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PurposeCurrently, microsphere technology plays a major role in the development of many new cancer therapies. In the current study, we proposed a targeted drug-delivery system to improve the treatment efficacy of one of the common conventional chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat lung tumors, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).Materials and methodsFollowing the preparation and optimization of small, solid micro-spheres, ranging in diameter between 5 and 15 µm, the final product 5-fluorouracil gelatin (5-FUG) was formulated using a Buchi Nano Spray Dryer by varying the drug:polymer ratio.ResultsParticle yield was calculated as 65% ± 1.2%, and the drug content in the formulation was recorded as 74% ± 1.6%. Particle surface morphology was examined as shriveled shape (crumpled/folded); particle size distribution displayed a binomial distribution, with a mean diameter of 9.6 µm. In vitro drug release studies revealed that ~36.4% of the 5-FU in 5-FUG was released in the first hour after injection. Clinically, this would lead to initial or burst release, facilitating a quick rise to therapeutic levels. In contrast to the pure 5-FU drug (89.2% of the drug released in the first 30 minutes), 99.1% of the drug in 5-FUG was released from the spray-dried particles for a period of 12 hours. A two-compartment model was used to generate plasma concentration–time curves. 5-FUG injection has a much different distribution in vivo in contrast to intravenous injection of 5-FU. In addition, the half-life after intravenous injection of 5-FUG, t1/2(α) = 1.23 hours and t1/2(β) = 18.3 hours, was considerably longer than that of 5-FU, t1/2(α) = 0.34 hours and t1/2(β) = 8.62 hours. Examination of stained lung tissue sections showed no histopathological tissue changes or evidence of gross pathology. In addition, the optimized formulation demonstrated an increased stability under both long-term and refrigerated storage conditions.ConclusionOur goal was to develop similar delivery systems for other chemotherapeutic drugs that are site specific to different disease models/tumor types.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the existing global apprehension for the social health. There is a requisite to take counteractive actions regarding the AMR. Based on the literature, it was aimed to perform the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity evaluation of the water immiscible solvent extracts of Moringa peregrina Forssk. Fiori (Family: Moringaceae). Seven extracts of the powdered leaves of M. peregrina were prepared in solvent systems comprising dichloromethane (DCM), dichloroethane (DCE), and their mixtures with ethyl acetate (EA) and chloroform (CH). The extracts were screened for their phytochemicals and antimicrobial potential. All the extracts showed positive tests for alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids, wherein negative tests were obtained for tannins, cardenolides, and anthraquinone glycosides. The 1:1 mixture of EA:DCM, and EA:DCE provided positive tests for steroids and terpenoids. The most effective antimicrobial extracts were the 1:1 mixture of EA:DCM and EA:DCE. However, the antimicrobial activity of these extract was mild in comparison to ofloxacin and fluconazole. It is concluded that various mixtures of DCM, DCE, and CH along with the higher concentration of other miscible solvents of DCM, DCE, and CH may provide better antimicrobial extracts.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alpha virus, which belongs to the family, Togaviridae. This virus is known to cause an acute onset of high fever, severe arthralgia and rash, and is usually accompanied by headache and severe joint pain. The present study aimed to construct an updated phylogenetic tree of currently published data and perform a phylogeographic analysis of Chikungunya virus obtained during different outbreak in the last five years after the re-emerging of chikungunya virus to get further insight into the epidemiology and transmission of CHIKV. In this study, twenty two sequences from the E1envelope glycoprotein gene were aligned using ClustalW software program. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MEGA 5 software version 6, to determine the phylogenetic relationships of CHIKV during different outbreak recently in Yemen, Italy, Philippines, India and Africa. An updated phylogenetic tree was constructed, the results obtained suggested that CHIKV strains isolated recently in the Eastern Mediterranean Region share high similarity with chikungunya virus isolated in Tanzania in 1953.

Cordyceps fungi have attracted many mycologists since their discovery because of their peculiar characteristics of fruiting on their host invertebrate animals. Cordyceps fungi, which parasitize insects and change into fruiting bodies, are rich sources of biologically active compounds that are implicated for improvement in health and for prevention and treatment of various diseases. They are considered to be some of the more promising medicinal mushrooms. Cordyceps sinensis has been noted for its potential for medicinal use and hence extensive pharmaceutical studies have been made. In this review I compile available data on the characteristics of Cordyceps sinensis that appear to be effective as a natural source of bioactive compounds.

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