Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 25, Issue 15, 2025

Arthritis has become a global public health issue due to its diverse risk factors and high prevalence. Therefore, there is a demand for more effective drugs to improve these situations. Triterpenoids have attracted the interest of researchers because of their broad spectrum of biological activities and pharmacological effects. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of the potential of triterpenoids and of their derivatives as therapeutic agents against Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA), based on their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This review discusses the chemical and pharmacological properties of triterpenoids and their derivatives, focusing on the different mechanisms by which this class of compounds achieves therapeutic benefits in arthritis. The conclusions indicate that triterpenoids and their derivatives have a favorable potential therapeutic effect on arthritis.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most common vegetable plants in the world. It is also named Lycopersicon esculentum. It serves as a model plant for the Solanaceae family, especially for plants that produce fleshy fruits. Various studies have shown that S. lycopersicum fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, in addition to tomato waste, constitute sources of vital bioactive substances such as lycopene, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. Consequently, tomatoes have powerful antioxidant activities in addition to cardiovascular protection, anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, radioprotective, gut modulating activities, vision effect, and hepatoprotective. The current review illuminates the different isolated phytochemicals and medicinal value, as well as the pharmacological activities of S. lycopersicum.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterised by elevated blood glucose levels, with its major subtypes being type 1 (immune-mediated) and type 2 (lifestyle-related) diabetes. Medical treatment for diabetes requires patients to perform subcutaneous insulin injections since oral insulin faces problems with gastric breakdown. Nano-sized insulin delivery systems show great potential for oral usage because they protect the insulin molecule from enzymatic breakdown and enhance its absorption rates through the digestive system. The review article investigates the utilisation of insulin-loaded nanoparticles as an advanced treatment method for diabetes management. The data evaluates insulin-loaded nanoparticles for their impact on stability enhancement as well as their protective functions and improved oral bioavailability potential. The research reviewed the relevant literature on insulin-loaded nanoparticles as a treatment method for diabetes. The research articles were obtained through databases including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies about incorporating insulin with nanoparticles and their bioavailability features and therapeutic potential were analysed. The review demonstrates that insulin-loaded nanoparticles markedly improve insulin stability, bioavailability, and absorption, overcoming the challenges associated with oral insulin delivery. Diverse nanoparticle compositions, encompassing polymeric and lipid-based carriers, exhibit encouraging outcomes in preclinical investigations. Despite existing limitations in large-scale production and clinical application, nanotechnology presents a revolutionary method for diabetes treatment. Additional research and clinical studies are necessary to validate insulin-loaded nanoparticles as a feasible, patient-friendly substitute for traditional insulin therapy.

Locust bean gum (LBG), a naturally derived polysaccharide from Ceratonia siliqua, exhibits high biocompatibility, degradability, and gel-forming capability, making it a potential contender for pharmaceutical applications. It has wide applications in drug delivery as well as wound healing because of its physicochemical characteristics, including mucoadhesive properties, swelling capability, and controlled release. This study explores the role of LBG-based composites in controlled drug release and wound dressing applications. LBG has been broadly used for drug delivery by oral, transdermal, and mucosal routes. Its mucoadhesive properties increase drug uptake, while gelation facilitates controlled and sustained drug release. Crosslinking and carboxymethylation have been used to improve its functional properties, and it has been utilised in targeted and responsive delivery systems. LBG-based hydrogels and films have also been developed for wound healing and have shown moisture retention, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility. Smart wound dressings with LBG and bioactive agents have enabled real-time infection monitoring with enhanced tissue regeneration. Studies have proven that LBG can improve the mechanical strength and drug-loading capacity of composite materials and is hence a potential candidate for next-generation biomedical applications. LBG-based composites hold significant potential in pharmaceuticals, particularly in wound healing and drug delivery.