Current Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences

NUTRACEUTICALS VERSUS PHARMACEUTICALS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION: MECHANISMS, THERAPEUTIC ROLES, EVIDENCE, SAFETY AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Vidhya Sharma — 2026-09-30

Hypertension is a major chronic cardiovascular disorder characterized by persistently elevated arterial blood pressure and is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal complications. Its pathophysiology involves multiple interacting mechanisms, including abnormal renal sodium handling, activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), sympathetic overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, altered vascular tone, oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Conventional pharmaceutical therapy remains the principal evidence-based strategy when pharmacological treatment is indicated. Antihypertensive medicines provide defined pharmacological targets, standardized doses, predictable pharmacodynamic effects and established clinical indications. Major therapeutic classes include thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists and selected second-line agents. In parallel, increasing interest has developed in nutraceuticals and food-derived bioactive compounds as complementary approaches for cardiovascular health and blood-pressure management. Nutraceuticals relevant to hypertension include potassium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, garlic and aged garlic preparations, milk-derived bioactive peptides, polyphenols, flavonoids, cocoa, tea, lycopene, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine, taurine, vitamins and selected standardized plant extracts. These substances may influence several pathways associated with blood-pressure regulation, including endothelial nitric-oxide availability, oxidative stress, vascular relaxation, inflammation, mineral balance and, in some cases, RAAS activity. However, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals should not be considered therapeutically equivalent. The major distinction is not simply “natural versus synthetic,” but rather the degree of standardization, dose definition, pharmacokinetic characterization, quality control, evidence strength, reproducibility and magnitude of clinical effect. Nutraceutical evidence remains heterogeneous because studies frequently differ in preparation, dose, formulation, duration and participant characteristics. Moreover, food-derived origin does not guarantee safety, particularly in patients receiving antihypertensive medicines. This review critically examines the mechanistic and therapeutic differences between nutraceutical and pharmaceutical approaches to hypertension, with particular emphasis on pharmacodynamics, ADME characteristics, standardization, safety, evidence quality, clinical positioning and the role of pharmacists. The available evidence supports an integrated model in which healthy dietary practices and selected evidence-informed nutraceutical interventions complement, rather than replace, appropriate antihypertensive pharmacotherapy.

COSMECEUTICALS: BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS, MECHANISMS OF ACTION, FORMULATION TECHNOLOGIES, SAFETY, REGULATORY CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES-A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Kushal Saini — 2026-09-30

Cosmeceuticals represent a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field positioned at the interface of cosmetic science, pharmaceutical technology, dermatology, biotechnology, and personal care. The term generally describes cosmetic preparations containing biologically active ingredients intended to provide benefits beyond conventional cleansing, beautification, or temporary modification of appearance. Although the term “cosmeceutical” is extensively used in scientific literature and the cosmetic industry, it does not constitute a universally recognized independent regulatory category. Product classification is therefore frequently determined by composition, intended use, and the claims made by the manufacturer. The increasing demand for healthy-looking skin, preventive skin care, anti-aging products, photoprotection, skin brightening, and naturally derived formulations has stimulated substantial development in cosmeceutical research. Contemporary products incorporate a broad range of bioactive ingredients, including vitamins, antioxidants, hydroxy acids, peptides, retinoid-related compounds, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, botanical extracts, and ultraviolet filters. Their proposed activities include enhancement of skin hydration, maintenance of the skin barrier, reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of epidermal turnover, improvement of skin texture and pigmentation, and protection against environmental stressors. However, the efficacy of a cosmeceutical product cannot be determined solely from the presence of an active ingredient. Concentration, chemical form, physicochemical properties, stability, formulation, release characteristics, skin penetration, packaging, duration of use, and clinical evidence can substantially influence performance. Advanced delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, microemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and other encapsulation systems have consequently become important approaches for improving the stability and delivery of sensitive or poorly soluble ingredients. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the evolution and classification of cosmeceuticals, skin structure and barrier function, major active ingredients and their mechanisms, moisturizing, anti-aging, antioxidant, photoprotective, exfoliating, skin-brightening, anti-acne, herbal, and hair-care applications, advanced delivery systems, formulation considerations, safety and quality-control requirements, scientific evidence, and regulatory challenges. Particular emphasis is placed on the need for evidence-based product development, standardization of natural ingredients, robust clinical evaluation, long-term safety assessment, and scientifically justified cosmetic claims. Future development of cosmeceuticals is expected to increasingly emphasize targeted delivery, formulation stability, personalized products, biotechnology-derived ingredients, and evidence-based efficacy while maintaining consumer safety and regulatory compliance potential.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF EFFERVESCENT GRANULES ENRICHED WITH DEFATTED WATERMELON SEED FLOUR

Kaviyarasu Munikrishnan — 2026-09-30

Watermelon seeds are nutrient-dense, phytochemical-rich by-products often discarded by the food industry. The present study aimed to develop effervescent granules from defatted watermelon seed flour and to evaluate their physicochemical characteristics. Watermelon seeds were processed and defatted using n-hexane solvent extraction. Ten distinct formulations (WSFG01–WSFG10) were prepared by wet granulation using precise stoichiometric ratios of citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. Physicochemical evaluation, including flowability, cessation time, pH, acidity, phenolic content, and DPPH antioxidant activity, was performed; protein content was estimated for the selected formulations. The result demonstrated that defatting yielded a 52% solid-matrix recovery, with base formulations showing an optimal low moisture content. Granule flowability was generally excellent, and cessation times successfully met standards, increasing from 1.26 to 2.38 minutes as the seed concentration increased. Formulation pH ranged from 4.87 to 5.63 and was inversely correlated with a decrease in acidity from 29.6% to 14.4%. Furthermore, higher seed concentrations led to a dose-dependent increase in bioactivity, peaking in WSFG10, with 0.481 µg/g total phenols, 0.67 µg/g total tannins, and 30.11% DPPH inhibition. The protein content is noticeably high in WSFG10 (22.67%). Defatted watermelon seeds yield viable effervescent granules with ideal functional profiles, promoting sustainable agro-industrial waste valorization.