International Journal of Phyto Pharmaceutics and Research

Cucumis Maderaspatanus L.: Ethnomedicinal Significance, Phytochemical Diversity, Pharmacological Activity, Toxicological Perspectives, and Drug Discovery Potential

2026-10-09T09:44:14+00:00

Cucumis maderaspatanus L., frequently discussed in the literature under the synonym Mukia maderaspatana, is a medicinal plant of the Cucurbitaceae family with a broad history of traditional use and increasing experimental interest. This review consolidates available evidence on its botanical identity, ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, extraction and analytical methods, pharmacological activities, safety information, and drug-discovery potential. Peer-reviewed reports describing Cucumis maderaspatanus and Mukia maderaspatana were considered, with emphasis on chromatographic and spectrometric investigations using GC–MS, HPLC, HPTLC, LC–MS/LC–MS/MS, FTIR, and UV–Vis. The reported phytochemical profile includes phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and terpenoids, with compounds such as saponarin, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin-like constituents and myricetin receiving particular attention. Experimental studies describe antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic and gastroprotective effects, with additional reports of other biological activities. However, evidence is heterogeneous and is dominated by in vitro and preliminary animal studies. Major limitations include inconsistent extraction procedures, incomplete marker standardization, limited mechanistic evidence and insufficient long-term toxicological data. Future work should establish validated quality-control markers, clarify active constituents and pathways, and strengthen pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation before therapeutic development.

From Injection to Ingestion: Development of an Innovative Oral Delivery Platform for Injectable Therapeutics

2026-09-29T11:33:27+00:00

Injectable medicines remain indispensable for many therapeutic agents, particularly peptides, proteins, poorly permeable molecules, and drugs with inadequate gastrointestinal stability. However, repeated injections may cause discomfort, injection-site reactions, treatment fatigue, poor adherence, and reluctance to initiate or continue therapy. This research proposes an innovative pharmaceutical development strategy to transform suitable injectable therapeutics into orally administered formulations by integrating gastrointestinal protection, controlled release, permeation enhancement, and nanoscale drug delivery within a single oral platform. The proposed formulation-development approach begins with physicochemical and biopharmaceutical characterization of the selected injectable active pharmaceutical ingredient, followed by evaluation of its stability under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. Researchers then develop a rational oral delivery system using an appropriate combination of protective polymers, absorption-enhancing excipients, and nanoscale or lipid-based carriers. Formulations are optimized according to particle size, polydispersity, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, gastrointestinal stability, dissolution behavior, and intestinal permeability. The optimized formulation is subsequently compared with the injectable reference using pharmacokinetic and, where appropriate, pharmacodynamic parameters. The primary outcome is an improvement in systemic exposure following oral administration while maintaining acceptable formulation stability and therapeutic activity. Secondary outcomes include improved protection against gastrointestinal degradation, enhanced intestinal transport, reproducible drug release, and reduced dependence on parenteral administration. The proposed platform is intended to provide a flexible framework rather than a single formulation applicable to every injectable drug. Its greatest potential lies in therapeutics for which oral delivery is limited primarily by instability, poor permeability, or both. Successful development could support a patient-centered transition from injection to ingestion and provide a broader strategy for reformulating selected injectable medicines into convenient oral dosage forms.

To Explore the Protective Potential of Amaranthus viridis and Azadirachta indica in Combating Retinal Degeneration Associated with Retinitis Pigmentosa

2026-07-17T11:22:33+00:00

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disorder of the retina characterised by a gradual loss of vision due to the destruction of photoreceptor cells. There are currently no clinically useful therapies available for this disease. Factors contributing to the progression of retinitis pigmentosa include oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal injury. Due to their bioactive compounds with potential protective effects, there has been increasing interest in using plants as treatments for this disease. Amaranthus viridis is known for its high antioxidant capacity, which decreases oxidative stress and protects cells from damage caused. The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of Azadirachta indica could help protect retinal cells from death. The purpose of this project is to determine whether Amaranthus viridis and Azadirachta indica can offer protection from retinal degeneration caused by retinitis pigmentosa by investigating their antioxidant and neuroprotective capabilities in regulating the progression of retinitis pigmentosa and preserving retinal function. The results from this study could promote further experimental and clinical research, while also providing insight into the use of natural, plant-based sources as adjunct therapeutic modalities in the management of retinitis pigmentosa.

Comparative Nutraceutical Potential of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) and Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae)

2026-09-30T09:50:23+00:00

Background: Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Curcuma longa L. are widely used spices and medicinal plants, which have been reported to possess various nutritional and health benefits due to their bioactive components. Understanding the proximate and mineral profiles of these rhizomes can provide valuable insights into their nutraceutical potentials.

Methodology: The proximate and mineral composition of Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa were evaluated using standard laboratory procedures.

Results: The proximate analysis revealed that Z. officinale had the highest carbohydrate (40.13±0.12%), moisture (19.00±0.99%), crude fiber (2.58±1.16%) and crude fat content (12.47±1.01%), while C. longa had the highest ash (10.98±0.99%) and crude protein content (26.10±1.25%). On the other hand, the mineral analysis showed that C. longa had the higher concentrations of potassium (2,526.39±0.005 mg/kg), magnesium (71,543.85±0.007 mg/kg), calcium (5,963.14±0.003 mg/kg), sodium (6,083.64±0.006 mg/kg), iron (6,147.28±0.005 mg/kg), copper (4,891.54±0.003 mg/kg), zinc (812.11±0.002 mg/kg) and nickel (342.39±0.002mg/kg), while Z. officinale was found to contain higher concentrations of phosphorous (8,485.05 ± 0.008 mg/kg) and selenium (210.57 ± 0.05 mg/kg).

Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the nutraceutical potential of these rhizomes, providing a foundation for further studies and applications. Also, the findings in this study suggest that both rhizomes are rich in essential nutrients and minerals, with C. longa exhibiting higher concentrations of most minerals, except phosphorus and selenium.

Phytochemical Diversity, Ethnomedicinal Significance, and Pharmacological Potential of Litsea monopetala: A Comprehensive Review

2026-07-20T09:19:26+00:00

Litsea monopetala, belonging to Lauracea plant family, is a widely distributed, traditionally used plant. The plant is specially located in South and Southeast Asia. The plant contains many important phytochemicals including citral, β-caryophyllene, linalool, and other phenolic compounds which contributed its phytochemical and biological activities. Some notable therapeutic activities of the plant species include ant-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diarrhoeal, cytotoxic potential etc. Many studies revealed that the plant derived compounds show medicinal activities by modulating TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and GABAergic pathways. Additionally, the plant has gained increasing scientific attention because of its broad pharmacological profile and rich reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves, bark, roots, and fruits, have been investigated for their therapeutic potential. Experimental findings suggest that its extracts may possess immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties, which could be attributed to the synergistic action of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and essential oils. The diverse phytochemical composition of the plant supports its traditional applications and highlights its potential as a promising source for the development of novel plant-based therapeutic agents. However, most of the studies conducted on this plant species were based on in-viro and in-vivo models. So, advanced research is required to validate its traditional uses.