Active Ingredients Research Articles

Exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of heart failure with Chinese herbal medicine: a focus on miRNA-mediated regulation

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical condition caused by abnormalities in the heart’s structure or function, primarily manifested as diminished ability of the heart to pump blood, which leads to compensatory activation of neurohormones and increased left ventricular filling pressure. HF is one of the fastest-growing cardiovascular diseases globally in terms of incidence and mortality, negatively impacting patients’ quality of life and imposing significant medical and economic burdens. Despite advancements in the treatment of HF, hospitalization and mortality remain rates high. In China, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has historically played a prominent role in addressing HF, with significant proven efficacy. MicroRNA (miRNA) exerts a pivotal regulatory influence on the maintenance of regular cardiac activity and the progression of HF. MiRNAs, a category of single-stranded RNA molecules, are characterized by their inability to code for proteins. They regulate gene expression by binding to the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of target mRNAs, thereby influencing the onset and progression of various diseases. Abnormal expression of specific miRNAs is closely associated with HF pathological processes, such as cardiomyocyte apoptosis, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac hypertrophy. This abnormal expression can influence the pathological progression of HF through the regulation of miRNA expression. This article reviews the regulatory role of miRNAs in HF pathology discusses how CHM compounds and their active ingredients can ameliorate HF pathology through the regulation of miRNA expression. In conclusion, miRNAs represent promising therapeutic targets for HF, and CHM provides a novel strategy for treatment through the regulation of miRNA expression. Future studies must delve deeper into the precise mechanisms by which CHM modulates miRNAs and fully explore its potential for clinical application in HF treatment.

Assessing the ability of GPT-4o to visually recognize medications and provide patient education.

Various studies have investigated the ability of ChatGPT (OpenAI) to provide medication information; however, a new promising feature has now been added, which allows visual input and is yet to be evaluated. Here, we aimed to qualitatively assess its ability to visually recognize medications, through medication picture input, and provide patient education via written and visual output. The responses were evaluated by accuracy, precision and clarity using a 4-point Likert-like scale. In regards to handling visual input and providing written responses, GPT-4o was able to recognize all 20 tested medications from packaging pictures, even with blurring, retrieve their active ingredients, identify formulations and dosage forms and provide detailed, yet concise enough, patient education in an almost completely accurate, precise and clear manner with a score of 3.55 ± 0.605 (85%). In contrast, the visual output through GPT-4o generated images illustrating usage instructions contained many errors that would either hinder the effectiveness of the medication or cause direct harm to the patient with a poor score of 1.5 ± 0.577 (16.7%). In conclusion, GPT-4o is capable of identifying medications from pictures and exhibits contrasting patient education performance between written and visual output with very impressive and poor scores, respectively.

Systematic review of Buzhong Yiqi method in alleviating cancer-related fatigue: a meta-analysis and exploratory network pharmacology approach

ObjectivesCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a prevalent and distressing symptom experienced by many cancer patients, necessitating effective treatments. This study utilizes meta-analysis and network pharmacology to comprehensively assess the efficacy of the Buzhong Yiqi prescription in alleviating cancer-related fatigue and to preliminarily explore the mechanism of its core drugs.MethodsWe included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in cancer patients. The inclusion criteria encompassed a diagnosis of cancer-related fatigue, without limitation on cancer type, the experimental group receiving Buzhong Yiqi prescription, the control group receiving conventional treatment, patients awaiting treatment, and articles published in either English or Chinese. We conducted a search through 29 February 2024, across PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), China Biomedical Literature Service (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG Database, and Weipu Database (VIP). Journal articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for inclusion. Two independent investigators evaluated the quality of the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed utilizing the Stata 12.0 software package, where estimates of cancer-related fatigue were aggregated through the application of a random-effects model. We employed the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool to evaluate potential biases in RCTs. The primary outcome measures utilized to assess the efficacy and safety of CRF treatment comprised the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). The secondary outcomes encompassed the KPS score, the effective rate, the TCM syndrome score, and an evaluation of adverse reactions. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) was utilized to identify the active ingredients and targets of BZD. Additionally, the Drug bank, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DiaGeNET, and GeneCards databases were utilized to retrieve relevant targets for CRC. The Venn diagram was employed to identify overlapping targets. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a network of “herb-ingredient-target” and identify core targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using R language software.ResultsIn comparison to the control group, patients with CRF who received BZYQ prescription exhibited marked improvements in KPS score, QLQ-C30 quality of life score, and effective rate. Conversely, PFS, TCM syndrome score, and adverse reaction assessments significantly decreased. The primary active ingredients in its core drugs may exert a positive therapeutic effect on CRF by targeting molecules such as AKT1, IL6, IL1B, PTGS2, CASP3, ESR1, and BCL2, as well as through signaling pathways including TNF, IL17, TLR, NF-κB, and C-type lectin receptor.ConclusionBZYQ demonstrates significant efficacy in treating CRF with minimal adverse reactions. It can serve as a fundamental treatment for CRF in clinical practice, and the medication can be tailored to individual patients for personalized therapy. The potential pharmacological mechanism of BZYQ in treating CRF, as predicted by network pharmacology, offers a molecular foundation for clinical CRF treatment.Systematic Review Registration:https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY202430025

A Study of the Potential of Solidago virgaurea Extract as a Raw Material for Cosmetic Macroemulsions

The use of Solidago virgaurea extract as a raw material for cosmetics production fits the eco-tendency prevalent in the cosmetic industry for many years now perfectly. The study reported in this paper included an evaluation of the potential of the above-mentioned plant extract as a natural cosmetic ingredient applied in the form of cosmetic macroemulsions. The physicochemical parameters (pH, viscosity, particle size distribution) and physical stability (multiple light scattering) of the cosmetic formulations containing Solidago virgaurea (1.0 wt.%) were studied. An in vivo study was carried out on a group of 20 female volunteers. The results showed a high compatibility of the tested extract with the other components in the macroemulsion in the form of a serum for the body, which was the formulation containing Sorbitan Stearate as an emulsifier. Analysis of the results revealed a relation between the compatibility of the investigated herbal extract with the components of the cosmetic base and the effectiveness of this extract as an active substance. As a result of an improvement in the application parameters, an over 70% increase in the level of epidermis moisturization was observed along with other beneficial changes in the parameters of skin macrorelief and topography.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking of cyclomastopathy Chinese medicine formula

In this study, tissue pharmacology and molecular docking methods were used to investigate the therapeutic effect of cyclomastopathy on “Chinese Thorowax Root–angelica” and its mechanism. The active compounds in “Chinese Thorowax Root–angelica” and their corresponding targets were analysed using the TCMSP database. In this paper, anti-inflammatory targets were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM and other databases, and the component network of the target pathway was constructed using Cytoscape software. On this basis, a new protein–protein interaction network model was established. In this paper, the concentrations of GO and KEGG were analysed using PPI analysis of intersection targets. The results showed that AKT1 was strongly associated with 15 active substances, 17 TNF, 11 TP53, 13 VEGFA, and 11 IL-6. It was found that the compatible active substance of Chinese Thorowax Root–angelica had a strong binding affinity with the main target. Drug-active substances and corresponding targets are relevant for the treatment of cyclomastopathy.

IMPACTO AMBIENTAL POR USO DE PLAGUICIDAS Y SUSTENTABILIDAD DEL SISTEMA PRODUCTIVO DEL MAÍZ AMARILLO DURO EN HUAURA, PERÚ

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Hard yellow maize (MAD) is one of the main crops in economic, social and environmental terms worldwide, however, it is managed through conventional agriculture which entails a high dependence on agrochemical inputs, which cause a negative impact on the agroecosystem and through this study it will be possible to identify the critical points and establish solutions for them. <strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the coefficient of environmental impact of pesticides in the field and find the general sustainability index of the MAD production units. <strong>Objective:</strong> Determine the coefficient of environmental impact of pesticides in the field and find the general sustainability index of the MAD production units. <strong>Methodology:</strong> The environmental impact (EI ha<sup>-1</sup>) of pesticides in the field was evaluated by calculating the environmental impact coefficient (EIQ), concentration of the active ingredient, dose and number of applications. In addition, sustainability was determined through multicriteria analysis by applying 85 questionnaires with structured questions to farmers whose main activity is MAD, with economic, social and environmental indicators standardized on a scale of 1 to 5. <strong>Results:</strong> The study showed that the EI ha<sup>-1</sup> of MAD was 105.11 rated as high, which generates a negative impact on the environment and a high risk for farmers who apply these pesticides. It was also found that the sustainability index of the social and economic dimensions was 3.56 and 3.18 respectively, while the environmental index (2.64) obtained a value below the minimum sustainable threshold, therefore the MAD production system in Huaura is not sustainable. The analysis found the critical points: levels and types of fertilization (2.74), incorporation of organic matter (2.33), crop residue management (1.51), living barriers (1.36), pest control method (2.49), frequency of pesticide applications (2.53), irrigation system (2.54), level of education (2.96), quality of technical assistance and training (2.8), income from other activities (2.9) and marketing channel (1.82). <strong>Implications:</strong> Timely intervention on critical points allows establishing solution options and improving pesticide management.<strong> Conclusion: </strong>The study showed that the IE ha<sup>-1</sup> of MAD was high, indicating that the pesticides used for chemical pest and disease control generate a negative impact on the environment and a high risk for farmers who apply these pesticides. Likewise, it was found that the MAD production system is not sustainable. Therefore, the identification of the critical points allows the establishment of strategies to strengthen the MAD agroecosystem in Huaura, Peru.</p>

Comparative assessment of a COVID-19 vaccine after technology transfer to Iran from critical quality attributes to clinical and immunogenicity aspects

During COVID-19 pandemic, international pharmaceutical companies put effort to build global manufacturing networks for vaccines. Soberana Plus vaccine, a recombinant protein based vaccine (RBD dimer), with the trade name of PastoCovac Plus in Iran, is based on a protein subunit platform in Cuba and completed preclinical and toxicological assessments. This study aimed at presenting the steps of vaccine technology transfer from Cuba to Iran. This study provides the first practical comparability results in Iran to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of a protein subunit vaccine against COVID-19 after a successful technology transfer from Cuba. PastoCovac Plus was transferred to Iran at the formulation stage. The assessment of the active ingredient pharmaceutical (API) was achieved through physicochemical and clinical data collection and tests to assure if there was any adverse impact on the vaccination results. In order to assess the quality of the vaccine product after technology transfer, we sought different properties including regulatory features, physicochemical quality, vaccine potency and stability as well as its immunogenicity and safety. Following the evaluation of the clinical quality attributes (CQAs) based on the standard protocols, the results showed that the two vaccines are highly similar and comparable, with no considerable effect on safety or efficacy profiles. The CQAs were all in the acceptance limits in terms of safety and efficacy as well as clinical evaluation results. The immunogenicity evaluation also confirmed no significant differences between the vaccines regarding reinfection (P = 0.199) or vaccine breakthrough (P = 0.176). Furthermore, the level of anti-spike and neutralizing antibodies in the both vaccine groups was not significantly different indicating the equality of performance between the two vaccines. According to the results of the quality and clinical assessment of this study, we achieved an acceptable quality attributes and acceptant limits in terms of safety and efficacy of the vaccines pre and post technology transfer.

Priming immunity via herbal components and their nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer

Recently, immunotherapy has redefined cancer treatment by promoting the rapid killing of tumor cells through the immune system. Herbal medicines have been increasingly used as adjunct therapies to complement cancer treatment along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to delay tumor development, reduce pain, and prolong patient survival. However, the potential immunotherapeutic effects of these herbal derivatives are limited by their structural instability, poor membrane permeability, and low bioavailability. To address this issue, nanotechnology has been used to enhance the activity of active compounds. Therefore, this review focuses on the effectiveness of the active ingredients of herbal medicines in suppressing tumor progression by modulating both the innate and adaptive immune systems, challenges in their delivery, and the application of nanocarriers for the effective delivery of these herbal components.

Nanoenabled Self-Assembled Metal-Organic Algaecides Generated Photosynthetic Inhibition and Oxidative Stress for Sustainable Food Security.

Achieving food sustainability is one of the biggest challenges in the new millennium. Plant factory cultivation systems provide an alternative for food sustainability, while they often suffer from algal blooms. The overuse of conventional algaecides has caused significant environmental pollution and concerns about food security. Here, we design a nanoenabled metal-organic algaecide that is self-assembled from natural polyphenols and two functional metal ions for providing shading effects and delivering active ingredients synergistically to suppress algal blooms. Black wattle tannin (BWT) and Fe3+ ions are utilized to develop self-assembled FeBWT nanoalgaecides with significant shading effects for decreasing light transmission (up to 97 %) and effectively inhibiting algal photosynthesis. Further, the FeBWT is functionalized with Cu2+ ions (bimetallic Cu/FeBWT) to target the algal cells and release Cu2+ ions via phenolic-mediated cell surface interactions, thus enhancing the inhibition efficiency. Importantly, the biosafety of Cu/FeBWT is demonstrated through toxicity tests on zebrafish and NIH3T3 cells. In our real-world field test, the Cu/FeBWT demonstrates high algal inhibition performance (>95 %, over 30 days), and enhances the accumulation of food nutrients in model plant lettuces. Collectively, the supramolecular metal-organic nanoalgaecide provides a promise for nanoagrochemical application and promotes food sustainability and security.

Effect of Ultra-High-Pressure Treatment on Gastrodia elata Blume: Drying Characteristics, Components, and Neuroprotective Activity

Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GE), a popular food in China, is stored and consumed after steaming, which can lead to the degradation of active substances and a decrease in its quality. Therefore, this study explored the potential application of ultra-high-pressure (UHP)-assisted hot air drying in improving the quality of GE. The results indicated that UHP pre-treatment could preserve the original cross-sectional color of GE and increase the degrees of freedom of water in GE samples. Compared with traditional steaming pre-treatment (18 h), UHP pre-treatment at 500 MPa significantly shorted the time (10 h) required for the GE samples to reach drying equilibrium. Meanwhile, the UHP-assisted hot air drying method (60 °C) could reduce the activity of β-D-glucosidase and avoid the degradation of active substances. Finally, UHP pre-treatment improved the neuroprotective activity in vivo. Overall, UHP-assisted hot air drying could improve the quality of GE samples. This study provides a simple method for improving the quality of GE samples and offers a reference for subsequent research on the influence of UHP on GE.

Impact on Human Health of Salmonella spp. and Their Lipopolysaccharides: Possible Therapeutic Role and Asymptomatic Presence Consequences

Epidemiologically, one of the most important concerns associated with introducing Salmonella spp. into the environment and food chain is the presence of asymptomatic carriers. The oncogenic and oncolytic activity of Salmonella and their lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) is important and research on this topic is needed. Even a single asymptomatic dose of the S. Enteritidis LPS (a dose that has not caused any symptoms of illness) in in vivo studies induces the dysregulation of selected cells and bioactive substances of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. LPSs from different species, and even LPSs derived from different serotypes of one species, can define different biological activities. The activity of low doses of LPSs derived from three different Salmonella serotypes (S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and S. Minnesota) affects the neurochemistry of neurons differently in in vitro studies. Studies on lipopolysaccharides from different Salmonella serotypes do not consider the diversity of their activity. The presence of an LPS from S. Enteritidis in the body, even in amounts that do not induce any symptoms of illness, may lead to unknown long-term consequences associated with its action on the cells and biologically active substances of the human body. These conclusions should be important for both research strategies and the pharmaceutical industry &.

Quantitative determination of tannins by titrimetry and spectrophotometry in raw materials of some representatives of the genus Rumex of three growing seasons

Introduction. Study of the chemical composition of medicinal plant raw materials and comparative analysis of the dynamics of accumulation of biologically active substances in related medicinal plants is necessary for the creation of highly effective and safe drugs. Similar metabolome to the officinal representative of the genus Rumex (hereinafter referred to as R.) – R. confertus – the metabolome of species widely distributed in Russia: R. crispus, R. obtusifolius, R. aquaticus, which determines the perspectivity of studying these species. Scientific and practical interest is represented by the study of the group of biologically active substances possessing antibacterial activity – tannins at different phenological stages of plant development.Aim. Quantitative determination of tannins by permanganatometry and spectrophotometry methods in underground organs of R. confertus, R. crispus, R. obtusifolius, R. aquaticus, harvested in different phases of vegetation: regrowth, flowering and withering periods.Materials and methods. Aqueous extracts from underground organs of the studied Rumex species were analyzed. Extractions and solutions obtained during the study were analyzed by permanganatometry, spectrophotometry and HPLC. The compounds from the group of tannins were identified by the wavelength of absorption maximum.Results and discussion. The quantitative content of tannins was evaluated by permanganatometry, spectrophotometry and HPLC.Conclusion. Tannins were detected and quantified in extracts from underground organs of R. confertus, R. crispus, R. obtusifolius, R. aquaticus and the dependence between their quantitative content and vegetation phase was analyzed.

Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products in fish along the pollution gradients of a wastewater-impacted river

A field study on the occurrence and distribution of forty-three pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in water and fish samples from anthropogenically impacted section of the Sava River (Croatia) was performed to estimate the importance of bioaccumulation for the environmental risk assessment of PhACs. The study was performed using a highly specific LC-MS/MS method, tailored to include the most prominent PhACs from different therapeutic categories as well as their major metabolites and/or transformation products (TPs). The results revealed a widespread occurrence of PhAC residues both in water and fish samples with a large spatial variability reflecting the distance from the dominant wastewater discharges. The most prominent PhAC categories in less polluted upstream part of the river were common psychostimulants caffeine and cotinine, therapeutic opioids and cardiovascular drugs, while in the river section affected by the local municipal and industrial wastewater inputs, antibiotic drugs became clearly predominant, especially in fish tissue samples. The apparent bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of investigated PhACs varied over several orders of magnitude, from 0.02 ± 0.01 Lkg−1 for O-desmethyl tramadol in fish muscle to 784 ± 260 Lkg−1 for terbinafine in fish liver, indicating rather large differences in their bioconcentration potential and affinity to different tissues, with the tissue-specific BCFs increasing in the following order: muscle < gills < gonads < heart < liver < kidneys. The bioconcentration potential of most of the PhACs included in this study was only low to moderate however moderately high BCFs of certain PhACs (e.g. sertraline, terbinafine, loratadine, diazepam and azithromycin) in some tissues should be taken into consideration when assessing their potential environmental risks. Moreover, it was shown that BCFs could be strongly affected by biotransformation in fish. Risk prioritization based on risk quotient (RQ) and ToxPi index, revealed antibiotics, in particular azithromycin, and therapeutic psychoactive substances as the most hazardous pharmaceutical contaminants in the Sava River.

Rapid estimation of carbon footprints in agrochemical development: correlation of process mass intensity with CO2 emissions.

The agricultural sector faces a challenge in balancing increasing food demand while minimizing environmental impacts. Crop protection products are crucial for achieving high crop yields and ensuring food security. However, life cycle assessment (LCA), the standard framework for evaluating environmental impact, is time-consuming and costly, especially during early product development. To address this, a novel tool correlating process mass intensity (PMI) with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been developed as a streamlined alternative. A strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.95) was identified between PMI and product GHG emissions, enabling rapid carbon footprint estimation using simplified PMI data. The model was validated using 13 small molecule active ingredients (AIs), showing a mean absolute error (MAE) of 55 g CO₂/kg AI and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 64 kg CO₂/kg AI. Residual analysis demonstrated random distribution, suggesting reliable predictions. The PMI-based tool provides rapid, accurate estimates of product carbon footprint (PCF), supporting early-stage decision-making in research and development for agrochemical processes. Its simplicity makes it applicable across various chemical sectors and valuable for sustainability efforts. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Spray-Dried Self-Stabilizing Nanocrystal Emulsion of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Preparation, Characterization and ex vivo Intestinal Absorption

AbstractSalvia miltiorrhizae (Danshen, the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.) and Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong, the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) are two traditional Chinese medicines that have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, formulation development is difficult due to the complexity of the active ingredients, particularly the water-insoluble tanshinones and volatile oil of Chuanxiong rhizome, which cannot be absorbed via oral administration in conventional dosage forms. This study aimed to develop a self-stabilized nanocrystal emulsion co-loading the water-soluble, insoluble, and volatile active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhizae and Chuanxiong rhizome to improve the bioavailability of the drugs. In this work, a high-pressure homogenization method was used to prepare a self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion. The emulsion was then spray-dried using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The dispersibility and storage stability of the spray-dried emulsion, the particle size and morphology of the emulsion droplets, and the drug content and phase distribution of the reconstituted emulsion were evaluated. An everted intestinal sac model was established, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentration of six active components (ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B, senkyunolide A, ligustilide, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA) and to assess the cumulative uptake amount of the drug and the apparent permeability coefficient. A mixture of the crude materials of tanshinones extract, total salvianolic acid, ferulic acid, and volatile oil of Ligusticum Chuanxiong was used as a control. The results showed that the spray-dried emulsion can be easily reconstituted into a uniform submicron emulsion with no significant changes in particle size, morphology, and microstructure of the emulsion droplets compared with the original emulsion before drying. The self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion significantly improved the intestinal absorption of water-insoluble components (tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, and ferulic acid), and volatile oil components (senkyunolide A and ligustilide). Overall, the spray-dried self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion represents a potential oral formulation for Salvia miltiorrhiza and Chuanxiong rhizoma.

Creation of Stem-Centers Within Experimental Activities (Best Practices)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the organization of the creation of STEM centers as innovative educational environments aimed at the formation and development of STEM competencies and creative activity of education seekers, the development of innovative models of education and the professional improvement of pedagogical workers in the STEM direction. It was found that the organization of the creation of STEM centers requires the provision of organizational, scientific-methodical, material and technical conditions and personnel support. It was determined that the organizational conditions include the development and adoption of the necessary regulatory documents that determine the principles of STEM-centers' activities. The scientific and methodological conditions provide for the development and adaptation of educational programs and educational and methodological materials, lesson plans and manuals focused on the integration of STEM disciplines. Material and technical conditions provide for the availability of modern equipment, computer classes, laboratories, workshops, software and other technical means and resources. Staffing requires the involvement of qualified teachers, trainers, instructors, methodologists, specialists in STEM disciplines. The study is aimed at studying the best practices of creating STEM centers within the framework of the implementation of an innovative educational project at the all-Ukrainian level on the topic "Organizational and scientific-methodical conditions for the creation of STEM centers" in 2022-2027. The author of the article provided practical recommendations for organizing the creation of STEM centers, taking into account the results of the survey of basic educational institutions of the innovative educational project and the needs of modern education.

Lipid-mediated adaptation of proteins and peptides in cell membranes

The paper overviews the results of computational studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of model cell membranes taking place during their interaction with proteins and peptides. We discuss changes in the structural and dynamic parameters of the water–lipid environment, the hydrophobic/hydrophilic organization of the lipid bilayer surface (the so-called “mosaicity”), etc. Taken together, these effects are called the “membrane response” (MR) and constitute the most important ability of the cell membranes to respond specifically and consistently to the incorporation of extraneous agents, primarily proteins and peptides, and their subsequent functioning. The results of the authors’ long-term research in the field of molecular modeling of MR processes with various spatial and temporal characteristics are described, from the effects of binding of individual lipid molecules to proteins to changes in the integral macroscopic parameters of membranes. The bulk of the results were obtained using the “dynamic molecular portrait” approach developed by the authors. The biological role of the observed phenomena and potential ways of rationally designing artificial membrane systems with specified MR characteristics are discussed. This, in turn, is important for targeted changes in the activity profile of proteins and peptides exerting action on biomembranes, not least as promising pharmacological agents.

Advances and Challenges of Microneedle Assisted Drug Delivery for Biomedicals Applications: A Review.

Microneedles have been explored as a novel way of delivering active ingredients into the skin. They have various advantages, such as quick and efficient drug delivery, mechanical stability, minimal pain, variable capacity and easy use. Microneedles are enabled for the delivery of vaccine, peptides, medicinal components and in cosmetology, which couldn't go unnoticed. The novel approaches in the transdermal drug delivery system have increased the efficiency of drug delivery into the skin by crossing the skin barriers. This platform has a wide range of applications and can also be used to deliver non-transdermal biomedicals. The variety in the design of microneedles has demanded similar diversity in their methods of fabrication; micro molding and drawing lithography may be useful methods. There are different types of polymers and materials for the fabrication of microneedles. Several synthetic and natural materials are used in the fabrication of microneedles. Unique shapes, materials, and mechanical properties are modified for organ-specific applications in microneedle engineering. In this review, we discuss several factors and their roles to cross the biological barriers for transdermal drug delivery in various sites, such as in ocular, vascular, oral, and mucosal tissue. Additionally, this article highlights the future scope of transdermal drug delivery systems through microneedles.

Fungicidal Potentials of Leaf and Bark Extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Seed Fungi

In Nigeria, Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) is an important grain legume which besides being a food crop serves as a major source of income for rural households. The action of pathogens on stored seeds causes huge post-harvest and economic losses to cowpea farmers in Nigeria. This research was aimed at isolating and identifying the spoilage pathogens of cowpea seed and testing the potentiality of ethanol extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the isolates. Spoilt cowpea seed samples were purchased from different markets in Anambra State. They were transported to Alpha Research Laboratory, Awka in sterile polythene bags for microbial isolation. The spoilage organisms were isolated from the seeds through microbial culture. The media used for the isolation were Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar. Pathogenic fungi were isolated from the spoilt cowpea seeds. The findings indicated that Aspergillus aculeatus, Fusarium solani, Penicillium citrinum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Aspergillus flavus were present. The pathogenicity test also showed that the above organisms were responsible for cowpea spoilage. These isolates were tested for their in-vitro antifungal activity against the leaf and bark extracts of Bryophyllum Pinnatum. The antifungal activity ethanol extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the isolated microorganisms were investigated using the disc method. Three different concentrations (25%, 50%, 100%) of extracts were used for the test. Fusarium solani showed the highest percentage of inhibition with antifungal medication while Penicillium citrinum showed the least percentage of inhibition with antifungal medication. The antifungal potential of Bryophyllum pinnatum extract on spoilage pathogens of stored cocoyam corms encourages more research on the active ingredient of the plant for easy use by farmers as alternative to commercial/ synthetic fungicides.

Antiviral Effects and Mechanisms of Active Ingredients in Tea

Viruses play a significant role in human health, as they can cause a wide range of diseases, from mild illnesses to severe and life-threatening conditions. Cellular and animal experiments have demonstrated that the functional components in tea, such as catechins, theaflavins, theanine, and caffeine, exhibit significant inhibitory effects on a diverse array of viruses, including influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis, HPV, and additional types. The inhibition mechanisms may involve blocking virus–host recognition, interfering with viral replication, enhancing host immune responses, and inhibiting viral enzyme activity. This article reviews the research progress on the antiviral effects of tea’s functional components and their related mechanisms, hoping to contribute to future studies in this field.