The effect of commonly used techniques and solvents in the antioxidant activities of pink-flesh guava fruit were studied. The extraction techniques compared were homogenization, shaking, sonication, magnetic stirring, and maceration for 1, 2, and 3 days. The solvent systems used were methanol, ethanol, and acetone at three different concentrations (50%, 70%, and 100%) and with 100% distilled water. The antioxidant activity of the fruit was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu index, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging capacity. Ultrasonic and homogenization were the best techniques to extract the antioxidant from guava fruit. Homogenization technique was found to be the most convenient exhaustive and time-saving extraction technique. Results showed that the extracting solvent significantly (P<0.05) altered the antioxidant property estimations of pink-flesh guava fruit. Pure solvents were inefficient extraction media for antioxidant. Enhanced extraction yields were obtained from solvent containing higher water concentrations and 50% acetone is a recommended solvent for extracting antioxidants compounds from pink-flesh guava fruit. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of pinkflesh guava extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in pink-flesh guava, indicating that the fruit may serve as an excellent dietary source of natural antioxidants.

In recent years, nanoparticles are being used extensively in personal healthcare products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, soaps, and shampoos. Particularly, metal oxide nanoparticles are gaining competence as key industrial constituents, progressing toward a remarkable rise in their applications. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles are the most commonly employed metal oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens, ointments, foot care, and over the counter topical products. Dermal exposure to these metal oxides predominantly occurs through explicit use of cosmetic products and airway exposure to nanoparticle dusts is primarily mediated via occupational exposure. There is a compelling need to understand the toxicity effects of nanoparticles which can easily enter the cells and induce oxidative stress. Consequently, these products have become a direct source of pollution in the environment and thereby greatly impact our ecosystem. A complete understanding of the toxicity mechanism of nano-ZnO is intended to resolve whether and to what extent such nanoparticles may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings. In this review article, we have discussed the characteristics of metal oxide nanoparticles and its applications in the cosmetic industry. We have also highlighted about their toxicity effects and their impact on human health.

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Research dealing with early diagnosis and efficient treatment in colon cancer to improve patient's survival is still under investigation. Chemotherapeutic agent result in high systemic toxicity due to their non-specific actions on DNA repair and/or cell replication. Traditional medicine such as (LC) has been claimed to have therapeutic potentials against cancer. The present study focuses on targeted drug delivery of cationic liposomal nanoformulated LC (CL-LC) in colon cancer cells (HCT15) and comparing the efficacy with an anti-colon cancer drug, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) along with its nanoformulated form (CL-SN38). The colloidal suspension of LC was made using thin film hydration method. The drugs were characterised using ultraviolet, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, energy, dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. drug release showed kinetics of 49 and 89% of SN38 and LC, whereas CL-SN38 and CL-LC showed 73 and 74% of sustained drug release, respectively. Studies on morphological changes, cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cancer-associated gene expression analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, p53 by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis of Bad and p53 protein were performed. Nanoformulated LC significantly inhibited growth and increased the apoptosis of colon cancer cells indicating its potential anti-cancer activity against colon cancer cells.

This article determines ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of whole fruit, flesh, and skin fractions of two varieties of pink guava widely produced in Malaysia (semenyih and sungkai). They were analysed and specific flavonoid compounds (apigenin, isorhamentin, kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, and quercetin) were determined. Ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was found to be higher in semenyih than in sungkai, mainly in the skin fraction. The predominant flavonoid in all pink guava fractions was kaempferol, with sungkai flesh having the highest kaempferol content. The pink guava represents an important source of antioxidant flavonoid compounds that may have health benefits.