Background/Objectives: Metformin (Met), an oral drug used to treat type II diabetes, is known to control blood glucose levels. Metformin carbon quantum dots (MetCQDs) were prepared to enhance the bioavailability and effectiveness of metformin. Several studies have shown that carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have attractive properties like small particle size, high penetrability, low cytotoxicity, and ease of synthesis. CQDs are made from a carbon source, namely, citric acid, and a heteroatom, such as nitrogen. The active molecule can be a carbon source or a heteroatom, as reported here. Methods: This study aims to produce MetCQDs from an active molecule. MetCQDs were successfully produced by microwave-based production methods and characterized. The effect of the MetCQDs was tested in Wistar albino rats following a Streptozocin-induced diabetic model. Results: The results show that the products have a particle size of 9.02 ± 0.04 nm, a zeta potential of −10.4 ± 0.214 mV, and a quantum yield of 15.1 ± 0.045%. Stability studies and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out and the effectiveness of MetCQDs evaluated in diabetic rats. The results show a significant reduction in blood sugar levels (34.1–51.1%) compared to the group receiving only metformin (37.1–55.3%) over a period of 30 to 360 min. Histopathological examinations of the liver tissue indicate improvement in the liver health indicators of the group treated with MetCQDs. Conclusions: Based on these results, the products have potential therapeutic advantages in diabetes management through their increased efficacy and may have reduced side effects compared to the control group.

Polyscias scutellaria (PS), an increasingly recognized botanical marvel, has emerged as a remarkable reservoir of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, holding immense potential for enhancing health and promoting overall well-being. In this comprehensive investigation, we meticulously examined the multifaceted properties of PS through various parameters, including DPPH scavenging activity, total phenol, and total flavonoid content in its ethanol extract (EEPS), ethyl acetate extract (EAPS), and n-hexane extract (nhPS). Additionally, we conducted in-depth assessments of cellular responses to EEPS and EAPS, encompassing cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, and the modulation of pivotal pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-12 (IL-12), utilizing the RAW 264.7 cell line as a model system.Our findings illuminate the exceptional antioxidant prowess of PS extracts, with EEPS, EAPS, and nhPS displaying noteworthy DPPH scavenging activities. These results underscore their potential in quenching harmful free radicals and mitigating oxidative stress. Furthermore, our investigation unveils the promising anti-inflammatory attributes of EEPS and EAPS, as evidenced by their capacity to preserve cellular viability, dampen NO production, and suppress the secretion of critical pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-12) in RAW 264.7 cells. These remarkable anti-inflammatory effects hint at the therapeutic potential of PS in ameliorating chronic inflammatory conditions and bolstering the body’s immune response.In conclusion, Polyscias scutellaria stands as an emerging botanical champion, offering a wealth of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that hold great promise for optimizing health and well-being. This study opens exciting avenues for future research to elucidate the precise bioactive constituents within PS and unravel their intricate mechanisms of action, paving the way for the development of innovative therapeutic interventions and wellness-enhancing products. The remarkable properties of PS underscore its potential as a cornerstone of holistic health and a valuable asset in the pursuit of a vibrant and balanced life. Graphical abstract

Molnupiravir is an approved antiviral drug that inhibits RNA replication of viruses. It is approved recently (November 2021) for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2. However, it is reported that Molnupiravir is a nucleoside analogue and shown that nucleoside analogues are reagents that resemble the structure of natural nucleosides. It is widely applied in antiviral and anticancer therapy. Therefore, there is a general need appeared for an efficient, fast, simple, and validated analytical assay method for the quantification of this new product in any samples. We report here that an HPLC method was developed, optimized, and validated for molnupravir. The developed method was found to be easy to apply, cheap, and time-saving. Isocratic elution with 10mM Phosphate Buffer pH:7 / Acetonitrile mixture (80:20) with a Phenomenex C18 column was performed and a photodiode array detector was used for the detection. The total time for the analysis was only 10 minutes. The method was found to be selective, linear, accurate, reproducible, and robust. This proposed method can be easily adapted for molnupravir analyses in pharmaceutical products or in any other biological or non-biological samples.

Background/Objectives: Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are carbon-based structures with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 10 nm. They can be prepared using various carbon sources, including those doped with heteroatoms. CQDs exhibit unique optoelectronic properties, high photostability, low toxicity, and exceptional biocompatibility. It was aimed to produce CQDs from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Methods: This study introduces a novel class of CQDs synthesized directly from APIs, which we term “Quantum Drugs” (Q-Drugs). We present several APIs alongside detailed methods for Q-Drug synthesis and characterization. We describe the necessary structural properties for forming Q-Drugs and provide the values for particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential that were obtained from various drug molecules. Results: The particle sizes were determined with the size of 7.360 ± 0.030 nm and 10.000 ± 0.022 nm; polydispersity indexes of 10.500 ± 1.230 and 32.610 ± 1.401; and zeta potentials of −3.400 ± 0.054 mV and −40.000 ± 0.142 mV, respectively using different APIs. Conclusions: This study successfully demonstrated the synthesis and characterization of Q-Drugs, a novel class of CQD derived from APIs. The results provide valuable data on the physicochemical properties of these Q-Drugs, paving the way for further investigation into their potential applications.