BackgroundThis study was aimed to evaluate antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with a subsequent analysis of total phenolic and total flavonoid content of methanol extract and its derived fractions from Clinacanthus nutans accompanied by comprehensive phytochemical profiling.MethodsLiquid-liquid partition chromatography was used to separate methanolic extract to get hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and residual aqueous fractions. The total antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). The antidiabetic activity of methanol extract and its consequent fractions were examined by α-glucosidase inhibitory bioassay. The chemical profiling was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC Q-TOF MS).ResultsThe total yield for methanol extraction was (12.63 ± 0.98) % (w/w) and highest fractionated value found for residual aqueous (52.25 ± 1.01) % (w/w) as compared to the other fractions. Significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity was found for methanolic extract (63.07 ± 0.11) % and (79.98 ± 0.31) % for ethyl acetate fraction among all the fractions evaluated. Methanol extract was the most prominent in case of FRAP (141.89 ± 0.87 μg AAE/g) whereas most effective reducing power observed in ethyl acetate fraction (133.6 ± 0.2987 μg AAE/g). The results also indicated a substantial α-glucosidase inhibitory activity for butanol fraction (72.16 ± 1.0) % and ethyl acetate fraction (70.76 ± 0.49) %. The statistical analysis revealed that total phenolic and total flavonoid content of the samples had the significant (p < 0.05) impact on DPPH free radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.ConclusionCurrent results proposed the therapeutic potential of Clinacanthus nutans, especially ethyl acetate and butanol fraction as chemotherapeutic agent against oxidative related cellular damages and control the postprandial hyperglycemia. The phytochemical investigation showed the existence of active constituents in Clinacanthus nutans extract and fractions.

Pectin is a polysaccharide with very good gel forming properties that traditionally has found important applications in foods and pharmaceutical industries. Although less studied, chemical modifications of pectin leading to a decrease in its hydrophilicity can be useful for the development of novel drug carriers. To this aim, butylglyceryl pectins (P-OX4) were synthesized via functionalization with n-butylglycidyl ether and subsequently formed into nanoparticles. Chromatographic, spectroscopic, and thermal analytical methods were employed to characterize the novel butylglyceryl pectins (P-OX4) obtained, prior to their formulation into nanoparticles via nanoprecipitation. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed a degree of modification in these materials in the range 10.4–13.6%, and thermal stability studies indicated an increase in both the thermal decomposition onset and glass transition temperature values (compared to those of the original pectin). An increase in the molecular weight and a decrease in the viscosity of P-OX4, when compared to the starting material, were also observed. The resulting nanoformulations were investigated in terms of particle morphology, size and stability, and it was found that particles were roughly spherical, with their size below 300 nm, and a negative zeta potential (−20 to −26 mV, indicating good stability). Having demonstrated the ability to load Doxorubicin at the level of 10%, their potential in drug delivery applications warrants further investigations.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used for drug delivery because of their favored biocompatibility and suitability for sustained and controlled drug release. To prolong NP circulation time, enable target-specific drug delivery and overcome physiological barriers, NPs camouflaged in cell membranes have been developed and evaluated to improve drug delivery. Here, we discuss recent advances in cell membrane-coated PLGA NPs, their preparation methods, and their application to cancer therapy, management of inflammation, treatment of cardiovascular disease and control of infection. We address the current challenges and highlight future research directions needed for effective use of cell membranecamouflaged NPs.

No abstract