Obesity is a continually growing pandemic leading to many diseases that affect the overall quality of life. The widely marketed Garcinia cambogia (GC) and Raspberry ketone (RK) were used in this study. Despite their known dietetic effect, however, the metabolomic/signaling pathways involved in this effect are not fully elucidated. Hence, our study comprehends the possible trajectories of their combination against obesity and insulin resistance in addition to exploring their combination merit. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; viz., normal diet (ND), high fat fructose diet (HFFD), HFFD+GC (600mg/kg), HFFD+RK (55mg/kg) and HFFD+GC+RK. To assess our aim, we determined their effect on body weight, IPGTT, glucose homeostasis (glucose, insulin, HOMA IR), lipid profile parameters and SREBP-1c, oxidative stress markers, insulin and leptin signaling pathways (p-IRS-1/p-AKT/GLUT-4, and leptin/STAT-3), as well as liver and adipose tissue histopathology. GC/RK combinationcaused weight loss, corrected the disturbed glucose and insulin homeostasis, raised serum levels of HDL anddecreased all other lipid profile parameters. They also increased Nrf-2 expression, ad GSH, as well as p-IRS-1/p-Akt/GLUT-4 cue, while they decreased MDA, leptin/STAT-3 and SREBP-1c content compared to the HFFD group. Furthermore, the GC/RK combination abolished apoptosis, fatty changes and inflammation in hepatocytes and decreased sclerotic blood vessels and congestion in adipose tissue. Our study highlights the involvement ofp-IRS-1/p-Akt/GLUT-4, leptin/STAT-3 and SREBP-1c signaling trajectories in the beneficial combination of GC and RK, besides, the efficient rebalance of the redox status, insulin resistance and tissue fat deposition confirmed histopathologically.

The urge to implement innovative approaches that align with eco-friendly practices and hold promise for enhancing oral health while promoting environmental sustainability has been increasing. This current work aims to develop a sustainable treatment for oral traumatic ulcers using licorice-based hydrogels (LHGs) containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as the green gelling agent. Licorice root aqueous extract was phytochemically profiled using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Forty-three compounds were detected, with Glycyrrhizic acid being the major component of the extract (34.85 ± 2.77%). By implementing a Quality by Design (QbD) approach, the study investigates the effects of different licorice extract and HEC concentrations on key variables such as pH and viscosity of the prepared formulations, ulcer and wound healing scores, and tissue growth factors via a Full Factorial Experimental Design. The LHGs exhibited desirable consistency, spreadability, and clarity. Statistical analysis, employing an ANOVA test, revealed the high significance of the constructed models with the licorice concentration being the key independent factor affecting all dependent outputs. The pH as well as the viscosity of the prepared LHGs were positively influenced by licorice extract concentration, with higher concentrations leading to increased alkalinity and viscosity. Rheological behavior analysis revealed a pseudoplastic flow with demonstrated thixotropy which is advantageous for application and prolongation of residence time. The wound healing process was assessed through ulcer size, traumatic ulcer healing score (UHS), collagen-1 expression (COL-1), growth factors (EGF, VEGF), pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α), wound healing score (WHS). LHGs prepared using higher levels of both factors, 30% dried licorice root extract and 4% HEC, demonstrated enhanced wound healing, elevated growth factor expression of 66.67% and 23.24%, respectively, and 88% reduced inflammation compared to the control group, indicating their potential in expediting oral ulcer recovery. Overall, these findings highlight the promising role of green licorice-based hydrogels in promoting sustainable oral mucosal healing.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) provides an advanced teaching method for healthcare education; it is characterised by being an interactive teaching session that allows groups of learners to work together in teams to discuss and apply what they have learnt to certain clinical scenarios. The following study aims to evaluate the impact of TBL strategy on the students' comprehension and acquired knowledge, to allow better application and integration of knowledge. The aim of the study was to improve pharmacy students' skills in achieving learning outcomes by adapting TBL pedagogy in the lectures. Students’ feedbacks were collected via post-lecture survey. Results: The study was applied to pharmacy students covering two courses: Pharmacology III (Level 4) and Medicinal Chemistry I (Level 3) in a period of two-week lectures through the first semester of the academic year 2021/2022 in Future University in Egypt. The selected topics-related preparation materials were previously available on each course moodle page prior to the actual lecture, for the students to get prepared including growth hormone, sex hormones and their associated diseases for the pharmacology course and COVID-19 management for the Medicinal Chemistry course. The TBL lecture was started by dividing the students into teams and then readiness assurance tests were given, as individual readiness assurance test and then team readiness assurance test conceptual test were applied. The assessment of the students’ decision-making skills and problem solving was evaluated through solving-related clinical cases. All the learning outcomes were achieved with maximum participation and interaction via an open discussion between the lecturer and the students during the lecture. A total of 116 students answered the survey and confirmed their satisfaction, better understanding and more participation in TBL lectures compared to other topics taught with the ordinary methods. More than half of the students recommended the TBL method for better perception and participation. Conclusion: The students felt great appreciation for the team-based lecturing. Also, recommendations and suggestions were directed towards increasing the percentage of TBL lectures in the curriculum, as it helped them to concentrate more with high participation levels.

Background/Objectives: Skin wrinkles result from a myriad of multifaceted processes involving intrinsic and extrinsic aging. To combat this effect, plant stem cells offer a renewable and eco-friendly source for various industries, including cosmeceuticals. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), which contains the bioactive compound Rosmarinic acid (RA) and has been proposed for its anti-wrinkle effect. Methods: In the present study, calli from SM were cultured and Quality by Design (QbD) was implemented to investigate the effect of different types and concentrations of elicitors; jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Both raised RA levels yet, jasmonic acid (50 µM) has resulted in the highest yield for RA, at 16 mg/g. A nanofiber patch was prepared and characterized in-vitro by the release percentage, drug content, swelling degree, scanning electron microscope, and surface roughness. Then, the anti-wrinkle effect of the patch was tested in a UV wrinkle-induced mouse model. Results: Interestingly, after treatment, there were visibly fewer wrinkles, and the skin was softer than in the untreated control group. This study suggests that the treatment exerted its effect through the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, which plays a crucial role in cellular antioxidant protective processes. By activating this pathway through boosting Nrf2 and diminishing Keap1 cellular content, the nanofiber patch enhances the production of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, enhancesglutathione, and reduces the skin lipid peroxidation, collectively indicating enhanced skin quality. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of this formula as an anti-wrinkle treatment, and future clinical studies are recommended to further unveil the potential of this formula.

The prominent biological activity of polycyclic systems inspired the synthesis of novel 1-Aryl-thiazolo-benzimidazole Derivatives (2a-e), (3a-e) and (4a-e). In vitro antiproliferative assay was performed on colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620) and the novel compounds showed superior anticancer activity with IC₅₀ in the range of 0.03–0.35 µM compared to reference compound Doxorubicin (DOX) with IC₅₀ (0.07 µM). The ability of the new molecules to interact with extracted cytochrome CYP51M_Tb was also studied using absorption spectroscopy. Results showed mild type I spectral shift especially compound 4d displayed 3% shift in the spin state assay referring to the presence of electron withdrawing groups attached to benzene ring, thus that could be a promising nucleus for better cytochrome inhibition. The results were supported by molecular modeling studies to confirm general binding of the compounds to the hydrophobic region of the heme-protein. These outcomes encourage the new molecules to be candidates for new potential anticancer agents.