In the current work, we fabricated gelatin–casein-based edible films (GC-EFs) crosslinked with gallic acid (GA). We analyzed the physiochemical characteristics, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface properties of the EFs using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the edible films possessed a semi-crystalline structure. Addition of GA enhanced the thermal stability of the edible films as well as the surface properties of the films. It was found that a higher concentration of GA (4–5% w/v) significantly improved the surface properties, observed in the surface and cross-sectional examination of SEM micrographs. EFs containing higher amounts of GA showed more compact and denser structures with smoother and more homogeneous surfaces than the control samples. In addition, swelling degree (SD), thickness, water solubility (WS), moisture content (MC), and water vapor permeability (WVP) were found to be low in EFs containing more GA concentration. Mechanical parameters revealed that the Young modulus (Ym) and tensile strength (TS) increased with a rise in GA concentration, and elongation at break (EB) reduced with a rise in GA concentration. In transparency and color analysis, it was observed that GA positively affected the transparency of the edible films.

In the past few decades, the medicinal properties of plants and their effects on the human immune system are being studied extensively. Plants are an incredible source of traditional medicines that help cure various diseases, including altered immune mechanisms and are economical and benign compared to allopathic medicines. Reported data in written documents such as Traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine support the supplementation of botanicals for immune defense reactions in the body and can lead to safe and effective immunity responses. Additionally, some botanicals are well-identified as magical herbal remedies because they act upon the pathogen directly and help boost the immunity of the host. Chemical compounds, also known as phytochemicals, obtained from these botanicals looked promising due to their effects on the human immune system by modulating the lymphocytes which subsequently reduce the chances of getting infected. This paper summarises most documented phytochemicals and how they act on the immune system, their properties and possible mechanisms, screening conventions, formulation guidelines, comparison with synthetic immunity-enhancers, marketed immunity-boosting products, and immune-booster role in the ongoing ghastly corona virus wave. However, it focuses mainly on plant metabolites as immunomodulators. In addition, it also sheds light on the current advancements and future possibilities in this field. From this thorough study, it can be stated that the plant-based secondary metabolites contribute significantly to immunity building and could prove to be valuable medicaments for the design and development of novel immunomodulators even for a pandemic like COVID-19.

Several studies have documented the role of hyper-activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in Autism pathogenesis. Alpha-mangostin (AMG) is a phytoconstituents with anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, and ERK inhibition properties in many diseases. Our research aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of AMG in the rat model of intracerebroventricular-propionic acid (ICV-PPA) induced autism with a confirmation of its effect on the ERK signaling. Autism was induced in Wistar rats (total 36 rats; 18 male/18 female) by multiple doses of PPA through ICV injection for 11 days. Actophotometer and beam walking tasks were used to evaluate animals’ motor abilities, and the Morris water maze task was utilized to confirm the cognition and memory in animals. Long term administration of AMG100 mg/kg and AMG200 mg/kg continued from day 12 to day 44 of the experiment. Before that, animals were sacrificed, brains isolated, morphological, gross pathological studies were performed, and neurochemical analysis was performed in the brain homogenates. Cellular and molecular markers, including ERK, myelin basic protein, apoptotic markers including caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, neuroinflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress markers, have been tested throughout the brain. Thus, AMG reduces the overactivation of the ERK signaling and also restored autism-like behavioral and neurochemical alterations.

Viral infections and associated diseases are responsible for a substantial number of mortality and public health problems around the world. Each year, infectious diseases kill 3.5 million people worldwide. The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 has become the greatest health hazard to people in their lifetime. There are many antiviral drugs and vaccines available against viruses, but they have many disadvantages, too. There are numerous side effects for conventional drugs, and active mutation also creates drug resistance against various viruses. This has led scientists to search herbs as a source for the discovery of more efficient new antivirals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 65% of the world population is in the practice of using plants and herbs as part of treatment modality. Additionally, plants have an advantage in drug discovery based on their long-term use by humans, and a reduced toxicity and abundance of bioactive compounds can be expected as a result. In this review, we have highlighted the important viruses, their drug targets, and their replication cycle. We provide in-depth and insightful information about the most favorable plant extracts and their derived phytochemicals against viral targets. Our major conclusion is that plant extracts and their isolated pure compounds are essential sources for the current viral infections and useful for future challenges.

NLC containing Gefitinib (NANOGEF) was prepared using stearic acid, sesame oil and surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate and tween 80). NANOGEFs were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), stability, release studies and cytotoxicity studies (MTT assay). The optimized NANOGEF exhibited particle size of 74.06 ± 9.73 d.nm, PdI of 0.339 ± 0.029 and EE of 99.76 ± 0.015%. The TEM study revealed spherical shape of NANOGEF formulations. The slow and sustained release behavior was exhibited by all NANOGEFs. The effects of surfactants were observed not only on particle size but also on zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, stability and release studies. The MTT assay revealed 4.5 times increase in cytotoxicity for optimized NANOGEF (IC₅₀ = 4.642 µM) when compared with Gefitinib alone (IC₅₀ = 20.88 µM in HCT-116 cells). Thus NANOGEF may be considered as a potential drug delivery system for the cure of colon cancer.

Recent research shows the growing interest in the development of composite edible films (EFs) by using multiple biopolymers for the substantial improvement in the shelf life and quality of food products, via preventing oxidation among other benefits. In the present work, EFs based on chitosan (CS) and porphyran (POR) loaded with ginger essential oil (GEO) have been developed to study the effect of GEO, glycerol (Gly), and POR on the film structure as well as physical and antioxidant properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the level of crystallinity and electrostatic interactions between CS, POR, Gly, and GEO. It was found that electrostatic interactions between CS and POR and the incorporation of GEO substantially improved barrier, thermal, optical, and mechanical properties and reduced the moisture content, swelling index, and thickness values. The color values of the S5 film altered apparently with a shift towards yellowness. SEM micrographs of the composite CS-POR-GEO film (S5) showed improved morphological attributes such as more uniformity and homogeneous structure than other films (S1–S4). Results obtained from total phenolic content assay suggested the presence of high phenolic components (5.97 ± 0.01) mg of GAE/g in GEO. Further, findings obtained from antioxidant assays revealed that the addition of GEO and POR significantly increased the antioxidant effects of CS films. All these findings suggested that GEO loaded CS-POR based films showed better physical and chemical properties with a significant improvement in antioxidant potential and thus can be used as a potential packaging material in the food industry.