Background: A diabetic ulcer is one of the major causes of illness among diabetic patients that involves severe and intractable complications associated with diabetic wounds. Hence, a suitable wound-healing agent is urgently needed at this juncture. Greener nanotechnology is a very promising and emerging technology currently employed for the development of alternative medicines. Plant-mediated synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been intensively investigated and regarded as an alternative strategy for overcoming various diseases and their secondary complications like microbial infections. Hence, we are interested in developing phyto-engineered gold nanoparticles as useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of infectious diseases and wounds effectively. Methods and Results: We have synthesized phyto-engineered gold nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Acalypha indica and characterized using advanced bio-analytical techniques. The surface plasmon resonance feature and crystalline behavior of gold nanoparticles were revealed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the extract demonstrated the presence of different constituents, while major functional groups were interpreted by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy as the various stretching vibrations appeared for important O-H (3443 cm^{− 1}), C=O (1644 cm^{− 1}) and C-O (1395 cm^{− 1}) groups. Scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results revealed a distribution of spherical and rod-like nanostructures with 20 nm of size. The gold nanoparticle-coated cotton fabric was evaluated for the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli bacterial strains which revealed remarkable inhibition at the zone of inhibition of 31 mm diameter against S. epidermidis. Further, antioxidant activity was tested for their free radical scavenging property, and the maximum antioxidant activity of the extract containing gold nanoparticles was found to be 80% at 100 μg/mL. The potent free radical scavenging property of the nanoparticles is observed at IC₅₀ value 16.25 μg/mL. Moreover, in vivo wound-healing activity was carried out using BALB/c mice model with infected diabetic wounds and observed the stained microscopic images at different time intervals (day 2, day 7 and day 15). It was noted that in 15 days, the wound area is completely re-epithelialized due to the presence of different morphologies such as spherical, needle and triangle nanoparticles. The re-epithelialization layer is fully covered by nanoparticles on the wound area and also collagen filled in the scar tissue when compared with the control group. Conclusion: The pharmacological evaluation results of the study indicated an encouraging antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the greener synthesized gold nanoparticles tethered with aqueous extract of Acalypha indica. Moreover, we demonstrated enhanced in vivo wound-healing efficiency of the synthesized gold nanoparticles through the animal model. Thus, the outcome of this work revealed that the phyto-engineered gold nanoparticles could be useful for biomedical applications, especially in the development of promising antibacterial and wound-healing agents.

COVID-19 is one of the members of the coronavirus family that can easily assail humans. As of now, 10 million people are infected and above two million people have died from COVID-19 globally. Over the past year, several researchers have made essential advances in discovering potential drugs. Up to now, no efficient drugs are available on the market. The present study aims to identify the potent phytocompounds from different medicinal plants (Zingiber officinale,Cuminum cyminum,Piper nigrum,Curcuma longa, andAllium sativum). In total, 227 phytocompounds were identified and screened against the proteins S-ACE2 and M^prothrough structure-based virtual screening approaches. Based on the binding affinity score, 30 active phytocompounds were selected. Amongst, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-elemene against S-ACE2 showed −12.0 and −10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-chlorogenin against M^prowas found to be −9.7 and −8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the selected compounds proceeded with molecular dynamics simulation, prime MM-GBSA analysis, and ADME/T property checks to understand the stability, interaction, conformational changes, binding free energy, and pharmaceutical relevant parameters. Moreover, the hotspot residues such as Lys31 and Lys353 for S-ACE2 and catalytic dyad His41 and Cys145 for M^prowere actively involved in the inhibition of viral entry. From the in silico analyses, we anticipate that this work could be valuable to ongoing novel drug discovery with potential treatment for COVID-19.

Background: Various routes of drug administration are available for psoriasis treatment. However, there is an urgent need for novel and improved therapeutic options. Hence, our study aimed to develop a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) gel of hesperidin (HPD) using a systemic QbD approach for an effective treatment of psoriasis. Methods: Initially, HPD-NLC was optimized with independent variables (drug content, amount of liquid lipid, total lipid, and surfactant concentration) using Box–Behnken Design to assess dependent variables (particle size, size distribution, and entrapment efficiency). HPD-NLC was developed using the high-shear homogenization technique. The characteristics of nanoformulation such as particle size, morphology [transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)], crystallinity [powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)], and chemical interactions [Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)], the drug entrapment efficiency (%EE), and the drug release were investigated. Franz-diffusion cell was utilized to perform in vitro diffusion study, and an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model was used for in vivo study. Results: The optimized HPD-NLC exhibited a spherical shape with particle size of 125.7 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.36, and entrapment efficiency of 52.26% w/w. Further, different techniques validated the reduced crystallinity of the hesperidin. The in vitro diffusion study highlighted the sustained and anomalous diffusion of the drug from NLC gel. In the in vivo study, the HPD-NLC-Gel-treated group displayed normal skin with minimal keratosis, while the drug-loaded gel group exhibited signs of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis signs. Conclusions: HPD-NLC gel showed promising advancement in nanotechnology-based psoriasis treatment and the results of this study open the door for the application of topical HPD-NLC-Gel clinically.

The purpose of this work was to develop a novel topical formulation of econazole nitrate based on gel that can be easily scaled up in one pot for the potential treatment of fungal and yeast infections. Econazole nitrate, a topical antifungal, is used to treat tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris. Compared to applying cream or ointment, topical gels offer numerous advantages, one of which is that the drug is released more quickly to the intended site of action. A viscous mixture of propylene glycol, Capmul^® MCM C8, methyl and propyl paraben, and econazole nitrate were mixed together before being formulated into the optimized Carbopol^® gel bases. The gel’s color, appearance, and homogeneity were assessed visually. For every formulation, the drug content, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and gel strength were characterized. The cup plate diffusion method was used to evaluate the anti-fungal activity of the prepared formulations. To assess the behavior of the developed system, studies on in vitro release and mechanism were conducted. The manufactured formulations were transparent, pale yellow, and exhibited excellent homogeneity. The pH of each formulation was roughly 6.0, making them suitable for topical use. The concentration of Carbopol^® 940 resulted in a significant increase in viscosity and gel strength but a significant decrease in spreadability. It was demonstrated that the prepared formulations inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. In contrast, the standard blank gel showed no signs of antifungal action. By increasing the concentration of Carbopol^® 940, the in vitro release profile of econazole nitrate significantly decreased. Following the Korsmeyer–Peppas model fitting, all formulations exhibited n values greater than 0.5 and less than 1, indicating that diffusion and gel swelling control econazole nitrate release.

The present work aimed to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal gel using Aloe barbadensis and extract of Vigna radiata for the treatment of acne, a disorder of the skin in which hair follicles and sebaceous glands are blocked, causing inflammation and redness of the skin. Aloe barbadensis pulp was collected and mixed with the extract of Vigna radiata and formulated into a gel using Carbopol 940, triethanolamine, and propylene glycol as the gelling agent, viscosity modifier, and pH modifier, respectively. The gel was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Antimicrobial agents, such as gentamycin and fluconazole, were used as the standards. The developed formulation showed promising zone of inhibition. The gel was further evaluated for its physicochemical properties. The formulation showed a promising effect on acne together with the additive effect of Aloe barbadensis on skin.

Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by hyperinflammation induced by cytokine storm, ARDS leading to multiorgan failure and death. JAK-STAT signaling has been implicated in immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 infection under different stages such as viral entry, escaping innate immunity, replication, and subsequent inflammatory processes. Prompted by this fact and prior utilization as an immunomodulatory agent for several autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory conditions, Jakinibs have been recognized as validated small molecules targeting the rapid release of proinflammatory cytokines, primarily IL-6, and GM-CSF. Various clinical trials are under investigation to evaluate Jakinibs as potential candidates for treating COVID-19. Till date, there is only one small molecule Jakinib known as baricitinib has received FDA-approval as a standalone immunomodulatory agent in treating critical COVID-19 patients. Though various meta-analyses have confirmed and validated the safety and efficacy of Jakinibs, further studies are required to understand the elaborated pathogenesis of COVID-19, duration of Jakinib treatment, and assess the combination therapeutic strategies. In this review, we highlighted JAK-STAT signalling in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and clinically approved Jakinibs. Moreover, this review described substantially the promising use of Jakinibs and discussed their limitations in the context of COVID-19 therapy. Hence, this review article provides a concise, yet significant insight into the therapeutic implications of Jakinibs as potential anti-COVID agents which opens up a new horizon in the treatment of COVID-19, effectively.