Novel anti-dandruff shampoo incorporated with ketoconazole-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles using green tea extract.

BACKGROUND: Dandruff caused by Malassezia furfur is a prevailing fungal infection. Although ketoconazole (KTZ) is widely intended for anti-dandruff treatment, poor solubility, and epidermal permeability limits its use and the marketed KTZ shampoo adversely effects scalp and hair. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a novel shampoo loaded with KTZ-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles using green tea extract and evaluate its antifungal activity. METHODS: The KTZ-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles was prepared by green synthesis and was characterized by UV, FTIR, XRD, and the drug entrapment efficiency was investigated. The antifungal activity of the nanoparticles with respect to standard drug, KTZ was tested against Malassezia furfur. Further, a novel antidandruff shampoo was developed by incorporating the prepared nanoparticles into the shampoo base. RESULTS: The formation of KTZ-coated ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by UV and FTIR analysis. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous phase of KTZ in nanoparticles. The drug entrapment efficiency was found to be 91.84%. The prepared nanoparticles showed enhanced activity against Malassezia furfur compared to drug of choice, KTZ (1%). The evaluation of shampoo showed an ideal result. CONCLUSION: KTZ-coated ZnO nanoparticles loaded novel shampoo in comparison to marketed anti-dandruff shampoo could be an effective alternate for the treatment of dandruff.

Organ-On-A-Chip: An Emerging Research Platform.

In drug development, conventional preclinical and clinical testing stages rely on cell cultures and animal experiments, but these methods may fall short of fully representing human biology. To overcome this limitation, the emergence of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology has sparked interest as a transformative approach in drug testing research. By closely replicating human organ responses to external signals, OOC devices hold immense potential in revolutionizing drug efficacy and safety predictions. This review focuses on the advancements, applications, and prospects of OOC devices in drug testing. Based on the latest advances in the field of OOC systems and their clinical applications, this review reflects the effectiveness of OOC devices in replacing human volunteers in certain clinical studies. This review underscores the critical role of OOC technology in transforming drug testing methodologies.

Nobiletin as a Molecule for Formulation Development: An Overview of Advanced Formulation and Nanotechnology-Based Strategies of Nobiletin.

Approximately 40% of compounds in clinical drug development suffer from solubility and bioavailability challenges. Evidence from literature demonstrates the growing interest to utilize flavonoids as potential compounds owing to their widespread therapeutic utility in various ailments. Nobiletin (NOB), one such dietary polymethoxylated flavonoid found in citrus fruits, has multiple pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory. It is useful in cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, atherosclerosis, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. Although preclinical studies demonstrate the therapeutic utility of NOB, it suffers from serious biopharmaceutical limitations such as low aqueous solubility (below 1 µg/ml), poor permeability across biological barriers, and low bioavailability. To overcome these biopharmaceutical challenges associated with NOB, the use of advanced formulations and nanotechnology-based strategies appears to be a promising approach to potentiate its therapeutic action. Multiple reviews cover the various therapeutic benefits of NOB in various diseases; however, there is an absence of a comprehensive review that focuses on the formulation development strategies of NOB. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise perspective on NOB as a candidate molecule for formulation development. The manuscript covers various aspects related to NOB, such as its chemistry, physicochemical properties, and pharmacological effects. This is also a thorough review of various formulation development strategies with advances made in the past years to improve the solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of NOB. The review also contains information related to toxicity and patents involving NOB and its formulation.

Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis - A Case Series from India.

BACKGROUND: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare auto-inflammatory disease of the bone. It tends to be multifocal and usually the symptoms tend to run for months and years before diagnosis is usually made. The objective of our study was to understand the clinical presentation and short-term response to treatment of CRMO patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with CRMO between 2011 and 2016 was done. Case records of these were retrospectively reviewed for clinical features, investigations and treatment received. RESULTS: Six patients were diagnosed with CRMO. The median age of onset and time to diagnosis from onset of symptoms was 8 and 3.5 years respectively. Lower limb bones were the most commonly involved. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant delay in diagnosis of CRMO and this could be because of a lack of awareness of this condition amongst clinicians. Our case series with only male affection is rather unique as compared to other case series reported in medical literature which tend to have more female predilection. Pain with or without swelling was the most common symptom. Most of patients responded to combination therapy.

Synovial Arteriovenous Malformation Masquerading as Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Synovial arteriovenous malformation is rare. CASE CHARACTERISTICS: We present three children with recurrent monoarthritis secondary to synovial arteriovenous malformation. OUTCOME: Two children underwent excision of arteriovenous malformation. Another child had diffuse arteriovenous malformation, which was inoperable. MESSAGE: Synovial arteriovenous malformations should be considered in the differential diagnosis of monoarthritis, especially of the knee.

Cytopenia and Bone Marrow Dysplasia in a Case of Wilson's Disease.

We describe a sixteen year old with Wilson's disease on copper chelation and subsequent high dose oral zinc who developed severe anemia and neutropenia. Bone marrow aspirate done to evaluate the cause of bicytopenia revealed trilineage dysplasia. Correlating the clinical context with bone marrow and biochemical parameters, copper deficiency was suspected and he was given a trial of therapy, following which the hematological parameters improved. This case highlights hypocupremia as a reversible cause of bone marrow dysplasia in patients with Wilson's disease on chelation, where serum copper levels are not useful in the diagnosis. We also believe that monitoring of the blood counts in patients on copper chelation may provide a clue to impending copper deficiency.