the problems of microgravity and its related health risks, including protection against space radiation, prevention of pharmaceutical degradation, and advancements in the emerging field of astropharmacy.

Habitual inflammation is defined as the persistent activation of the body's susceptible system in response to harmful events. This ongoing inflammatory process can sometimes harm normal organs & tissues. Crucially, chronic inflammation has been linked to the emergence and advancement of a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, metabolic illnesses, neurological disorders, and cancer. These diseases are classified as chronic-degenerative conditions due to the sustained and persistent nature of the underlying chronic inflammatory processes. Treating patient’s inflammation creates new therapeutic opportunities for these related illnesses. In this review, we will study the role of inflammation during the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, we will explore diseases associated with chronic inflammation. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a persistent autoimmune condition causing joint inflammation. It commonly affects joints of hands, wrists, fingers, elbows, shoulders, neck, back, hips, knees, ankles, and toes. We will discuss various herbal drug therapies that help in treating and providing relief from joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis. Herbal medicines are preferable since they are safer and have fewer adverse effects than the synthetic ones. However, they are not completely safe, and therefore, toxicity studies are being conducted. . Herbal medications' phytochemicals are generally beneficial in the treatment of infectious, autoimmune, and seditious disorders; they are especially helpful in the management of arthritis. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of impairment in the quality of life for millions of people globally. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and its association with chronic inflammation. This article highlights the importance of herbal medicine as one of the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.

Chromothripsis, a phenomenon of massive genomic rearrangements, introduces extensive mutations in critical genes, affecting cell survival and apoptosis. Among these genes, the BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) gene, which plays a crucial antiapoptotic role in cancer cells, is often subjected to significant alterations. Here, we present a computational pipeline to model and analyze the structural and functional impacts of chromothripsis-induced Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the BCL-2 gene. This pipeline integrates mutation simulation, homology modeling, and protein interaction analysis to evaluate the stability and apoptotic potential of BCL-2 mutations. These results indicate that chromothripsis-induced mutations can destabilize the BCL-2 protein, thereby disrupting its binding affinity with apoptotic regulators, such as Bax. These findings support the potential of ergodic anticancer therapy to exploit such mutations, facilitating the apoptosis of cancer cells. Our computational model offers a novel in silico approach for understanding mutation-driven alterations in cancer biology, aiding the development of therapeutic strategies targeting apoptotic pathways.

Alginate, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, exhibits immense potential for diverse applications due to its ability to undergo chemical modifications and blend with other constituents. These modifications enable the creation of alginate derivatives that are not only biocompatible for biomedical and tissue engineering applications but also crucial for the thriving field of bioelectronics. Alginate derivatives serve multiple functions, including their use in wound dressings, scaffolds for drug delivery and tissue engineering, as well as key components in hydrogel formulations. Recent studies highlight the immunomodulatory properties of alginate and its derivatives, including porphyrans, fucoidan, and chitin. These materials enhance the innate immune system, rebalance the Th1/Th2 ratio towards Th1, reduce IgE synthesis, and inhibit mast cell degranulation, alleviating allergic symptoms. In pharmaceuticals, alginate-based materials are utilised as substitutes and bio-linkers in 3D bioprinting, demonstrating their potential for creating complex tissue constructs. This review underscores the fundamental characteristics of alginates, outlines various chemical modification methodologies, and discusses recent developments in the fabrication of functional alginate-based composites. By presenting this synthesis of relevant information, we aim to inspire further scientific breakthroughs in the development of biocompatible electronic devices and intelligent materials.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with a rapidly rising global incidence, presenting a significant burden to healthcare systems worldwide. Flavonoids, a class of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds, are well-documented for their diverse pharmacological activities, particularly their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. These secondary metabolites are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and fungi and are classified into six main subclasses: flavanols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, anthocyanidins, and chalcones. The interplay between hyperglycemia, inflammation, and vascular complications in diabetes is now well recognized. Flavonoids with anti-diabetic properties may help mitigate inflammation by reducing hyperglycemia through various mechanisms. This review explores the antidiabetic potential and molecular mechanisms of citrus flavonoids, drawing on updated evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies. Flavonoids are shown to regulate biomarkers of glycemic control, lipid metabolism, renal function, hepatic enzymes, and antioxidant defenses. They also modulate signaling pathways implicated in glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, which are central to the development of diabetes and its complications. Furthermore, this review synthesizes current knowledge on the antidiabetic effects of dietary flavonoids, emphasizing their molecular mechanisms in modulating key pathways such as glucose transporters, hepatic enzymes, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κβ). Further research is essential to deepen our understanding of flavonoids' therapeutic mechanisms in managing diabetes.

Fifty percent of people worldwide suffer from periodontitis, a chronic inflammation of the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth. Effective filling of dental pockets is paramount for successful treatment outcomes in periodontal therapy. This review examines all the important aspects of in situ-forming dental cement for filling dental pockets. It focuses on the effectiveness of in-situ forming dental cement in filling periodontal pockets, the conditions necessary for their retention, their interaction with the periodontal environment and their potential performance in clinical practice. Through an in-depth analysis of current literature and clinical evidence, this review highlights the promising role of in-situ forming dental cement in enhancing periodontal therapy outcomes. The effectiveness of various filling systems, such as thermosensitive hydrogels, in-situ gel systems, microparticulate systems, and in-situ forming implants, is critically examined in this study. The advantages and disadvantages of each system are thoroughly examined, with a focus on their clinical uses and efficacy in the treatment of periodontitis. It explains the essential requirements for these cements in the periodontal environment, such as low viscosity for simple administration, the right setting time for stability, and regulated drug release mechanisms to sustain therapeutic concentrations over time. Alongside issues with formulation stability and biocompatibility, the suitability of these materials for the unique conditions present in periodontal pockets is assessed. In order to optimize these materials for better therapeutic effects and enhanced outcomes for patients in periodontal therapy, this study outlines potential directions for future research. It highlights the potential of in-situ forming dental cement to transform periodontal treatment by combining recent research findings with practical applications.