Objective: The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate bilayer tablets containing sustained-release Metformin hydrochloride and immediate-release Empagliflozin for the management of Type 2 diabetes. Methods: The wet granulation technique was employed to formulate a sustained-release Metformin HCl layer and an immediate-release Empagliflozin layer. The impact of varying concentrations of independent variables (HPMCK100M and Carbopol 971P) on drug release at different times was evaluated using a 2-factor central composite design (CCD)with five central replicates.The formulation was optimized using responsesurface methodology (RSM) through CCD, and optimal levels of polymers were determined using surface plots and response optimizer. In-vitro release data observed from the optimized formulation were subjected to pre- and post-compression analysis and fitted into various drug release kinetic models. Results: Using response surface methodology (RSM), the optimized formulation contained 17.9% HPMCK100M and 3.8% Carbopol, respectively. Various parameters were noted: hardness, 21.33kg/cm²; friability, 0.23%; and uniformity of content for empagliflozin (98.23%), whichwas within the limit.The assay percentages of metformin and empagliflozin were 95.27% and 96%, respectively. In vitro drug release at 1, 6, 10, and 12 hours is 20.08%, 67.02%, 87.06%, and 97.52%, respectively, which is comparable to the predicted drug release by RSM.The optimized model accurately predicted the drug release profile, with a chi-square test (χ² = 0.436, df = 3) and a similarity factor (f2) of 82.54showing no significant differences.Similarly, the drug release of the optimized formulation followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R²= 0.9986), indicating a combination of diffusion and polymer relaxation mechanisms inthe drug release process. Conclusion: In conclusion, we developed an optimized fixed-dose bilayer formulation of sustained-release metformin HCl and immediate-release empagliflozin using a central composite design. The optimized formulation exhibited predictable release kinetics, best described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, confirming anomalous transport driven by both diffusion and polymer relaxation. This work presents how experimental design and mechanistic modeling can be integrated to aid in the development of bilayer tablet formulations, thereby validating the growing body of knowledge in this field. Clinically, the formulation presents a promising approach for improving glycemic control, enhancing patient compliance, and reducing healthcare costs.

Rhododendron lowndesii Davidian is an endemic medicinal plant of Nepal found in an altitude range of 3000–4100 m. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of its methanolic extract. The aerial part of the plant was extracted through methanol maceration to achieve 31.50% ± 0.92% yield. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins, and carbohydrates, with a total phenolic content of 175.63 ± 1.37 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 1090.36 ± 2.29 mgQE/g. Antioxidant activity assay of the extract suggested its strong radical scavenging activity through DPPH (IC ₅₀ :19.46 ± 1.85 µg/mL) and ABST is 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays (IC _50: 13.4 ± 0.20 µg/mL). Antibacterial activity as determined by the disc diffusion method, showed significant effect against Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus faecalis , and Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration: 312.5–1250 µg/mL) but limited efficacy against Salmonella enterica . High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified pharmacologically significant compounds, including zapotin and cepharanthine. These findings suggest that R. lowndesii has rich phytochemical profile and bioactivity; this supports its potential as a medicinal plant and need of its pharmacological research.

Medicinal plants have long been sought after as a source of potentially valuable compounds to combat cancer. This review purposes that the phytochemicals found in Nepalese medicinal plants possess significant potential anticancer activity, which calls for methodical evaluation. The study explores the methodologies employed in screening the anticancer activity of medicinal plants found in Nepal. Full-text original research articles were searched on “Google Scholar” and “PubMed” using keywords “Anticancer” and “Medicinal plants”. The obtained plant species in the articles were looked over in the National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories (KATH) Plant Database to confirm their existence in Nepal. A list of 71 plant species showing anticancer activity was obtained. Active phytochemicals and screening methods of the plants reported in the articles were then analysed. The 71 plants contained 84 bioactive compounds, namely 7 alkaloids, 10 polyphenols, 1 saponins, 5 phytosterols, 29 terpenoids, 11 flavonoids, 3 polysaccharides, and 18 other miscellaneous compounds that showed anticancer activities. Likewise, 77.78% of the studies used cell line-based in vitro experiments while 6.94% of the methods employed animal-based in vivo methods, and the remaining 15.28% combined both approaches. In particular, 54.51% of the papers used multiple cell lines, while the remaining used single cell lines. These findings highlight the trend of screening methods, significance and potential of these plants in anticancer properties.

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat, exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. This study evaluated antimicrobial use and prescribing patterns among inpatients in three tertiary hospitals in Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional point prevalence survey of the inpatient module of the standardized Global-PPS methodology was conducted across three tertiary hospitals in Nepal during the 2022 Global-PPS Period 2 (P2) survey, carried out between May and August 2022. Data were collected via a paper-based form (University of Antwerp;) and analyzed descriptively. Antimicrobial use was defined as the proportion of inpatients receiving at least one systemic antimicrobial on the day of the survey. Results: Of 379 patients eligible for the study, 233 (61.5%) received at least one antimicrobial, with the highest prevalence observed in adult and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs). Out of 371 antibiotic prescriptions, third-generation cephalosporins (30.2%) and carbapenems (8.1%) were the most frequently prescribed, and 61.0% of overall antibiotics belonged to the Watch group of WHO AWaRe classification. Surgical prophylaxis often exceeded recommended durations, with 91.5% of prophylactic antibiotics prescribed for more than one day. Empirical therapy dominated 56.33% of all prescriptions, with targeted therapy limited to 4.04%. Conclusions: The high overall prevalence of antimicrobial use, the reliance on empirical therapy, and over-reliance on Watch-group antibiotics and Unclassified AWaRe antibiotics highlights the urgent need for robust antimicrobial stewardship programs in Nepal.