The importance of zinc was 1st reported for Aspergillus niger. It took over 75 y to realize that zinc is also an essential trace element for rats, and an additional 30 y went by before it was recognized that this was also true for humans. The adult body contains about 2 to 3 g of zinc. Zinc is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells. It is essential for many physiological functions and plays a significant role in a number of enzyme actions in the living systems. Bioinformatics estimates report that 10% of the human proteome contains zinc-binding sites. Based on its role in such a plethora of cellular components, zinc has diverse biological functions from enzymatic catalysis to playing a crucial role in cellular neuronal systems. Thus, based on the various published studies and reports, it is pertinent to state that zinc is one of the most important essential trace metals in human nutrition and lifestyle. Its deficiency may severely affect the homeostasis of a biological system. This review compiles the role of zinc in prophylaxis/therapeutics and provides current information about its effect on living beings.

Fullerenes, the third carbon allotrope, have emerged as agents which could revolutionize the treatment of many diseases. Fullerenes possess different biological applications like neuroprotective agents, antioxidants, anti-HIV activity, enzyme inhibition, antiapoptotic activity and the list is ever increasing. Moreover, they are being utilized as drug carrier systems and also for many non-biological applications like superconductors, catalysis and so on. Their size has made them promising agents for nanotechnology. This article aims at outlining the chemistry, properties and non-biological applications of fullerenes and their evolution to biological applications, thereby traversing their evolution from simple carbon allotropes to present day nano-medicinal agents.

In the present study, alprazolam-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. They were evaluated for their efficiency in nose-to-brain targeting and biodistribution in a suitable animal model after intranasal delivery. Solid lipid nanoparticles may offer an improvement to nose-to-brain drug delivery since they are able to protect the encapsulated drug from biological and/or chemical degradation. The distribution of the drug to different organs was recorded through biodistribution studies in male Wistar rats and gamma scintigraphy imaging in New Zealand rabbits by tagging the formulation with radioactive substance (99m)Tc. The radioactivity count of various organs was taken as a function of the drug concentration. The study reveals that alprazolam can be rapidly transferred to the brain via intranasal route, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and a direct nose-to-brain transfer. The enhanced rate and extent of transport may help in reducing the dose and dosing frequency, thereby providing ease for ambulatory patients.

Purpose: To develop a niosomal formulation for the delivery of isoniazid to achieve effective treatment of tuberculosis. Methods: Niosomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method and given a charge with a charge-inducing agent, dicetyl phosphate. Drug entrapment efficiency in the niosomes was determined spectrophotometrically. The niosomes were further characterized for their particle size, polydispersity index (PI) and zeta potential as well as by scanning electron microscopy and stability studies. Furthermore, in vitro drug release and cellular uptake studies on the niosomes by macrophage J744 A were undertaken. Results: Suitable isoniazid niosomes were obtained. The niosomes demonstrated a potential to remain in the treated site for prolonged periods and were also capable of maintaining steady drug concentrations for up to 30 h. Cellular uptake of the drug-loaded niosomes by macrophage cells was as high as 61.8 %, a level that is capable of achieving effective treatment of tuberculosis. Conclusion: The isoniazid niosomes developed are capable of reducing drug dose and toxicity as well as dosing frequency which should bring about improved patient compliance. More importantly, macrophage targeting should be feasible at sites where tuberculosis bacteria are harbored.