Evaluation of Antitumor Efficacy of Chitosan-Tamarind Gum Polysaccharide Polyelectrolyte Complex Stabilized Nanoparticles of Simvastatin

Purpose: The present study was intended to fabricate chitosan (Ch)-tamarind gum polysaccharide (TGP) polyelectrolyte complex stabilized cubic nanoparticles of simvastatin and evaluate their potential against human breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: The antisolvent precipitation method was used for formulation of nanoparticles. Factorial design (32 ) was utilized as a tool to analyze the effect of Ch and TGP concentration on particle size and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles. Results: Formulated nanoparticles showed high entrapment efficiency (67.19±0.42–83.36 ±0.23%) and small size (53.3–383.1 nm). The present investigation involved utilization of two biological membranes (egg and tomato) as biological barriers for drug release. The study revealed that drug release from tomato membranes was retarded (as compared to egg membranes) but the release pattern matched that of egg membranes. All formulations followed the Baker–Lansdale model of drug release irrespective of the two different biological barriers. Stability studies were carried out for 45 days and exhibited less variation in particle size as well as a reduction in entrapment efficiency. Simvastatin loaded PEC stabilized nanoparticles exhibited better control on growth of human breast cancer cell lines than simple simvastatin. An unusual anticancer effect of simvastatin nanoparticles is also supported by several other research studies. Conclusion: The present study involves first-time synthesis of Ch-TGP polyelectrolyte complex stabilized nanoparticles of simvastatin against MCF-7 cells. It recommends that, in future, theoretical modeling and IVIVC should be carried out for perfect designing of delivery systems

Determination of Temperature-Dependent Coefficients of Viscosity and Surface Tension of Tamarind Seeds (Tamarindus indica L.) Polymer

The rheological properties of tamarind seed polymer are characterized for its possible commercialization in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Seed polymer was extracted using water as a solvent and ethyl alcohol as a precipitating agent. The temperature’s effect on the rheological behavior of the polymeric solution was studied. In addition to this, the temperature coefficient, viscosity, surface tension, activation energy, Gibbs free energy, Reynolds number, and entropy of fusion were calculated by using the Arrhenius, Gibbs–Helmholtz, Frenkel–Eyring, and Eotvos equations, respectively. The activation energy of the gum was found to be 20.46 ± 1.06 kJ/mol. Changes in entropy and enthalpy were found to be 23.66 ± 0.97 and −0.10 ± 0.01 kJ/mol, respectively. The calculated amount of entropy of fusion was found to be 0.88 kJ/mol. A considerable decrease in apparent viscosity and surface tension was produced when the temperature was raised. The present study concludes that the tamarind seed polymer solution is less sensitive to temperature change in comparison to Albzia lebbac gum, Ficus glumosa gum and A. marcocarpa gum. This study also concludes that the attainment of the transition state of viscous flow for tamarind seed gum is accompanied by bond breaking. The excellent physicochemical properties of tamarind seed polymers make them promising excipients for future drug formulation and make their application in the food and cosmetics industry possibl

Evaluation and Characterization of Tamarind Gum Polysaccharide: The Biopolymer

Polymers from natural sources are widely used as excipients in the formulation of pharmaceutical dosage forms. The objective of this study was to extract and further characterize the tamarind gum polysaccharide (TGP) obtained from Tamarindus indica as an excipient for biomedical applications. Double distilled water was used as a solvent for the extraction of gum while Ethyl alcohol was used as an antisolvent for the precipitation. The results of the Hausner ratio, Carr’s index and angle of repose were found to be 0.94, 6.25, and 0.14, respectively, which revealed that the powder is free-flowing with good flowability. The gum was investigated for purity by carrying out chemical tests for different phytochemical constituents and only carbohydrates were found to be present. The swelling index was found to be 87 ± 1%, which shows that TGP has good water intake capacity. The pH of the 1% gum solution was found to be neutral, approximately 6.70 ± 0.01. The ash values such as total ash, sulphated ash, acid insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash were found to be 14.00 ± 1.00%, 13.00 ± 0.05%, 14.04 ± 0.57% and 7.29 ± 0.06%, respectively. The IR spectra confirmed the presence of alcohol, amines, ketones, anhydrides groups. The contact angle was <90°, indicating favorable wetting and good spreading of liquid over the surface The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed that the particle is spherical in shape and irregular. DSC analysis shows a sharp exothermic peak at 350 °C that shows its crystalline nature. The results of the evaluated properties showed that TGP has acceptable properties and can be used as a excipient to formulate dosage forms for biomedical applications

Commercial utilities and future perspective of nanomedicines

The present review aims to describe the commercial utilities and future perspectives of nanomedicines. Nanomedicines are intended to increase precision medicine and decrease the adverse effects on the patient. Nanomedicines are produced, engineered, and industrialized at the cellular, chemical, and macromolecular levels. This study describes the various aspects of nanomedicine such as governing outlooks over high use of nanomedicine, regulatory advancements for nanomedicines, standards, and guidelines for nanomedicines as per Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This review also focuses on the patents and clinical trials based on nanoformulation, along with nanomedicines utilization as drug therapy and their market value. The present study concludes that nanomedicines are of high importance in biomedical and pharmaceutical production and offer better therapeutic effects especially in the case of drugs that possess low aqueous solubility. The factual data presented in this study will assist the researchers and health care professionals in understanding the applications of nanomedicine for better diagnosis and effective treatment of a disease

COVID-19 biomedical plastics wastes—challenges and strategies for curbing the environmental disaster

The rise of the COVID-19 outbreak has made handling plastic waste much more difficult. Our superior, hyper-hygienic way of life has changed our behavioural patterns, such as the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), the increased desire for plastic-packaged food and commodities, and the use of disposable utensils, as a result of the fear of transmission. The constraints and inefficiencies of our current waste management system, in dealing with our growing reliance on plastic, could worsen its mismanagement and leakage into the environment, causing a new environmental crisis. A sustainable, systemic, and hierarchical plastic management plan, which clearly outlines the respective responsibilities as well as the socioeconomic and environmental implications of these actions, is required to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. It will necessitate action strategies tailored to individual types of plastic waste and country demand, as well as increased support from policymakers and the general public. The situation of biomedical plastic wastes during the COVID-19 epidemic is alarming. In addition, treatment of plastic waste, sterilisation, incineration, and alternative technologies for transforming bio-plastic waste into value-added products were discussed, elaborately. Our review would help to promote sustainable technologies to manage plastic waste, which can only be achieved with a change in behaviour among individuals and society, which might help to safeguard against going from one disaster to another in the coming days