Background and Aim: Staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, are significant bacteria that induce bovine mastitis, primarily because they can form biofilms in bovine teat canals. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Piper betle extract and a bovine teat dipping solution containing P. betle extract (BSP) against these mastitis-causing staphylococci. Materials and Methods: BSP was prepared using P. betle extract as the bioactive compound. The antibacterial activity of the plant extract and BSP against the pathogens was investigated using a broth microdilution method. The activity of the extract and BSP against the pathogen biofilms was also determined. A stability test was performed to observe the pH, color, turbidity, homogeneity, precipitation, and separation of BSP stored at 4°C and 25°C for up to 4 weeks. Results: The extract exhibited potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S. haemolyticus, with similar values for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 0.03 mg/mL to 0.125 mg/mL. The MIC and MBC values of the extract against S. chromogenes were 0.5-1 mg/mL and 0.5-2 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, BSP exhibited MIC and MBC values of 12.5–50 v/v against all tested staphylococci isolates. When used at 1/2 and 1/4 × MIC, the extract and BSP significantly inhibited the formation of staphylococcal biofilms (p < 0.05) in the tested strains. The results indicated that treatment with 1/2 × MIC of the extract and BSP resulted in biofilm inhibition ranging from 30%–66% and 19%–39%, respectively. Furthermore, the extract at 16 × MIC eliminated 54%-86% of established mature isolate biofilms, whereas BSP removed 41%-61% of mature biofilm viability. Storage of BSP at 4°C did not change the factors associated with stability from the 1st to 4th week. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BSP may exhibit potential medicinal benefits in inhibiting the growth and biofilm formation of mastitis-inducing staphylococci in bovines. Keywords: antibacterial activity, biofilms, bovine teat dipping solution, Piper betle extract, staphylococci.

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in chronic nasal disorders, contributing to inflammation, tissue damage, and impaired mucosal function, highlighting the need for targeted therapies. Recent advancements in nasal drug delivery systems have expanded their applications for treating respiratory and inflammatory conditions. Among these, hydrogel-based systems offer prolonged release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing dosing frequency. This study initially evaluates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of Nanotriphala, followed by its incorporation into a thermoresponsive in situ hydrogel system, which was subsequently developed and characterized as a novel formulation. Nanotriphala exhibited >90% cell viability and significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels by 40.55 µg/mL at 250 µg/mL. The hydrogel was characterized by key parameters, including viscosity, gelling time, pH, gelling temperature, texture analysis, and ex vivo spreadability. Stability was assessed under various conditions, and mutagenicity and antimutagenicity were evaluated using the Ames test. Results showed that the hydrogel gelled at 34 °C, exhibited good spreadability (10.25 ± 0.28 cm), a viscosity of 227 ± 22 cP, and maintained a pH of 5.75 ± 0.01, with optimal hardness and adhesiveness suitable for nasal application. It demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis at minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 32, 2, 4, and 8 µg/mL, respectively, with low mutagenicity (mutagenic index < 2) and strong antimutagenic activity (>60%). The gallic acid content was 0.5796 ± 0.0218 µg/100 mL. Stability studies confirmed optimal storage at 4 °C. These findings suggest that in situ hydrogel loaded with Nanotriphala is a promising nasal drug delivery system for managing oxidative stress and related inflammatory conditions.

Introduction: A potential new psoriasis therapeutic derived from rhodomyrtone was determined for its safety and efficacy at a psoriasis clinic in a tropical dermatology hospital. Methods: A pilot, open-label trial was conducted in patients with mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis. A 1% topical formulation was applied to the psoriasis area twice daily for 8 weeks following the initial irritation test. PASI score was assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after intervention. Rhodomyrtone levels in blood plasma were evaluated at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Haematological analysis and biochemical tests were performed to ensure the safety of the formulation. Results: Initial safety assessment of 1% topical formulation in eight psoriasis patients showed no signs of skin irritation or allergic reaction within 24 hours. Reduction in PASI score to an average of 30% improvement from baseline, maintained through up to 4 months post-treatment, was observed in 6 patients (75%) who received the 1% topical formulation since week 2, with no adverse effects. In the standard treatment group with 5% liquor carbonis detergens and 0.1% betamethasone, three patients (37.5%) showed a reduction in PASI score throughout the clinical study. By week 8, plasma monitoring revealed that five patients had rhodomyrtone levels below the limit of detection (40 ng/ml), while three had trace amounts of rhodomyrtone detected; however, the levels were much lower than those that could exert adverse effects. Liver and kidney function tests were normal in all patients. Discussion and Conclusion: The Potential efficacy and biocompatibility of the 1% topical formulation warrant further investigation in a phase 2 clinical trial to support its future use in psoriasis treatment.