Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Volume 24, Issue 9, 2023

Chronic wound healing is a time-consuming and complicated process. Severe risk for wound healing that can be life-threatening is bacterial invasion and wound during the healing process. Therefore, it is necessary to use a sui barrier to create a controlled environment for wound healing. Various wound dressings such as hydrocolloids, hydrogels, sponges, foams, films, and micro and nanofibers have been explored in recent decades. High surface-to-volume ratio, high similarity to the biological structure of the extracellular matrix, high porosity and very small pore size are some advantages of nanofibers that have become potential candidates for wound healing applications. Different methods are used to fabricate nanofibers like drawing-processing, template synthesis, self-assembly, phase separation, force-spinning and electrospinning. Electrospinning is the most desirable method due to the possibility of producing independent, accessible and controllable nanofibers. The fiberbased wound dressings and their manufacturing methods have been extensively discussed.

The genus Ocimum comprises many species widely cultivated in different parts of the world for their pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and other commercial importance. Many biological activities such as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant have been ascribed to Ocimum, which can be linked to the occurrence of biologically active phytochemicals like phenolic acids, essential oil, flavonoids, and terpenes hence making it a potential source for discovery and development of novel drugs. The present review covers the successive advances in the traditional medicinal aspects, phytochemistry, bioactivities and the bioavailability of four Ocimumspecies, i.e., Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum gratissimum L. and Ocimum tenuiflorum L., to explore their applications in versatile industries. Furthermore, this thorough compilation will be used as a potential resource for further Ocimum-related medication development and research and to identify the research gaps to fill.

Dementia impairs memory, critical thinking, and decision-making. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by extracellular amyloid fibrils containing the peptide Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulating in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. A slew of small molecule inhibitors developed over several decades has targeted dementia and related diseases. The drugs and inhibitors cannot cross the BBB due to their insurmountable nature. Many molecular nanomedicines have been developed that can cross the BBB via adsorptive-mediated transcytosis. Drug-loaded nanosized formulations, such as polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nano transporters, liposomes, nanoemulsions, exosomes, gold nanoparticles, and dendrimers, have a significant impact on dementia diagnosis and treatment. This review focuses on recent developments in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for dementia and related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recent advances in nanotechnology may help overcome drug delivery limitations for dementia therapy. Nanoparticles' size, composition, and structural variety bring up new therapeutic possibilities, including treating and diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases. It is possible to enhance therapeutic effectiveness by enhancing pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, water solubility, and stability under physiological conditions while reducing adverse effects by restricting their location in healthy tissues.

COVID-19 rapidly evolved as a pandemic, killing and hospitalising millions of people, and creating unprecedented hurdles for communities and health care systems worldwide. The rapidly evolving pandemic prompted the head of the World Health Organisation to deliver a critical message: "test, test, test." The response from the diagnostic industry and researchers worldwide was overwhelming, resulting in more than a thousand commercial tests being available worldwide. Several sampling approaches and diagnostic techniques have been employed from the early stages of the pandemic, such as SARS-CoV-2 detection by targeting the viral RNA or protein indirectly via antibody testing, biochemical estimation, and various imaging techniques, and many are still in the various stages of development and yet to be marketed. Accurate testing techniques and appropriate sampling are the need of the hour to manage, diagnose and treat the pandemic, especially in the current crisis where SARS-CoV-2 undergoes constant mutation, evolving into various strains, which are pretty challenging. The article discusses various testing techniques as well as screening methods for detection, treatment, and management of COVID-19 transmissions, such as NAAT, PCR, isothermal detection including RT-LAMP, RPA, NASBA, RCA, SDA, NEAR, and TMA, CRISPR strategy, nanotechnology approach, metagenomic profiling, point of care tests, virus neutralization test, ELISA, biomarker estimation, utilization of imaging techniques such as CT, ultrasonography, brain MRI in COVID-19 complications, and other novel strategies including microarray methods, microfluidic methods and artificial intelligence with an emphasis on advancements in the testing strategies for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COVID-19.

By helping practitioners understand complicated and varied types of data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has influenced medical practice deeply. It is the use of a computer to mimic intelligent behaviour. Many medical professions, particularly those reliant on imaging or surgery, are progressively developing AI. While AI cognitive component outperforms human intellect, it lacks awareness, emotions, intuition, and adaptability. With minimum human participation, AI is quickly growing in healthcare, and numerous AI applications have been created to address current issues. This article explains AI, its various elements and how to utilize them in healthcare. It also offers practical suggestions for developing an AI strategy to assist the digital healthcare transition.

Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is a very common medical problem. An episode of sciatica occurs at least once in the life of 60-90% of the human population. A phenomenon that is closely related to the process of lowering the pH of the extracellular matrix degenerating the intervertebral disc (IVD) is the precipitation of calcium salts, especially pyrophosphate dehydrate and hydroxyapatite. In such an altered environment of the IVD, we can observe an increased influx of monocytes, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, as well as non-immunocompetent cells, which are a source of cytokines, e.g., tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), interleukin- (IL-1β, IL-8). The above-mentioned mediators of an inflammatory condition contribute to an increase in the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial cell Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in mast cells and chondrocytes, as well as to the descending transport of these mediators along the nerve endings. In the process of degeneration of the IVD as a result of repeated and even slight injuries, there is damage to the connections of the endplate of the vertebral bodies with the IVD, which results in an impairment of the penetration of nutritional substances and water into the disc. As a consequence, there is an overexpression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor GDNF, as well as neuromodulin (GAP-43) in the mast cells and chondrocytes of the IVDs, while descending transport of these mediators along the nerve fibers is also observed.

Background: p-Coumaric acid is a phenolic compound widely distributed in fruits and vegetables that displays an array of therapeutic properties, including antidiabetic effects. Prominent application in diabetes is limited due to its suboptimal pharmacokinetics, poor aqueous solubility, and poor bioavailability. Nanotechnology-based delivery methods have been developed to address these limitations and improve the therapeutic uses of p-coumaric acid, and the nanoencapsulation method is emerging as a feasible alternative. Objective: The objective of this study is to synthesize p-coumaric acid nanoparticles (PCNPs) and to evaluate their In Vitro activities. Methods: The PCNPs were synthesized by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with dispersive energy X-ray (EDX) analysis. In addition, the PCNPs were analyzed for In Vitro antioxidant activity using six different free radical scavenging assays and were also analyzed for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antidiabetic effects. Results: The formation of PCNPs was confirmed by UV-visible spectra at 283 nm, and FTIR analysis revealed the reduction and capping of the chitosan nanoparticles. SEM was used to assess the size and shape of the PCNPs, and the high absorption property of the PCNPs was investigated using EDX analysis. The PCNPs had significant antioxidant, hydrogen peroxide (H²O²), lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging power activities, and showed potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antidiabetic activities. Conclusion: The present study suggests that PCNPs can be used as a potential medication delivery approach to provide a greater nephroprotective effect in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt at the synthesis of chitosan-loaded PCNPs.

Background: Nanocarriers are these days considered an attractive approach in cancer immunotherapy owing to their ability to deliver antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for stimulating robust immune cells against the tumor. Objectives: The objective of this study was to construct nanocomplexes using two nanocarriers with negative surface charge, adenovirus (Ad) and human serum albumin nanoparticle (HSA-NP), and coat their surface with a modified and positively-charged HPV16 E7 MHC-I specific epitope to assess their anti-tumor effects in a TC-1 mouse model. Methods: After the construction of Ad and HSA-NP, their complexes with HPV16 E7 MHC-I specific epitope were characterized by zeta potential and dynamic light scattering. Then, the cellular immunity and CTL responses in immunized mice were assessed by measuring the levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ and the expression of CD107a, a marker of CTL response, as well as tumor inhibition. Results: The zeta potential and dynamic light scattering results showed that incubation of the oppositely- charged nanocarriers and MHC-I specific epitope led to the formation of nanocomplexes in which the surface charge of nanocarriers was changed from negative to positive with minimal changes in the particle size. We demonstrated that the nanocomplex platforms in heterologous primeboost regimens generate significantly higher E7-specific IL-10, IFN-γ, and CTL responses. Moreover, the heterologous nanocomplex regimens, Alb/Pep-Ad/Pep and Ad/Pep-Alb/Pep, significantly suppressed the growth of TC-1 tumors in vivo compared with mice receiving homologous regimens and naked nanocarriers. Conclusion: The heterologous nanocomplexes might serve as an effective vaccine strategy against HPV-induced cervical cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer to cause large death among gynecological tumors. Paclitaxel is important to the standard treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer. Due to its low solubility and permeability, nano-paclitaxel came into public view. Objective: To evaluate the effect of nano-paclitaxel in ovarian cancer. Methods: Considering the importance of bevacizumab in clinical treatment, we set four groups for research: control, paclitaxel, paclitaxel + bevacizumab, and nano-paclitaxel + bevacizumab. CCK-8, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays were used to detect the cell survival condition. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the gene mRNA and protein expression level. Tumor xenograft in nude mice was used to detect the effect in vivo. Results: The nano-paclitaxel combined with bevacizumab had the best curative effect. Moreover, the downstream indicators, such as caspases, BAX, FAS, OGFr, PD-L1 and VEGF, changed in four groups, which suggested that the therapy worked by affecting the cell apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, and immune reaction. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study helped us better commandof nano-paclitaxel for ovarian cancer treatment and thus could play a role in OC therapy.