South Asian Journal of Experimental Biology

Gentamicin-embedded Nanocomposite Patches: A promising transdermal strategy for breast cancer therapy

2025-07-21T18:59:27+00:00

Breast cancer treatment remains challenging due to poor tumour targeting, systemic toxicity, and multidrug resistance. Gentamicin, primarily known as an antibiotic, has demonstrated anticancer properties but suffers from poor bioavailability and dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. Incorporating gentamicin into nanocomposite-based transdermal patches offers a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. This review highlights the formulation, characterization, and therapeutic potential of gentamicin-loaded nanocomposites for breast cancer treatment. Advantages include enhanced drug stability, controlled release, improved skin penetration, and reduced systemic exposure. In vitro cytotoxicity studies indicate significant anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines. While challenges remain, this approach holds considerable potential for localized, sustained, and patient-compliant breast cancer therapy.

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Vaalai Rasa Mezhugu in Rodent Model

2025-07-25T09:36:16+00:00

Inflammation and pain are major contributors to morbidity worldwide, and the long-term use of conventional anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs is often limited due to their associated adverse effects. Siddha medicine employs herbo-mineral formulations such as Vaalai Rasa Mezhugu (VRM), traditionally used for inflammatory and painful conditions, which require scientific validation. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of VRM using experimental animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats, while analgesic activity was evaluated using Eddy’s hot plate method in mice. VRM produced a dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema, with the high dose showing a maximum inhibition of 64.62% at the 5th hour, comparable to indomethacin (65.33%), with statistical significance from the 1st hour onward (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). In mice, VRM significantly increased pain reaction time, with a maximum analgesic increase of 34.76% at 30 minutes (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that VRM possesses significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and central analgesic activities, supporting its traditional use and integration into evidence-based medicine.

Comparative study of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration on sewage treated Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

2025-04-24T11:21:24+00:00

The waste water Recycling is crucial to address the water scarcity created due to the increasing population and industrialization. In the process of sewage treatment and recycling the technology and governing factors are important. Therefore, this study was undertaken to reveal the comparative effects of varying MLSS concentrations on the treated water quality in both Membrane bioreactor (MBR) and Activated Sludge Process (ASP). To check the MLSS, samples of Bio culture were collected from aeration tank of Sewage Treatment Plant from various location. MLSS checked by standard methodology, MLSS indicates Population of Bio-culture present in the process. To check output of treated water samples physicochemical test such as BOD were performed by standardized methods for this comparative study. We have analyzed BOD since it indicates consumption of organic matter by bio-culture. BOD is important parameter which shows the reduction in pollution load or quality of the treated water. In MBR Technology we found MLSS minimum 5600 mg/lit and maximum 7500 mg/lit whereas BOD observed is 9 and 5 mg/lit respectively at same location. In Activated Sludge Process we found MLSS minimum 2800 mg/lit and maximum 4500 mg/ lit at the same location we found BOD 71 and 44 mg/lit respectively. We have analyzed the MLSS and BOD in order to study the concentration of MLSS or Bacterial culture and treated water BOD from the samples collected from outlet of Filtration in ASP and outlet of MBR in industrial as well as residential society STP locations. It was found from MBR technology that less BOD output results were obtained as compared to ASP. The conclusion of this study is higher concentrations of MLSS up to 5600 to 9500 mg/liter results in BOD around 5 to 9 mg/liter. Understanding the relationship between MLSS concentration and treatment performance can aid in the optimization of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) operations and the development of sustainable wastewater treatment practices. From the study we can recommend to go for MBR Technology where we can maintain higher MLSS and can achieve lesser BOD results as compared to other technology like Activated Sludge Process (ASP).

Sustainable impact of hydrogels in resolving global water scarcity and as a food preservative agent

2026-04-13T10:19:53+00:00

Hydrogels, or three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked polymer networks having a high-water absorption capacity, have emerged as promising materials with numerous applications. Their distinguishing characteristics, like biocompatibility, biodegradability, and modifiable mechanical properties, make them ideal for both water filtration and food preservation. Hydrogels can be used to remove heavy metals, organic contaminants and other microorganisms from water sources due to their porous structure. The filtered water will then be of better quality because of effective adsorption and filtration. Hydrogels can extend the shelf life of food products by regulating moisture loss, inhibiting microbial development, and releasing beneficial compounds. Hydrogels also act as encapsulating agents that protect sensitive substances while enhancing texture and taste. The review explains about the different types of hydrogels, preparation methods, and their applications, looking at sustainability and future directions for research.

Metabolomics-Guided Biomarker Discovery for Early Detection of Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Disorders

2026-04-13T11:17:49+00:00

Metabolomics-guided biomarker discovery has been a new approach for the early detection of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders by enabling comprehensive profiling of small-molecule metabolites in biofluids. High-throughput mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, integrated with advanced data analytics, facilitate the identification and profiling of small molecule metabolites in biological fluids. This clinical interpretation helps in bridging the gap between genotype, phenotype and the environment. In the diagnosis of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, metabolomics helped in the early diagnosis and profiling of metabolite such as amino acids, lipids and organic acids with precision. By revealing the instabilities in energy metabolism, biological pathways and metabolism of biomolecule, improved therapeutic approaches are used. Despite of these advances’ certain challenges such as lack of standardized protocols and analytical techniques, validation in the integration of metabolomics data with other omics like proteomics and genomics, achieving reliability by performing large scale clinical trials exists. Thus, computational methods for multi omics and metabolomics data can be achieved by incorporating statistical, machine learning and network-based approaches. Computational tools improve metabolomics-based biomarker discovery. Advanced analytical techniques facilitate early diagnosis and enable personalized treatment strategies, thereby transforming predictive medicine and patient care.

Identification of Antibacterial Compounds from Lantana Camara Leaves through Bioassay-Guided Fractionation, TLC-Bioautography, and GC-MS/MS

2026-06-02T02:04:16+00:00

Lantana camara L. is a highly adaptable shrub renowned for its ecological resilience and invasive nature, particularly in semi-arid regions. While its crude extracts are known to possess antimicrobial properties, the specific bioactive molecules responsible remain under-characterised. This study aimed to systematically identify the antibacterial compounds from L. camara leaves collected from the environmental stressor conditions of the Todgarh-Aravalli Forest margin in Rajasthan, India. Extraction efficiency was optimised by comparing hot methanolic Soxhlet extraction with cold poly-solvent maceration. The cold extract demonstrated superior bulk yield and broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy against four multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), indicating the presence of thermolabile defensive metabolites. Subsequent liquid-liquid partitioning revealed that the antibacterial activity was overwhelmingly concentrated in the non-polar n-hexane fraction. Direct TLC-bioautography of this fraction against P. aeruginosa successfully isolated a highly active bio-zone spanning an Rf of 0.63-0.78. Chemical profiling of this bioactive eluate via GC-MS/MS putatively identified ten distinct compounds, predominantly branched-chain alkanes (24.6% peak area), alongside the fatty acid amide oleamide, which has documented membrane-interacting potential and the diterpenoid thunbergol. These findings confirm that the robust antibacterial defense mechanism of L. camara relies primarily on lipophilic secondary metabolites, highlighting its potential as a valuable botanical resource for novel therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.