Recent Advances in Anti-Infective Drug Discovery - Online First
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Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Panax Ginseng: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pharmacological Applications
Authors: Shonim Sharma, Jatin Verma, Ankita Lakhanpal, Juhi Saxena, Ruchika Mehta, Pooja Mathur and Ritu DahiyaAvailable online: 30 October 2025More LessPanax ginseng has long been revered in traditional medicine for its various health benefits, pharmacological activities, and therapeutic potential. Panax ginseng is rich in bioactive compounds, primarily ginsenosides, as well as diverse metabolites, including flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, amino acids, and polysaccharides, which contribute to its therapeutic properties. Ginsenosides are categorized into dammarane and oleanane groups, with at least 289 ginsenosides identified across different Panax species. Moreover, the extraction method and solvent used significantly influence the composition and bioactivity of ginseng extracts, with ethanol and water extracts showing promising antioxidant and immunostimulatory effects. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated Panax ginseng's efficacy in enhancing mental functioning and immune response, while also showing promise in protection from liver damage, osteoporosis, and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, Panax ginseng exhibits antimicrobial and antiviral activities, making it a valuable natural resource in combating infectious diseases. Ginsenosides exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting NF-κB activation and proinflammatory cytokine production, while also enhancing the function of immune cells. Furthermore, ginsenosides regulate lipid metabolism, promote glucose uptake, and modulate insulin sensitivity, contributing to their anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, Panax ginseng demonstrates anti-oncogenic activity by inducing programmed cell death, inhibiting angiogenesis, and suppressing tumor growth in various cancer types. Panax ginseng exhibits neuroprotective effects across various neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and major depressive disorder. Its mechanisms of action involve mitigating cell death, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, modulating neurotransmitter levels, and regulating inflammatory responses. Importantly, Panax ginseng has low acute and subacute oral toxicity, further supporting its safety profile for human consumption. In conclusion, Panax ginseng emerges as a versatile herbal remedy with significant therapeutic implications across a wide range of health conditions.
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Deciphering the Translational Strategies of Nanotechnology in Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Looking Ahead
Authors: Devender, Ritu, Khushi Quadri, Laxmi Rani and Pooja MathurAvailable online: 22 October 2025More LessBacterial conjunctivitis is a common eye infection caused by bacteria, posing significant treatment challenges due to rising antibiotic resistance and the limitations of traditional therapies. Standard treatments, including topical antibiotics, often suffer from issues such as poor bioavailability, limited effectiveness, and patient adherence. Nanotechnology offers an innovative approach, providing potential solutions for more effective drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions.
The objective of this study is to explore the role of nanotechnology in improving the management of bacterial conjunctivitis. Specifically, it examines how nanostructured drug carriers, such as nanoparticles, nanogels, and liposomes, can enhance ocular drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes. A key focus is on the influence of the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) in optimizing stability, solubility, and bioavailability.
Nanotechnology has shown promise in improving the delivery of drugs for bacterial conjunctivitis by enhancing ocular penetration and prolonging the release of active agents. The hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of nanoparticles plays a critical role in stabilizing the colloidal structure of the formulation, preventing aggregation and sedimentation. Furthermore, optimizing Rh can increase the surface area-to-volume ratio, which is beneficial for improving the solubility of poorly soluble drugs, thereby enhancing their bioavailability. Nanotechnology-based systems can also enable the development of diagnostic tools, such as nanosensors, capable of quickly and accurately detecting bacterial pathogens, facilitating timely, targeted treatments and reducing unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The precise control of nanoparticle Rh enhances drug stability, bioavailability, and sustained release, ultimately improving patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy.
The future of bacterial conjunctivitis treatment is promising, with further research focused on optimizing nanoparticle characteristics such as size, surface modification, and targeted drug delivery. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the safety of nanoparticles, including potential risks to ocular tissues and long-term effects. Continued research, including in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials, is essential to establish the safety and clinical viability of these nanotechnology-based systems. With further advancements, nanotechnology could revolutionize treatment strategies for bacterial conjunctivitis, offering more targeted, patient-centered, and effective solutions for managing ocular infections and combating antibiotic resistance.
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Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Punica granatum Leaf Extract: A Novel Approach to Combat Quinolone-Resistant Urinary Tract Infective Pathogens
Available online: 10 September 2025More LessIntroductionNanoparticles obtained through green synthesis play remarkable roles in biomedical applications. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a nightmare for the mass population, especially for women, and quinolone-resistant UTI bacteria worsen the situation. Our current investigation aimed to control quinolone-resistant pathogenic UTI bacteria with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
MethodsVisual observation of color change, UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) techniques were used to effectively characterize the biosynthesized AgNPs. Klebsiella variicola, Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria were isolated and identified using biochemical and molecular identification techniques from urine samples of hospitalized patients with UTI. These bacteria showed quinolone resistance to up to fourth-generation antibiotics.
Results and DiscussionThe results elucidated the synthesis of spherical-shaped nano-silvers coated with Punica granatum polyphenols. These biosynthesized AgNPs showed moderate polydispersity and narrow distribution. The antibacterial efficiency of the AgNPs was determined against isolated bacterial strains. Klebsiella variicola and Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibited the highest sensitivity to the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles at a concentration of 128 µg/ml inhibited bacterial growth to a great extent and gave a maximum inhibition zone of 14.67 ± 0.577 mm in diameter for both bacterial strains. In addition, toxicity analysis of synthesized nanoparticles via brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) showed a very low cytotoxicity level (2398.83 µg/ml), depicting safety for human use.
ConclusionWe can conclude that Punica granatum leaf-synthesized AgNPs could possess significant biomedical applications as potential antibacterial agents due to their bactericidal activity and low cytotoxicity.
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