Date Palm Extract (Phoenix dactylifera) PEGylated Nanoemulsion: Development, Optimization and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

A Concise Review on Effect of PEGylation on the Properties of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Among various strategies employed to optimize these systems, polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification, known as PEGylation-the covalent attachment of PEG to nanoparticles, has gained considerable attention for its ability to impart stealth properties to nanoparticles while also extending circulation time and improving biocompatibility. PEGylation extends to different drug delivery systems, in specific, nanoparticles for targeting cancer cells, where the concentration of drug in the cancer cells is improved by virtue of PEGylation. The primary challenge linked to PEGylation lies in its confirmation. Numerous research findings provide comprehensive insights into selecting PEG for various PEGylation methods. In this review, we have endeavored to consolidate the outcomes concerning the choice of PEG and diverse PEGylation techniques.

Therapeutic Implications of Dietary Polyphenols-Loaded Nanoemulsions in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, even the second foremost cause related to non-communicable diseases. Cancer cells typically possess several cellular and biological processes including, persistence, propagation, differentiation, cellular death, and expression of cellular-type specific functions. The molecular picture of carcinogenesis and progression is unwinding, and it appears to be a tangled combination of processes occurring within and between cancer cells and their surrounding tissue matrix. Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites abundant in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other natural plant sources. Natural polyphenols have implicated potential anticancer activity by various mechanisms involved in their antitumor action, including modulation of signaling pathways majorly related to cellular proliferation, differentiation, relocation, angiogenesis, metastatic processes, and cell death. The applications of polyphenols have been limited due to the hydrophobic nature and lower oral bioavailability that could be possibly overcome through encapsulating them into nanocarrier-mediated delivery systems, leading to improved anticancer activity. Nanoemulsions (NEs) possess diverse feasible properties, including greater surface area, modifiable surficial charge, higher half-life, site-specific targeting, and formulation imaging capability necessary to create a practical therapeutic impact, and have drawn increased attention in cancer therapy research. This review has summarized and discussed the basic concepts, classification, delivery approaches, and anticancer mechanism of various polyphenols and polyphenols-encapsulated nanoemulsions with improved cancer therapy.

Exploring Ocimum basilicum's Secondary Metabolites: Inhibition and Molecular Docking against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus for Optimal Action

The objective of our work is to create a practical procedure to produce in vitro cell suspensions of O. basilicum and to ascertain the factors that encourage enhanced secondary metabolite production. We investigated the impact of these metabolites on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus's adult and larval target enzymes. The explants were cultivated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with 0.1 to 1 mg/L plant growth regulators (PGRs) to create calluses. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), kinetin, 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butryic acid (IBA) at 0.5, 0.5, 0.1, and 1 mg/L, respectively, with 3% sucrose led to the highest biomass accumulation. In cell suspensions, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were 39.68 and 5.49 mg/g DW, respectively, with abiotic Verticillium dahliae as an activator. Rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, nepetoidin A and B, salvigenin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside as flavonoids and phenolics were analyzed using UPLC-I TQD MS, with the highest concentrations reached after 40 days. The extract demonstrates insecticidal activity against the fourth-instar larvae of R. ferrugineus, with adults at 1197 µg/mL and 12.5 µg/larvae as LC50 and LD50 values. The extract inhibited acetylcholine esterase (AChE), acid phosphatases (ACPs), alkaline phosphatases (ALPs), and gamma-aminobutyric acid-transaminase (GABA-T) in larval tissue in vitro, with IC50 values of 124.2, 149.3, 157.8, and 204.8 µg/mL, and in vivo, with IC50 values of 157.2, 179.4, 185.3, and 241.6 µg/mL, after 24 h. Pure compounds identified the activity of the extract, showing the inhibition of AChE, ACPs, ALPs, and GABA-T with IC50 values ˂ 200 µg/mL (in vitro). The ABMET examination revealed good oral permeability, and docking tests showed that the compounds bind AChE, ACPs, ALPs, and GABA-T. These findings show that a green bioprocessing method such as an O. basilicum cell suspension is a quick and straightforward technique for producing phenolic compounds, and it may be used to develop sustainable bio-insecticides and new green procedures.

Date Palm Extract (Phoenix dactylifera) Encapsulated into Palm Oil Nanolipid Carrier for Prospective Antibacterial Influence

It is worthwhile to note that using natural products today has shown to be an effective strategy for attaining the therapeutic goal with the highest impact and the fewest drawbacks. In Saudi Arabia, date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is considered the principal fruit owing to its abundance and incredible nutritional benefits in fighting various diseases. The main objective of the study is to exploit the natural products as well as the nanotechnology approach to obtain great benefits in managing disorders. The present investigation focused on using the powder form of date palm extract (DPE) of Khalas cultivar and incorporates it into a nanolipid formulation such as a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) prepared with palm oil. Using the quality by design (QbD) methodology, the most optimized formula was chosen based on the number of assigned parameters. For more appropriate topical application, the optimized DP-NLC was combined with a pre-formulated hydrogel base forming the DP-NLC-hydrogel. The developed DP-NLC-hydrogel was evaluated for various physical properties including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and extrudability. Additionally, the in vitro release of the formulation as well as its stability upon storage under two different conditions of room temperature and refrigerator were investigated. Eventually, different bacterial strains were utilized to test the antibacterial efficacy of the developed formulation. The optimized DP-NLC showed proper particle size (266.9 nm) and in vitro release 77.9%. The prepared DP-NLC-hydrogel showed acceptable physical properties for topical formulation, mainly, pH 6.05, viscosity 9410 cP, spreadability 57.6 mm, extrudability 84.5 (g/cm2), and in vitro release 42.4%. Following three months storage under two distinct conditions, the formula exhibited good stability. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the developed DP-NLC-hydrogel was evaluated and proved to be efficient against various bacterial strains.

A critical review of the novelties in the development of intravenous nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions have gained increasing attention in recent years as a drug delivery system due to their ability to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. This systematic review aimed to collect and critically analyze recent novelties in developing, designing, and optimizing intravenous nanoemulsions appearing in articles published between 2017 and 2022. The applied methodology involved searching two electronic databases PubMed and Scopus, using the keyword "nanoemulsion" in combination with "intravenous" or "parenteral". The resulting original articles were classified by the method of preparation into different categories. An overview of the current methods used for the preparation of such formulations, including high- and low-energy emulsification, was provided. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods were discussed, as well as their potential impact on the properties of the developed intravenous nanoemulsions. The problem of inconsistency in intravenous nanoemulsion terminology may lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of their properties and applications was also undertaken. Finally, the regulatory aspects of intravenous nanoemulsions, the state of the art in the field of intravenous emulsifiers, and the future perspectives were presented.

Polysaccharide-Based Edible Films/Coatings for the Preservation of Meat and Fish Products: Emphasis on Incorporation of Lipid-Based Nanosystems Loaded with Bioactive Compounds

The high water and nutritional contents of meat and fish products make them susceptible to spoilage. Thus, one of the most important challenges faced by the meat industry is extending the shelf life of meat and fish products. In recent years, increasing concerns associated with synthetic compounds on health have limited their application in food formulations. Thus, there is a great need for natural bioactive compounds. Direct use of these compounds in the food industry has faced different obstacles due to their hydrophobic nature, high volatility, and sensitivity to processing and environmental conditions. Nanotechnology is a promising method for overcoming these challenges. Thus, this article aims to review the recent knowledge about the effect of biopolymer-based edible films or coatings on the shelf life of meat and fish products. This study begins by discussing the effect of biopolymer (pectin, alginate, and chitosan) based edible films or coatings on the oxidation stability and microbial growth of meat products. This is followed by an overview of the nano-encapsulation systems (nano-emulsions and nanoliposomes) and the effect of edible films or coatings incorporated with nanosystems on the shelf life of meat and fish products.

Sustainable Preparation of Graphene Quantum Dots from Leaves of Date Palm Tree

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), a subtropical and tropical tree, included in the family Palmae (Arecaceae) is one of the oldest cultivated plants of mankind. Date palm is a major agricultural product in the semi-arid and arid areas of the world, particularly in Arab countries. These trees generate high quantities of agricultural waste in the form of dry leaves, seeds, etc. In this study, dried date palm leaves were used as green precursors for synthesizing graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This work reported the preparation of GQDs using two different sustainable methods. GQD-1 was developed using a simple, hydrothermal technique at 200 °C for 12 h in water, with no requirement of reducing or passivizing agents or organic solvents. GQD-2 was prepared using a hydrothermal technique at 200 °C for 12 h in water, with the usage of just distilled water and absolute ethanol. The compositional analysis of the leaf extract was performed, along with the morphological, compositional, and optical examination of the sustainably developed GQDs. The characterization results confirmed the successful formation of GQDs, with average sizes ranging from 3.5 to 8 nm. This study helps to obtain GQDs in an economical, eco-friendly, and biocompatible manner and can assist in large-scale production and in recycling date palm tree waste products from Middle East countries into value-added products.

Effect of Leaf Powdering Technique on the Characteristics of Date Palm-Derived Cellulose

The date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the oldest cultivated tree and is very commonly seen in the Arab countries. In recent times, researchers are working on the conversion of the plant-based biowaste into value-added products. Cellulose is identified as one of the best options to be synthesized from plant-based materials due to its immense application possibilities. It is a natural hydrophilic polymer consisting of linear chains of 1,4-β-d-anhydroglucose units, and the most used method for cellulose extraction is acidic hydrolysis. However, in this study, a very sustainable, ecofriendly, and simple process of isolating cellulose from date palm leaves is discussed. In this study, the best mechanical approach (ball milling, grinding, or its combination) for changing the leaves into powder form, as well as the sustainable and simple chemical extraction of cellulose from those date palm leaves, is analyzed. SEM analyses confirmed that the mechanical treatment process affected the appearance of the cellulose formed. Raman spectrum confirmed the difference in stretching vibrations among the cellulose obtained. From the results obtained, it was noted that cellulose derived utilizing the grinding technique and subsequent chemical treatment was considered as the finest cellulose prepared with respect to its properties and structure, and the greatest yield obtained for Cellulose 2 was 42%. As a future scope, this cellulose developed can be used to produce advanced materials like nanocellulose.

Effect of acetone fraction of Ottelia alismoides on the G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the human carcinoma cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The North-eastern parts of India have immense therapeutic floras, Ottelia alismoides is an aquatic plant that has been in use for a long time in traditional medicine for treating diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, febrifuge, hemorrhoids, and rubefacient. In lung and skin carcinoma cells with a high rate of proliferation and metastasis including drug resistance and non-specific target activity, generates important challenges towards their treatment strategy. Thus, finding novel therapeutic targets to treat lung and skin cancer progression is essential to enhance the patients' survival with treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apoptotic potential of acetone extract of O. alismoides (L.) Pers. (OA-AC) and to identify the compounds responsible for this effect, HRLC-MS-QTOF analysis of the extract has been undertaken along with in-silico molecular docking analysis of the identified compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A549 and A431 cells were treated with acetone extract of O. alismoides (OA-AC) at 24 h and 48 h exposure and cell cycle phase distribution was evaluated and also apoptosis induction activity was evaluated by OA-EtBr staining and Mitochondrial outer membrane potential assay. Western blotting was performed for the evaluation of apoptotic protein expression. At last, the HR-LCMS of OA-AC was analyzed to identify the compounds responsible for the apoptotic activity of the extract.

RESULTS

The cell cycle phase distribution analysis in A549 and A431 cells at 24hrs exposure with 10 μg/mL and 25 μg/mL of OA-AC showed a potent arrest or blockage at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle with reduced expression of cyclin B and p-Cdc2. At 48 h exposure, apoptosis was observed in these cancer cells with elevated expression of Bax, p21 and cleaved caspase 3 and reduced expression of the Bcl2.

CONCLUSION

AO-EtBr staining of these cancer cells reveals that the death induced by OA-AC was apoptotic in nature with depolarization of mitochondrial membrane due to loss or damage of the mitochondrial membrane. The HRLC-MS-QTOF analysis of OA-AC depicted 14 major isolable compounds and molecular docking analysis displayed 4 compounds that might act as an inhibitor of cyclin B for G2/M phase arrest that leads to apoptotic induction in the cells.

Analysis of Volatile Secondary Metabolites in Ocimum basilicum Cell Suspensions: Inhibition, In Silico Molecular Docking, and an ADMET Analysis against Proteolytic Enzymes of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Our study's overarching goal was to determine which O. basilicum cell suspensions approach yielded the most insecticidal and R. ferrugineus-inhibitory volatile secondary metabolites. After inoculation with Verticillium dahliae as an activator, the growth kinetics were measured, and the extract was identified using GC-MS. Validation was achieved for the insecticidal efficacy of a volatile extract, the pure phenolic content against larva and adult R. ferrugineus, and the inhibitory effect on proteases (in vivo and in vitro). The volatile extract achieved an LC₅₀ of 1229 µg/mL and an LD₅₀ of 13.8 µg/larva. The LC₅₀ values for β-bergamotene, α-eudesmol, β-farnesene, linalool, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, α-guaiene, and β-caryophyllene were 1294, 1312, 1356, 1398, 1426, 1459, 1491, and 1523 g/mL, respectively. The LD₅₀ activities of α-eudesmol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, and nerol were 12.4, 13.7, 13.9, 14.2, and 15.6 g/larva, respectively. Active volatile extract of O. basilicum inhibited trypsin proteinase, elastase, cysteine, overall protease, and metalloprotease activity with IC₅₀ values of 89.4, 101.7, 394.7, 112.4, and 535.2 µg/mL and 178.5, 192.4, 547.3, 208.3, and 924.8 µg/mL, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. There was evidence of action against total proteases (in vitro) with IC₅₀ values of 78.9, 81.2, 88.6, 90.7, 91.5, 97.6, 107.4, and 176.3 µg/mL for β-bergamotene, α-eudesmol, β-farnesene, linalool, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, α-guaiene, and β-caryophyllene, respectively. Total proteases (in vivo) are inhibited by the α-eudesmol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, nerol, and (E)-β-ocimene, with IC₅₀ values of 162.3, 192.7, 193.1, 201.4, 248.6, and 273.2 µg/mL, respectively. ADMET and molecular docking modeling were the only two methods used to conduct in-depth computational analyses of compounds. The study recommended using an efficient cell suspension method to produce a volatile extract rich in useful secondary metabolites that may be utilized as a bio-insecticide.

Development and Optimization of Nigella sativa Nanoemulsion Loaded with Pioglitazone for Hypoglycemic Effect

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with an increased blood glucose level. The world health burden of DM has increased as a result of numerous causes that necessitates suitable treatment. Pioglitazone (PGZ) is a generally prescribed medication for managing type II diabetes. However, its low solubility creates complications for its formulation. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to incorporate PGZ into a nanoemulsion (NE) formulation prepared with Nigella sativa oil (NSO) to boost the action of PGZ. To our knowledge, no previous study has addressed the combination and synergistic effect of PGZ and NSO as a hypoglycemic NE formulation intended for oral administration. An experiment was designed to test several PGZ-loaded NE formulations, varying factors such as NSO, surfactant and co-surfactant concentrations. These factors were investigated for their influence on responses including particle size and in vitro release. An optimized PGZ-loaded NE was selected and examined for its morphology, kinetic activity and stability. Further, the anti-diabetic effect of the optimized formulation was evaluated using diabetically induced rats. The optimized formula exhibited a good particle size of 167.1 nm and in vitro release of 89.5%. A kinetic study revealed that the drug release followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas mechanism. Additionally, the PGZ-loaded NE formulation was found to be stable, showing non-significant variation in the evaluated parameters when stored at 4 and 25 °C for a period of 3 months. In vivo investigation of the PGZ-loaded NE formulation showed a significant reduction in blood glucose level, which appeared to be enhanced by the presence of NSO. In conclusion, NS-NE could be a promising nanocarrier for enhancing the hypoglycemic effect of PGZ.

Evaluating Antimicrobial Activity and Wound Healing Effect of Rod-Shaped Nanoparticles

Presently, the nanotechnology approach has gained a great concern in the media of drug delivery. Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) specially having a non-spherical structure, such as gold nanorods (GNR), are attracting much interest as antibacterial agent and many other medical fields. The aim of the current investigation was to characterize Au-NPs and investigate their antimicrobial and wound healing efficacy in diabetic animals. Material and methods: Au-NPs were characterized using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, estimating their particle size, polydispersity (PDI), and assessing their morphological characters. Further, Au-NPs were estimated for their antibacterial and antifungal behavior. Ultimately, in vivo activity of Au-NPs was evaluated against excision wound healing in STZ-induced diabetic animals. Results: Au-NPs were found to show maximum absorption at 520 nm. They exhibited a particle size of 82.57 nm with a PDI value of 0.323. Additionally, they exhibited good antimicrobial activity against different bacterial strains. Topical application of Au-NPs caused a significantly increased percentage of wound area reduction, lesser time needed for epithelialization, and augmented hydroxyproline, collagen, and hexosamine levels demonstrating enhanced healing processes. Furthermore, Au-NPs displayed a significant intensification in angiogenesis-related factors (HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and VEGF), and antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT, SOD, GPx) as well as mitigated inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Conclusion: Au-NPs exhibited proper particle size, and rod-shaped particles, with efficient antimicrobial behavior against different bacterial strains. Furthermore, Au-NPs demonstrated a promising wound healing activity in STZ-induced diabetic animals.

Green Extraction of Date Palm Fruits via Ultrasonic-Assisted Approach: Optimizations and Antioxidant Enrichments

Background: Green extraction involves using green solvents, such as water, to reduce energy consumption, avoid health and environmental hazards and induce the quality and quantity of the extract. Date palm fruits are a vital source of food and medicinal activities, as they contain a high diversity of phytochemicals, mainly phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The main aim of this study is to investigate the use of water as a green solvent, when assisted by different ultrasonic frequencies, in the extraction of four different cultivars of date palm fruits, by evaluating the phenolic and flavonoid composition as well as the antioxidant capacity of the extract. Methods: Four date palm fruits’ cultivars (Agwa, Anbarah, Khalas, and Reziz) were extracted using conventional methods (by water and ethanol) and by ultrasonic means, using two frequencies, 28 and 40 kHz, and applying temperatures (30, 45, and 60 °C), also measuring extraction times (20, 40, 60 min.). Response surface methodology was used for the statistical analysis, applying three factors (temperature, time, and ultrasonic frequency), four responses (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, FRAP, and ABTS), and four cultivars (categories). Results: Conventional water extraction obtained minimal phenolic and flavonoid compounds (up to 52% of ethanol extraction). This percent improved to reach 60% when heat was utilized. The application of ultrasonic frequencies significantly enhanced the extraction of phenolics/flavonoids and the antioxidant ability of the extract to nearly 90% and 80%, respectively. The use of 40 kHz ultrasonic power managed to extract more phenolic and flavonoid components; however, the antioxidant capacities of the extract were less than when the 28 kHz power was utilized. Agwa and Khalas demonstrated themselves to be the best cultivars for ultrasonic-assisted extraction, depending on the results of the optimized responses. Conclusion: This study could be implemented in the industry to produce date palm fruits’ enriched extracts with phenolic and flavonoid components and/or antioxidants.

Bioactivity and Pharmacological Potential of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Against Pandemic COVID-19: a Comprehensive Review

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), transmitted from person to person, has quickly emerged as the pandemic responsible for the current global health crisis. This infection has been declared a global pandemic, resulting in a concerning number of deaths as well as complications post-infection, primarily among vulnerable groups particularly older people and those with multiple comorbidities. In this article, we review the most recent research on the role of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits (DPFs) to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection. The mechanisms underlying this preventive or therapeutic effect are also discussed in terms of bioactivity potentials in date palm, e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hemolytic potential, as well as prospect against COVID-19 disease and the potential product development. Therefore, it can be concluded that regular consumption of DPFs may be associated with a lower risk of some chronic diseases. Indeed, DPFs have been widely used in folk medicine since ancient times to treat a variety of health conditions, demonstrating the importance of DPFs as a nutraceutical and source of functional nourishment. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the majority of the research on DPFs in terms of nutrient content and biologically active components such as phenolic compounds, with an emphasis on their roles in improving overall health as well as the potential product development to ensure consumers’ satisfaction in a current pandemic situation. In conclusion, DPFs can be given to COVID-19 patients as a safe and effective add-on medication or supplement in addition to routine treatments.

Paclitaxel and Myrrh oil Combination Therapy for Enhancement of Cytotoxicity against Breast Cancer; QbD Approach

Paclitaxel (PX), plant alkaloid, is a chemotherapeutic agent intended for treating a wide variety of cancers. The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate the anticancer activity of PX loaded into a nanocarrier, mainly PEGylated nanoemulsion (NE) fabricated with myrrh essential oil. Myrrh essential oil has been estimated previously to show respectable anticancer activity. Surface modification of the formulation with PEG-DSPE would help in avoiding phagocytosis and prolong the residence time in blood circulation. Various NE formulations were developed after operating (22) factorial design, characterized for their particle size, in vitro release, and hemolytic activity. The optimized formula was selected and compared to its naked counterpart in respect to several characterizations. Quantitative amount of protein absorbed on the formulation surfaces and in vitro release with and without serum incubation were evaluated. Ultimately, MTT assay was conducted to distinguish the anti-proliferative activity. PEGylated PX-NE showed particle size 170 nm, viscosity 2.91 cP, in vitro release 57.5%, and hemolysis 3.44%, which were suitable for intravenous administration. A lower amount of serum protein adsorbed on PEGylated PX-NE surface (16.57 µg/µmol) compared to naked counterpart (45.73 µg/µmol). In vitro release from PEGylated NE following serum incubation was not greatly affected (63.3%), in contrast to the naked counterpart (78.8%). Eventually, anti-proliferative effect was obtained for PEGylated PX-NE achieving IC50 38.66 µg/mL. The results obtained recommend PEGylated NE of myrrh essential oil as a candidate nanocarrier for passive targeting of PX.

Development, Characterization and Optimization of the Anti-Inflammatory Influence of Meloxicam Loaded into a Eucalyptus Oil-Based Nanoemulgel

The purpose of the present study was to explore the influence of a certain natural essential oil, namely eucalyptus oil, as an anti-inflammatory agent in addition to its prospective role in enhancing the action of meloxicam in reducing inflammation. As far as we know, this has been the first integration of meloxicam and eucalyptus essential oil into a nanoemulgel formulation intended for topical use. Primarily, eucalyptus oil was utilized in developing a nanoemulsion formulation incorporating meloxicam. A 22 factorial design was constructed using two independent variables (oil concentration and surfactant concentration) with two responses (particle size and % of in vitro release). One optimized formula was selected depending on the desirability function and subjected to a stability study. The optimized nanoemulsion was mixed with HPMC as a gelling agent to produce a meloxicam-loaded nanoemulgel, which was examined for its properties, stability, in vitro release and ex vivo permeation. Eventually, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated and compared with a placebo and corresponding gel formulation. The developed nanoemulgel revealed acceptable physical characteristics to be applied topically. Studying of the in vitro release was conducted successfully for 6 h. The ex vivo permeation from the nanoemulgel formulations was prompted, showing an appropriate value of the steady-state transdermal flux (SSTF). As a final point, the anti-inflammatory activity of the developed nanoemulgel revealed a valued anti-inflammatory influence. Additionally, the concurrence of eucalyptus essential oil and meloxicam was assured, and their potential in combating and lowering inflammation was supported.

Secondary Metabolites in Basil, Bio-Insecticide, Inhibition Effect, and In Silico Molecular Docking against Proteolytic Enzymes of the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus)

The purpose of this work was to determine the secondary metabolites generated by O. basilicum cell suspensions, as well as their insecticide and inhibitory activity against R. ferrugineus. The growth kinetics with inoculation Verticillium dahliae were determined and identified using LC-MS. Determination of total phenolic components (TFC), flavonoids (TF), and condensed tannins (TCT) were measured. Insecticidal activity of O. basilicum extract against R. ferrugineus (larva and adult) and proteolytic enzymes activity were assessed (in vitro and in vivo). The O.basilicum extract had an LC₅₀ of 1238 µg/mL and an LD₅₀ of 13.4 µg/larva. The LC₅₀ of chicoric acid, ursolic acid, salvigenin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, rosmarinyl glucoside, and nepetoidin B demonstrated activity at an LC₅₀ of 1132, 1167, 1189, 1214, 1275, and 1317 µg/mL, respectively. Chicoric acid, salvigenin, nepetoidin B, and rosmarinic acid demonstrated an LD₅₀ activity of 10.23, 11.4, 11.9, and 12.4 µg/larva, respectively. The active extract of O. basilicum inhibited total protease, trypsin-like serine proteinases, elastase, cysteine, and metalloprotease activity with an IC₅₀ (in vitro) of 119.4, 91, 102.4, 76.4, and 52.4 µg/mL, respectively. In silico studies of compounds were conducted, such as molecular docking and ADMET analysis. The study proposes using an efficient cell suspension technique to produce O. basilicum extract containing active secondary metabolites and accessible using as bio-insecticide.

Novel Dermal Delivery Cargos of Clobetasol Propionate: An Update

Dermal disorders such as psoriasis and eczema are associated with modifications in the chemical and molecular composition of the skin. Clobetasol propionate (CP), a superpotent topical glucocorticoid, is widely used for the therapeutic management of various skin conditions, owing to its strong anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, vasoconstrictive, and antiproliferative activities. Safety studies demonstrated that CP is safer for a shorter period, however, with prolonged application, it shows secondary side effects such as photosensitivity, Cushing-like syndrome, allergic contact dermatitis, osteonecrosis, hypopigmentation, steroid acne, and skin atrophy. Therefore, the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) has restricted the usage of CP to not more than 15 days. Research scientists addressed its several formulations and drug delivery issues, such as low water solubility, less stability, photodegradation, and poor absorption, by incorporating them into novel nanobased delivery platforms. With the utilization of these technologies, these drawbacks of CP have been resolved to a large extent to reestablish this moiety. This article explores the physicochemical properties and mechanism of action of CP. Additionally, an attempt has been made to discover and highlight the possible features of the novel nanosystems, including nanoemulsions, nanosponges, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nanogels, reported for CP. The stability and safety concerns of CP, along with its commercial status, are also discussed.

Innovative use of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) press cake in the food industry

Introduction. Date press cake is a waste product of date juice making that can lead to potentially serious environmental problems if discarded in large amounts in open areas. Therefore, it needs to be utilized. Our study aimed to investigate the possibilities of using date press cake powder to formulate innovative ready-to-eat products – vegan biscuits and vegan protein bars. Study objects and methods. The food products under study were subjected to a palatability test, a nutritional value evaluation, a texture profile analysis, and a scanning electron microscopy, as well as a microbiological assay performed during 8 months of storage. Results and discussion. The palatability test showed that the biscuits supplemented with 10% date press cake had the best acceptable preference, compared to control, 5 and 15% date press cake samples. Our innovative vegan protein bar scored highest in overall acceptability, flavor, taste, texture, and willingness to buy, compared to the commercial vegan protein bar. Overall, our study showed that both of our products were safe to consume within 8 months. Additionally, our innovative protein bar and fortified biscuits had high proportions of the recommended dietary allowances for most nutrients for adolescents and athletes, especially for vegetarians. Conclusion. Date press cake can be successfully used as a food ingredient to produce new formulations of vegan protein bars. Additionally, it can be used as an alternative ingredient to improve the nutritional quality of vegan biscuits.

Orientin, a Bio-Flavonoid from Trigonella hamosa L., Regulates COX-2/PGE-2 in A549 Cell Lines via miR-26b and miR-146a

Cancer is a severe health condition and considered one of the major healthcare issues and is in need of innovative strategy for a cure. The current study aimed to investigate the chemical profile of Trigonella hamosa L. and a potential molecular approach to explain its regulation in cancer progression through an inflammatory mediator (COX-2) in A549 non-small lung cancer cell lines via in silico, mechanistic and molecular aspects. T. hamosa was extracted and then subjected to a CCK-8 cell viability assay in different cancer cell lines including MDA-MB-231, A549 and HCT-116. Total extract was subjected to several chromatographic techniques to yield orientin (OT); the structure was elucidated by inspection of NMR spectroscopic data. To achieve anticancer effects of OT, a cell viability assay using a CCK-8 kit, immunoprecipitation by Western blot, cell migration using a wound healing assay, cell invasion using a Matrigel-Transwell assay, apoptosis by AO/EB dual staining, flow cytometric analysis and DAPI staining, a silenced COX-2 model to determine PGE-2 production and real-time PCR and Western blot of BCL-2, CYP-1A1, iNOS and COX-2 markers were carried out. The results demonstrated that OT decreased the cell proliferation and controlled cell migration and invasive properties. OT destabilized the COX-2 mRNA and downregulated its expression in A549 cell lines. Virtual binding showed interaction (binding energy −10.43) between OT and COX-2 protein compared to the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (CLX) (binding energy −9.4). The OT-CLX combination showed a superior anticancer effect. The synergistic effect of OT-CLX combination was noticed in controlling the migration and invasion of A549 cell lines. OT-CLX downregulated the expression of BCL-2, iNOS and COX-2 and activated the proapoptotic gene CYP-1A1. OT mitigated the COX-2 expression via upregulation of miR-26b and miR-146a. Interestingly, COX-2-silenced transfected A549 cells exhibited reduced expression of miR-26b and miR-146a. The findings confirmed the direct interaction of OT with COX-2 protein. PGE-2 expression was quantified in both naïve and COX-2-silenced A549 cells. OT downregulated the release of PGE-2 in both tested conditions. These results confirmed the regulatory effect of OT on A549 cell growth in a COX-2-dependent manner. OT activated apoptosis via activation of CYP-1A1 expression in an independent manner. These results revealed that the OT-CLX combination could serve as a potential synergistic treatment for effective inflammatory-mediated anticancer strategies.

Adsorption and recovery of lithium ions from groundwater using date pits impregnated with cellulose nanocrystals and ionic liquid

The study aims to prepare a novel low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent by using date pits (DP) impregnated with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and ionic liquid (IL), named IL-CNC@DP. The batch adsorption of lithium onto IL-CNC@DP and DP were studied at different pH values, initial lithium concentrations, and temperatures. The thermodynamics constants of the adsorption process showed that the IL-CNC@DP was exothermic, did not favor a high level of disorder, and spontaneous in nature. At pH 6, there is a significant increase in the removal efficiency where it increased to 90%. This also could be explained by the fact that electrostatic attraction forces and hydrogen bonding existed between the protonated Li⁺ and the less protonated IL-CNC@DP adsorbent surface, which enhanced the percentage of Li⁺ removal. A strong inter- and intra-hydrogen bonding (O-H) stretching absorption is seen at 3311 cm^-1 that occurs in cellulose components. In conclusion, the IL-CNC@DP in comparison to the DP confirmed exceptional results proving that the modification enhanced the remediation of the Li⁺ from water. Furthermore, the selectivity of IL-CNC@DP towards real groundwater samples isolated in Qatar depends upon the physicochemical characteristics of each element.

Insight into Analysis of Essential Oil from Anisosciadium lanatum Boiss.-Chemical Composition, Molecular Docking, and Mitigation of Hepg2 Cancer Cells through Apoptotic Markers

Essential oils have been used in various traditional healing systems since ancient times worldwide, due to their diverse biological activities. Several studies have demonstrated their plethora of biological activities-including anti-cancer activity-in a number of cell lines. Anisosciadium lanatum Boiss. is a perennial aromatic herb. Traditionally, it is an edible safe herb with few studies exploring its importance. The current study aims to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil isolated from Anisosciadium lanatum using GC-MS, as well as report its anti-cancer potential and its mechanistic effect on HepG2 liver cancer cell lines, and conduct molecular docking studies. To achieve this, the essential oil was isolated using a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed using GC-MS. The cell viability of HepG2 liver cancer and normal fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell lines was assessed by MTT cytotoxicity assay. The effects of the essential oil on cell migration and invasion were assessed using wound healing and matrigel assays, respectively. The effect of the essential oil on migration and apoptotic-regulating mRNA and proteins was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot techniques, respectively. Finally, computational docking tools were used to analyze in silico binding of major constituents from the essential oil against apoptotic and migration markers. A total of 38 components were identified and quantified. The essential oil demonstrated regulation of cell proliferation and cell viability in HepG2 liver cancer cells at a sub-lethal dose of 10 to 25 μg/mL, and expressed reductions of migration and invasion. The treatment with essential oil indicated mitigation of cancer activity by aborting the mRNA of pro-apoptotic markers such as BCL-2, CASPASE-3, CYP-1A1, and NFκB. The algorithm-based binding studies demonstrated that eucalyptol, nerol, camphor, and linalool have potent binding towards the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2. On the other hand, camphor and eucalyptol showed potent binding towards the pro-apoptotic protein CASPASE-3. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the essential oil isolated from Anisosciadium lanatum to drive alleviation of HepG2 cancer cell progression by modulating apoptotic markers. Our findings suggest that Anisosciadium lanatum could be used as a phytotherapeutic anti-cancer agent, acting through the regulation of apoptotic markers. More well-designed in vivo trials are needed in order to verify the obtained results.

Quality by Design for Optimizing a Novel Liposomal Jojoba Oil-Based Emulgel to Ameliorate the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Brucine

One of the recent advancements in research is the application of natural products in developing newly effective formulations that have few drawbacks and that boost therapeutic effects. The goal of the current exploration is to investigate the effect of jojoba oil in augmenting the anti-inflammatory effect of Brucine natural alkaloid. This is first development of a formulation that applies Brucine and jojoba oil int a PEGylated liposomal emulgel proposed for topical application. Initially, various PEGylated Brucine liposomal formulations were fabricated using a thin-film hydration method. (2²) Factorial design was assembled using two factors (egg Phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol concentrations) and three responses (particle size, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release). The optimized formula was incorporated within jojoba oil emulgel. The PEGylated liposomal emulgel was inspected for its characteristics, in vitro, ex vivo and anti-inflammatory behaviors. Liposomal emulgel showed a pH of 6.63, a spreadability of 48.8 mm and a viscosity of 9310 cP. As much as 40.57% of Brucine was released after 6 h, and drug permeability exhibited a flux of 0.47 µg/cm²·h. Lastly, % of inflammation was lowered to 47.7, which was significant effect compared to other formulations. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory influence of jojoba oil and Brucine was confirmed, supporting their integration into liposomal emulgel as a potential nanocarrier.

Brucine-Loaded Ethosomal Gel: Design, Optimization, and Anti-inflammatory Activity

Brucine, one of the natural medications obtained from Nux vomica seeds, is used as an anti-inflammatory drug. Several investigations were performed to overcome its drawbacks, which will affect significantly its pharmaceutical formulation. The goal of the current investigation was to design, optimize, and evaluate the anti-inflammatory performance of BRU ethosomal gel. Brucineethosomal formulations were prepared using thin film hydration method and optimized by central composite design approach using three independent variables (lecithin concentration, cholesterol concentration, and ethanol percentage) and three response variables (vesicular size, encapsulation efficiency, and skin permeation). The optimized formulation was examined for its stability and then incorporated into HPMC gel to get BRU ethosomal gel. The obtained BRU-loaded ethosomal gel was evaluated for its physical properties, in vitro release, and ex vivo permeation and skin irritation. Finally, carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema test was adopted for the anti-inflammatory activity. The developed BRU ethosomal gel exhibited good physical characteristics comparable with the conventional developed BRU gel. In vitro release of BRU from ethosomal gel was effectively extended for 6 h. Permeation of BRU from ethosomes was significantly higher than all formulations (p < 0.05), since it recorded steady state transdermal flux value 0.548 ± 0.03 μg/cm² h with enhancement ratio 2.73 ± 0.23. Eventually, BRU ethosomal gel exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity as manifested by a significant decrease in rat hind paw inflammation following 24 h. In conclusion, the study emphasized the prospective of ethosomal gel as a fortunate carrier for intensifying the anti-inflammatory effect of Brucine.