In the present work attempts have been made to prepare the nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) gel, by using minoxidil, which is preferably used in case of Alopecia, i.e. baldness pattern as a effective drug. The nine different formulations of Minoxidil-NLC (NLC1-NLC9) were prepared using solid and liquid lipids with Cholesterol and Soya lecithin in different concentrations by the melt dispersion ultrasonication method. Properties of NLC1-NLC9 such as the particle size and its distribution, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the drug entrapment efficiency (EE), and the drug release behavior were investigated. The nanoparticulate dispersion was suitably gelled and characterized with respect to drug content, pH, spreadability, rheology, and in vitro release. Safety of the NLC-based gel was assessed using primary skin irritation studies. The formulated NLC3 was spherical in shape, with average particle size of 280 nm, zeta potential of -42.40 mV and entrapment efficiency of 86.09%. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) measurements revealed that imperfect crystallization occurred in the inner core of the NLC particles. The drug release behavior from the NLC displayed a biphasic drug release pattern with burst release at the initial stage followed by sustained release. These results indicated that the NLC3 is a suitable carrier of minoxidil with improved drug loading capacity and controlled drug release properties. It has been observed that NLC gel produces the gel with good consistency, homogeneity, spreadability and rheological behavior. The developed NLC-based gel showed faster onset and elicited prolonged activity up to 16 h. The present study concluded that the NLC-based gel containing minoxidil dissolved in a mixture of solid lipid and liquid lipid in the nanoparticulate form helped us to attain the objective of faster onset yet prolonged action as evident from in vitro release.

Stephania hernandifolia (Menispermaceae) is a medicinal plant, used by herbalists for treating various diseases, one of which is diabetes mellitus, in Darjeeling. However, its antidiabetic activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. The aim of this study, therefore, is to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the powdered corm of Stephania hernandifolia. This was tested in normal and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, using oral administration of ethanol and an aqueous extract (400 mg/kg body weight) of Stephania hernandifolia corm. After the oral administration of water and ethanol extracts at doses of 400 mg/kg body weight, blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals and it was found that they were significant lowered. Glibenclamide was used as a standard drug at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg. The experimental data revealed that both extracts has significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity in Streptozotocin-induced rats compared to the standard drug. The antioxidant activity in vitro was measured by means of the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Superoxide-free radical scavenging assay. Ascorbic acid, a natural antioxidant, was used as a control. The extracts of ethanol and aqueous were strongly scavenged DPPH radicals, with IC50 being 265.33 and 217.90 µg/ml, respectively. Although the extracts of ethanol and aqueous were moderately scavenged, the superoxide radical were with IC50 values of 526.87 and 440.89 µg/ml. The study revealed that the ethanolic extract exhibited more significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activity then the aqueous extract.

Pharmacovigilance plays a consequential role in the surveillance of adverse drug reactions, which is provoked by the drugs used to cure diseases. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) produce detrimental or undesirable effects to the body after administration of drugs. It has been reported that the number of patients dying because of contrary effects of drugs per year increased upto 2.6-fold. Moreover, rates of hospitalization of patients are increasing owing to adverse effects of drugs. Thus, it becomes challengeable for physician, health care providers, WHO and pharmaceutical industries to resolve the associated problem of ADRs. During the clinical trial of a novel drug, it is prominent to explore the dependability of drug. In this review, we documented the details required to identify the ADRs in patients along with reported banned drugs.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious disease that affects millions of people throughout the world, despite considerable advances in therapy. The formation of colorectal adenomas and invasive adenocarcinomas is the consequence of a succession of genetic and epigenetic changes in the normal colonic epithelium. Genetic and epigenetic processes associated with the onset, development, and metastasis of sporadic CRC have been studied in depth, resulting in identifying biomarkers that might be used to predict behaviour and prognosis beyond staging and influence therapeutic options. A novel biomarker, or a group of biomarkers, must be discovered in order to build an accurate and clinically useful test that may be used as an alternative to conventional methods for the early detection of CRC and to identify prospective new therapeutic intervention targets. To minimise the mortality burden of colorectal cancer, new screening methods with higher accuracy and nano-based diagnostic precision are needed. Cytotoxic medication has negative side effects and is restricted by medication resistance. One of the most promising cancer treatment techniques is the use of nano-based carrier system as a medication delivery mechanism. To deliver cytotoxic medicines, targeted nanoparticles might take advantage of differently expressed molecules on the surface of cancer cells. The use of different compounds as ligands on the surface of nanoparticles to interact with cancer cells, enabling the efficient delivery of antitumor medicines. Formulations based on nanoparticles might aid in early cancer diagnosis and help to overcome the limitations of traditional treatments, including low water solubility, nonspecific biodistribution, and restricted bioavailability. This article addresses about the molecular pathogenesis of CRC and highlights about biomarkers. It also provides conceptual knowledge of nanotechnology-based diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches for malignant colorectal cancer.

Mucormycosis in patients who have COVID-19 or who are otherwise immunocompromised has become a global problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Infection is debilitating and fatal, leading to loss of organs and emotional trauma. Radiographic manifestations are not specific, but diagnosis can be made through microscopic examination of materials collected from necrotic lesions. Treatment requires multidisciplinary expertise, as the fungus enters through the eyes and nose and may even reach the brain. Use of the many antifungal drugs available is limited by considerations of resistance and toxicity, but nanoparticles can overcome such limitations by reducing toxicity and increasing bioavailability. The lipid formulation of amphotericin-B (liposomal Am-B) is the first-line treatment for mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients, but its high cost and low availability have prompted a shift toward surgery, so that surgical debridement to remove all necrotic lesions remains the hallmark of effective treatment of mucormycosis in COVID-19. This review highlights the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and management of mucormycosis in patients who have COVID-19.