The purpose of this study was to find the biological propensities of the vegetable plant Pleurospermum candollei by investigating its phytochemical profile and biological activities. Phytochemical analysis was done by spectroscopic methods to investigate the amount of total polyphenols, and biological evaluation was done by the different antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory (tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase), thrombolytic, and antibacterial activities. The highest amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents was observed in methanolic extract (240.69 ± 2.94 mg GAE/g and 167.59 ± 3.47 mg QE/g); the fractions showed comparatively less quantity (57.02 ± 1.31 to 144.02 ± 2.11 mg GAE/g, and 48.21 ± 0.75 to 96.58 ± 2.30 mg QE/g). The effect of these bioactive contents was also related to biological activities. GCMS analysis led to the identification of bioactive compounds with different biological effects from methanolic extract (antioxidant; 55.07%, antimicrobial; 56.41%), while the identified compounds from the n-hexane fraction with antioxidant properties constituted 67.86%, and those with antimicrobial effects constituted 82.95%; however, the synergetic effect of polyphenols may also have contributed to the highest value of biological activities of methanolic extract. Molecular docking was also performed to understand the relationship of identified secondary metabolites with enzyme-inhibitory activities. The thrombolytic activity was also significant (40.18 ± 1.80 to 57.15 ± 1.10 % clot lysis) in comparison with streptokinase (78.5 ± 1.53 to 82.34 ± 1.25% clot lysis). Methanolic extract also showed good activity against Gram-positive strains of bacteria, and the highest activity was observed against Bacillus subtilis. The findings of this study will improve our knowledge of phytochemistry, and biological activities of P. candollei, which seems to be a ray of hope to design formulations of natural products for the improvement of health and prevention of chronic diseases; however, further research may address the development of novel drugs for use in pharmaceuticals.

The current study was designed to investigate the feasibility of incorporating the water-insoluble lipophilic drug Alprazolam (Alp) into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to offer the combined benefits of the quick onset of action along with the sustained release of the drug. Therefore, compritol-based alprazolam-loaded SLNs (Alp-SLNs) would provide early relief from anxiety and sleep disturbances and long-lasting control of symptoms in patients with depression, thereby enhancing patient compliance. The optimized Alp-SLNs analyzed by DLS and SEM showed consistent particle size of 92.9 nm with PI values and standard deviation of the measurements calculated at <0.3 and negative surface charge. These characteristic values demonstrate the desired level of homogeneity and good physical stability of Alp-SLNs. The SLNs had a good entrapment efficiency (89.4%) and high drug-loading capacity (77.9%). SEM analysis revealed the smooth spherical morphology of the SLNs. The physical condition of alprazolam and absence of interaction among formulation components in Alp-SLNs was confirmed by FTIR and DSC analyses. XRD analysis demonstrated the molecular dispersion of crystalline alprazolam in Alp-SLNs. The in vitro release study implied that the release of Alp from the optimized Alp-SLN formulation was sustained as compared to the Alp drug solution because Alp-SLNs exhibited sustained release of alprazolam over 24 h. Alp-SLNs are a promising candidate to achieve sustained release of the short-acting drug Alp, thereby reducing its dosing frequency and enhancing patient compliance.

The bioactive extracts of traditional medicinal plants are rich in polyphenols and help to rejuvenate skin. The study was designed to assess the skin rejuvenating effects of a stable cream enriched with 4% I. argentea (IaMe) extract. The quantity of polyphenols by spectrophotometric methods was TPC, 101.55 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content; 77.14 ± 0.13 mg QE/g, while HPLC-PDA revealed gallic acid; 4.91, chlorogenic acid 48.12, p-coumaric acid 0.43, and rutin 14.23 μg/g. The significant results of biological activities were observed as DPPH; 81.81% ± 0.05%, tyrosinase; 72% ± 0.23% compared to ascorbic acid (92.43% ± 0.03%), and kojic acid (78.80% ± 0.19%) respectively. Moreover, the promising sun protection effects Sun protection factor of extract (20.53) and formulation (10.59) were observed. The active cream formulation (w/o emulsion) was developed with liquid paraffin, beeswax, IaMe extract, and ABIL EM 90, which was stable for 90 days as shown by various stability parameters. The rheological results demonstrated the active formulation’s non-Newtonian and pseudo-plastic characteristics and nearly spherical globules by SEM. The IaMe loaded cream was further investigated on human trial subjects for skin rejuvenating effects and visualized in 3D skin images. Herein, the results were significant compared to placebo. IaMe formulation causes a substantial drop in skin melanin from −1.70% (2 weeks) to −10.8% (12 weeks). Furthermore, it showed a significant increase in skin moisture and elasticity index from 7.7% to 39.15% and 2%–30%, respectively. According to the findings, Indigofera argentea extract has promising bioactivities and skin rejuvenating properties, rationalizing the traditional use and encouraging its exploitation for effective and economical cosmeceuticals.

The wild plants are adapted to grow in drastic conditions, and many of them have been found to have nutritional benefits. The researchers in food science are exploring such plants to feed the ever-...

Background: Infertility is the term used when a clinical pregnancy cannot be achieved within at least 12 months. Thyroid dysfunction impacts the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a recognized marker of ovarian function. Proper growth, sexual maturation, and reproductive processes rely on gonadotropins, peptide hormones that regulate ovarian and testicular functions. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the serum levels of specific endocrine factors, including anti-mullerian hormone, prolactin, gonadotropins, sex-related hormones, and thyroid-stimulating hormones in women undergoing IVF treatment. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of women who underwent IVF at the Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center, Lahore. This was a cross-sectional study involving 80 women undergoing IVF. The causes of infertility were distributed as follows: female infertility, primary and secondary, tubal factor infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and other reasons. Blood samples were collected from patients undergoing IVF on various days to analyze endocrine variables. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, AMH, TSH, and prolactin. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. Results: Mean age of women was 33.42±4.74 years. Among women 76(95%) were nulliparous and only 3(3.8%) women were prim-parous while only 1(1.3%) women present with parity 4. Mean body mass index of women was 27.20±4.68. 64(80%) women were present with primary and 16(20%) presents with secondary infertility. The most frequent blood group among women was O+ve (57.5%), followed by B+ve (31.25%), AB+ve (6.25%), and A+ve (5%), respectively. Mean FSH level in women was 6.36±2.92. Mean LH level in women was 5.24±2.63. Mean prolactin level in women was 19.71±12.33. Mean serum AMH level among women was 2.49±1.68. The mean AMH level ranges between 0.09 and 19.30. Mean TSH level among women was 2.02±1.29. Mean estrogen and progesterone levels among women were 108.70±80.44 and 2.98±2.19, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that FSH, LH, prolactin, AMH, and estrogen levels were slightly higher among women with positive pregnancy outcomes. Women with negative pregnancy outcomes had higher values for serum TSH and progesterone levels.