The second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused severe infections with high mortality. An increase in the cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) was reported predominantly in India. Commonly present in immunocompromised individuals, mucormycosis is often a life-threatening condition. Confounding factors and molecular mechanisms associated with CAM are still not well understood, and there is a need for careful research in this direction. In this review, a brief account of the diagnosis, management, and advancement in drug discovery for mucormycosis has been provided. Here, we summarize major factors that dictate the occurrence of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients through the analysis of published literature and case reports. Major predisposing factors to mucormycosis appear to be uncontrolled diabetes, steroid therapy, and certain cancers. At the molecular level, increased levels of iron in COVID-19 might contribute to mucormycosis. We have also discussed the potential role and regulation of iron metabolism in COVID-19 patients in establishing fungal growth. Other factors including diabetes prevalence and fungal spore burden in India as contributing factors have also been discussed.

The demand for drug delivery systems (DDS) to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still high, and microneedle (MN) assisted transdermal DDS offers enormous potential. Herbal products for PD have been shown to have antioxidant effects in reducing dopaminergic neurons from degeneration. Here, we attempted to incorporate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Bacopa monnieri into dissolvable microneedle arrays and evaluate its neuroprotective activity. The bloodless and painless microneedle arrays through the transdermal route deliver the drug across the blood-brain barrier at the desired concentration. The quality by design (QbD) approach was employed for optimizing the SLNs formulations. The mechanical strength, in vitro release studies, ex-vivo permeation investigation, skin irritation test, histopathological studies, biochemical studies, and behavioural tests SLNs loaded microneedle arrays were performed. The microneedle patches obtained were shown to be mechanically robust and were also found to be nonirritant with a decreased degree of bradykinesia, high motor coordination, and balance ability. Compared to systemic delivery systems, such an MN method can achieve a considerably lower effective dose and allow long-term home-based treatment.

Cancer is still one of the world’s deadliest health concerns. As per latest statistics, lung, breast, liver, prostate, and cervical cancers are reported topmost worldwide. Although chemotherapy is most widely used methodology to treat cancer, poor pharmacokinetic parameters of anticancer drugs render them less effective. Novel nano-drug delivery systems have the caliber to improve the solubility and biocompatibility of various such chemical compounds. In this regard, cyclodextrins (CD), a group of natural nano-oligosaccharide possessing unique physicochemical characteristics has been highly exploited for drug delivery and other pharmaceutical purposes. Their cup-like structure and amphiphilic nature allows better accumulation of drugs, improved solubility, and stability, whereas CDs supramolecular chemical compatibility renders it to be highly receptive to various kinds of functionalization. Therefore combining physical, chemical, and bio-engineering approaches at nanoscale to specifically target the tumor cells can help in maximizing the tumor damage without harming non-malignant cells. Numerous combinations of CD nanocomposites were developed over the years, which employed photodynamic, photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia methods, particularly targeting cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the vivid roles of cyclodextrin nanocomposites developed for the treatment and theranostics of most important cancers to highlight its clinical significance and potential as a medical tool.

This study focuses on the determination of the chemical profile of 24 non-aged Brazilian artisanal sugarcane spirits (cachaça) samples through chromatographic quantification and chemometric treatment via principal component analysis (PCA) and Kohonen’s neural network. In total, forty-seven (47) chemical compounds were identified in the samples of non-aged artisanal cachaça, in addition to determining alcohol content, volatile acidity, and copper. For the PCA of the chemical compounds’ profile, it could be observed that the samples were grouped into seven groups. On the other hand, the variables’ bearings were grouped together, making it difficult to separate the components in relation to the sample groups and reducing the chances of obtaining all the necessary information. However, by using a Kohonen’s neural network, samples were grouped into eight groups. This tool proved to be more accurate in the groups’ formation. Among the chemical classes of the compounds observed, esters stood out, followed by alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, phenol, and copper. The abundance of esters in these samples may suggest that these compounds would be part of the regional standard for cachaças produced in the region of Salinas, Minas Gerais.

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Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by some filamentous fungi, which can cause toxic effects in humans and animals. The purpose of the study was to report the influence of postharvest conditions of grains and animal feed on the occurrence of mycotoxins in milk and dairy products which are widely consumed worldwide and have several health benefits for consumers. Among the most toxic mycotoxins are aflatoxins (AFs), with AFB 1 being the most toxic and present in grains and cereals used in the feeding of dairy cows. After ingestion, AFB 1 is converted to AFM 1 , which is excreted in milk, being a source of direct contamination to consumers of this product and dairy products. Thus, knowledge about this substance and the care that can be taken to reduce the consumption of contaminated food is a matter of great importance concerning public health and food safety. This review reports that the temperature and humidity at which the grains are stored, are the main conditions that can be controlled during storage, aiming to reduce the growth of fungi and the production of mycotoxins. This work reinforces that the continuous control of mycotoxins in milk and dairy products is of vital importance to obtain a safe product. Besides, strategies to mitigate the development of fungal contamination have been carefully revised to prevent the formation of these toxic substances.