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Different types of siRNA delivery vehicles including nanoparticles have been synthesized and utilized for prostate cancer gene therapy. However, one of the most common limitations being faced is the toxicity of cationic polymers toward the cells. In the current study, magnetic nanoparticles were prepared and conjugated with cationic polymer, polyethylenimine. Then polyethylene glycol was conjugated with polyethylenimine to improve the biocompatibility of nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy size of nanoparticles was found to be 15.82 (±9.07) nm, while hydrodynamic size was about 79.20 (±0.68) nm. Zeta potential analysis of polyethylenimine and polyethylene glycol-coated nanoparticles was +31.4 (±0.62) and +5.65 (±0.76) mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the presence of polyethylene glycol and polyethylenimine polymers in magnetic nanoparticles. Cell viability test in mouse fibroblast NIH 3T3 and prostate cancer PC3 cells showed an increased in biocompatibility of functionally modified polyethylene glycol–polyethylenimine–Fe3O4 nanoparticles. siRNA targeting a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) was successfully loaded into the polyethylene glycol–polyethylenimine–Fe3O4 nanoparticles and delivered to PC3 cells. The results clearly demonstrated a significant decrease in cell viability, which increased within a certain siRNA concentration. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for ADAM10 siRNA was calculated to be 15.83 nM after 72 h. Confocal microscopy confirmed the delivery of siRNA-loaded nanoparticles intracellularly to the tumor cells cytosol. This magnetic system can be used as a powerful platform to inhibit cancer cells progression.

Despite very strict wildlife protection acts in several countries and trading laws such as CITES, illegal trading and poaching of wildlife is still active mostly because of the use of their parts in Chinese medicinal products and ornaments. For successfully identifying wildlife and their parts, mitochondrial DNA sequencing is being used now-a-days. DNA bar coding using fragments of cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I genes are frequently utilized for mammalian species identification. This mini review describes some of the mtDNA sequences and STR markers used for mammalian species identification in the field of forensic wildlife along with the problems associated and their possible solutions.

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Throughout human history infectious diseases have emerged to become global threats once in a while. Sometimes the previously established infections surfaced due to geographical extension or by increasing their transmissibility or pathogenicity while in other instances new infections have periodically emerged by transmitting from animals to humans. A proper strengthening of the existing health care system, disease surveillance, advancement in medical technology and healthy lifestyle is a must for controlling the future re-emergence of pandemics. Similarly, a deeper understanding of (1) key medical and social elements; (2) treatment and prevention options; (3) epidemic preparedness of the health care system; and (4) investing in ethno medicine research is necessary to prevent the future devastating pandemic emergencies.

Ganoderma lucidum has been extensively studied for its valuable medicinal importance. In this study, the artificial cultivation of G. lucidum strain Philippine in different culture media, including sawdust substrate, was performed and optimized on the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. Phytochemical, antibacterial, and antioxidant analyses were performed and compared between the ethanol extracts prepared from two different cultures (fruit from synthetic log culture and mycelia from PDA media culture). Both the 200 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL concentrations of extracts inhibited all the tested bacteria, and the results were promising than the corresponding control using antibiotics. The fruit extract showed higher antioxidant potential (150.6 ± 56.92 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract) than mycelial extract (144.28 ± 81.72 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract). The results indicate that fruiting bodies of G. lucidum cultivated in a complex dust medium possess higher antioxidant properties than mycelia culture, which can be further explored for therapeutic applications.

For an effective medical application of therapeutic siRNA, a safe and an efficient delivery system are required. Herein, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been successfully used as siRNA delivery vehicles. Firstly, MNPs were coated with gold (Au) nanoparticles and then capped with PEI. To improve the biocompatibility of nanoparticles, hyaluronic acid (HA) was coated onto the surface of PEI-Au/Fe nanoparticles. The prepared HA-PEI-Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized and found to be uniform and well segregated in TEM analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed that HA was successfully conjugated to PEI. The polymer content in these nanoparticles was relatively higher than PEG coated nanoparticles. Cell viability assay demonstrated that the nanoparticles were relatively biocompatible in nature. ADAM10 siRNA was loaded into the HA-PEI-Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles and cytotoxicity to prostate cancer (PC3) cells was analyzed. The results indicate that ADAM10 siRNA loaded HA-PEI-Au/Fe3O4 suppress the PC3 cells growth in vitro. Clearly, it could be confirmed that HA-PEI coated Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles with higher biocompatibility appear to be suitable for intracellular siRNA delivery.