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Numerous bioactive compounds have been reported to be produced by the members of the genus Streptomyces. During our previous studies, Streptomyces sp. strain 196 was tested for its antimicrobial activity, and bioactive compounds produced by this strain were characterized LC-MS and 1 H NMR. To examine the antifungal potential of strain 196 is the goal of the current investigation. Present investigation is focused on exploring antifungal activity of extract of strain 196 (196EA) on membrane disruption potential against two fungi Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and Aspergillus flavus ITCC 5599. Results revealed that the MIC value is higher for A. flavus than for C. albicans which is 450 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL, respectively. Disc diffusion and spot assay also correspond to the values of the MIC for their respective pathogen. In growth curve analysis, lag and log phase are significantly affected by the extract of strain 196. The effects of extract from strain 196 on plasma membrane disruption of Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were analyzed in terms of ergosterol quantification assay, cellular leakage, proton efflux measurement (PM-ATPase), plasma membrane integrity assay (PI), and DNA damage assay (DAPI). Results shown that the extract of strain 196 has the potential to inhibit the cell membrane of the both pathogenic fungi which was further confirmed with the help of scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Diosmin is a flavonoid with promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it has difficult physicochemical characteristics since its solubility demands a pH level of 12, which has an impact on the drug's bioavailability. The aim of this work is the development and characterization of diosmin nanocrystals using anti-solvent precipitation technique to be used for topical treatment of psoriasis. Results revealed that diosmin nanocrystals stabilized with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC E15) in ratio (diosmin:polymer; 1:1) reached the desired particle size (276.9 ± 16.49 nm); provided promising colloidal properties and possessed high drug release profile. Additionally, in-vivo assessment was carried out to evaluate and compare the activities of diosmin nanocrystal gel using three different doses and diosmin powder gel in alleviating imiquimod-induced psoriasis in rats and investigating their possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Herein, 125 mg of 5% imiquimod cream (IMQ) was applied topically for 5 consecutive days on the shaved backs of rats to induce psoriasis. Diosmin nanocrystal gel especially in the highest dose used offered the best anti-inflammatory effect. This was confirmed by causing the most statistically significant reduction in the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score and the serum inflammatory cytokines levels. Furthermore, it was capable of maintaining the balance between T helper (Th17) and T regulatory (Treg) cells. Moreover, it tackled TLR7/8/NF-κB, miRNA-31, AKT/mTOR/P70S6K and elevated the TNFAIP3/A20 (a negative regulator of NF-κB) expression in psoriatic skin tissues. This highlights the role of diosmin nanocrystal gel in tackling imiquimod-induced psoriasis in rats, and thus it could be a novel promising therapy for psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and is rated among one of the three common malignancies worldwide in combination with colon and lung cancer. The escalating mortality rate of breast cancer patients has captivated the attention of the present-day researchers to come up with new management options. According to WHO, early detection, timely diagnosis and comprehensive breast cancer management are the three cornerstones for controlling breast cancer incidences per year. Multidisciplinary theragnostic approaches for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have further enriched the therapeutic arsenal. Imaging and biopsy play a significant role in the diagnosis of breast cancer. The treatment plan mostly initiates with general surgery or radiation therapy followed up with adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy. Conventional chemotherapeutics in breast cancer suffer from toxicity and lack of site specificity. Bio-safe gold nanoparticles hold sufficient promise for bridging this gap. Diverse phytochemicals-based synthesis routes to arrive at nano-dimensional gold with spotlight on reaction mechanisms, reaction variables, specific advantages, toxicity and their influence in breast cancer conditions are the focus of this work. This review marks the first attempt to explore the potential of phytochemical-derived nano-gold in breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral drug administration is the oldest and widely used method for drug administration. The objectives behind developing an oral drug delivery for the treatment of cancer are to achieve low cost treatment by utilizing novel techniques to target cancer through gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and to enhance patient comfort and compliance through a hospital-free treatment leading to "Chemotherapy at Home." Unfortunately, due to the physiological environment of the GIT and physicochemical properties of drug candidate, the efficacy of oral drug delivery methods is limited in the treatment of cancer. Due to their low hydrophilicity, high P-gp efflux and restricted intestinal permeability most of the anti-cancer drugs fail to achieve oral bioavailability. The review focuses on the efforts, challenges, opportunities and studies conducted by scientists worldwide on the oral administration of anticancer medications via nanocarriers such as liposomes, SLNs and dendrimers, because of their potential to overcome the epithelial barrier associated with GALT, as well as the applications of different polymers in targeting the cancer. The oral delivery can set newer horizons in cancer therapy to make it more patient friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]