Encapsulation of Ginger Extract in Nanoemulsions: Preparation, Characterization and in vivo Evaluation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers

Naturally derived essential oils and their active components are known to possess various properties, ranging from anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. Numerous types of essential oils and active components have been discovered, and their permissive roles have been addressed in various fields. In this comprehensive review, we focused on the roles of essential oils and active components in skin diseases and cancers as discovered over the past three decades. In particular, we opted to highlight the effectiveness of essential oils and their active components in developing strategies against various skin diseases and skin cancers and to describe the effects of the identified essential-oil-derived major components from physiological and pathological perspectives. Overall, this review provides a basis for the development of novel therapies for skin diseases and cancers, especially melanoma.

Zingiber Officinale Roscoe: The Antiarthritic Potential of a Popular Spice-Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

The health benefits of ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) have been known for centuries. Recently, ginger root has gained more attention due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Many of the bioactive components of ginger may have therapeutic benefits in treating inflammatory arthritis. Their properties seem especially helpful in treating diseases linked to persistent inflammation and pain, symptoms present in the course of the most prevalent rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This review analyzes the current knowledge regarding ginger's beneficial anti-inflammatory effect in both in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials. The drug delivery systems to improve ginger's bioavailability and medicinal properties are discussed. Understanding ginger's beneficial aspects may initiate further studies on improving its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy and achieving more a comprehensive application in medicine.

Zingiber officinale and thymus vulgaris extracts co-loaded polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan electrospun nanofibers for tackling infection and wound healing promotion

Infections are severe complications associated with chronic wounds and tardy healing that should be timely treated to achieve rapid and proper tissue repair. To hinder such difficulties, a nanofibrous mat composed of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan (PVA/CS) was developed by electrospinning method, containing thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts. The mat containing 10 wt% of the extracts (at the ratio of 50:50) exposed the nanofibers (NFs) with the nanoscale diameter (average 382 ± 60 nm), smooth surface, and defect-free morphology. Likewise, the relevant analyses of the loaded mat displayed high wettability, porosity, and liquid absorption capacity without any adverse interaction. The obtained mat also provided a high antioxidant activity, and its release profile was continuous and sustained for nearly 72 h. Besides, it inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli strains. Furthermore, the proposed mat significantly accelerated cutaneous wound healing in bacterial-infected rats by preventing bacteria growth at the wound site. At last, histopathology analysis confirmed the ample regeneration of skin structures, forming collagen fibers and appendages. Overall, the proposed mat containing ginger-thyme extracts provides multiple therapeutic capabilities with promising solutions for inhibiting wound infection and accelerating the healing process.

Plant-Based Approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis Regulation: Mechanistic Insights on Pathogenesis, Molecular Pathways, and Delivery Systems

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder, associated with a varied range of immunological changes, synovial hyperplasia, cartilage destructions, as well as bone erosion. The infiltration of immune-modulatory cells and excessive release of proinflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors into the inflamed regions are key molecules involved in the progression of RA. Even though many conventional drugs are suggested by a medical practitioner such as DMARDs, NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, etc., to treat RA, but have allied with various side effects. Thus, alternative therapeutics in the form of herbal therapy or phytomedicine has been increasingly explored for this inflammatory disorder of joints. Herbal interventions contribute substantial therapeutic benefits including accessibility, less or no toxicity and affordability. But the major challenge with these natural actives is the need of a tailored approach for treating inflamed tissues by delivering these bioactive agentsat an appropriate dose within the treatment regimen for an extended periodof time. Drug incorporated with wide range of delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, and other nano-vehicles have been developed to achieve this goal. Thus, inclinations of modern treatment are persuaded on the way to herbal therapy or phytomedicines in combination with novel carriers is an alternative approach with less adverse effects. The present review further summarizes the significanceof use of phytocompounds, their target molecules/pathways and, toxicity and challenges associated with phytomolecule-based nanoformulations.