No abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a wondrous phenomenon that silences the expression of targeted genes via distinct messenger RNA degradation pathways. It has the potential as a therapeutic agent for variety of diseases, including viral infections, cancer, and immune diseases. RNAi mainly conducts gene regulation by 3 ways: microRNA, short hairpin RNA, and small interfering RNA. However, in vivo delivery of RNAi therapeutics is restricted because of charge density, molecular weight, and instability in the presence of nucleases. Furthermore, intracellular accumulation and endosomal escape have remained significant barriers in the delivery of these macromolecules. Many viral and nonviral delivery vectors have been thoroughly investigated to overcome these barriers. Researchers have found applications for RNAi in a variety of diseases and, hence, various delivery systems have been explored to satisfy the need. Both local and systemic strategies have been utilized to elicit RNAi's effect and each carries its own therapeutic implications with varying margins of safety. This review is an effort to describe the types of RNAi and their application in a variety of diseases using both local and systemic delivery approaches. It is sure that advancement in this direction will evolve a new landscape for treating a range of diseases.

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Plant regeneration at the cellular and tissue level is a unique process. Similar to animals, the stem cells in plants have properties that help stimulate and regenerate plants after injury. The unique properties of plant stem cells have been a recent area of interest and focus both in developing new cosmetics and studying how these extracts/phytohormones will influence animal skin. This special report focuses on the current evidence-based trends in plant stem cell-based cosmetics and sheds light on the challenges that we need to overcome in order to see meaningful changes in human skin using topical cosmetics derived from plant stem cells.

The study aims to develop high drug-loaded (about 15% lipid matrix) curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs) for wound healing. CSLNs prepared by hot, high-pressure homogenization, without using organic solvents, were optimized using the Taguchi design followed by the central composite design. The optimized CSLNs exhibited a high assay/drug content (0.6% w/w), solubility (6 × 105 times), and EE (75%) with a particle size < 200 nm (PDI—0.143). The CSLNs were safe (in vitro and in vivo), photostable, autoclavable, stable up to one year at 30 °C and under refrigeration and exhibited a controlled release (zero-order; 5 days). XRD, FTIR, and DSC confirmed solubilization and entrapment of the curcumin within the SLNs. TEM and FESEM revealed a smooth and spherical shape. The CSLNs showed a significant antimicrobial effect (MIC of 64 µg/mL for planktonic cells; 512 µg/mL for biofilm formation; and 2 mg/mL for mature biofilm) against Staphylococcus aureus 9144, while free curcumin dispersion did not exhibit any effect. This is the first report on the disruption of mature biofilms by curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs). The cell proliferation potential of CSLNs was also evaluated in vitro while the wound healing potential of CSLNs (incorporated in a hydrogel) was assessed in vivo. In (i) nitrogen mustard gas and (ii) a full-thickness excision wound model, CSLNs exhibited (a) significantly faster wound closure, (b) histologically and immunohistochemically better healing, (c) lower oxidative stress (LPO) and (d) inflammation (TNFα), and (e) increased angiogenesis (VEGF) and antioxidant enzymes, i.e., catalase and GSH levels. CSLNs thus offer a promising modern wound therapy especially for infected wounds, considering their effects in mature biofilm disruption.