Volume 17, Issue 3, Jul-Sep 2025

Volume 17

July-September 2025

Physico-chemical Properties, Structures and Biological Applications of Functional Oligosaccharides

Manish Sachan, Pushpraj Singh

Abstract:
Oligosaccharides are a diverse and complex class of compounds that are broadly distributed in nature. These are the most biologically diverse and important carbohydrate among biological systems. Oligosaccharides of various origin like fruits, vegetables, milk, blood, bacteria, algae, fungi and higher plants have been used extensively both as food ingredients and pharmacological supplements. The non-digestible oligosaccharides have been implicated as dietary fibre, sweetener, weight controlling agent and humectant in confectioneries, bakeries and breweries. Functional oligosaccharides have been found effective in gastrointestinal normal flora proliferation and pathogen suppression, dental caries prevention, enhancement of immunity, facilitation of mineral absorption, source of anti-oxidant, antibiotic alternative, regulators of blood glucose in diabetics and serum lipids in hyperlipidemics. The enormous biological activities of oligosaccharides such as immunostimulant, anti-tumour, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-complementary, anti-viral, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic activity, lipid lowering and regulation of mineral absorption are well reported in medicinal literature. Apart from the pharmacological applications, oligosaccharides have found use in drug delivery, cosmetics, animal and fishery feed, agriculture etc. Keeping in view the importance of the functional oligosaccharides, we present an overview of their natural sources, types, structures and physiological properties. Recent promising developments in this area are presented to facilitate their further exploitation.

Keywords: Oligosaccharides, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Microbiota, Biological Activities, Physico-chemical Properties.

Network Pharmacology Approaches for Drug Discovery and Repositioning: An Evolving Paradigm

Supriya Sarkar, Rojina Khatun, Sudeshna Sengupta, Malavika Bhattacharya

Abstract:
Network-based on drug discovery and existing drugs is a new method that employs systems biology and computational tools to analyze complicated biological networks. In the case of traditional single-target drug discovery, this aspect concentrates on considering how molecules interconnect within the whole network of proteins, genes, and pathways, taking into account disease mechanisms. It authorizes researchers to recognize original therapeutic uses for developing multi-target treatments for diseases with intricate mechanisms, such as cancer or neurodegenerative disorders, and existing drugs (drug repurposing). By using advancements in data analytics and artificial intelligence, this offer holds high potential for revolutionizing drug discovery and accelerating personalized medicine. However, future challenges, specifically computational complexities and incomplete data, remain to be discovered.

Keywords: Network Pharmacology, Systems Biology, Drug-target Interaction Networks, Gene Regulatory Networks, Signaling Pathways, Omics Data Integration.

Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery Strategies in the Management of Dermatophytosis: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Divyansh Mathuria, Srenwentu Chakraborty, Sarvesh Singh

Abstract:
Fungal infections can affect people, mostly affecting the skin and mucous membranes, but they can also spread to other parts of the body and harm organs. Several factors are taken into consideration when designing and developing pharmaceutical formulations and delivery systems. Dermatophytes cause skin lesions and infections of the hair and nails by penetrating the stratum corneum or keratinised structures that come from the epidermis. Like humans, fungi are eukaryotic organisms. Few specific goals have been set for the development of antifungal medications. As a result, the current antifungal repertoire is still severely limited, in stark contrast to antibacterials. Theoretically, new formulations and delivery systems for antifungal medications might improve patient outcomes by facilitating the development of customised therapies that increase effectiveness and decrease toxicity. Antifungal medications were available in many traditional dose forms, such as pills, creams, intravenous infusions, etc., but they didn’t seem to be able to get over the limitations like poor penetration, bioavailability etc. Therefore, there is a great need to create novel medication delivery strategies to deal with these issues. Data was collected from online database, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus and web science and search using different keywords Dermatophytosis, nanoparticles and the prime objective of this review covers a number of dermatophyte diseases and the various nanoparticles used to deliver antifungal drugs, such as phospholipid-based vesicles, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles. Use of nanoformulations in modern drug delivery methods is a viable way to improve the safety profile of antifungal medicines while preserving or increasing their effectiveness. These nanoformulations offer a fresh and exciting platform that could maximize therapeutic effectiveness while reducing unfavorable pharmacological side effects. With new drugs being developed and other strategies now being investigated, the future of antifungal pharmaceuticals seems bright.

Keywords: Dermatophytosis, Nanoparticles, Fungal Infection, Tineacruris.

Lipomers as Hybrid Nanocarrier: Innovation in Targeted and Controlled Drug Delivery

Sushant Laxman Pawar, Jameel Ahmed S Mulla

Abstract:
Lipomers or lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs) represent a promising class of nanocarriers aiming to combine the benefits of polymeric and liposome nanoparticles, while avoiding their drawbacks. These composite structures offer excellent drug-loading efficiency, improved biocompatibility and remarkable structural stability stemming from the core-shell lipid encapsulation around a polymeric core. Due to their unique coreshell architecture allowing for targeted, controlled and prolonged release of drugs lipomers can be used as carriers of various types of therapeutic agents such as peptides, vaccines, hydrophilic and hydrophobic pharmaceuticals and nucleic acids. Current formulation strategies, such as solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation and surface functionalization further improved tissue targeted accumulation, pharmacokinetics performance and encapsulation efficiency. Society Media also facilitate in stimuli-responsive as well as multifunctional design that aid in the space of precision medicine and theranostic applications. Despite great progress, large-scale production, reproducibility and regulation still pose challenges. Further research in the direction of intelligent and personalized lipomer systems, including artificial intelligence and nanorobotics would probably speed up the clinical translation. As a whole, lipomers figure as an unprecedented breakthrough in targeted and controlled drug administration which sets the stage for safer, more efficiently working and patient-customized therapeutics.

Keywords: Lipomer, Lipid-polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles (LPHNPs), Targeted Therapeutic Delivery Systems, Controlled Release Formulations, Stimuli-Responsive Nano-drug Carriers, Nanomedicine, Theranostics of Diseases, Personalized Drug Delivery.

Development and Characterization of Solid Dispersion of Poorly Soluble Nabumetone Using Locust Bean Gum

Tanuja Sanjay Gurav, Jameel Ahmed S Mulla, Mukesh Vinod Kapse

Abstract:
Solid dispersion (SD) technology is used to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble medications. The aim of this study was to enhance the solubility of the poorly water-soluble drug nabumetone (NBT) by utilizing locust bean gum (LBG) as a carrier in solid dispersion (SD) techniques. In the biopharmaceutical industry, Locust Bean Gum as natural polymer is gaining more attention, on the solubility enhancement of the poorly soluble drugs. Poorly soluble nabumetone was selected as an ideal candidate for solid dispersion technique using kneading method. To evaluate the impact of polymer concentration on solubility enhancement, and dissolution experiments were conducted. The solid dispersion was subjected for FTIR, XRD and in vitro release studies. The results demonstrated that NBT’s solubility increased with higher LBG concentrations. Dissolution studies indicated that the Kneading technique is the most practical and effective method for preparing SDs to improve the solubility of NBT. The XRD results confirmed the transition of NBT from a crystalline to an amorphous form in solid dispersion. SD with highest polymer concentration shows the highest solubility, indicates the most potential for improved bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, LBG shows potential as a carrier to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of NBT.

Keywords: Nabumetone, Locust Bean Gum, Solid Dispersion, Solubility, Dissolution.

Formulation and Evaluation of Niosomes Based Creams from Extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa for Antibacterial Activity

J N Srilatha, S Pradesha, Ancha Dheeraja, Sonali N Sahoo, Mohammed Faiza Begum, Kalal Pavan Goud

Abstract:
The formulation and evaluation of a niosomal-based cream that incorporates Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract for its antibacterial characteristics is the main focus of this work. Hibiscus sabdariffa has strong antibacterial properties and is well-known for its diverse phytochemical profile, which includes flavonoids, anthocyanins, and polyphenols. Its medicinal potential is hampered by issues like low stability and restricted absorption. The ethanol injection approach was used to encapsulate the extract into niosomes in order to get over these restrictions. Franz diffusion studies were used to characterise the formed niosomes for in vitro release, drug content, particle size, and entrapment efficiency. With a controlled drug release over six hours, NF2 had the highest drug content (73.2%) and entrapment efficiency (79.09%) among the three niosomal formulations (NF1, NF2, and NF3). After being added to a cream base, the optimised niosomal solution was assessed for stability, viscosity, spreadability, pH, physical appearance, and drug release. When compared to a standard formulation and a plain extract-based cream (F2), the niosomal cream (F1) performed better in terms of consistency, spreadability, and controlled drug release. The drug’s compatibility with excipients was validated by FTIR investigations. When compared to the extract alone, the niosomal cream showed larger zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, showing increased antibacterial efficacy by niosomal encapsulation, according to antibacterial activity measured using the agar well diffusion method.

Keywords: Niosome, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Anti-bacterial Activity, Herbal Formulation, Nano Technology.

Indian Journal of

Novel Drug Delivery

NMC Approved Journal

ISSN 0975-5500