The skin serves as the body’s first line of defense, guarding against mechanical, chemical, and thermal damage to the interior organs. It includes a highly developed immune response that serves as a barrier against pathogenic infections. Wound healing is a dynamic process underpinned by numerous cellular activities, including homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, that require proper harmonious integration to effectively repair the damaged tissue. Following cutaneous damage, microorganisms can quickly enter the tissues beneath the skin, which can result in chronic wounds and fatal infections. Natural phytomedicines that possess considerable pharmacological properties have been widely and effectively employed forwound treatment and infection prevention. Since ancient times, phytotherapy has been able to efficiently treat cutaneous wounds, reduce the onset of infections, and minimize the usage of antibiotics that cause critical antibiotic resistance. There are a remarkable number of wound-healing botanicals that have been widely used in the Northern Hemisphere, including Achiella millefolium, Aloe vera, Althaea officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Curcuma longa, Eucalyptus, Jojoba, plantain, pine, green tea, pomegranate, and Inula. This review addresses the most often used medicinal plants from the Northern Hemisphere that facilitate the treatment of wounds, and also suggests viable natural alternatives that can be used in the field of wound care.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising targeted chemoradiotherapeutic technique for the management of invasive brain tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). A prerequisite for effective BNCT is the selective targeting of tumour cells with 10B-rich therapeutic moieties. To this end, polyhedral boranes, especially carboranes, have received considerable attention because they combine a high boron content with relative low toxicity and metabolic inertness. Here, we review progress in the molecular design of recently investigated carborane derivatives in light of the widely accepted performance requirements for effective BNCT.

Globally, cancer is one of the primary causes of both morbidity and mortality. To prevent cancer from getting worse, more targeted and efficient treatment plans must be developed immediately. Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of natural products for several illnesses, and these products have played a significant role in the development of novel treatments whose bioactive components serve as both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive agents. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules obtained from plants that have potential applications in both cancer therapy and the development of new medications. These phytochemicals function by regulating the molecular pathways connected to the onset and progression of cancer. Among the specific methods are immune system control, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, preventing proliferation, raising antioxidant status, and inactivating carcinogens. A thorough literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Google Patent, Patent Scope, and US Patent to obtain the data. To provide an overview of the anticancer effects of several medicinal plants, including Annona muricata, Arctium lappa, Arum palaestinum, Cannabis sativa, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hibiscus, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Moringa oleifera, Nerium oleander, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Withania somnifera L., their availability, classification, active components, pharmacological activities, signaling mechanisms, and potential side effects against the most common cancer types were explored.

A composite system consisting of both organic and inorganic nanoparticles is an approach to prepare a new material exhibiting “the best of both worlds”. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in the preparation and applications of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-gold nanoparticles (PLGA-GNP). With its current clinically use, PLGA-based nanocarriers have promising pharmaceutical applications and can “extract and utilize” the fascinating optical and photothermal properties of encapsulated GNP. The resulting “golden polymeric nanocarrier” can be tracked, analyzed, and visualized using the encapsulated gold nanoprobes which facilitate a better understanding of the hosting nanocarrier’s pharmacokinetics and biological fate. In addition, the “golden polymeric nanocarrier” can reveal superior nanotherapeutics that combine both the photothermal effect of the encapsulated gold nanoparticles and co-loaded chemotherapeutics. To help stimulate more research on the development of nanomaterials with hybrid and exceptional properties, functionalities, and applications, this review provides recent examples with a focus on the available chemistries and the rationale behind encapsulating GNP into PLGA nanocarriers that has the potential to be translated into innovative, clinically applicable nanomedicine.

Cancer, a global health burden, is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis, often resulting in debilitating treatments and mortality. While conventional therapeutic strategies have improved survival rates, they are limited by challenges such as off-target toxicity and drug resistance. With their design to enable targeted drug delivery, nanoparticles have presented a promising avenue to overcome these limitations. Protein-based nanoparticles, particularly those based on albumin, are notable for their biocompatibility, stability, and ease of modification. The approval of Abraxane, an albumin-based nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel, for metastatic breast cancer marked a significant milestone. However, further approvals have been slow to materialize until the recent approval of Fyarro® in 2021. This focused review highlights the potential of albumin-based nanoparticles, emphasizing their advantages, current state, and progress in clinical use as anticancer therapeutics. We also discuss challenges impeding new approvals and future directions for unlocking the full potential of this technology.

Gels, specifically hydrogels and aerogels, have emerged as versatile materials with profound implications in pharmaceutical sciences. This comprehensive review looks into detail at hydrogels and aerogels, providing a general introduction to gels as a foundation. The paper is then divided into distinct sections for hydrogels and aerogels, each delving into their unique formulations, advantages, disadvantages, and applications. In the realm of hydrogels, we scrutinize the intricacies of formulation, highlighting the versatile advantages they offer. Conversely, potential limitations are explored, paving the way for a detailed discussion on their applications, with a specific focus on their role in antimicrobial applications. Shifting focus to aerogels, a thorough overview is presented, followed by a detailed explanation of the complex formulation process involving sol–gel chemistry; aging; solvent exchange; and drying techniques, including freeze drying, supercritical drying, and ambient-pressure drying (APD). The intricacies of drug loading and release from aerogels are addressed, providing insights into their pharmaceutical potential. The advantages and disadvantages of aerogels are examined, accompanied by an exploration of their applications, with a specific emphasis on antimicrobial uses. The review culminates in a comparative analysis, juxtaposing the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogels and aerogels. Furthermore, the current research and development trends in the applications of these gels in pharmaceutical sciences are discussed, providing a holistic view of their potential and impact. This review serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts, seeking a deeper understanding of the distinctive attributes and applications of hydrogels and aerogels in the ever-evolving research concerning pharmaceutical sciences.