In recent years, due to their distinctive and adaptable therapeutic effects, many natural bioactive compounds have been commonly used to treat diseases. Their limited solubility, low bioavailability, inadequate gastrointestinal tract stability, high metabolic rate, and shorter duration of action limited their pharmaceutical applications. However, those can be improved using nanotechnology to create various drug delivery systems, including lipid-based nanoparticles, to adjust the compounds’ physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic profile. Because of the enormous technical advancements made in the fundamental sciences and the physical and chemical manipulation of individual atoms and molecules, the subject of nanotechnology has experienced revolutionary growth. By fabricating certain functionalized particles, nanotechnology opens an innovative horizon in research and development for overcoming restrictions, including traditional medication administration systems. Nanotechnology-driven bioactive compounds are certain to have a high impact and clinical value for current and future uses. Lipid-based nanotechnologies were shown to deliver a range of naturally occurring bioactive compounds with decent entrapment potential and stability, a successfully controlled release, increased bioavailability, and intriguing therapeutic activity. This review outlines bioactive compounds such as paclitaxel, curcumin, rhodomyrtone, quercetin, kaempferol, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, silymarin, and oridonin, fortified within either a natural or synthetic lipid-based drug delivery system based on nanotechnology and their evaluation and clinical considerations.

Objective: The vagina has been studied as a favorable site for the local and systemic delivery of drugs, for female associated conditions. Vaginal preparations, although generally perceived as safer most still associated with number of problems including multiple days of dosing, dripping, leakage and messiness, causing discomfort to users and expulsion due to the self-cleansing action of the vaginal tract. These limitations lead to poor patient compliance and failure of the desired therapeutic effects. For efficient vaginal delivery of drugs, the delivery system should reside at the site of infection for a prolonged period of time. In situ gel formulation which combines advantages of both gels and solution so that an accurate dose can be administered with ease. These formulations remain in solution state before administration and transforms to gel after administration in to vaginal cavity. Material and Methods: In these formulations we prepared clindamycin loaded hydroxypropyl methycellulose (0.1%) (bioadhesive) and gellan gum (ion activated gelling polymer) based in situ gel system for vaginal application. NaCl (0.9%) was added as an isotonic agent. The developed formulation was characterized for various in vitro parameters such as clarity, refractive index, pH, viscosity, drug release profile, statistical release kinetics, bioadhesive force, and microbial efficacy along with stability studies. To simulate vaginal conditions, synthetic membrane (cellophane hydrated with modified simulated vaginal fluid) was used as model membranes. Results and Discussion: The developed formulation was found to be nonirritant, bioadhesive with good retention properties. Formulations have satisfactory appearance, clarity and drug content in the range 98.1-101%. Refractive index of the gel is ranging from 1.335 to 1.337, proofing the transparency of gel. Furthermore, formulation displayed 33.3% cumulative drug release after 2 h. 67.4% after 6 h and 98.9% after 12 h. Conclusion: Developed formulation should be stable. Hence, formulation is thus a viable alternative to conventional vaginal dosage forms.

The gastrointestinal flora consists of several microbial strains in variable combinations in both healthy and sick humans. To prevent the risk of the onset of disease and perform normal metabolic and physiological functions with improved immunity, a balance between the host and gastrointestinal flora must be maintained. Disruption of the gut microbiota triggered by various factors causes several health problems, which promote the progression of diseases. Probiotics and fermented foods act as carriers of live environmental microbes and play a vital role in maintaining good health. These foods have a positive effect on the consumer by promoting gastrointestinal flora. Recent research suggests that the intestinal microbiome is important in reducing the risk of the onset of various chronic diseases, including cardiac disease, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, several cancers, and type 2 diabetes. The review provides an updated knowledge base about the scientific literature addressing how fermented foods influence the consumer microbiome and promote good health with prevention of non-communicable diseases. In addition, the review proves that the consumption of fermented foods affects gastrointestinal flora in the short and long term and can be considered an important part of the diet.

Aim : Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics by functionalized nanoparticles exhibits a wonderful prospect for cancer treatment. The main objective of this research was to develop folate receptor-targeted silibinin (SB)-loaded inhalable polymeric nanoparticles (FA-CS-SB-NPs) for the treatment of lung cancer. Method: The qbD approach was implemented to prepare SB-loaded nanoparticles. Folic acid was conjugated by electrostatic conjugation in an optimized batch. The therapeutic potentials of formulations were determined using a lung cancer cell-bearing rat model. Result: Optimized formulation exhibited a spherical surface with a mean particle size of 275 ± 1.20 nm, a PDI of 0.234 ± 0.07, a ζ-potential of 32.50 ± 0.21, an entrapment efficiency of 75.52 ± 0.87%, and a CDR of 63.25 ± 1.21% at 48 h. Aerodynamic behaviors such as the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric size distribution (GSD) were found to be 2.75 ± 1.02 and 3.15 ± 0.88 μm, respectively. After 24 h of incubation with FA-CS-SB-NPs, the IC50 value was found to be 24.5 g/mL. FA-SB-CS-NPs maintained a significantly higher deposition of SB in lung tissues. Conclusions: Thus, the noninvasive nature and target specificity of FA-CS-SB-NPs pave the way for pulmonary delivery for treating lung cancer.

Cosmetics have a long history of use for regenerative and therapeutic purposes that are appealing to both genders. The untapped potential of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals promises enhanced effic... Graphical abstract