Introduction. Along with and in competition with orthodox medicines, herbal medicines have converted into a popular form of cure. While cumulative investigation reports on adverse effects by herbal drug uptake are few, systematic review along with deep insight into other relevant topics (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessment, mechanism of toxicity, and entering toxic metal from source to herbal drug) is sporadic. Methods. Therefore, existing research and their published outputs pointing safety assessment of herbal medicines in terms of toxic metals have been reviewed systematically and information synthesized thematically while suggesting mechanism of toxicity, consequence of prolong exposure, and pathway of toxic metal from source to herbal drugs. Result and Discussion. Our study suggests that most of the herbal medicines were unsafe to consume although claimed harmless. Possible pathways regarding migration of toxic metals into herbal medicine are discussed. Conclusion. There should have appropriate screening from herb collection, and manufacturing to selling of finished herbal medicine by authority concerned is backed.
Silk fibroin hydrogels are promising materials for controlled drug delivery device due to their aqueous process ability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The research work is aimed to prepare silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels loaded with Ag nanoparticles and to evaluate its antifungal activities. The Silk fibroin hydrogels were formulated at 37°C using 2% (w/v) silk fibroin aqueous solution either by treating 50% (v/v) of ethanol, or 50% (v/v) of propanol, or 50% (v/v) of glycerol, respectively. Above these, the rate of gelation was sufficiently accelerated by addition of glycerol. The silk fibroin hydrogels and prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo Gravimetrical Analysis (TGA). The encapsulation efficiency and release profile of AgNPs were studied by UV-vis spectrometry. The particle size of AgNPs was measured by Malvern Zetasizer Nano and found 93±5 nm. The encapsulation efficiency and morphology of the hydrogels was affected by the formulation conditions. The in vitro release profile showed an initial burst release of AgNPs followed by controlled release for next 20 hours. The antifungal activity of AgNPs loaded SF hydrogels showed a positive response to Aspergillus Niger pathogen. Therefore, silk fibroin hydrogels might be an effective biopolymeric matrix for antifungal applications.
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Coronaviruses (CoVs) belonging to the Betacoronavirus group, an unusually large RNA genome, are characterized by club-like spikes that project from their surface. An outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019 (nCOVID-19) showing a unique replication strategy and infection has posed a significant threat to international health and the economy around the globe. Scientists around the world are investigating few previously used clinical drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. This review provides synthesis and mode of action of recently investigated drugs like Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Selamectin, Remdesivir, Baricitinib, Darunavir, Favipiravir, Lopinavir/ritonavir and Mefloquine hydrochloride that constitute an option for COVID-19 treatment.
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