Current Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences

REVOLUTIONIZING THERAPEUTICS: ADVANCES, CHALLE- NGES, AND FUTURE HORIZONS IN CONTROLLED RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Anil kumar Jangid — 2025-08-14

Revolutionizing modern therapeutics, controlled-release drug delivery systems (CRDDS) provide sustained release of a drug over extended periods, improve patient compliance in drug treatment, and improve the therapeutic efficacy. In consequence, these systems are meant to overcome the limitations of traditional drug delivery, namely the high frequency of dosing and drug concentration fluctuations. This review will examine the main strategies for CRDDS, such as diffusion-controlled, dissolution-controlled, osmotic, and stimuli-responsive systems as well as the materials, including polymers, lipids and hydrogels used to increase stability, bioavailability and release profiles. However, CRDDS have the promise of great advantages, but come with challenges in formulation, scalability, stability, and regulatory compliance. The advances in personalized medicine and targeted therapies are discussed in terms of emerging trends such as 3D printing, nanotechnology and smart drug delivery systems. Moreover, biodegradable and ecofriendly materials are becoming the focus of attention for their role in drug delivery. It also reviews ongoing research, recent patents and artificial intelligence applications in optimizing CRDDS design and functionality. In general, this article covers the current use of CRDDS, their challenges and future perspectives in drug delivery.

THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF CANNABIDIOL NANO-CREAM IN UVB-INDUCED PSORIASIS RAT MODEL

Aakashsinh Vaghela — 2025-08-14

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, immune cell infiltration, and erythematous plaques. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a cannabidiol (CBD) nano-cream in a UVB-induced psoriasis rat model. The nano-cream was formulated using a nanoemulsion-based system to enhance dermal delivery and sustained release of CBD. Characterization studies confirmed optimal pH, viscosity, spreadability, and high drug content. The anti-psoriatic potential was assessed by evaluating histopathological changes, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), and epidermal thickness in Wistar rats exposed to UVB radiation. Results demonstrated that the CBD nano-cream significantly reduced inflammation, erythema, and epidermal hyperplasia compared to control groups. The findings support the potential of CBD nano-cream as a promising topical therapeutic approach for the treatment of psoriasis.

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF ARSENIC TRIOXIDE-LOADED NANOCREAM FOR PSORIATIC TREATMENT

Nachiketa Pandya — 2025-08-14

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes, often managed with corticosteroids, which pose long-term side effects. Arsenic Trioxide, known for its antitumor and immunomodulatory properties, has shown promise in dermatological applications when formulated as a nanocream. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate Arsenic Trioxide-loaded nanocreams for their antioxidant, physicochemical, and anti-psoriatic efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models. Nanocreams were formulated with varying concentrations of Arsenic Trioxide and evaluated for physical stability, pH, viscosity, emulsion type, homogeneity, and particle size over 12 weeks. Antioxidant activity was assessed via the DPPH method. In vivo anti-psoriatic potential was tested using the mouse-tail model and UV-B-induced photodermatitis model in rats, compared against Clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream. Skin irritation tests were conducted on healthy volunteers.The 10% Arsenic Trioxide nanocream exhibited superior antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 1.456 μg/mL, outperforming vitamin E. Stability tests confirmed consistent physicochemical properties over time. Particle size remained within the nanometric range (≤500 nm) for optimized formulations. No irritation was observed in human volunteers. Histopathological evaluation of skin in both mice and rats demonstrated a significant reduction in epidermal thickness and inflammatory features in groups treated with the Arsenic Trioxide nanocream, comparable to standard therapy. The Arsenic Trioxide nanocream demonstrates excellent stability, antioxidant capacity, skin compatibility, and anti-psoriatic activity, suggesting it as a promising alternative to conventional treatments for psoriasis.
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PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, PHARMACOGNOSTICS CH- ARACTERIZATION, AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS (TLC/HPTLC) OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTONI LEAF EXTRACT

Jay Prakash Singh — 2025-08-14

The growing demand for natural sweeteners as alternatives to synthetic sugars has heightened interest in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial shrub native to South America, known for its high-intensity, non-caloric steviol glycosides. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and chromatographic properties of S. rebaudiana leaves to establish quality control parameters and validate its therapeutic potential. Fresh leaves were authenticated, shade-dried, and subjected to ethanolic extraction via cold maceration. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed characteristic features such as lanceolate leaves with serrated margins, anisocytic stomata, and calcium oxalate crystals. Physicochemical evaluation showed acceptable moisture content (6.2%), total ash (9.4%), and extractive values (14.3% water-soluble). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of steviol glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids, supporting its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Chromatographic profiling using TLC and HPTLC resolved key markers, with stevioside identified at Rf 0.67 (TLC) and 0.65 (HPTLC), providing a reliable fingerprint for standardization. The findings underscore S. rebaudiana's potential as a natural sweetener and therapeutic agent, while establishing quality benchmarks for its use in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Further clinical studies are recommended to explore its efficacy and safety.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF IN SITU GEL AS OPHTHALMIC DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Madhu Kumari — 2025-08-14

Levofloxacin in situ gel is developed to overcome issues associated with traditional eye drops and to enhance their bioavailability. The low bioavailability of standard eye drops is primarily due to various precorneal loss factors. Additionally, this gel offers improved patient compliance through easier application and reduces the need for frequent instillations.

QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE–ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP STUDY OF NEWLY SYNTHESIZED BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES-TARGETING ALDOSE REDUCTASE

Bhanupriya Bhrigu — 2025-08-14

Aldose Reductase (ALR2) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, especially diabetic neuropathy. Targeted inhibition of ALR2 is a promising therapeutic strategy. This study focused on the design, synthesis, and computational analysis of ten novel benzimidazole-based thiosemicarbazone derivatives (CPD-7, CPD-9, CPD-11, CPD-12, CPD-22, CPD-27, CPD-30, CPD-31, CPD-33, and CPD-35) to evaluate their potential as ALR2 inhibitors¹.
We employed a QSAR (Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship) approach to correlate molecular descriptors with ALR2 inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ values). The chemical structures were drawn using ChemDraw⁶, and SMILES notations were used for computational analysis. Descriptor calculation was performed using RDKit in Python⁸, while model building and validation were conducted via multiple linear regression using scikit-learn⁴. The model performance was visualized through actual vs. predicted plots, residual analysis, and descriptor correlation heatmaps⁴.
The QSAR model revealed a strong correlation between hydrophobicity (LogP) and ALR2 inhibition, with higher lipophilicity favoring lower IC₅₀ values. Conversely, increased polarity (TPSA, HBD) negatively influenced potency. Among the tested compounds, CPD-33 emerged as the most potent inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 1.47 μM, owing to its dual trifluoromethyl substitutions and favorable physicochemical profile. In contrast, CPD-11 displayed the least potency (IC₅₀ = 34.7 μM), likely due to suboptimal substituent placement and higher polarity¹.
In conclusion, the developed QSAR model effectively predicted the biological activity of the test compounds and offered valuable insights into the structural features responsible for ALR2 inhibition. These findings pave the way for the rational design of next-generation ALR2 inhibitors with enhanced potency and drug-like properties for managing diabetic neuropathy¹.