Potential implications of Ayurveda in Psoriasis: A clinical case study

Eco-Friendly CuO/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity study

The current study report a convenient, simple, and low cost approach for the biogenic synthesis of CuO/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (NCs) from pumpkin seeds extract and their vitro cytotoxicity. The characterization of finally obtained CuO/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (NCs) performed using UV-Visible, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, GC-MS, SEM-EDX and TEM analysis. The formation and elemental analysis were determined using the energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis technique. The formation of rod-like monoclinic and spherical, having size range 5 nm-20 nm confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. Finally, the MTT assay of the synthesized composites was evaluated for toxicity against cancerous cell lines HCT-116 (Colon cancer cell) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma cell). The synthesized composite material showed moderate (IC50 = 199 μg/mL) to low (IC50 = 445 μg/mL) activity against HCT-116 and A549 cell lines, respectively.

Antiproliferative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Deprungsith Formulation and Its Bioactive Compounds Against Mild Psoriasis and Potential of Metabolic Herb-Drug Interactions

Psoriasis is an incurable, chronic and auto-immune skin disorder with a global prevalence rate of approximately 2-3%. The study investigated the antipsoriasis activities of Deprungsith formulation and its bioactive components and their potential for inhibitory activities on human cytochrome P450 (CYP450). HaCaT and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers (n = 9) and psoriasis patients (n = 10) were exposed to Deprungsith formulation (Thai traditional medicine for psoriasis consisting of 16 plants), ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), ligustilide and cyclosporin for 24 and 48 h. The antiproliferative, cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest activities were evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The CYP450 inhibitory effect was investigated using a bioluminescent-based CYP450 assay. Deprungsith formulation and the bioactive compounds inhibited HaCaT cells and PBMCs with weak to moderate potencies. EPMC and ligustilide combination produced an additive effect. Most substances arrested cell transition at sub-G1 and S phases, leading to early and late apoptosis induction. With prolonged exposure (48 h), all test substances decreased PBMCs necrosis. The mRNA expression of all pro-inflammatory cytokines was downregulated. Deprungsith formulation, EPMC, ligustilide and ferulic acid inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 activities with weak to moderate potencies. Deprungsith formulation and bioactive components induced cell apoptosis by inhibiting cell transition at specific cell cycle phases, which was correlated with the mRNA downregulation of interleukin (IL-6, IL-12p19, IL-23) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). There is a low risk of potential adverse drug reactions and toxicity due to CYP450 interaction when Deprungsith formulation is concurrently administered with modern medicines.

Biogenic Synthesis of Copper-Based Nanomaterials Using Plant Extracts and Their Applications: Current and Future Directions

Plants have been used for multiple purposes over thousands of years in various applications such as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. More recently, the special properties of phytochemicals within plant extracts have spurred researchers to pursue interdisciplinary studies uniting nanotechnology and biotechnology. Plant-mediated green synthesis of nanomaterials utilises the phytochemicals in plant extracts to produce nanomaterials. Previous publications have demonstrated that diverse types of nanomaterials can be produced from extracts of numerous plant components. This review aims to cover in detail the use of plant extracts to produce copper (Cu)-based nanomaterials, along with their robust applications. The working principles of plant-mediated Cu-based nanomaterials in biomedical and environmental applications are also addressed. In addition, it discusses potential biotechnological solutions and new applications and research directions concerning plant-mediated Cu-based nanomaterials that are yet to be discovered so as to realise the full potential of the plant-mediated green synthesis of nanomaterials in industrial-scale production and wider applications. This review provides readers with comprehensive information, guidance, and future research directions concerning: (1) plant extraction, (2) plant-mediated synthesis of Cu-based nanomaterials, (3) the applications of plant-mediated Cu-based nanomaterials in biomedical and environmental remediation, and (4) future research directions in this area.