Due to the negative impact of antibiotics on human and animal health, they have been banned in animal breeding and substitutes are being explored. Polyphenols – naturally occurring ”plant secondary metabolites” – are one of the best alternatives. They are found in vegetables, fruits,...

Ruminant livestock, a vital source of high-value proteins such as red meat and milk, requires efficient and sustainable farming practices. To enhance production and quality, researchers have turned to various feed additives, with phytogenic feed additives (PFA) gaining significant attention...

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a triple-component nanocomposite system consisting of chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and drug for assessing the application of chitosan-PEG nanocomposites in drug delivery and also to assess the effect of different molecular weights of PEG on nanocomposite characteristics. The casting/solvent evaporation method was used to prepare chitosan-PEG nanocomposite films incorporating piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin. In order to characterize the morphology and structure of nanocomposites, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy were used. Drug content uniformity test, swelling studies, water content, erosion studies, dissolution studies, and anti-inflammatory activity were also performed. The permeation studies across rat skin were also performed on nanocomposite films using Franz diffusion cell. The release behavior of films was found to be sensitive to pH and ionic strength of release medium. The maximum swelling ratio and water content was found in HCl buffer pH 1.2 as compared to acetate buffer of pH 4.5 and phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The release rate constants obtained from kinetic modeling and flux values of ex vivo permeation studies showed that release of piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin increased with an increase in concentration of PEG. The formulation F10 containing 75% concentration of PEG showed the highest swelling ratio (3.42±0.02) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, water content (47.89±1.53%) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, maximum cumulative drug permeation through rat skin (2405.15±10.97 μg/cm²) in phosphate buffer pH 7.4, and in vitro drug release (35.51±0.26%) in sequential pH change mediums, and showed a significantly (p<0.0001) higher anti-inflammatory effect (0.4 cm). It can be concluded from the results that film composition had a particular impact on drug release properties. The different molecular weights of PEG have a strong influence on swelling, drug release, and permeation rate. The developed films can act as successful drug delivery approach for localized drug delivery through the skin.

The use of antibiotics has been prohibited in many countries of the world, in response to concerns over the health and welfare concerns of humans and animals. For this reason, scientists have been working on antibiotic alternatives capable of enhancing the productivity and immunity of poultry birds against diseases, as well as the production of healthy and economical poultry meat and eggs. Various alternatives exist and have been used for several decades, such as probiotics, prebiotics, phytobiotics, essential oils, antimicrobial peptides, organic acids, and synbiotics. A relatively new term, “postbiotic,” is used to refer to cell-free supernatants, metabiotics, biogenics, or simply metabolites. It has been suggested that postbiotics are non-viable bacterial products or metabolic byproducts secreted from probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity in the host. While probiotics are sensitive to heat and oxygen, postbiotics are stable during industrial processing and storage. Postbiotics enhance poultry growth, improve feed efficiency, reduce intestinal pathogens, and promote overall health, making them valuable contributions for sustainable poultry production. They have many important biological properties, such as promoting immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory responses. Postbiotics improve intestinal villi, intestinal barrier functions, increase lactic acid production, and reduce Enterobacteriaceae and fecal pH, all of which lead to better immune reaction and health of the gut, as well as superior growth performance. Similarly, postbiotics reduce the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in birds. This review article presents the most recent research investigating the beneficial effects of postbiotics in poultry.

Objective: This study was designed to optimize and develop matrix type transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) containing tizanidine hydrochloride (TZH) using different polymers by solvent evaporation method. Significance: A strong need exists for the development of transdermal patch having improved bioavailability at the site of action with fewer side effects at off-target organs. Methods: The patches were physically characterized by texture analysis (color, flexibility, smoothness, transparency, and homogeneity), in vitro dissolution test and FTIR analysis. Furthermore, functional properties essential for TDDS, in vitro percentage of moisture content, percentage of water uptake, in vitro permeation by following different kinetic models, in vivo drug content estimation and skin irritation were determined using rabbit skin. Results: The optimized patches were soft, of uniform texture and thickness as well as pliable in nature. Novel transdermal patch showed ideal characteristics in terms of moisture content and water uptake. FTIR analysis confirmed no interaction between TZH and cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP). The patch showed sustained release of the drug which increased the availability of short acting TZH at the site of action. The patch also showed its biocompatibility to the in vivo model of rabbit skin. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that topically applied transdermal patch will be a potential medicated sustain release patch for muscle pain which will improve patient compliance.