During the processing of the fishery resources, the significant portion is either discarded or used to produce low-value fish meal and oil. However, the discarded portion is the rich source of valuable proteins such as collagen, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. Collagen is a vital protein in the living body as a component of a fibrous structural protein in the extracellular matrix, connective tissue and building block of bones, tendons, skin, hair, nails, cartilage and joints. In recent years, the use of fish collagen as an increasingly valuable biomaterial has drawn considerable attention from biomedical researchers, owing to its enhanced physicochemical properties, stability and mechanical strength, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review focuses on summarizing the growing role of fish collagen for biomedical applications. Similarly, the recent advances in various biomedical applications of fish collagen, including wound healing, tissue engineering and regeneration, drug delivery, cell culture and other therapeutic applications, are discussed in detail. These applications signify the commercial importance of fish collagen for the fishing industry, food processors and biomedical sector.

Inflammation is considered the root cause of various inflammatory diseases, including cancers. Decursinol angelate (DA), a pyranocoumarin compound obtained from the roots of Angelica gigas, has been reported to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of DA on the MAP kinase and NFκB signaling pathways and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were investigated in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage (Raw 264.7) cell lines. PMA induced the activation of the MAP kinase-NFκB pathway and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentiated monocytes. Treatment with DA inhibited the activation of MAP kinases and the translocation of NFκB, and decreased the expression and exogenous secretion of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells were found to have increased expression of M1 macrophage-associated markers, such as NADPH oxidase (NOX) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the M2 macrophage-associated marker CD11b. LPS also activated pro-inflammatory cytokines and Erk-NFκB. Treatment with DA suppressed LPS-induced macrophage polarization and the inflammatory response by blocking Raf-ERK and the translocation of NFκB in Raw 264.7 cells. Treatment with DA also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-6, NOX, and iNOS in Raw 264.7 cells. These results suggest that DA has the potential to inhibit macrophage polarization and inflammation by blocking the activation of pro-inflammatory signals. These anti-inflammatory effects of DA may contribute to its potential use as a therapeutic strategy against various inflammation-induced cancers.

Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by bites from Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum)-infected mosquitoes with a present scale of symptoms ranging from moderate fever to neurological disorders. P. falciparum is the most lethal of the five strains of malaria, and is a major case of morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. Recent advancements in malaria diagnostic tools and prevention strategies have improved conjugation antimalarial therapies using fumigation and long-lasting insecticidal sprays, thus lowering malarial infections. Declines in the total number of infected individuals have been correlated with antimalarial drugs. Despite this, malaria remains a major health threat, affecting more than 30 million men, women, and children around the globe, and 20 percent of all children around the globe have malaria parasites in their blood. To overcome this life-threatening condition, novel therapeutic strategies, including immunization, are urgently needed to tackle this infection around the world. In line with this, the development of the RTS, S vaccine was a significant step forward in the fight against malaria. RTS, S is a vaccine for P. falciparum in which R specifies central repeat units, T the T-cell epitopes, and S indicates surface antigen. The RTS, S/AS01 malarial vaccine was synthesized and screened in several clinical trials between 2009 and 2014, involving thousands of young children in seven African countries, showing that children who received the vaccine did not suffer from severe malaria. Mosquirix™ was approved by the World Health Organization in 2021, indicating it to be safe and advocating its integration into routine immunization programs and existing malaria control measures. This paper examines the various stages of the vaccine’s development, including the evaluation of its immunogenicity and efficacy on the basis of a total of 2.3 million administered doses through a routine immunization program. The protection and effectiveness provided by the vaccine are strong, and evidence shows that it can be effectively delivered through the routine child immunization platform. The economic cost of the vaccine remains to be considered.

Background: Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has gained significant attention in the field of nanomedicine as an environment-friendly and cost-effective alternative in comparison with other physical and chemical methods. Several metals such as silver, gold, iron, titanium, zinc, magnesium and copper have been subjected to nanoformulation for a wide range of useful applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are playing a major role in the field of nanomedicine and nanotechnology. They are widely used in diagnostics, therapeutic and pharmaceutical industries. Studies have shown potential inhibitory antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis activities of AgNPs. Methods: AgNPs have been synthesized using silver nitrate and methanolic root extract of Rhazya stricta that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Stability and dispersion of nanoparticles were improved by adding xylitol. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the antibacterial effect of the plant extract and the nanoparticles were evaluated against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Results: The average size of AgNPs synthesized, was 20 nm with the spherical shape. Rhazya stricta based nanoparticles exhibited improved antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and negative strains.