Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 8

Formulation and Antibacterial Assessment of a Herbal Cream Containing Biophytum sensitivum D.C.

Haripriya G, Krithika R, LisMaria Joseph, Suresh J — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: Biophytum sensitivum DC Oxalidaceae is a traditional medicinal plant for treating bacterial infections. The goal of the current study was to create and assess an antibacterial cream of hydroalcoholic extract from Biophytum sensitivium DC.

Materials and Methods: This plant was extracted using the hydroalcoholic method and further evaluated for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) by agar well diffusion method.

Results: The presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extract of Biophytum sensitivum DC Oxalidaceae exhibited significant activity on E. coli organism and activity which is compatible with standard antibiotics.

Conclusion: The chemical constituents were tested to identify phenols and flavonoids. The use of hydroalcoholic extract resulted in antibacterial activity, and an antibacterial cream was further formulated.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Dose Justification for Nanoparticle Formulation

AVS Rajeswari, B. Navya, N. Sowmya, P. Sailaja — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dose justification refers to the scientific rationale behind selecting a specific dose of a drug for human use. With the emergence of nanotechnology in pharmaceuticals, particularly nanoparticle formulations, this concept has evolved significantly. This study aims to shed light on the different approaches to justifying the dose of nanoparticles, using ibrutinib nanoparticles as an example. It also examines the relation between the dose and bioavailability, alongside considering relevant pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters. The biopharmaceutical factors like Cmax, Tmax, and AUC are also considered for dose justification. The comparison of the radiation dose and nanoparticle dose taken internally or externally, and their relation, is highlighted. The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) and its limitations are discussed. The human equivalent dose and inhumane studies were listed along with the equivalent dose of nanoparticles. The Equivalent Dose Model, used in nanotoxicology, is presented as it calculates dose based on nanoparticle surface area rather than mass alone. Comprehensive data support the approval of the 50 mg nanoparticle dose, providing patients with a more effective and safer treatment option. Project Optimus by the FDA, which aims to refine and simplify oncology dose selection, is also considered. Key nanoparticle-specific factors like surface area and zeta potential are explained with the regulatory approvals. Nano drug formulations offer significant improvements in solubility and bioavailability. Incorporating PK/PD data, toxicity thresholds, nanoparticle-specific models, and regulatory guidelines ensures that the new dose maintains safety and efficacy. Finally, the integration of in silico modelling, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship model, and machine learning is proposed to enhance dose predictions, with standardised weighting factors suggested to improve risk assessment.

A Novel Polyherbal Formulation- Sarkaraikolli Hastens Wound Healing Activity with Antidiabetic Potential

S. Sundar, A. Bhavana, N. K. S. Neeraja, D. Prasanna, R. Sunitha — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Diabetes is a chronic group of metabolic diseases characterised by the constantly elevated blood glucose levels, which leads to the glycation of body proteins, which may further cause serious complications. In recent years, the use of complementary medicine has seen significant growth, particularly in dietary interventions and traditional plant-based therapies derived from systems such as Ayurveda. No systematic studies have been reported for its wound healing and anti-diabetic properties of Sarkaraikolli. An effort has been made to establish the wound healing and anti-diabetic properties of the polyherbal formulation Sarkaraikolli. In this model, animals were administered with test and standard samples by the oral route. Frequently blood samples were taken and examined for blood glucose levels, which were assessed using a glucometer. The animals were sacrificed 2 hours on the 21^st day after the treatment by cervical dislocation, and biochemical studies were performed. The blood samples were collected, and serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes after a retro-orbital puncture. Different procedures were performed for the determination of liver enzyme tests. In the model of anti-diabetic animals were evenly divided into 5 groups. Group-1 and Group-2 served as untreated and model controls respectively, while Group-3, 4, and 5 were the treatment groups which were simultaneously treated with standard, 250 and 500 mg/kg extract respectively after glucose loading. Sarkaraikolli possesses significant anti-diabetic and wound healing activity when compared to the conventional medicine like Glibenclamide. Significant anti-diabetic action is visible due to lower blood glucose levels and maintenance of steady body weights. Sarkaraikolli wound healing activity is demonstrated by higher wound healing activity as compared to the standard medication. The biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT and ALP were determined by using the analytical kits. The results shown by the treatment of Sarkaraikolli were significant and are closer to the control group. This research work proved that Sarkaraikolli possesses significant anti-diabetic and wound-healing activity. When compared to conventional medicine, Glibenclamide, a significant anti-diabetic action is visible due to lower blood glucose levels and maintenance of steady body weights. Sarkaraikolli's wound healing activity is demonstrated by higher wound healing activity when compared to the standard drug (Nitrofurazone).

Chronotherapy: Unleashing the Precision of Time for Enhanced Treatment Strategies

Subham Kumar Panda, V. G. S. Sharma, B. Ray, Aditya Kumar Jena — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chronotherapy is an emerging discipline in medicine that emphasises aligning drug administration with the body’s inherent biological rhythms, particularly the circadian clock. Recognising that critical physiological functions such as hormone secretion, enzymatic activity, and metabolism fluctuate throughout the day, chronotherapy aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects by synchronising treatment timing with these natural cycles. Recent progress in this field includes the development of time-specific drug formulations and advanced delivery systems, as well as computational tools and algorithms designed to tailor treatment regimens to individual patients. Although still evolving, chronotherapy holds significant promise for optimising clinical outcomes and advancing personalised medicine. The present study focuses on different aspects of Chronotherapy. This study explored the recent advances in chronotherapy, highlighting the potential it holds for revolutionising healthcare. Further research is required to fully understand the intricate mechanisms underlying chronotherapy and to explore its application across various medical conditions.

Hepatotoxicological Evaluation of the Illicit Street Drug Nyaope: Chemical Profiling and Liver Damage in a Rodent Model

Matome M Sekhotha — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The liver is one of the most important organs of the body that plays important roles in several functions. The drugs are metabolised in the liver. The most important causes of acute liver disease in the world include drug toxicity. In South Africa, there is a drug called nyaope, which is mainly used for recreational purposes. The administration of nyaope may cause severe health outcomes in the human body system. Nyaope is a cocktail using different household chemical compounds, only known by the dealer.

Aim: The aim of the study will be to investigate the effect of nyaope on the morphology of the liver.

Methods: The nyaope samples were supplied by the SAPS with the permission of DoH. The Nyaope powder sample was mixed in three different solvents, then analysed using a GC-MS machine. A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into the control and experimental groups. The nyaope was dissolved in 90% saline water and administered at 0.1mg/ml in the 12 experimental rats for 30 days. After 30 days, the rodents were sacrificed and the livers were harvested and collected, and the blood samples were analyzed for histology analysis and biomarkers analysis, respectively. The Graph Pad was used to analyse the biomarkers. The Kruskal-Wallis test was carried out at p< 0.05.

Results: The nyaope samples dissolved in the methanol showed more ingredients compared to other solvents. Heroin and its derivatives were identified in all the solvents. The morphology of the liver after histology showed that the central vein was highly affected after administration of the nyaope solution. All liver biomarkers in the experiment were significantly higher in the experimental rodents compared to the control, with a p-value <0.05.

Discussion: Heroin was the most common ingredient found in the nyaope samples. In the current study, it was very clear that nyaope can modify the morphology of the liver cells. The morphological change may lead to the presence of biomarkers in the blood samples. Biochemical analysis and histopathological observation showed that heroin-addicted rats had liver injury. It can cause hepatic injury, which might affect the physiological functioning of the liver in the experimental group.

Conclusion: The effect of the other compound that is present in the nyaope needs further investigation. There must be an investigation to search for the strategy of controlling the use of nyaope amongst the youth community.

Drug Utilization Pattern at the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Health Care Hospital in India

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Drug utilization studies ensure patient safety by assessing the safe and effective use of drugs, optimizing treatment strategies for better outcomes and contributing to overall quality improvement in emergency care. The aim of the study is to understand drug utilization patterns at the emergency department of a tertiary health care hospital in India. The study was designed as a prospective observational study. The patients’ data were collected and distributed on the basis of age, gender, comorbidities, disease and drug class in which the patients were observed for 6 months, and the conclusion was obtained with a sample size of 100 patients. Where the result was obtained according to the gender, males (64%) were more prone to disease than females (36%). The age group 51-60 years was more prone to disease, i.e., 28% than the 61-70 years (24%), and the least age group that visited the Emergency department was those 91-100 years (3%). The most common comorbidities that were observed during the study were hypertension (56 Patients), diabetes mellitus (45 Patients), hypothyroidism (10 Patients), and coronary artery disease (15 Patients), while 10 patients had no comorbidities. The common drugs used in ER are Pantoprazole, Ondansetron, Optineuron and Acetaminophen. In this study, the findings highlight the need for promoting rational drug therapy by encouraging the prescription of essential drugs using their generic names to improve health care outcomes and also in optimising drug therapy in the Emergency department.

Pharmacological Potentials of Mimosa pudica: Antiparasitic, Antibiofilm and Mucolytic Activities

Pinheiro, Elizabeth — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mimosa pudica L., traditionally known as the sensitive plant or touch-me-not, is a species with a wide pantropical distribution and a history of ethnomedical use in treating gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and inflammatory processes. The plant has a diverse phytochemical profile, including L-mimosine, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, and a mucilage rich in glucuronoxylans. This metabolic arrangement confers multifunctional pharmacological activities, highlighting three main axes: (i) antiparasitic, through the cytostatic action of mimosine and synergistic effects of flavonoids and saponins on helminths and protozoa; (ii) antibiofilm, with the ability to interfere in critical stages of microbial community formation, reducing adhesion, biomass, and virulence of pathogens such as Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans; and (iii) anti-mucoid, attributed to the seed mucilage, which exhibits bioadhesive and mechanical properties capable of promoting the removal of luminal residues and muco-biofilm structures associated with intestinal dysbiosis. From a toxicological point of view, studies indicate low acute toxicity in animal models, but prolonged exposure requires caution due to the iron-chelating effects of mimosine, reinforcing the need for chemical standardization and monitoring of safe doses. Translational perspectives include the standardization of extracts, randomized clinical trials, and integrative applications with probiotics, prebiotics, and conventional antihelminthics, as well as potential use in nanotechnological platforms. It is concluded that Mimosa pudica gathers sufficient ethnomedical, pre-clinical, and pharmacological evidence to be considered a multifunctional phytotherapeutic for intestinal health. Clinical validation and phytochemical standardization are essential steps to consolidate its role as an integrative and innovative therapeutic resource.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy in Breath Analysis

Andrei A. Bunaciu, Hassan Y. Aboul-Enein — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

There are several potential medicinal and scientific uses for breath analysis, a relatively new field of inquiry. The environment, microorganisms in the gut and airways, and metabolites of ingested precursors all contribute to the body's internal production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are detected in breath. Several recent studies suggest that breath analysis may aid in the diagnosis of illnesses associated with alterations in breath composition. Infrared spectroscopy is a promising analytical method for the metabolic analysis of breath. There are substances in human breath that can be used to assess environmental exposure, diagnose diseases, and monitor physiological conditions. Exhaled breath promotes collaboration and is the ideal biological fluid because it is nearly limitless and causes little to no discomfort for the patient. Breath analysis is a suitable technique for certain applications, as exhaled breath can be captured without the need for medical personnel or privacy, and it typically doesn't produce infectious waste (although airborne infections may be present). Breath analysis is a non-invasive technique that reveals the overall health and condition of the body's metabolism by describing the volatile content of the bloodstream and airways using the volatile composition of exhaled breath (EB). However, because exhaled breath includes relatively little of the metabolites, the absorption strength of the metabolites is still quite moderate. This chapter presents recent applications of the infrared spectroscopic technique published between 2020 and 2025.