Doxorubicin (DOXO) is an antineoplastic drug that is used extensively in managing multiple cancer types. However, DOXO-induced cardiotoxicity is a limiting factor for its widespread use and considerably affects patients’ quality of life. Farnesol (FSN) is a sesquiterpene with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Thus, the current study explored the cardioprotective effect of FSN against DOXO-induced cardiotoxicity. In this study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7) and treated for 14 days. Group I (Control): normal saline, p.o. daily for 14 days; Group II (TOXIC): DOXO 2.4 mg/kg, i.p, thrice weekly for 14 days; Group III: FSN 100 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 14 days + DOXO similar to Group II; Group IV: FSN 200 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 14 days + DOXO similar to Group II; Group V (Standard): nifedipine 10 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 14 days + DOXO similar to Group II. At the end of the study, animals were weighed, blood was collected, and heart-weight was measured. The cardiac tissue was used to estimate biochemical markers and for histopathological studies. The observed results revealed that the FSN-treated group rats showed decrease in heart weight and heart weight/body weight ratio, reversed the oxidative stress, cardiac-specific injury markers, proinflammatory and proapoptotic markers and histopathological aberrations towards normal, and showed cardioprotection. In summary, the FSN reduces cardiac injuries caused by DOXO via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potential. However, more detailed mechanism-based studies are needed to bring this drug into clinical use.

The main objective of the proposed work was the development of a thermosensitive gel (containing clove and tea tree oil) for the management of vaginal candidiasis. Both oils have been recommended to be used separately in a topical formulation for vaginal candidiasis. Incorporating two natural ingredients (clove and tea tree oil) into a product give it a broad antimicrobial spectrum and analgesic properties. The two oils were mixed together at a 3:1 ratio and converted into o/w nanoemulsion using the aqueous titration method and plotting pseudo ternary phase diagrams. Further transformations resulted in a gel with thermosensitive properties. To determine the final formulation’s potential for further clinical investigation, in vitro analyses (viscosity measurement, MTT assay, mucoadhesion, ex vivo permeation) and in vivo studies (fungal clearance kinetics in an animal model) were conducted. The current effort leveraged the potential of tea tree and clove oils as formulation ingredients and natural therapeutic agents for vaginal infections. Its synergy generated a stable and effective thermosensitive gel that can be utilized for recurrent candidiasis and other infections.