Phase transforming in situ gels for sustained and controlled transmucosal drug delivery via the intravaginal route.

Direct, reliable, controlled, and sustained drug delivery to female reproductive tract (FRT) remains elusive, with conventional dosage forms falling way short of the mark, leading to premature leakage, erratic drug delivery, and loss of compliance. Historically, the intravaginal route remains underserved by the pharmaceutical sector. To comprehensively address this, we turned our focus to phase-transforming sol-gels, using poloxamers, a thermosensitive polymer and, doxycycline (as hyclate salt, DOXH) as our model agent given its potential use in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We further enhanced mucoadhesiveness through screening of differing viscosity grade hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses (HPMCs). The optimised sol-gels remained gelled at body temperature (<37 °C) and were prepared in buffer aligned to vaginal cavity pH and osmolality. Lead formulations were progressed based on their ability to retain key rheological properties, and acidic pH in the presence of simulated vaginal fluid (SVF). From a shelf-life perspective, DOXH stability, gelation temperature (Tsol-gel), and pH to three months (2-8 °C) was attained. In summary, the meticulously engineered, phase-transforming sol-gels provided sustained mucoretention despite dilution by vaginal fluid, paving the way for localised antimicrobial drug delivery at concentrations that potentially far exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for target STI-causing bacteria of the FRT.

A checklist of spiders of Nepal (Arachnida; Araneae).

Spiders (order Araneae) have a worldwide distribution. As of June 17, 2022, the World spider catalog, Version 23.0, enlists 50,188 species of spiders from throughout the world. Except for the open sea and air, spiders live in every ecological environment. They prefer densely vegetated environments and are the world's seventh most diverse group of creatures in terms of species diversity. The checklist of spiders of south Asia mentions 222 spider species from Nepal, grouped into 23 families. However, the official database of the Nepalese government only lists 175 species of Nepalese spiders. This checklist is a vital update to the diversity of the spider fauna of Nepal. The goal is to compile a thorough list of all the spiders found in Nepal. We have enlisted 386 different spider species from Nepal, belonging to 135 different genera and 34 different families, after reviewing previous scientific publications, computer databases of the Nepalese government, and the World spider catalog, Version 23.0. It adds a total of 211 new spiders to Nepal's biodiversity database. Linyphiidae and Salticidae spiders dominate accounting for 27.46 percent and 17.36 percent of total species, respectively, on the checklist. Corrections to previous misidentifications are also included in this checklist, as well as taxonomy revisions. Synonymous species are sorted out to avoid recurrence. The trends in Nepalese spider discovery and dispersion have also been studied.

Application of Sol-Gels for Treatment of Gynaecological Conditions-Physiological Perspectives and Emerging Concepts in Intravaginal Drug Delivery.

Approaches for effective and sustained drug delivery to the female reproductive tract (FRT) for treating a range of gynaecological conditions remain limited. The development of versatile delivery platforms, such as soluble gels (sol-gels) coupled with applicators/devices, holds considerable therapeutic potential for gynaecological conditions. Sol-gel systems, which undergo solution-to-gel transition, triggered by physiological conditions such as changes in temperature, pH, or ion composition, offer advantages of both solution- and gel-based drug formulations. Furthermore, they have potential to be used as a suitable drug delivery vehicle for other novel drug formulations, including micro- and nano-particulate systems, enabling the delivery of drug molecules of diverse physicochemical character. We provide an anatomical and physiological perspective of the significant challenges and opportunities in attaining optimal drug delivery to the upper and lower FRT. Discussion then focuses on attributes of sol-gels that can vastly improve the treatment of gynaecological conditions. The review concludes by showcasing recent advances in vaginal formulation design, and proposes novel formulation strategies enabling the infusion of a wide range of therapeutics into sol-gels, paving the way for patient-friendly treatment regimens for acute and chronic FRT-related conditions such as bacterial/viral infection control (e.g., STDs), contraception, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), infertility, and cancer.

Wound healing properties of Carica papaya latex: in vivo evaluation in mice burn model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Carica papaya is traditionally used to treat various skin disorders, including wounds. It is widely used in developing countries as an effective and readily available treatment of various wounds, particularly burns. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was aimed at investigating the healing efficiency of papaya latex formulated as 1.0 and 2.5% hydrogels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Burns were induced in Swiss albino mice divided into five groups as following; Group-I (negative control) received no treatment. Group-II was treated with Carbopol 974P NF empty gel. Groups-III and -IV were treated with Carbopol gel containing 1.0 and 2.5% of dried papaya latex, respectively. Group-V (positive control) received the standard drug (silver sulphadiazine and chlorhexidine gluconate cream). The efficacy of treatment was evaluated based on the hydroxyproline content, wound contraction and epithelialization time. RESULTS: Hydroxyproline content was found to be significantly increased in the Group-III. Significant increase in percentage wound contraction was observed from day 12 in Group-IV and from day 20 in Groups-III and -V. The epithelialization time was found to be the shortest in Group-IV. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that papaya latex formulated in the Carbopol gel is effective in the treatment of burns and thus supports its traditional use.