Among the Aizoaceae family, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium remains significantly understudied regarding its therapeutic properties despite its abundance. This large family is mostly native to Southern Africa and counts at least 120 genera. M. cordifolium's traditional anti-inflammatory and antidepressant uses are scientifically supported. Its antioxidant, analgesic and cytotoxic properties and promising antidepressant activity, highlight its significant pharmacological potential, warranting further research. This study addresses this research gap by conducting the first investigation into the phytochemical components of Iraqi M. cordifolium and the isolation of a key compound. For 24 h, the entire plant powder, 100 g, was immersed in 100 mL n-hexane to remove any fat. After that, the defatted plant material was extracted with eighty-five percent methanol using the Soxhlet apparatus until it was entirely exhausted. The extract undergoes sequential liquid-liquid fractionation using solvents of increasing polarity: petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate, using a separatory funnel. This process allows for the separation of compounds based on their differential solubility in immiscible solvents. The results of the phytochemical analysis show that the methanolic crude extract contains steroids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and saponins. Pinoresinol compound was identified using the technique of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pinoresinol was isolated using preparative layer chromatography (PLC) and its identification was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Analyses revealed that the plant contains lignan compounds with useful medicinal properties, so additional research into the M. cordifolium plant is necessary because it contains a wealth of components with promising health benefits for humans.

Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This process is essential for growth and tissue repair. However, it also plays a crucial role in supplying nourishment and oxygen to tumours, thereby facilitating their growth and metastasis. Among more than 1800 species in the Aizoaceae family, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is one of the most abundant, owing to its pharmacological properties. Although the ethnobotanical use of M. cordifolium suggests therapeutic potential, the specific anti-angiogenic activity of its constituent fractions, particularly the non-polar components, has not been thoroughly investigated. The present study aimed to bridge this gap by evaluating the anti-angiogenic effect of the petroleum ether fraction of M. cordifolium. The whole plant was sequentially processed by defatting with n-hexane, followed by exhaustive extraction with 85 % methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The crude methanolic extract was then subjected to liquid-liquid fractionation to obtain petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. The petroleum ether fraction was phytochemically characterized using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The anti-angiogenic potential was assessed using the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay. A dose-response relationship was determined by testing the fraction at five concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) against a negative control (1 % DMSO). Compared with the negative control, the results showed that the petroleum ether extract of M. cordifolium inhibited the growth of blood vessels in a concentration-dependent manner. The study demonstrates that the petroleum ether fraction of M. cordifolium possesses potent anti-angiogenic properties ex vivo.

This study is to summarize and analyze existing materials on advanced mixed micellar systems for the pulmonary transmission of mucolytic drugs. This review focuses on the composition and preparation of these compounds, their performance characteristics, and key obstacles slowing down clinical use for mucoreactive respiratory diseases. A systematic scoping a review of the scientific literature was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. We also searched in Embase. This review encompassed all sources from 2000 to 2024. Our searching strategy used key information related to mixed micelles, nanocarriers, delivery to lungs, mucolytics, and performance parameters. The review included original research papers, comparative studies, and other relevant reviews. Mixed micelles, which are usually 10 nm-100 nm in size, are conducive to pulmonary drug delivery. Combining polymers (e. g., Pluronics®) and surfactants (e. g., TPGS) results in high thermodynamic stability (low critical micelle concentration), high encapsulation efficiency for hydrophobic mucolytics like bromhexine HCl, and favorable mucus penetration. This is because of their small size and highly modifiable PEGylated surfaces. Thin-film hydration is a common method for preparing mixtures. Compared with liposomes, mixed micelles offer increased stability during nebulization and easier and more scalable manufacturing methods. Mixed micelles are a promising and highly adaptable nanocarrier system designed for delivering mucolytic agents to the lungs, as they facilitate significant elimination of mucus. The workable evidence from preclinical studies is strong. However, major translational gaps remain. Future research must be able to optimize systematically the formulations for specific mucolytics and carry out long-term safety and efficacy studies in vivo within relevant disease models. Researchers need to build the infrastructure for scalable, GMP-compliant production of these products to realize their potential to save lives.