The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate the Ginkgo biloba nanocomplex gel (GKNG) as a long-acting formulation for the wound healing potential. Pharmaceutical analysis showed an average particle size of 450.14 ± 36.06 nm for GKNG, zeta potential +0.012 ± 0.003 mV, and encapsulation efficiency 91 ± 1.8%. The rheological analysis also showed the optimum diffusion rate and viscosity needed for topical drug delivery. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis further confirmed the success of GKNG. The in vivo study showed increments in the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and a lower level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) after GKNG treatment. The GKNG group showed upregulations in collagen type I, as alpha 1 collagen (COL1A1), and collagen type IV, as alpha 1 collagen (COL4A1). Furthermore, the in vivo study showed increments in hydroxyproline, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) after the GKNG. Additionally, GKNG effectively increased the wound contraction compared to GK gel and sodium alginate (SA) gel. Based on the in vitro and in vivo evaluation, GKNG effectively accelerated wound healing by modulation of antioxidant enzymes, collagens, angiogenic factors, and TGF-β1.

Lung cancer is a dangerous type of cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in women, behind breast and colorectal cancers. Thymoquinone (THQ), a main compound in black seed essential oils, has a variety of beneficial effects, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, scorpion venom peptides (SV) induce apoptosis in the cancer cells, making it a promising anticancer agent. THQ, SV, and Phospholipon^® 90H (PL) were incorporated in a nano-based delivery platform to assess THQ’s cellular uptake and antiproliferative efficacy against a lung cancer cell line derived from human alveolar epithelial cells (A549). Several nanovesicles were prepared and optimized using factorial experimental design. The optimized phytosome formulation contained 79.0 mg of PL and 170.0 mg of SV, with vesicle size and zeta potential of 209.9 nm and 21.1 mV, respectively. The IC50 values revealed that A549 cells were significantly more sensitive to the THQ formula than the plain formula and THQ. Cell cycle analysis revealed that THQ formula treatment resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at the S phase, increasing cell population in this phase by 22.1%. Furthermore, the THQ formula greatly increased cell apoptosis (25.17%) when compared to the untreated control (1.76%), plain formula (11.96%), or THQ alone (13.18%). The results also indicated that treatment with THQ formula significantly increased caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 mRNA expression compared to plain formula and THQ. In terms of the inflammatory markers, THQ formula significantly reduced the activity of TNF-α and NF-κB in comparison with the plain formula and THQ only. Overall, the findings from the study proved that a phytosome formulation of THQ could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Zamzam water is naturally alkaline and rich in a variety of minerals which may represent a powerful tool for cancer therapy. In this research, the cytotoxic effects of Zamzam water were investigated in human lung cancer (A549) cell line and compared with human skin fibroblasts (HSF). Two different preparations of Zamzam water were used: Z1, with pH adjusted to 7.2 and Z2, with no pH adjustment. The effects of both treatments on the morphology of the A549 and HSF cell lines were investigated. The cell viability of HSF and A549 cells was identified by the MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion. Detection of apoptotic cells and cell cycle analyses were determined using flow cytometry. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured for both cell lines. Both Zamzam water treatments, Z1 and Z2 showed reductions in the cell viability of A549 cells. Cell death occurred via necrosis among cells treated with Z2. Cell cycle arrest occurred in the G0/G1 phases for cells treated with Z2. Cellular and mitochondrial ROS productions were not affected by either treatment. Our findings indicate that Zamzam water might have potential therapeutic efficacy for lung cancer.