The human nature of curiosity, wonder, and ingenuity date back to the age of humankind. In parallel with our history of civilization, interest in scientific approaches to unravel mechanisms underlying natural phenomena has been developing. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented growth in research in the area of pharmaceuticals and medicine. The optimism that nanotechnology (NT) applied to medicine and drugs is taking serious steps to bring about significant advances in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease—a shift from fantasy to reality. The growing interest in the future medical applications of NT leads to the emergence of a new field for nanomaterials (NMs) and biomedicine. In recent years, NMs have emerged as essential game players in modern medicine, with clinical applications ranging from contrast agents in imaging to carriers for drug and gene delivery into tumors. Indeed, there are instances where nanoparticles (NPs) enable analyses and therapies that cannot be performed otherwise. However, NPs also bring unique environmental and societal challenges, particularly concerning toxicity. Thus, clinical applications of NPs should be revisited, and a deep understanding of the effects of NPs from the pathophysiologic basis of a disease may bring more sophisticated diagnostic opportunities and yield more effective therapies and preventive features. Correspondingly, this review highlights the significant contributions of NPs to modern medicine and drug delivery systems. This study also attempted to glimpse the future impact of NT in medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Due to the rising worldwide demand for green chemicals, the bio-based polymer market is anticipated to expand substantially in the future. The synthesis of functional polymers has been a burgeoning area of research for decades. The primary driving force behind the development of bio-based polymers has been their compostability and biodegradability, which are critical given the public concern about waste. Significant advancements in the method for refining biomass raw materials towards the creation of bio-based construction materials and products are driving this rise. Bio-based polymers with this chemical structure are more flexible and adaptive, which allows them to attain their intended characteristics and functionalities. In commercial applications and healthcare and biotechnology, where completely manufactured, naturally occurring biomolecules are utilized and such polymers have the greatest impact. At the same time, limitations in polymer architectural control, biostability, and structural dynamics hinder the creation of biocompatible and functionally varied polymers. From this standpoint, the importance of functional biosynthetic polymers in the future years is highlighted, as well as new methods for addressing the aforementioned challenges. The article comprehensively highlighted the current strategies, market dynamics, and research trends of emerging Bio-Based Polymers. In addition, the most recent scientific breakthroughs in bio-based polymers are discussed.

Recently, the demand for fungal pigments has increased due to their several benefits over synthetic dyes. Many species of fungi are known to produce pigments and a large number of fungal strains for pigment production are yet to be extensively investigated. The natural pigment from sustainable natural sources has good economic and industrial value. Many synthetic colorants used in textile and various industries have many harmful effects on the human population and environment. Pigments and coloring agents may be extracted from a wide range of fungal species. These compounds are among the natural compounds having the most significant promise for medicinal, culinary, cosmetics, and textile applications. This study attempts to isolate and optimize the fermentation conditions of Penicillium sclerotiorum strain AK‐1 for pigment production. A dark yellow‐colored pigment was isolated from the strain with significant extractive value and antioxidant capacity. This study also identifies that the pigment does not have any cytotoxic effect and is multicomponent. The pigment production was optimized for the parameters such as pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen source. Fabric dyeing experiments showed significant dyeing capacity of the pigment on cotton fabrics. Accordingly, the natural dye isolated from P. sclerotiorum strain AK‐1 has a high potential for industrial‐scale dyeing of cotton materials.

The 1920 paper by Hermann Staudinger, which introduced the groundbreaking theory of the existence of long-chain molecules made up of many covalently linked monomeric units, was remembered in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of its publication. This article and the follow-up works of Staudinger on the subject serve as the basis for the study of macromolecular chemistry and polymer science. Although Staudinger saw the great potential of macromolecules, he most likely did not predict the repercussions of their widespread use. We are confronting an environmental and public health crisis with 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic garbage contaminating our land, water, and air. Synthetic polymer chemists can contribute to a more sustainable future, but are we on the right track? In this regard, this review provides insights into the trends, or perspectives, on the current, past, and future developments in macromolecular chemistry to promote an increased emphasis on “sustainable polymers”.

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The environment has rapidly looked at proven specialist task forces in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to build public health policies and measures to mitigate the effects of emerging coronaviruses. According to the researchers, taking 10 μg of 25-hydroxy vitamin D daily is recommended to keep us safe. There have been several studies recently indicating that there is a reduced risk of contracting Coronavirus by 25-hydroxy vitamin D consumption, even though there is no scientific data to prove that one would not affect the COVID-19 viral infection by 25-hydroxy vitamin D consumption. In this regard, the present study investigates the important literature and the role of 25-hydroxy vitamin D to prevent COVID-19 infection by conducting an in-silico study with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a target. Lopinavir, a previously reported drug candidate, served as a reference standard for the study. MD simulations were carried out to improve predictions of receptor-ligand complexes which offer novelty and strength to the current study. MD simulation protocols were explored and subjected to 25-hydroxy vitamin D and a known drug, Lopinavir. Comparison of ligands at refined models to the crystal structure led to promising results. Appropriate timescale simulations have been used to understand the activation mechanism, the role of water networks for receptor function, and the ligand binding process. Furthermore, MD simulations in combination with free energy calculations have also been carried out for lead optimization, evaluation of ligand binding modes, and assessment of ligand selectivity. From the results, 25-hydroxy vitamin D was discovered to have the vital interaction and highest potency in LBE, lower RMSD, and lower inhibition intensity similar to the standard. The findings from the current study suggested that 25-hydroxy vitamin D would be more effective in treating COVID-19. Compared with Lopinavir, 25-hydroxy vitamin D had the most potent interaction with the putative binding sites of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein of COVID-19.