Nanoparticles can surmount some essential problems of conventional small molecules or biomacromolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) used in some diseases by allowing targeted delivery and overcome through biological barriers. Recently, silver nanoparticles have been harnessed as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents, including antisense oligonucleotides, and other small molecules. Silver is the most profit-oriented precious metal used in the preparation of nanoparticles and nanomaterials because of its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant and unusually enhanced physicochemical properties compared to the bulk material such as optical, thermal, electrical, and catalytic properties. Small silver nanoparticles offer many advantages as drug carriers, including adjustable size and shape, enhanced stability of surface-bound nucleic acids, high-density surface ligand attachment, transmembrane delivery without harsh transfection agents, protection of the attached therapeutics from degradation, and potential for improved timed/controlled intracellular drug-delivery. Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles is gaining interest due to its inexpensiveness, providing a healthier work environment, and protecting human health leading to lessening waste and safer products. The chapter presents the essential physicochemical characteristics, antibacterial, and anticancer properties which silver nanoparticles obtained by plant-mediated methods possess, and their application as drug-delivery systems with a critical view on the possible toxicity on the human body.

The aim of this paper was to test the antioxidant activity, polyphenols content and antimicrobial activity of crude extracts obtained from leaves of pteridophyte species commonly found in Romania

The multifunctional role of the human skin is well known. It acts as a sensory and immune organ that protects the human body from harmful environmental impacts such as chemical, mechanical, and physical threats, reduces UV radiation effects, prevents moisture loss, and helps thermoregulation. In this regard, skin disorders related to skin integrity require adequate treatment. Lipid nanoparticles (LN) are recognized as promising drug delivery systems (DDS) in treating skin disorders. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) together with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) exhibit excellent tolerability as these are produced from physiological and biodegradable lipids. Moreover, LN applied to the skin can improve stability, drug targeting, occlusion, penetration enhancement, and increased skin hydration compared with other drug nanocarriers. Furthermore, the features of LN can be enhanced by inclusion in suitable bases such as creams, ointments, gels (i.e., hydrogel, emulgel, bigel), lotions, etc. This review focuses on recent developments in lipid nanoparticle systems and their application to treating skin diseases. We point out and consider the reasons for their creation, pay attention to their advantages and disadvantages, list the main production techniques for obtaining them, and examine the place assigned to them in solving the problems caused by skin disorders.

Background: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are useful drug delivery systems for dermal application. Thanks to their biocompatible and biodegradable profile, these carriers offer many advantages such as enhanced bioavailability, low toxicity, viable drug targeting and controlled release. SLN and NLC are composed of welltolerated lipids, including natural fats and oils that are successfully used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic dermal formulation. Objective: This article presents an overview of the benefits of selecting natural fats and oils as structural components of SLN and NLC for topical application. Methods: This review is based on data published over the past 20 years about the development of stable and nontoxic lipid nanoparticles with natural lipids. We shed light on the role of natural fats in skin restoration, as well as on the contributed penetration and occlusive properties of SLN and NLC. Results: The deliberate selection of excipients (type and lipid ratio) influences the quality of the final dermal formulation. Natural lipids show good compatibility with different active molecules and are able to create stable lipid matrices that facilitate the biopharmaceutical properties of lipid nanoparticles. Patents involving natural fats and oils in SLN and NLC composition are listed, yet it is important to note that the approved marketed formulations are mainly cosmetic, not pharmaceutical, products. Conclusion: Natural lipids can enhance topical drug delivery by adding their ability of improving skin penetration and hydration to the permeation and occlusion properties of SLN and NLC.

Introduction. This study had investigated the effects of the addition of functional components (Jerusalem artichoke, cocoa husks and einkorn) on the color, antioxidants, and functional properties of sponge cakes. Materials and methods. The antioxidant activities of sponge cakes were evaluated by methods: ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP and DPPH assay. Sample analysis also included measurement of color properties in CIEL*a*b* color system using colorimeter. Results and discussion. The smallest antioxidant activity was observed in 100% wheat flour cake (control) evaluated by four methods, as DPPH no detected. The antioxidant activity on cocoa husks powder and cake prepare with cocoa husks has been reported on the four methods for different mechanisms of antioxidant action. The antioxidant activity of functional components-cocoa husks powder and einkorn wholemeal flour, is the highest determined by CUPRAC-assay (203,75 ± 0,55 mM TE/g DM; 117,94 ± 0,24 mM TE/g DM) and ABTSassay (107,55 ± 0,68 mM TE/g DM; 520,85 ± 5,71 mM TE/g DM), respectively. The sponge cake with 50% einkorn wholemeal flour could be developed as a functional food with more effective antioxidant properties. The lightness (58.50±7.43), a* (9.90±1.93) and b* (26.31±0.85) values for crust control were not significantly different from those of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour (L* = 60.48±6.27; a* = 9.42±1.69; b* = 25.68±1.44), so carotenoids and lutein was considered to give a good approximation to the color that einkorn wholemeal flour communicates to cakes. The crumb color on the control sample was similar to that of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour. According to these results, cakes with Jerusalem artichoke (∆E = 6.62) and cocoa husks where (∆E = 23.53) the total color difference was appreciable by the human eye. Conclusions. The sponge cake with einkorn wholemeal flour is with more effective antioxidant properties. The color on the control was similar to that of the cake with einkorn wholemeal flour.

The present study aims to develop recipe compositions and technology for producing sponge cakes from wholemeal flour, partially replaced with a functional plant component dry blossom flour of Sambucus nigra L. Three designs of sponge cakes with 5, 10, and 15% content of flour of Sambucus nigra L. corrected up to 100% with whole-grain oat flour were studied. Their characteristics were compared with sponge cakes of 100% wheat flour/control. The obtained new products were characterized by reduced carbohydrates, increased content of dietary fiber, and preserved volume compared to the control. The physicochemical parameters of sponge cake and marshmallows with different concentrations of dry flowers of Sambucus nigra L. included in them differed from the control with lower water absorption, pH, and moisture, while having a higher relative mass and ash content and retaining the original size. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus, and common coliforms were not detected in the control and experimental samples when determining the microbiological parameters. Therefore, the developed formulations are an excellent alternative to wheat flour, significantly improving some nutritional characteristics such as smell, taste, dietary fiber, and lower carbohydrate content.

A survey among the consumers of North-Western region of Russia (St. Petersburg and Leningradskaya oblast) was carried out, to determine awareness and understanding of food labeling, as well as usefulness of various elements of food labeling.

The concept of improving drug biopharmaceutical properties by proper selection of delivery system should begin with a rational choice of relevant dosage form, followed by the precise assessment of physicochemical compatibility between the drug delivery system (DDS) and the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Afterwards, according to laboratory availabilities, an efficient production method should be selected and, if possible, to take into account the opportunity for lab-upscale and prevailed industry research needs. Amid the vast diversity of nanostructured drug delivery carriers, lipid nanoparticles (LNs) stand out with their undeniable advantages like exceptive biocompatibility and multiplicity, and their importance as “green” derivatives for biochemical processes. Their distinctive structural properties also allow adequate protection of loaded APIs against chemical degradation in an aggressive biological environment and provide excellent resiliency in modifying drug release profiles. This review highlights different findings reported by the researchers worldwide over the years and focuses on the various production strategies and techniques for the preparation of LNs.