Antioxidants interact with free radicals, terminating the adverse chain reactions and converting them to harmless products. Antioxidants thus minimize the oxidative stress and play a crucial role in the treatment of free radicals-induced diseases. However, the effectiveness of natural and/or synthetic antioxidants is limited due to their poor absorption, difficulties to cross the cell membranes, and degradation during delivery, hence contributing to their limited bioavailability. To address these issues, antioxidants covalently linked with nanoparticles, entrapped in nanogel, hollow particles, or encapsulated into nanoparticles of diverse origin have been used to provide better stability, gradual and sustained release, biocompatibility, and targeted delivery of the antioxidants with superior antioxidant profiles. This review aims to critically evaluate the recent scientific evaluations of nanoparticles as the antioxidant delivery vehicles, as well as their contribution in efficient and enhanced antioxidant activities.

Nanoantioxidants: Recent Trends in Antioxidant Delivery Applications.

Improved oral bioavailability of the anticancer drug catechin using chitosomes: Design, in-vitro appraisal and in-vivo studies

Our work supports the hypothesis that a protein can serve as an element of genetic inheritance. This protein-only mechanism of inheritance is propagated in much the same way as hypothesized for the transmission of the protein-only infectious agent in the spongiform encephalopathies; hence these protein factors have been called yeast prions. Our work has focused on [PSI(+)], a dominant cytoplasmically inherited factor that alters translational fidelity. This change in translation is produced by a self-perpetuating change in the conformation of the translation-termination factor, Sup35. Most recently, we have determined that new elements of genetic inheritance can be created by deliberate genetic engineering, opening prospects for new methods of manipulating heredity. We have also uncovered evidence that other previously unknown elements of protein-based inheritance are encoded in the yeast genome. Finally, we have begun to use yeast as a model system for studying human protein folding diseases, such as Huntington's disease. Proteins responsible for some of these diseases have properties uncannily similar to those that produce protein-based mechanisms of inheritance.

Investigating protein conformation-based inheritance and disease in yeast - Discussion

Effect of various solvents on the pulsed ultrasonic assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Hibiscus cannabinus L. leaves

Characterizing fucoxanthin as a selective dopamine D3/D4 receptor agonist: Relevance to Parkinson's disease

http://www.arjournals.org/index.php/ijaps/article/download/1987/pdf

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of antioxidant properties of catechin hydrate nanoparticles

Purpose: Biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class IV compounds, exhibits least oral bioavailability, low solubility and intestinal permeability among all pharmaceutical classes of drugs. Thus, these drugs need more compatible and efficient delivery system. Since, their solubility in various medium, remains a limitation so, polymeric nano coacervates based drug loading with modified approach for them may prove to be a solution ahead. Therefore, in present study Chitosan is opted for encapsulating the BCS class IV drug (Hydrochlorothiazide) to attain better stability, enhanced permeability and lower toxicity. Methods: For this study, Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was opted for formulating chitosan based nano-coacervate system. Results: Optimized HCTZ nanocoacervates exhibited the average particle size of 91.39 ± 0.75 nm with Poly-dispersity index score of 0.159 ± 0.01, indicating homogeneity of colloidal solution. Zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of HCTZ nanocoacervates were recorded as -18.9 ± 0.8 mV and 76.69 ± 0.82 % respectively. Further, from TEM and SEM evaluation the average particle size for the same were found in conformity (35-50 nm), with almost spherical morphology. Also, the EDX (Electron Dispersive X-ray) spectrometry and FT - IR analysis of optimized formulation indicated the balanced chemical composition and interaction between the polymeric molecules. The HCTZ nano coacervates showed the linear diffusion profile through the dialysis membrane. Conclusion: We can conclude from the present study that the optimized HCTZ nano coacervates may prove to be a suitable potential option for effective delivery of BCS class IV drugs.

Bio Pharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class IV Drug Nanoparticles: Quantum Leap to Improve Their Therapeutic Index.

Lemon oil (LO), also known as Citrus limonum is a highly volatile essential oil (EO) with potential therapeutic properties like anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, anti-fungal and anti-cancerous. However, the efficacy of LO is limited due to its physiological factors such as high volatility, poor stability (particularly sensitive to sunlight) and quick degradability upon exposure. To overcome these challenges, we formulated lemon oil loaded nanoemulsion system (LO-NE) (oil-in-water), using aqueous titration method. The formulation comprised of lemon oil (LO), Tween 80 and ethanol as oil, surfactant and co-surfactant phases respectively. The existence zone of NE was established by constructing pseudo-ternary phase diagrams using different concentrations of LO, surfactant and co-surfactant (Smix). The quantitative estimation of LO was performed using a high throughput gas chromatography, revealing the presence of various compounds like Limonene, Alpha-Pinene and Linalyl acetate followed by the estimation of total phenolics and flavonoid content. The characterization of LO-NE indicated the particle size of 60 ± 2.5 nm along with the polydispersity index of 0.125 and zeta potential of −14.9 mV. The size range of the NE particles dispersed in the colloidal system was further verified by TEM micrograph which shows size range between 46.2 - 104.7 nm. All the anti-oxidant assays outcomes exhibited the higher activity of LO-NE in comparison to LO alone with lower IC50 values. The release kinetics statistical data showed that LO-NE had a sustained release and followed the Higuchi’s model in comparison to burst release of LO alone. Lastly, the stability analysis of the optimised formulation (LO-NE) and LO was estimated through antioxidant assay and subjecting them for thermodynamic stability after 6 months. The results attained, showed higher stability and anti-oxidant capability of LO-NE than LO alone. The study suggested that formulated nanoemulsion can be effectively used as a highly efficacious biologically active alternative nanoformulation against many transdermal disorders.

/pdf/synthesis-and-characterization-of-citrus-limonum-essential-3u8ecbujbh.pdf

Synthesis and Characterization of Citrus limonum Essential Oil Based Nanoemulsion and Its Enhanced Antioxidant Activity with Stability for Transdermal Application

Neurodegeneration is the progressive and gradual dysfunction and loss of axons in the central nervous system. It is the main pathological characteristic of chronic and acute neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The usual aspects of pathogenesis of disease can be abridged with regards to the downstream implications of uncontrollable protein oligomerization and aggregation from postmitotic cells. The brain structure constantly changes in normal aging without any dysfunction accompanying the structural changes in brain. The decline in cognitive capabilities, for example, processing speed, memory, and functions related to decision making are the sign of healthy aging. The reduction in brain volume in healthy aging is possibly related to neuronal loss at some marginal extent. The following chapter discusses the structural and functional alterations in the brain in ageing and neurodegeneration.

The Aging Brain: From Physiology to Neurodegeneration

Background: Recent decades witnessed a significant growth in terms of phytocompounds based therapeutics, extensively explored for almost all types of existing disorders. They have also been widely investigated in Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) and Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenolic compound having potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, emerged as a promising compound in ameliorating NDDs. Owing to its poor stability, bioavailability and release kinetics, CGA needed a suitable nanocarrier based pharmaceutical design for targeting NDDs. Objective: The current study is aimed at the in-silico validation of CGA as an effective therapeutic agent targeting various NDDs followed by the fabrication of polymeric nanoparticles-based carrier system to overcome its pharmacological limitations and improve its stability. Methods: A successful in-silico validation using molecular docking techniques along with synthesis of CGA loaded polymeric nanoparticles (CGA-NPs) by ionic gelation method was performed. The statistical optimisation of the developed CGA-NPs was done by Box Behnken method and then the optimized formulation of CGA-NPs was characterised using particle size analysis (PSA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) along with in-vitro release kinetics analysis. Results & Conclusion: The results attained exhibited average particle size of 101.9 ± 1.5 nm, Polydispersibility (PDI) score of 0.065 and a ZP of −17.4 mV. On a similar note, TEM results showed a size range of CGA-NPs between 90 - 110 nm with a spherical shape of NPs. Also, the data from in-vitro release kinetics showed a sustained release of CGA from the NPs following the first-order kinetics suggesting the appropriate designing of nanoformulation.

/pdf/in-silico-validation-and-development-of-chlorogenic-acid-cga-f08p17vdeq.pdf

Ramneek Kaur

Papers

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of antioxidant properties of catechin hydrate nanoparticles

Bio Pharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class IV Drug Nanoparticles: Quantum Leap to Improve Their Therapeutic Index.

Synthesis and Characterization of Citrus limonum Essential Oil Based Nanoemulsion and Its Enhanced Antioxidant Activity with Stability for Transdermal Application

The Aging Brain: From Physiology to Neurodegeneration

In-Silico Validation and Development of Chlorogenic Acid (CGA) Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticle for Targeting Neurodegenerative Disorders