Chemical Profiling and Constituent Diversity in Nutmeg Genotypes (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)

Background: Nutmeg is a perennial tree spices which is yielding twin spices; present days research thrust is to identify high yielding mother trees. But yield and quality both are equally important due to its wide spread medicinal as well as industrial usage. Methods: The core collection of nutmeg genotypes form different locations of Kerala evaluated for biochemical composition. Seventeen morphologically distinct types of nutmeg were analysed through GC/MS method. The change in volatiles after storage (at 4°C) was also assessed after one year. Result: The range of variation was observed for kernel oil, mace oil, kernel oleoresin, mace oleoresin and fixed oil of kernel. Myristicin, elemecin and sabinene were principal volatile compounds. The identification of distinct nutmeg chemotypes for specific volatile compounds which could be used in commercial cultivation/pharmaceutical application/industrial use. Present study highlights the high and low hallucinogen (myristicine, elemicine and safrole) genotypes along with high sabinene types.

Pharmacological Effects of Grifolin: Focusing on Anticancer Mechanisms

Grifolin is a volatile compound contained in essential oils of several medicinal plants. Several studies show that this substance has been the subject of numerous pharmacological investigations, which have yielded interesting results. Grifolin demonstrated beneficial effects for health via its multiple pharmacological activities. It has anti-microbial properties against bacteria, fungi, and parasites. In addition, grifolin exhibited remarkable anti-cancer effects on different human cancer cells. The anticancer action of this molecule is related to its ability to act at cellular and molecular levels on different checkpoints controlling the signaling pathways of human cancer cell lines. Grifolin can induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and senescence in these cells. Despite its major pharmacological properties, grifolin has only been investigated in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, further investigations concerning pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic tests are required for any possible pharmaceutical application of this substance. Moreover, toxicological tests and other investigations involving humans as a study model are required to validate the safety and clinical applications of grifolin.

Potential Pharmaceutical Application of Endemic Plants: When will Sri Lanka Understand the Economic Value Chain?

Small molecules has been a main concern in the pharmaceutical industry for as long as they have existed. Enormous libraries of compounds have been collected and they in turn nurture drug discovery research. For example, big pharma, has in their compound libraries ranging from 500,000 to several million. Examining the drugs in the market, it is clear from where most are arriving: natural origin; out of the 1,328 new chemical entities approved as drugs between 1981 and 2016, only 359 were purely of synthetic origin. In the list of remaining ones, 326 were “biologics”, and 94 were vaccines. Importantly, 549 were from natural origin or arose motivated from natural compounds. Furthermore, anticancer compounds arising during the same period (1981–2014), only 23 were purely synthetic (Newman and Cragg, 2016). Natural origin can count for three categories: unaltered natural products; distinct mixture of natural products and natural product derivatives isolated from plants or other living organisms such as fungi, sponges, lichens, or microorganisms; and products modified through application of medicinal chemistry. There are many examples covering a wide spectrum of diseases: anticancer drugs such as docetaxel (Taxotere™), paclitaxel (Taxol™), vinblastine, podophyllotoxin (Condylin™), or etoposide; steroidal hormones such as progesterone, norgestrel, or cortisone; cardiac glycosides such as digitoxigenin; antibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, and cephalosporins.

In vitro antimicrobial activity screening of new Heterocyclic compounds derived from 5-bromo-2,3-di(furan-2-yl)-1h-indole

This article describes the antimicrobial activity evaluation of new heterocyclic compounds derived from 5-bromo-2,3-di(furan-2-yl)-1h-indole. Heterocyclic moiety serve as perfect framework on which pharmacophores can be effectively attached to produce novel drugs. New compounds were obtained on the basis of derivatives including 1H-indole-2,3-dione derivatives. Acid-catalyzed, three-component reaction (Belinelli synthesis) between 5-bromo-2,3-di(furan-2-yl)1H-indole, acetylacetone and semi carbazide, thiosemicarbazone, urea, thiourea, guanidine constitutes a rapid and facile synthesis of corresponding tetrahydro pyrimidines, which are interesting compounds with a potential for pharmaceutical application. Antimicrobial tests revealed high antibacterial activity of obtained derivatives. The synthesized compounds have been screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria and fungi. Keywords: Vitro; Heterocyclic Compounds; Antimicrobial

Co-Delivery of mRNA and pDNA Using Thermally Stabilized Coacervate-Based Core-Shell Nanosystems

Co-delivery of different species of protein-encoding polynucleotides, e.g., messenger RNA (mRNA) and plasmid DNA (pDNA), using the same nanocarrier is an interesting topic that remains scarcely researched in the field of nucleic acid delivery. The current study hence aims to explore the possibility of the simultaneous delivery of mRNA (mCherry) and pDNA (pAmCyan) using a single nanocarrier. The latter is based on gelatin type A, a biocompatible, and biodegradable biopolymer of broad pharmaceutical application. A core-shell nanostructure is designed with a thermally stabilized gelatin–pDNA coacervate in its center. Thermal stabilization enhances the core’s colloidal stability and pDNA shielding effect against nucleases as confirmed by nanoparticle tracking analysis and gel electrophoresis, respectively. The stabilized, pDNA-loaded core is coated with the cationic peptide protamine sulfate to enable additional surface-loading with mRNA. The dual-loaded core-shell system transfects murine dendritic cell line DC2.4 with both fluorescent reporter mRNA and pDNA simultaneously, showing a transfection efficiency of 61.4 ± 21.6% for mRNA and 37.6 ± 19.45% for pDNA, 48 h post-treatment, whereas established commercial, experimental, and clinical transfection reagents fail. Hence, the unique co-transfectional capacity and the negligible cytotoxicity of the reported system may hold prospects for vaccination among other downstream applications.

UTILITY OF HERB MINERAL DRUGS AND THEIR PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PANCHAKARMA

Panchakarma forms an integral part of the holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda. Not only the body purification procedures but also the pharmaceutical preparations affect the outcome of Panchakarma therapy. Although Panchakarma and Rasashastra are not included in the Ashtanga Hridaya, their utility is found in all the eight branches. This article deals with the Rasadravyas meant for Panchakarma procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, Abhyanga, Dhuma, Lepa etc. To have a critical review of Herbomineral drugs and their Pharmaceutical Application with special reference to Panchakarma. The ancient Ayurvedic literature as well as modern references was searched to have a critical study of the herbomineral drugs, their pharmaceutical preparations, Panchakarma procedures, rationale of using Rasadravyas in Snehakalpanas, classical as well as the traditional dosage forms. Also the selection of formulations according to Dosha- Pradhanya, Vyadhi-Pradhanya (Pradhana/ Mridu Shodhana), Shamana, Brimhana and Rasayana has been discussed at length. These Rasaushadhi preparations are used internally (for Deepana, Pachana, Snehapana, Shodhana, Shamana, Brimhana) or externally (Abhyanga, Kavala, Gandusha, Karnapurana, Moordhni Taila

Anthocyanins in Colorectal Cancer Prevention Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still a big health burden worldwide. Nutrition and dietary factors are known to affect colorectal cancer development and prognosis. The protective roles of diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been previously reported to contain high levels of cancer-fighting phytochemicals. Anthocyanins are the most abundant flavonoid compounds that are responsible for the bright colors of most blue, purple, and red fruits and vegetables, and have been shown to contribute to the protective effects of fruits and vegetables against cancer and other chronic diseases. Berries and grapes are the most common anthocyanin-rich fruits with antitumor effects. The antitumor effects of anthocyanins are determined by their structures and bioavailability as well as how they are metabolized. In this review, we aimed to discuss the preventive as well as therapeutic potentials of anthocyanins in CRC. We summarized the antitumor effects of anthocyanins and the mechanisms of action. We also discussed the potential pharmaceutical application of anthocyanins in practice.

Nanomaterials for the delivery of Herbal Bioactive Compounds

: Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary domain that involves overlapping of areas such as nonanomaterials, nanoelectronics, and nanobiotechnology. Herbal medicine is a significant component of traditional medicine and has been a treatment part of many diseases. Asian peoples are using these herbal medicines for decades. Still, herbal extracts' therapeutic efficacy and pharmaceutical application are associated with many factors such as poor bioavailability, low solubility, permeability, and lack of targeting potential. In the present work, we have reviewed thriving strategies for the targeted drug delivery of phytoconstituents and critically explain the most recent progressions on emerging novel nanophytomedicine-based materials as herbal medicines carriers. Nanotechnology-based clinical trial studies targeting herbal bioactive compounds were discussed. Advancements in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems intended to enhance cellular uptake, improved pharmacokinetics and effectiveness of herbal drugs have facilitated the powerful targeting of specific agents against diseases. This review provides insight into current progress and future opportunities for nanomedicines as potential curative targets for the delivery of herbal bioactive compounds. This information could be used as platforms for the future expansion of multi-functional nano constructs for the advanced detection of diseases and functional drug delivery of phytoconstituents.

Microfluidics- The State-of-the-Art Technology for Pharmaceutical Application

Microfluidics (MF) is the science dealing with the behavior, precise control, and manipulation of fluids as well as particles on the scale of tens to hundreds of micrometers. It is also utilized for chemical and biological applications, usually called micro–Total Analysis Systems (mTAS) or Lab-on-a-chip (LOC). MF is a fascinating and capable technology with various superior benefits compared to conventional macro-scale platforms, such as the lesser requirement of sample and reagent volumes, higher sensitivity, low cost, portability, faster processing of samples and potential to be automated and highly integrated to reduce human errors. The concept of transformation of meso to nanoliters using MF technology has shown its potential in the healthcare system for early diagnosis, and personalized medicine. The integrated multifunctional system with parallelization provides a better and faster process control. Minimization of the consumption of fluid makes the technology safer in every aspect of the development process, analysis, and storage. The impressive improvement in patient care and monitoring has led to the commercial motivation of the pharmaceutical industry to develop new drugs and modify existing products with better efficacy and safety in a cost-effective manner using MF technologies. Hence, the present review briefs on the applications of MF technology in the key issues of the drug discovery process, overcoming the limitations of development of analytical procedures and prosperous pharmaceutical manufacturing for novel controlled and targeted release dosage forms to fabricate quality products.