Naringenin (NAR) is a naturally occurring plant flavonoid, found predominantly in citrus fruits, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties. However, despite the therapeutic potential of NAR, its clinical development has been hindered due to low aqueous solubility and inefficient transport across biological membranes resulting in low bioavailability at tumor sites. In our previous studies, nanosuspension of naringenin (NARNS) was prepared using high pressure homogenization method using different polymers. D-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate 1000 (TPGS) was added as a co-stabilizer. All formulation characterization studies were performed. As a continuation of our previous research, current study has further evaluated the ability of the TPGS-coated NARNS, to reverse drug-resistance of P-gp-over expressing MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and animal model. MTT-based colorimetric assay revealed higher cytotoxic efficacy of NARNS than free NAR in MCF-7 cells. NARNS treatment significantly increased intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 activity, lipid peroxidation status (TBARS) and decreased GSH levels when compared to free NAR treatment in MCF-7 cells. It has been also noticed that the presence of apoptotic indices (membrane blebbing, nuclear fragmentation) in NARNS treated cancer cells. Further, NARNS exhibited dose-dependent in vitro antitumor activity with DLA cells. A significant increase in the life span and a decrease in the cancer cell number and tumor weight were noted in the tumor-induced mice after treatment with NARNS.

Oral drug delivery is the most widely utilized route of administration among all the routes that have been explored for systemic delivery of drugs via pharmaceutical products of different dosage form and this oral route provides maximum active surface area among all drug delivery system for administration of various drugs. The attractiveness of these dosage forms is due to awareness of toxicity and ineffectiveness of drugs when administered by oral conventional method in the form of tablets and capsules. Usually, conventional dosage form produces wide range of fluctuation in drug concentration in the bloodstream and tissues with consequent undesirable toxicity and poor efficiency. The maintenance of concentration of drug in plasma within therapeutic index is very critical for effective treatment. These factors as well as factors such as repetitive dosing and unpredictable absorption lead to the concept of oral modified drug delivery systems like Sustained release, prolonged release, modified release, extended release. These formulations are used to identify drug delivery systems that are designed to achieve or extend therapeutic effect by continuously releasing medication over an extended period of time after administration of a single dose. This review describes the basic information regarding modified release dosage form like designed to release their medication in controlled manner, criteria for selecting modified release dosage form and factors influencing the dosage and release pattern.

Nutraceuticals are essential for healthcare which is an alternative medicine that has gained popularity in recent years. Nutraceuticals consist of nutrients, herbals, and dietary supplements, which make them useful in preserving and promoting health, fighting illness, and improving overall quality of life. Its success or failure will be determined by its rapid expansion, research advances, lack of standards, marketing enthusiasm, quality assurance, and regulations. Nutraceuticals have been used in different regions under different names/categories. however, globally there are no stringent pharmaceutical standards for nutraceutical health products till date, but slowly regulators are paying attention on it. Nutraceuticals can be broadly classified according to it clinical significance, source and therapeutic effects. Nutraceuticals and functional foods have grown to be a multibillion-dollar business worldwide in recent years and personalization is the emerging approach to deliver the best therapeutic effect in future. This review carries extensive information about nutraceutical history, classification, regulatory aspects and industrial perspective.