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Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees is a medicinal plant which was reported to have anti HIV, anti pathogenic bacteria and immunoregulatory activities. The research purpose was to investigate the activity of Andrographis paniculata ethanol extract as antiviral and immunostimulant. A. paniculata leaves oven-dried, then grinded and macerated with ethanol 90%, and the extract then analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to determine the content of active compounds andrographolide. The antiviral activity of the extract was determined by observing its ability on inhibiting virus load in A549 cells transfected with Simian Retro Virus (SRV) by Real Time – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The immunostimulant activity of extract was determined by its ability to induce lymphocytes cell proliferation using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Our result indicated that the A. paniculata ethanol extract inhibited the SRV virus titer similar to the positive control Lamivudine, and it was not toxic to the A459 cell line. Furthermore, low concentration (1 μg/mL) of A. paniculata extract could stimulated lymphocyte cell proliferation about 38% compared to the control lymphocyte cell without any treatment.

With the advent of nanotechnology, by looking further deep down into the molecular level, today, we are able to understand basic and applied sciences even better than ever before. Not only has nanoscience and nanotechnology allowed us to study the composing structures of materials in detail, it has also allowed us to fabricate and synthesize such nanostructures using top-down and bottom-up approaches. One such field, which has been significantly influenced by the dawn of nanotechnology is biomimetics. With powerful spectroscopic and microscopic tools presenting us with images like double nanostructured pillars on the lotus surface for superhydrophobicity, the conical protuberances of moth eye demonstrating anti-reflection properties and nanostructured spatulae of gecko feet for high adhesivity, we are now able to fabricate these structures in the lab with properties showing close resemblance to their natural counterparts. Here, we present a review of various nanostructures that exist in nature, their fabrication techniques and some of their promising future applications. We hope this review will provide the reader with a basic understanding of what biomimetics is and how nanotechnology has significantly influenced this field.

Complexing liposomes with polymers enhances the structural integrity and stability of the liposome membrane. Alginate, a biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic polymer, emerges as a promising candidate for such complexation with liposomes. Notably, sodium alginate exhibits immunostimulant activity due to its inclusion of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are efficiently recognized by the body's immune receptors. In this study, liposomes were integrated with alginate nanoparticles through the addition of calcium chloride (CaCl2) at three distinct concentrations (0.16%, 0.32%, 0.64%). The resultant liposome-alginate nanoparticles were characterized using a particle size analyzer (PSA) to determine their size, size distribution, and zeta potential. The encapsulation efficiency of lysozyme within the liposome-alginate nanoparticles was quantified utilizing a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Furthermore, this combination was assessed for its biological activity, specifically nitric oxide (NO) release and cell viability in vitro, using the RAW 264.7 cell line. Liposomes complexed with alginate nanoparticles at CaCl2 concentrations of 0.16%, 0.32%, and 0.64% exhibited particle sizes of 281.7nm, 257nm, and 274.1nm, respectively, with polydispersity indices (PDI) of 0.389, 0.248, and 0.365, and zeta potentials of -0.874mV, -2.404mV, and -0.256mV, respectively. The data indicated that alginate concentration significantly influenced NO release (p<0.05) and RAW 264.7 cell viability (p<0.05). The incorporation of alginate into liposome formulations as a vaccine adjuvant not only enhances the physicochemical properties but also augments the efficacy of liposome adjuvants in stimulating NO production and promoting RAW 264.7 cell viability.

The etiology of cataracts in the Asian subcontinent is not well understood. The aim of this study was to understand the differences in nutritional and lifestyle-related etiology of cataract in a high-income group (HIG) and a low-income group (LIG). A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 140 cataract patients, aged 50–70 y, and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Socioeconomic information and habitual dietary intake were recorded by interview method. Cataract grading was given by ophthalmologists using a slit-lamp biomicroscope. In HIG patients, there was a delay of 10 y in the onset of cataracts as compared to LIG patients. Sixty-seven percent of LIG patients were alcoholic and 80% had a family history of cataracts. Further, among LIG male patients, 45%–87% were uneducated and 80% were addicted to tobacco. The intake of animal foods and fried foods was significantly higher in all the patient groups than controls (P<0.001). The intake of vegetables, fruits, salads, and tea were higher in all the controls than patients (P<0.001). For HIG male patients, between alcoholics and non-alcoholics, significant differences were noted for antioxidant status and soluble to total proteins ratio of lens. Similar differences were seen between HIG male smokers and non-smokers. Multiple regression analysis of solubility and opacity of lens indicated influence of family size, sunlight exposure, and systolic blood pressure for predisposition of cataracts. Along with high systolic blood pressure, waist:hip ratio, family size, sunlight exposure, and increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol were the risk factors for cataracts.

Nonenzymatic glycation of long-lived proteins has been implicated in several complications related to age and diabetes. Dicarbonyl compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) have been identified as the predominant source for the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in various tissues. We investigated the effect of 13 micronutrients on MGO-mediated in vitro glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), as formation of AGEs and protein carbonyls. BSA (10 mg/ml) was incubated at 37°C with 100 mM MGO for 24 hours, in presence of ascorbic acid, Trolox (water-soluble α-tocopherol analog), β-carotene, retinol, riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, zinc, iron, manganese, and selenium. Fluorescence was measured at the wavelength pair of 370 and 440 nm as an index of the formation of AGEs and spectra were recorded for promising interactions at λex = 280 nm and λex = 370 nm. Within four standard antiglycating agents, aminoguanidine showed highest inhibitory response for BSA glycation followed by quercetin, gallic acid, and tannic acid. Promising antiglycation potential was seen for Trolox, riboflavin, Zn, and Mn as evidenced by decrease in the formation of AGEs and protein carbonyls.

Background: The lens is the ocular structure most susceptible to oxidative damage. Antioxidants, micronutrients and phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their possible effects to prevent or delay the progression of various eye diseases. Objectives: A brief overview of the updated literature on the role of antioxidants and micronutrients in the prevention and treatment of ocular diseases is to be presented with an emphasis on cataract. Data Sources: PubMed search and individual papers from journals. Data Synthesis: The review discusses linkages of various micronutrients and antioxidants as well as oxidative stress with cataract. Dietary interventions as strategy for prevention of cataract and other ocular disorders are also reviewed. Conclusions: Consumption of food-based antioxidants like β-carotene lutein and zeaxanthin seem to be useful for the treatment of macular degeneration and cataracts. Supplements of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may prevent advanced age-related macular degeneration only in high-risk individuals.

Over recent decades, nanomedicine has played an important role in the enhancement of therapeutic outcomes compared to those of conventional therapy. At the same time, nanoparticle drug delivery systems offer a significant reduction in side effects of treatments by lowering the off-target biodistribution of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. Cancer nanomedicine represents the most extensively studied nanotechnology application in the field of pharmaceutics and pharmacology since the first nanodrug for cancer treatment, liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil ® ), has been approved by the FDA. The advancement of cancer nanomedicine and its enormous technological success also included various other target diseases, including hepatic fibrosis. This confirms the versatility of nanomedicine for improving therapeutic activity. In this review, we summarize recent updates of nanomedicine platforms for improving therapeutic efficacy regarding liver fibrosis. We first emphasize the challenges of conventional drugs for penetrating the biological barriers of the liver. After that, we highlight design principles of nanocarriers for achieving improved drug delivery of antifibrosis drugs through passive and active targeting strategies.

Chitosan has been explored for various biological applications due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. In this research, we prepared, characterized, and evaluated liposome-coated chitosan nanoparticles for immune adjuvant against bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a vaccine model. The liposome was formulated using DPPC, cholesterol, and DSPE-PEG with a molar ratio of 9.5:9.5:1. The BSA-chitosan nanoparticle was generated using the ionic gelation method prepared at pH 2.8, 5.5, and 8.7 before it was encapsulated with the liposome. The adjuvant was evaluated for its degree of encapsulation efficiency by Bradford reagent, and the particle size was determined using Zetasizer. Cell viability and nitric oxide release assays were carried out in RAW 264.7 cells. It was found that encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 72% to 85%, and the smallest particle size of the adjuvant-BSA was approximately ∼ 200 nm with a polydispersity index of ∼ 0.04. MTT assays have shown that cell viability was around 80%-90% compared to the control and capable of inducing nitric oxide release (p<0.05). Further exploration should be carried out in order to further discover cytokine release, humoral, and cellular immune responses.

The identification of human Non-Structural-1 (NS1) protein epitopes will help us better understand Dengue virus (DENV) immunopathogenesis. In this study, several online and offline bioinformatic prediction tools were exploited to predict and analyze T-cell and B-cell epitopes of DENV NS1 consensus sequences originated from Indonesian clinical isolates. We identified a potential peptide at NS1 155--163 (VEDYGFGIF) which interact with MHC-I allele HLA-B*40:01 and showed high binding affinity (IC50) scores ranging between 63.8 nM to 183.9 nM for all Indonesian DENV serotypes. Furthermore, we have succeeded identified a region at the C-terminal of Indonesian DENV NS1 protein between 325--344 as part of discontinuous antigenic epitope which conserved for all serotypes. Our analyses showed this region could induce strong and persistent antibody against all DENV serotypes by interacting with MHC-I molecule and also recognized by B-cell receptor. The identification of DENV NS1 T-cell and B-cell epitopes may help in the development of a new vaccine, drug discovery, and diagnostic system to help eradicate dengue infection.

We examined the synergism of cataract and diabetes in micronutrient and antioxidant statuses versus diabetes mellitus and cataract alone. Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (D; n = 76), those without diabetes and with cataract (NDC; n = 100), those with diabetes and cataract (DC; n = 53), and age- and sex-matched healthy controls ( n = 90) 50–70 y were investigated. Plasma oxidative stress as thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) and the status of 11 micronutrients were studied as lens TBARS, opacity, and ratio of soluble to total proteins in patients with cataract with or without diabetes. Lipid profile, fasting glucose, and postprandial glucose were measured for all subjects. A subnormal status of ascorbic acid, β-carotene, thiamine, and ceruloplasmin was elicited for all four study groups. Plasma TBARS and fasting glucose were significantly higher in the DC group than in the NDC ( P < 0.05), D, and control groups. Lens TBARS were comparable between the NDC and DC groups (5.5 and 5.08 nm/g of lens). Chi-square values for lens turbidity within the DC and NDC groups and for the ratio of soluble to total proteins and opacity within the NDC group were significant ( P < 0.01). The prevalence of poor riboflavin status was 30–36% in all patients and 15–22.5% in controls. Men in the DC group showed a higher value of glycosylated hemoglobin than did men from the D group. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant interactions ( P < 0.02) between HS and socioeconomic grades for fasting glucose and high-density lipoprotein levels, riboflavin status, plasma vitamin C, TBARS, and selenium. The DC group was found to be significantly different from the other groups with respect to β-coefficients of a logistic regression equation for plasma levels of selenium, zinc, iron, thiamine, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, ceruloplasmin, vitamin A, and superoxide dismutase. The combination of diabetes and cataract coupled with gender bias and influence of socioeconomic factors seem to be associated with worsening of micronutrient status, oxidative stress, and lens opacity.