Nanoparticles (NPs) have been found to be potential targeted and controlled release drug delivery systems. Various drugs can be loaded in the NPs to achieve targeted delivery. Chitosan NPs being biodegradable, biocompatible, less toxic and easy to prepare, are an effective and potential tool for drug delivery. Chitosan is natural biopolymer which can be easily functionalized to obtain the desired targeted results and is also approved by GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration [US FDA]). Various methods for preparation of chitosan NPs include, ionic cross-linking, covalent cross-linking, reverse micellar method, precipitation and emulsion-droplet coalescence method. Chitosan NPs are found to have plethora of applications in drug delivery diagnosis and other biological applications. The key applications include ocular drug delivery, per-oral delivery, pulmonary drug delivery, nasal drug delivery, mucosal drug delivery, gene delivery, buccal drug delivery, vaccine delivery, vaginal drug delivery and cancer therapy. The present review describes the formation of chitosan, synthesis of chitosan NPs and their various applications in drug delivery.

The advancement of the biological production of nanoparticles using herbal extracts performs a significant role in nanotechnology discipline as it is green and does not engage harsh chemicals. The objective of the present investigation was to extract flavonoids in the mode of apple extract and synthesize its silver nanoparticles and ultimately nanoparticles loading into hydrogels. The presence of flavonoids in apple extract was characterized by preliminary testing like dil. ammonia test and confirmatory test by magnesium ribbon test. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV spectroscopy, particle size and surface morphology, and zeta potential. Silver nanoparticles loaded hydrogels were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, porosity, in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, and antibacterial (E. coli and S. aureus) and antioxidant studies (DPPH radical scavenging assay). Well dispersed silver nanoparticles below were observed in scanning electron microscope image. Hydrogels displayed in vitro release of 98.01% ± 0.37% up to 24 h and ex vivo permeation of 98.81 ± 0.24% up to 24 h. Hydrogel effectively inhibited the growth of both microorganism indicating good antibacterial properties. The value of percent radical inhibition was 75.16% ± 0.04 revealing its high antioxidant properties. As an outcome, it can be concluded that antioxidant and antiageing traits of flavonoids in apple extract plus biocidal feature of silver nanoparticles can be synergistically and successfully utilized in the form of hydrogel.

Purpose: The aim of the present investigation was to formulate protein nanoparticles loaded suppositories for colon targeting of metronidazole (MZ), to achieve sustain release effect. Methods: Protein nanoparticles were formulated via desolvation technique by utilizing 2 3 factorial design which results into eight formulations. The synthesized protein nanoparticles were characterized for different physicochemical and in vitro parameters viz. particle size, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency and zeta potential, drug- excipients compatibility studies. Results: The formulated protein nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape and have an average size in the range of 300.7 nm to 504.8 nm. Based on the results obtained, F7 was found to be the optimized formulation that was loaded into the suppository base. Furthermore, suppositories were also characterized for several parameters like content uniformity, weight variation and liquefaction time. Conclusion: Resultant, suppositories were free from pits, fissures and cracks. The in-vitro release data of metronidazole protein nanoparticles (MZ-PNPs) loaded suppositories were compared with the suppositories loaded with active ingredient only i.e. metronidazole. Screening against Pheretima posthuma was also conducted. The results of in vitro drug release testing proved that protein nanoparticle loaded suppositories is a better approach, compared to pure metronidazole loaded suppositories. Release kinetic study concluded that the formulation follows higuchi’s equation i.e. having a biphasic release pattern. The efficiency of the formulated dosage form was evaluated using Indian earthworms, Pheretima posthuma (P. posthuma).

Background:: The disease leading the whole world in a lockdown state, Coronavirus, is a highly transmitted virus that has spread to the whole world with an intensive speed. Introduction:: Novel coronavirus, termed as COVID-19, is an RNA genome comprising spherical spiked structure, which can infect humans by majorly attacking the respiratory system. The infection is characterized by high fever, dry cough and fatigue. The purpose of this review is to highlight the main characteristic features of COVID-19, the symptoms, and the genetic material present in the virus. The review also focuses on the uniqueness of this virus from other viruses, which has made it difficult to develop a vaccine for its cure. Discussion and Conclusion:: The review has illustrated the number of people who have been affected by COVID 19 in the world with a special emphasis on India. Analysis has shown that how vastly COVID- 19 has affected human beings.