Current Indian Science - Volume 2, Issue 1, 2024

The review explores the vital dimensions of pharmacovigilance (PV) and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting in the healthcare industry, highlighting their importance for public health and patient safety. The review follows the development of PV from its historical beginnings in India, highlighting significant turning points and legislative frameworks that have influenced modern practices. Sibutramine, a well-known medication, is investigated to highlight the significance of watchful PV systems. Meanwhile, ADR reporting is significant in healthcare because it directly impacts public health and patient safety. However, there is still a need to address issues like healthcare providers' ignorance and underreporting. The suggested solution is to establish Regional Reporting Centres (RRCs), with successful models demonstrating the benefits they provide, including improved data collection and regional assistance. Despite the advantages, setting up RRCs has its share of difficulties, such as coordination and resource allocation. Effective RRC implementation improves ADR reporting, as shown by case studies and success stories. In order to improve ADR reporting and PV procedures, the research ends with suggestions for the future that call for more regulatory assistance, more training for healthcare workers, and public awareness campaigns.

Oxidation of alcohols in an oxidant-free condition, commonly known as the acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) reaction, has recently emerged as one of the widely used processes in synthetic organic chemistry. Alcohol acts as an excellent chemical precursor that produces a variety of dehydrogenated value-added products such as carbonyls, acids, acetals, and several coupling products, followed by the concomitant evolution of molecular hydrogen gas. AD reaction of alcohol, therefore, can be considered as a vital reaction for the hydrogen economy using alcohols as a liquid hydrogen carrier. Over the past decade, the growing importance of AD reactions has set the way for the continuous development of various homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems. With the advantage of reusability and recyclability, heterogeneous catalysts have now become more promising and significant in the catalytic domain. This review aims to make an overview of the transition metal-based heterogeneous catalytic system of acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation reaction reported till December, 2023.

The technological advances in mass spectrometry and associated computational tools have enabled the development of proteome atlases and comprehensive catalogs of proteome snapshots that have gradually transformed biomedical research. These proteome catalogs in specific biological contexts, which focused initially on model organisms, have now expanded their scope to encompass diverse organisms, tissues, and experimental conditions. These atlases, such as the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Peptide Atlas, and Global Proteome Machine Database (GPMDB), etc. provide invaluable insights into protein expression, subcellular localization, interactions, modifications, and functions. They aid in understanding biological processes, identifying disease biomarkers, and discovering novel therapeutic targets. Despite their potential, proteome atlases face challenges like data completeness, integration with other omics data, and ethical considerations. Addressing these challenges is vital for further progress. Proteome atlases serve as indispensable resources, driving biomedical discovery and innovation.

The identification of heavy metals by sensing technologies is a crucial area of study since these metals are present in the environment and are hazardous. The in-depth analyses of the probes' structures and sensing capabilities improve our understanding of how to design and develop probes for the same metal in the future. The third most common metal ion and trace element, copper (Cu²⁺), is essential to all living things and is involved in several activities. However, different diseases are caused by excess or deficiency of Cu²⁺ ions, depending on what the cell requires. For all of these reasons, optical sensors have concentrated on quick, highly sensitive, and selective real-time detection of Cu²⁺ ions. Fluorescence in the refractive index-adsorption from the interactions between light and matter can be measured using optical sensors. Furthermore, due to their strong advantages which include real-time detection, simplicity and naked eye recognition, low cost, high specificity against analytes, quick reaction, and the requirement for less complex equipment during analysis they have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. In this review, we covered many fluoro and chemosensors for the detection of copper, along with their sensing parameters in various mediums and thorough structural analyses. This review also covers the extraction of copper from the aqueous medium. The use of membrane processes, adsorption, and electrocoagulation is examined, and the difficulties associated with their application have been presented.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a significant gynecological disorder that commonly affects women of reproductive age. Disturbances in the production and metabolism of androgens and estrogens mark the condition. Due to the rising occurrence of PCOS and its related physical and psychological issues, along with the role of sex hormone fluctuations in its development, the use of marketed drugs is effective in treating PCOS but is accompanied by negative consequences. Consequently, a significant number of individuals with PCOS are opting for natural remedies due to the positive therapeutic effects associated with natural medications and the constraints of allopathic treatments. This review aims to assess the impact of different herbs on alterations in sex hormone levels in the bloodstream and ovarian tissue. By conducting a comprehensive literature search utilizing databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Crossref, we have gathered and analyzed pertinent information regarding the efficacy of herbal remedies in combating PCOS. Based on the available evidence, herbs consisting of phytoestrogens can potentially reduce insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian weight while facilitating ovulation. This review explores the importance of herbal remedies in addressing PCOS, elucidates their mechanisms of action, and examines the therapeutic uses of specific herbal medications to treat PCOS. Human studies on medicinal herbs for managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) need extended durations for a comprehensive evaluation of both safety and efficacy, emphasizing the necessity for more long-term research. It is anticipated that this comprehensive review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying the effect of herbs on PCOS, providing them with valuable insights and information.

Transition metals have a useful and significant role in catalysis. They are considered essential chemical tools in various organic transformations. Transition Metal catalysts are extensively used in the research laboratory and industrial/manufacturing processes. Indeed, it is hard to find a complex synthetic reaction or an industrial process that does not, at some stage, require a metal catalyst. They have a paramount impact on organic transformations and have been considered the core part of catalysis in chemistry. This article reports the catalysis behavior shown by transition metals (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Co).

Fungi are widely acknowledged as one of the most diverse and ecologically significant organisms with substantial economic importance on Earth. Edible and medicinal mushrooms have been recognized by human societies since ancient times, serving not only as valuable sources of nourishment but also as medicinal agents. The primary objective of this study is to explore the fruiting bodies of edible mushrooms and assess their capacity to serve as reservoirs of bioactive metabolites with pharmaceutical potential. The extensive analysis conducted aimed to elucidate the significant potential of these medicinal mushrooms, comparable to that of plants, in producing valuable bioactive compounds, thereby positioning them as abundant reservoirs for pharmaceutical compounds.

Fungi produce many different bioactive compounds of different molecular weights, including lectins, lipids, peptidoglycans, phenols, polyketides, polysaccharides, proteins, polysaccharide-protein/peptide complexes, ribosomal and non-ribosomal peptides, steroids, terpenoids, and others. These compounds have more than 130 different therapeutic properties, such as analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-plaque, antiviral, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, cholesterol-lowering, blood-sugar-lowering, blood-pressure-lowering, immune system, response system modulation, immune suppression, cell growth stimulation or regeneration, and more. Several bioactive polysaccharides or polysaccharide-protein complexes identified in these medicinal mushrooms seem to augment both innate and cell-mediated immune responses. Furthermore, these compounds display anti-tumor properties in both animal models and humans.

In organic synthesis, carbon-carbon bond formation is the fundamental transformation to create the carbon backbone of organic molecules and this key reaction is very popular in the improvement of organic chemistry, which exists at the bottom of the heart of the chemical sciences. The Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement has received great attention in the formation of 1,3-diketones through the regioselective construction of carbon-carbon bonds. This rearrangement is an important type of chemical transformation in which the intramolecular migration of the ester acyl group takes place to provide 1,3-diketones in the presence of the base. Generally, 1,3-diketones or ortho-hydroxydibenzoylmethane derivatives undergo cyclization to provide the corresponding flavones in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. The Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement is frequently employed in the preparation of flavones and chromones. Besides, anthrapyran and anthracyclin antibiotics, benzopyrans, coumarins, xanthones, etc., are also synthesized with the help of these reactions. This review deals with the brilliant application of the Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement in the synthesis of promising organic compounds.

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is vital to numerous energy conversion technologies, such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Moreover, to enhance the overall efficacy and durability of these devices, it is crucial to develop catalysts that are both effective and economical. Among the many explored catalyst materials, cobalt chalcogenides have attracted considerable interest due to their unique properties and exceptional ORR performance. This review focuses on the synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and electrochemical performance of high-performance cobalt chalcogenides as catalysts for the ORR. In addition, the influence of various synthetic parameters on the catalytic activity and stability of cobalt chalcogenides is investigated. Also addressed are the effects of defects, doping, and surface modification on the ORR performance of cobalt chalcogenides. In addition, the use of cobalt chalcogenides in practical fuel cell devices is discussed, along with their outstanding performance as ORR catalysts in both acidic and alkaline environments. The durability and long-term stability of cobalt chalcogenides under severe operating conditions are evaluated, indicating their potential commercial applications. Finally, the field of cobalt chalcogenides for ORR challenges and prospects are outlined. This review proposes strategies for further enhancing their catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability, such as interface engineering and synergistic combinations with other catalyst materials. For researchers working on the development of next-generation ORR catalysts and the practical implementation of cobalt chalcogenides for sustainable energy applications, the insights garnered from this review are invaluable.

Exploring a diverse range of bioinspired molecules is crucial for addressing real-world healthcare challenges and finding effective solutions. While numerous materials have been proposed and developed, their compatibility and stability within biological systems remain not fully understood and they are still undergoing extensive examination for their potential successful therapeutic translation. In this context, we aimed to provide an overview of bioinspired molecules that incorporate peptide as well as nucleobase-derived frameworks and explore their potential applications in the field of advanced therapeutics. Unlike many synthetic materials, these scaffolds exhibit remarkable biocompatibility, making them a promising avenue for addressing these concerns.

The increasing demand for alternative biocompatible materials stems from the necessity for therapeutic solutions to address diverse biological challenges. Therefore, compiling existing technologies may offer a comprehensive resource for researchers in this field.

In this review, special attention has been given to bioinspired molecules showcasing a diverse array of therapeutic functions, encompassing gasotransmitters delivery-mediated neuromodulation, sensing, and detection of important biological analytes, tissue engineering, anti-aggregating molecules, antibacterial compounds, anti-cancer molecules, etc.

This review has comprehensively summarized the design, practicality, and utilization of intriguing nucleobase or peptide-based bioinspired molecules for their potential advanced therapeutic applications. Significant constraints within current biocompatible materials continue to impede their potential for clinical translation and functional utilization. Hence, this review may inspire the readers to explore further significant findings in the field of novel bioinspired molecules’ synthesis and their potential therapeutic applicability.

The earth-abundant metal chalcogenide is a highly versatile semiconductor with unique electronic and optical properties that seem to outperform the photocatalytic properties of metal oxides and metal nanoparticles. For ages, researchers are reaping the benefits of its photocatalytic properties in numerous reactions. However, the high charge recombination rates, poor compositional stability, and a smaller number of catalytically active sites restrict its application. The development of different kinds of heterojunctions by the combination of metal-chalcogenides with other conducting and semiconducting materials like metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, g-C3N4, single-atom catalysts, and MOF results in superior photocatalytic activity. This review provides insight into the various classes of metal-chalcogenide-based heterostructures and their application in various organic transformations. A brief overview of the synergistic properties arising from the development of such heterostructures helps to understand the surface interactions so that highly stable, efficient, and selective metal-chalcogenide-based heterostructures can be developed for industrially important photocatalytic organic transformations. This review also describes the role of mediators in boosting the stability and catalytic efficiency of the metal chalcogenides. Moreover, a thorough emphasis on the morphological impact of photocatalysts in various reactions will help with the development of metal chalcogenide heterostructures with tunable morphology and bandgap.

Colorimetric sensors are attracting considerable interest across diverse fields owing to their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and rapidity. Within this realm, Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) stands out as a favorable method for designing colorimetric sensing techniques. Sensors based on LSPR control the plasmonic characteristics of metallic Nanoparticles (NPs) to produce a noticeable alteration in color when a target analyte is detected. This article explores recent advancements in this field, including the integration of LSPR sensors with microfluidics and smartphone-based detection systems. The paper also investigates the applications of LSPR-based colorimetric sensors in diverse domains, such as environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, food safety, and chemical detection. Furthermore, it sheds light on the potential limitations and prospects associated with LSPR-based colorimetric sensors, with a particular emphasis on the need for improved sensitivity, selectivity, and stability to facilitate broader practical applications.

Due to the biological importance of amino acids, the development of optical probes for these compounds has become a popular research topic in recent years. The amino acid fluorescence or colorimetric sensors are organized according to the reactions the amino acids go through and the related structural classification. Works on reaction-based chemosensors are categorized as either imine formation, Michael addition, thiazinane or thiazolidine formation, cleavage of a sulfonate ester, cleavage of a disulfide, metal complexes-displace coordination, or other mechanisms depending on the mechanisms between sensors and amino acids.

The majority of proteins are composed of amino acids (AA), which are tiny molecules with a variety of functional side chain groups. As a result, amino acids play a number of different roles in physiological processes. This family member's histidine (His) is necessary for weight gain, tissue growth, and repair. Another member of this family, lysine (Lys), is crucial for the Krebs-Henseleit cycle and polyamine production, and animals' metabolic activities and weight gain depend on appropriate lysine intake. Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential component of biological processes like protein synthesis, animal growth, and plant development because it regulates the transfer of metal elements in biological bases.

Numerous attempts have been made to create new procedures for amino acid analysis as a result of the rising focus on human health, disease diagnosis, and therapy. Currently, spectroscopic, chromatographic, or electrochemical analytical methods are most frequently employed to identify and characterize amino acids. However, each method has certain disadvantages, such as the need for equipment and trained personnel, operational simplicity, analytical cost, test speed, and detection.

Based on the important distinguishing characteristics of various amino acids to date, much research has been done on optical probes using indicator-displacement tests, metal complex coordination, particular interactions between probes and amino acids, and other techniques. We further subdivided the reaction-based probes into the following groups: production of imines, Michael addition, thiazinane or thiazolidine, cleavage of sulfonate ester, cleavage of disulfide, and others. Metal complexes-displace coordination. Due to some amino acids' similarity in structure and reactivity, it is still challenging to develop sensors that can selectively and sensitively identify amino acids from one another, such as the three biological thiols Cys, Hcy, and GSH.

Specific reactions between probes and amino acids and other techniques have been extensively researched based on the significant characteristic features of diverse amino acids to date. We further divided the reaction-based probes into the following categories: metal complexes-displace coordination, imine creation, Michael addition, thiazinane or thiazolidine formation, cleavage of a sulfonate ester, cleavage of a disulfide; and others.

One of the most popular sectors in the tech and healthcare industries right now is artificial intelligence. In the search and development of new drugs, artificial intelligence is essential. Drug design using computer-assisted design (CADD) has supplanted the traditional approach. Artificial intelligence is assisting businesses in the development of new drugs in a faster, more affordable, and more efficient manner, saving money and manpower in the process of creating new drug molecules to treat any disease. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis, activity scoring, in silico testing, biomarker development, and mode of action identification are all aided by artificial intelligence. It is revolutionizing these sectors by swiftly identifying potential drug candidates, efficiently conducting clinical trials, and customizing patient care. AI optimizes drug manufacturing processes, augments safety monitoring, and streamlines market analysis. In clinical trials, AI streamlines patient recruitment and ensures more precise trial designs, leading to faster and more efficient research. AI empowers personalized medicine by tailoring treatment plans and drug dosages to individual patient characteristics. AI also optimizes pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, amplifies safety monitoring by analyzing real-time data for adverse events, and supports market analysis and sales strategies. AI in the pharmaceutical industry is a multifaceted tool. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to streamline complex pharmaceutical regulatory matters. Regulatory processes like audits and dossier completion can be automated with AI tools.

The idea of designing novel anti-amyloid therapeutic agents has generated a lot of scientific interest and the potential for treating a variety of human pathophysiologies, such as neurodegenerative and non-neuropathic diseases linked to amyloid protein aggregation. To address this, different small molecules, peptides, surfactants, nanomaterials, etc., have been thoroughly investigated to learn more about their anti-amyloidogenic capabilities, offering a great deal of potential for them to show up as future anti-amyloidogenic agents. In contrast to existing small-molecule analogues, polymers have been envisaged as promising anti-amyloid agents for treating these diseases because of their enthralling physicochemical features and simplicity of functionalisation. This review article emphasises the latest developments in the design of synthetic polymers such as amino acid-conjugated polymers, glycopolymers, zwitterionic polymers and so on reported in the last decade in modulating amyloid aggregation process. Additionally, the structural function and mechanism involved in modifying the aggregation process are highlighted in order to inspire the researchers even more and provide insight into this important field of study.