Plaster Gel Loaded with Silver Nanoparticle-Mediated Ganoderma applanatum: from Fabrication to Evaluation.

Traditional Asian remedies have mainly employed the macrofungus Ganoderma applanatum, which belongs to the family Ganodermataceae, as a medicinal mushroom due to its high antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Extracts of the fungus can be synthesized into nanoparticles, which are subsequently produced as plaster gels. Synthesized silver nanoparticle-mediated G. applanatum was discovered to have the greatest ability to inhibit bacterial growth in S. epidermidis. When applied to the skin, the prepared plaster gel converted from a gel to a film; thus, both gel and film generation are characteristic of its formulation. The plaster gel that was made was found to be consistent and attractive, and the yellow color had darkened. Its viscosity and pH were appropriate for the application and allowed it to remain on the skin without dripping or reacting with the skin until it dried. A shorter duration for film formation is possible. The film's tensile was slightly reduced, and it exhibited excellent thermal stability. Decomposition of the generated film occurred at a slower rate, which constrained the polymer chain's ability to move. The semi-crystalline structure was characteristic of the film. It was found that particles were distributed in the film. Rapid release from plaster gel within 4 h was seen, and this was followed by a period of a slowly declining release rate over 12 h. The accurate first-order kinetic used to estimate the release rate of the formulation. The plaster gel demonstrated greater antibacterial activity than the MIC value indicated. The in vivo evaluation was positive and showed no skin irritation. The formulation showed good stability. Therefore, this indicated that the prepared plaster gel is appropriate for topical pharmaceutical delivery and safe for skin application.

Effect of Ionic Liquid on Silver-Nanoparticle-Complexed Ganoderma applanatum and Its Topical Film Formulation.

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids have been widely utilized as versatile solvents for metal nanoparticle preparation. Silver nanoparticles and Ganoderma applanatum have displayed potent antimicrobial activities. This work aimed to study the effect of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide-based ionic liquid on the silver-nanoparticle-complexed G. applanatum and its topical film. The ratio and conditions for preparation were optimized by the design of the experiments. The optimal ratio was silver nanoparticles: G. applanatum extract: ionic liquid at 97:1:2, and the conditions were 80 °C for 1 h. The prediction was corrected with a low percentage error. The optimized formula was loaded into a topical film made of polyvinyl alcohol and Eudragit®, and its properties were evaluated. The topical film was uniform, smooth, and compact and had other desired characteristics. The topical film was able to control the release of silver-nanoparticle-complexed G. applanatum from the matrix layer. Higuchi's model was used to fit the kinetic of the release. The skin permeability of the silver-nanoparticle-complexed G. applanatum was improved by about 1.7 times by the ionic liquid, which might increase solubility. The produced film is suitable for topical applications and may be utilized in the development of potential future therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases.

In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of mixture Thai medicinal plants.

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical study of medicinal plants is rapidly gaining popularity with many pharmacologic effects. This study aims to determine the antioxidant capacity as well as anticancer and antimigration activities of Clear belongs Plus extract (CBL-P) which consisted of five medicinal plants namely, Alpinia galanga, Piper nigrum, Citrus aurantifolia, Tiliacora triandra, and Cannabis sativa on human colon cancer cells SW620 and HCT116 cell lines, and human non-small cell lung cancer cells A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines. METHODS: In this study the dried-plant powder was extracted using 90% ethanol. Additionally, CBL-P was studied antioxidative activity via DPPH and ABTS assays and anti-inflammatory activities using nitric oxide assay using Griess reaction. Antiproliferation and antimigration of CBL-P were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scratch assay. RESULTS: The results showed that CBL-P had potent antiproliferative activity with IC50 values in a concentration- and time-dependent manners for all four cell lines. CBL-P also possessed potent antimigration activity against all studied cancer cells. CBL-P demonstrated antimigration activity on four different types of cancer cells (A549, NCI-H460, HCT116, and SW620) after 48 h of incubation, with the greatest effect seen at the highest concentration tested (15 µg/mL) in A549 cells (10.23% of wound closure) and NCI-H460 cells (9.16% of wound closure). CBL-P was also effective in reducing migration in HCT116 and SW620 cells, with a range of closure area from 10-50%. In addition, CBL-P had antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 8.549 ± 0.241 mg/mL and 2.673 ± 0.437 mg/mL for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. CBL-P also showed anti-inflammatory activity with the best inhibitory activity on NO production at a concentration of 40 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the mixture extract possessed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the mixture plant extract significantly exhibited antiproliferative and antimigration activities on SW620, HCT116, A549, and NCI-H460 cells (P ≤ 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that medicinal plants may have synergistic effects that could potentially enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment when used as adjuvants. These findings provide a solid scientific foundation for future efforts to explore the mechanism of action.

Optimization of Process and Formulation Variables for Semha-Pinas Extract Effervescent Tablets Using the Box-Behnken Design.

Semha-Pinas (SHPN) is a Thai traditional herbal formula used as an expectorant. Its traditional dosage form is pills, which are dispersed in water before use. The development of this recipe to effervescent tablets could enhance patient convenience with shortened the time needed to disintegrate the active ingredients. This work aimed to develop SHPN extract effervescent tablets based on process and formulation optimization using the Box-Behnken design. Four levels of three independent variables, including a compressional force, a quantity of effervescent base, and a quantity of fumed silica, were screened using the one factor at a time method. Three levels of each independent variable were included in the Box-Behnken design, including 1000 - 2000 psi, 46 - 52%, and 1.67 - 3.33%, respectively. Four responses were monitored, including tablet thickness, hardness, disintegration time, and friability. In terms of design space, the results showed that the tablet hardness was not less than 5 kP, disintegration time was not more than 5 min, and friability was not more than 1% found when 2000 psi compressional force was used. The optimal parameters were a compressional force of 2000 psi, effervescent base of 50%, and fumed silica of 2.5%. This formulation had a tablet weight of 598.86 ± 0.05 mg, a diameter of 12.68 ± 0.01 mm, a thickness of 3.67 ± 0.01 mm, a hardness of 5.57 ± 0.22 kP, a disintegration time of 1.68 ± 0.04 min, and friability of 0.43 ± 0.02%. In conclusion, this work succeeded in developing SHPN extract effervescent tablets with desired properties that were easy to use. Furthermore, the time needed to disintegrate the active ingredients was decreased when compared with the traditional dosage form due to being easily dissolved in water.

Antitumor Effects of Delta (9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabinol on Cholangiocarcinoma Cells and Xenograft Mouse Models.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very aggressive tumor. The development of a new therapeutic drug for CCA is required. This study aims to evaluate the antitumor effect of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), and cannabinol (CBN), a minor, low-psychoactive cannabinoid, on CCA cells and xenograft mice. THC and CBN were isolated, and their identities were confirmed by comparing 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra and mass spectra with a database. Cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell apoptosis assays were performed in HuCCT1 human CCA cells treated with THC or CBN. The phosphorylation of signaling molecules in HuCCT1 cells was detected. To determine the effects of THC and CBN in an animal model, HuCCT1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice. After the tumors reached an appropriate size, the mice were treated with THC or CBN for 21 days. Tumor volumes were monitored and calculated. The 1H- and 13C-NMR data of THC and CBN were almost identical to those reported in the literature. THC and CBN significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis in HuCCT1 cells. The phosphorylation of AKT, GSK-3α/ß, and ERK1/2 decreased in HuCCT1 cells treated with THC or CBN. CCA xenograft mice treated with THC showed significantly slower tumor progression and smaller tumor volumes than control mice. THC and CBN induced apoptosis in CCA by inhibiting the AKT and MAPK pathways. These findings provide a strong rationale for THC and CBN as therapeutic options for CCA.

Investigation of the Interaction of Herbal Ingredients Contained in Triphala Recipe Using Simplex Lattice Design: Chemical Analysis Point of View.

The aim of this work was to investigate the interaction of herbal ingredients contained in Triphala recipe (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Phyllanthus emblica in equal proportion) using simplex lattice design. This work focused on chemical analysis of four phenolic compounds including gallic acid, corilagin, chebulagic acid, and chebulinic acid by validated high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of the extraction technique (decoction vs. infusion) and gamma irradiation was also examined. The combination index was used as a tool for determination of interaction of the ingredients contained in the herbal recipe. Results showed that the extraction technique and gamma irradiation slightly altered the content of some phenolic compounds as well as the combination index. The positive interaction seems to be found at the equal proportion of the three plants. This work scientifically supported the suitable formula of the Triphala recipe in the traditional use.

Optimal condition of cannabis maceration to obtain the high cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol content.

The aim of this work was to optimize a maceration condition of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.). A circumscribed central composite experimental design was applied in this work. Temperature and time were varied from 40-80 °C and 30-90 min, respectively. The three responses (i.e., extraction yield, cannabidiol content, and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol content) were predicted by computer software. The yield was high when cannabis was macerated using ethanol at high temperature and long duration time. While cannabidiol and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol content was high when macerating at a low heating temperature and short duration time. The optimal condition provided the simultaneous high of cannabidiol and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol content was 40 °C for 30 min. The prediction was accurate due to low percent error. This optimal condition could be used as a guide for maceration of cannabis to obtain the extract containing a high content of cannabidiol and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol.