Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy

Identification of bio-active compounds and invitro anti-inflammatory evaluation of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. fruits

2026-04-08T01:54:24+00:00

Couroupita guianensis, commonly known as Cannon ball tree, is a well-known medicinal and ornamental plant. The tree is known for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities for treating various human illnesses. The research study was based on identification of bio-actives and evaluation of the invitro anti-inflammatory activity of cannon ball fruits. The methanolic extract of dried fruits was sequentially extracted with Ethyl acetate and Butanol. The marker compounds viz., Tryptanthrin, Indirubin, Methyl perillate and Azealic acid are identified and validated by LCMS and LCMS/MS. Further, Azelaic acid and Methyl perillate are reported for the first time in Coroupita guianensis fruit extract. Also, the Ethyl acetate sub extract and its column fraction recorded promising invitro anti-inflammatory activity of 64.50% and 81.93% at 200ug/ml against LPS induced IL-6 Cytokine in THP1 cell line respectively. These research findings establish the preliminary invitro data on effectiveness and pharmacological rationale for use of C. guianensis fruit extract as an anti-inflammatory agent.

In-Vitro Anti-Urolithiatic Properties and GC-MS profiling of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. leaf extract

2026-04-08T02:13:56+00:00

A frequent urological condition caused by the crystallization of minerals and acid salts in the urinary tract is nephrolithiasis. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculi are the predominant kind of renal calculi. Larger kidney stones may require medication or surgery, but smaller ones are usually treated conservatively. This present research involves an in-vitro nucleation and dissolution study to investigate the anti-urolithiatic properties of leaf extracts from Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. The leaves were shade dried, and powder samples were extracted using a soxhlet apparatus by n-hexane and further fractionated successively with sodium bicarbonate, and sodium hydroxide solution. The inhibitory effect of the leaf extracts (50–800 μg/mL) on calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation was evaluated using UV spectrophotometry at 620 nm. Dissolution studies were conducted by titrimetric method. The results demonstrated that different extracts of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. effectively inhibited CaOx crystal formation and facilitated the dissolution of kidney stones. This study indicates the antiurolithiatic potential of extracts from Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. as an effective replacement for kidney stone treatment.

Unraveling the Pathogenicity of MAN2B1 Missense Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms: A Multi-Tool Computational Approach

2026-04-08T02:17:03+00:00

Lysosomal alpha-mannosidosis is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the MAN2B1 gene. This study performed a comprehensive in silico analysis of missense mutations within MAN2B1 to predict their pathogenicity and impact on protein function and stability. An initial screening of 114 missense variants located on chromosome 19 revealed that 34 were predicted to be deleterious by SIFT. To enhance prediction confidence, variants predicted as deleterious by SIFT were subjected to additional computational analysis using MutPred2, PHDSNP, SNP&GO, and PROVEAN. This multi-tool approach identified five highly confident pathogenic missense variants: rs1054487 (T312N), rs387906261 (H72L), rs28934600 (H70L), rs199883559 (G212V), and rs374641984 (D196E). These five variants consistently received deleterious predictions across all five functional impact algorithms. Notably, four of these variants (rs1054487, rs28934600, rs374641984 and rs199883559) are currently not reported in the ClinVar database. These findings provide the first in silico evidence of their pathogenicity, suggesting their critical role in MAN2B1 dysfunction. Furthermore, protein stability predictions using MUpro and I-Mutant 2.0 indicated that rs1054487 and rs374641984 are likely to decrease protein stability, suggesting a potential mechanism of pathogenicity. While other strongly predicted deleterious variants showed mixed stability results, highlighting diverse pathogenic mechanisms, the consensus across multiple tools provides strong computational support for the likely disease-causing nature of these specific MAN2B1 missense mutations. These in silico findings serve as a crucial foundation for guiding future experimental validation studies.

A Novel Sustained-Release In-Situ Implant of Fluvoxamine Ameliorates Depressive-Like Behaviours in a CUMS Mouse Model

2026-04-08T02:21:14+00:00

Nearly 280 million individuals worldwide suffer from depression, a serious mental health condition. Numerous antidepressants are available; however, treatment results are still not ideal because of factors like low adherence, frequent dosage schedules, delayed start, and uneven efficacy among patient populations. Because it blocks the serotonin transporter (SERT) and modifies sigma-1 receptor activation, fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is used extensively. However, pharmacokinetic restrictions that need two or three daily dosages frequently limit its therapeutic potential. This makes a strong case for the creation of innovative drug delivery methods that guarantee continuous drug release, preserve steady plasma levels, and eventually enhance longterm effectiveness and patient adherence. To get around the drawbacks of traditional dosage, the current study set out to create and assess a fluvoxamine in situ-forming implant (FISFI) as a sustained-release delivery method. In order to deliver fluvoxamine with a prolonged release in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model of depression, the implant was created using biodegradable polymers. According to the study, both therapy groups showed notable improvements in both biochemical and behavioral indicators. With the lowest immobility durations (63.21 ± 17.95 s), the strongest sucrose preference at day 33, and the lowest serotonin restoration (~648 pg/mg), the FISFI group demonstrated similar efficacy. Individual results for the implant group were more consistent, indicating less variability. These findings demonstrate that fluvoxamine uses sigma-1 receptor activation and serotonergic modulation to produce strong antidepressant-like effects. By incorporating fluvoxamine into a biodegradable polymeric depot, FISFI may improve clinical results by lowering patient burden and delivering reliable therapeutic effects.

Genome-wide Study and Expression Profiles of a Promising Negative Regulator of Abiotic Stress Gene Family OsDHSRP in Oryza sativa

2026-04-08T02:33:06+00:00

Rice is the global staple food, but the crop has been gradually impeded by many environmental constraints such as drought, floods, salinity, heat, and cold. Generally, plants adapt to environmental cues by altering physiological conditions primarily by modulating the expression of several stress-responsive genes. OsDHSRP1 is an E3-ubiquitin ligase whose expression is highly stimulated by salinity, heat, and drought conditions, and it acts as a negative modulator by boosting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thereby causes damages to vital cellular organelles. In the present study, we are reporting genome-wide prediction, structural, evolutionary characterization, and expression analysis of OsDHSRP gene family of Oryza sativa under diverse abiotic stress conditions. A total of 15 OsDHSRP genes were discovered in Oryza sativa genome, which contains a C3HC4 zinc finger conserved domain. The elucidation of intron/exon and motif patterns provides structural aspects of these genes. Cis-regulatory analysis and transcription factor prediction studies revealed their roles and interactions with genes involved in multiple abiotic variables. Expression analysis of OsDHSRP genes by RT-qPCR revealed that OsDHSRP1 is associated with cold, drought and salt stress conditions, suggesting the role of OsDHSRP1 during diverse abiotic stresses. This study provides further insights into the regulation of expression of OsDHSRP genes for developing climate resilient crops.

Homology modelling and structure-based screening of phenylacetamide derivatives targeting KLK-15 implicated in prostate cancer angiogenesis

2026-04-08T02:39:22+00:00

Kallikrein like peptidase-15 (KLK-15) is a human tissue kallikrein protein, found to be expressed in prostate cancer through angiogenesis. KLK-15 acts on pro-uPA which initiates the activation of uPA, uPAR, by converting plasminogen into active plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme. The release of plasmin by KLK-15 is primarily accountable in support of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) degradation, and role of angiogenesis in cancer. Hence, using the KLK-15 protein as a novel target, we focussed on the study of its interaction with phenyl acetamide derivatives as anti-angiogenic agents. The current work involves the generation of 3D model of KLK-15 protein (256 amino acids) by using the homology modelling technique. The 3D model of the KLK-15 protein is MD Simulated and validated using Procheck, ProsA and Verify 3D server tools showing 91.04%, Z-Score = -6.03 and 80.86% parameters indicating the overall reliability of the generated model. Protein-Protein docking with its natural substrate (prouPA) identifies the active site residues. Virtual Screening using phenyl acetamide derivatives was performed by AutoDock 4.2 used through PyRx. The phenyl acetamide derivatives are likely to bind to the KLK-15 protein at His62, Tyr98, Arg101, His148, Glu206, and Ser209 amino acid residues. Based on the binding energy and physico-chemical data ligand L4:N- {5-[(3-methoxy benzyl)sulphanyl]-1,3,4- thiadiazol- 2-yl}-2-2(4-methoxyphemnyl) acetamide, L7: N-{5-[(2-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol- 2-yl}-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acetamide and ligand L10: N-{5-[(3-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]- 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl}-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acetamide, may act as strong inhibitors against KLK-15 protein and act as a lead molecules against the pathological angiogenesis in prostate cancer.

The Development and Assessment of Senna tora Phytosomal Gel for Dermatophytosis

2026-04-08T02:43:20+00:00

A novel drug delivery system offers an innovative approach to overcoming the limitations of traditional drug formulations. The efficacy of Unani medicine depends on delivering an optimal concentration of therapeutically active compounds. Phytosomes, a vesicular drug delivery system, have been shown to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of herbal extracts, particularly in topical applications. Senna tora (Tukhm-e-Panwar) seeds contain anthraquinone glycosides, primarily Chrysophanic acid-9-anthrone, which exhibit significant antifungal activity. Dermatophytosis (Qooba) is a widespread public health concern, affecting 20-25% of the global population, as per WHO estimates. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a phytosomal gel containing Senna tora seed extract for its antifungal effectiveness in treating Dermatophytosis. Phytosomes were formulated using the anti-solvent precipitation method, with varying Senna tora seed extract-to-soya lecithin ratios. Among the three batches, Batch P1 (1:1 ratio) was optimized based on morphology, percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, and drug content. The optimized Batch P1 was further characterized for zeta potential (-55.3 mV), particle size (196.9 nm), entrapment efficiency (95.44%), and drug content (87.11% w/w). Additionally, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for compatibility, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and in vitro drug diffusion study were conducted. Subsequently, four batches of phytosomal gel were prepared using 0.4% w/w of optimized Batch P1, with varying concentrations (1.25% w/w to 2% w/w) of Carbopol 934 as a gelling agent. These formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH, drug content, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity, and in vitro release. Batch PG1 was identified as the optimized formulation based on the results and was further assessed for antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum and stability. The optimized phytosomal gel Batch PG1 exhibited a visually appealing appearance, a pH of 6.5, a drug content of 96.45%, and an in-vitro drug release of 81.09%. It demonstrated enhanced skin permeability and strong antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, reinforcing its potential as an effective topical treatment for dermatophytosis.

Geospatial Assessment of Soil Erosion Dynamics and Hydrological Viability of the Gurrampalem Irrigation Tank, Visakhapatnam, using the RUSLE Model

2026-04-08T02:47:18+00:00

The hydrological viability of minor irrigation tanks in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh is increasingly compromised by accelerated sedimentation and rapid land-use transitions. This study evaluates the soil erosion dynamics and storage sustainability of the Gurrampalem Reservoir in the Visakhapatnam district using an integrated Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) framework. By leveraging high-resolution Sentinel- 2 (10m) multispectral imagery and ALOS PALSAR (12.5m) RTC-DEM data, the research quantifies the spatial distribution of soil loss across the catchment for the year 2025.

The methodology incorporates the Babu et al. Rainfall Erosivity (R) model and satellite- derived NDVI for cover management (C) mapping, specifically accounting for the recent surge in “real estate layouts” and stone quarrying activities in the Pendurthi corridor. Results indicate that the northern foothills of the Potukonda range represent severe erosion hotspots, with predicted soil loss exceeding 40 t/ha/yr due to steep LS-factors and depleted scrub cover. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that urban encroachment along the primary “Geddaps” (feeder channels) has triggered hydraulic scouring, significantly increasing the sediment delivery ratio (SDR) to the reservoir.

The study concludes that the cumulative impact of technogenic siltation from mining and the conversion of agricultural plains into barren residential plots has reduced the reservoir’s effective “Live Storage,” threatening its long-term viability for irrigation and groundwater recharge. These findings provide a scientific basis for prioritizing Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plans and enforcing buffer zones to preserve the hydrological integrity of the Gurrampalem basin amidst Visakhapatnam’s expanding urban footprint.

Scale-Up Production of and Identification of Indole Acetic Acid using Waste Glycerol as a Carbon Source in 2-Litre Fermenter

2026-04-08T02:51:38+00:00

The microbial production of Indole- 3-acetic acid (IAA) develops a sustainable and low-cost methods to other traditional methods. This study investigates the scalability of IAA production using four isolated microbial strains Enterobacter asburiae, Bacillus licheniformis, Achromobacter mucicolens, and Pseudomonas fulva in a 2-litre fermenter with an optimized Yeast Extract Glycerol (YEG) medium, where crude glycerol was used as a carbon source. The results of microbial fermentation, with Enterobacter asburiae achieving yields of up to 3477 μg/ml through the indole-3-pyruvate pathway. Critical fermentation parameters such as pH, temperature, and agitation speed were maintained, contributing to consistent IAA production levels. The use of crude glycerol not only enhanced yields but also provided a lowcost substrate, aligning with sustainability goals in agriculture by reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. Extraction and quantification methods such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), DSC and XRD ensured presence of IAA levels in samples. This study highlights the potential for scaling up microbial IAA production through optimized fermentation processes, with significant implications for biotechnological applications in sustainable agriculture and future research directions focusing on further optimization and genetic enhancements.

In silico binding studies of NodD proteins of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Rhizobium tropici with flavonoids

2026-04-08T02:56:56+00:00

Prokaryotic bacteria, such as Rhizobium engage in endosymbiosis with legume plants’ roots. In this mutualistic relationship, bacteria obtain carbon from the plant, while the plant benefits from nitrogen-fixation. The formation of root nodules in leguminous plants is induced by flavonoids exuded by the plant roots, acting as chemo-attractants for symbiotic rhizobia. The interaction between these flavonoids and NodD proteins is crucial for the induction of nodulation genes, influencing host range specificity. The initial signal exchanged during nodule development involves the interaction of legume root-exuded flavonoids with rhizobial NodD proteins, representing an early checkpoint in the establishment of symbiosis. In this current work, we focused on studying the molecular level interactions of flavonoids, common inducers of other rhizobial NodD protein with F1JZX9 protein (Nod D1) of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense along with Q02876 protein (Nod D1) and P32008 protein (Nod D2) of Rhizobium tropici by In-silico studies. Docking studies, sequence alignment analysis, and molecular dynamics simulation studies were all applied in the in-silico investigations of molecular level interactions of flavonoids with common inducers of other rhizobial NodD protein of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Rhizobium tropici. From our In Silico analysis, it was revealed that Flavonoids Myricetin and Daidzen have the highest potential to induce the nodulation process via binding to Nod D1 and Nod D2 proteins respectively. This molecular level understanding of how these flavonoids are selectively attracted towards NodD proteins can help in prioritizing the most binding efficient flavonoid towards attaining sustainable agriculture.

Screening of Biofilm forming Bacterial Isolates from Chronic Leprosy Foot Ulcers

2026-04-08T03:01:59+00:00

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, often leads to severe complications such as chronic foot ulcers due to nerve damage and loss of protective sensation. These ulcers are frequently colonized by secondary bacterial pathogens, further delaying wound healing. One of the major challenges in treating these ulcers is the presence of biofilm-forming bacteria, which protect microbes from antibiotics and the host immune System, making infections persistent and difficult to eradicate. This study was conducted to isolate bacterial species from chronic leprosy foot ulcers and evaluate their biofilm-forming abilities. Swab samples were collected from ulcer sites of leprosy patients and cultured on selective media. The bacterial isolates were identified through standard cultural, morphological, and biochemical methods. Biofilm production was assessed using Congo Red Agar (CRA) and the Microtiter Plate (MTP) assay. Among the isolates, Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant species, followed by Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and Escherichia coli. A significant proportion of these isolates exhibited strong biofilm-forming ability, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. The findings emphasize the importance of early detection of biofilm-producing bacteria in chronic leprosy ulcers to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy, reduce complications, and improve patient outcomes.

Ocean Pollutants and Human Health: A Scientometric Perspective

2026-04-08T03:07:08+00:00

Oceans occupy more than 70% surface of the Earth, and are an important part of sustaining ecological balance and human life. Unfortunately, growing human interventions are transforming the ocean into a collection basin of various types of contaminants that threaten not only marine heath but human health as well. The purpose of this study is to provide a scientometric review of global research about ocean contaminants and human health over the last twenty years (2004 - 2024), and to assess the relevant research coming from India. A search of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) resulted in a total of 20,688 global publications (articles, reviews, and conference papers) related to the category of ocean contaminants and human health. Only 1,624 publications were from India, which were analysed using VOSviewer and MS-Excel. The results of keyword mapping revealed that “heavy metals” keyword was most often used by authors, in addition to others such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, adsorption, and toxicity risk assessment. Studies frequently looked at contaminants such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as emphasis was placed on bioaccumulation and ecological problems. Country collaboration mapping indicated that India holds a strong position globally, with significant collaborative studies with the USA, Germany, and Australia, as well as with researchers and institutions from India including IITs, BHU and CSIR. The research themes align strongly with Sustainable Development Goals. Indian funding agencies including UGC, DST, and CSIR was a first choice for funding from Indian authors in this research domain.

Papillary Neoplasms of the Breast: Histopathologic Di-versity, Molecular Profile, and Clinical Implications— A Review with a Five-Case Series

2026-04-08T03:26:59+00:00

Papillary carcinoma of the breast rep- resents an uncommon and morphologically diverse category of breast malignancies, com- prising roughly 0.5% of newly diagnosed cases worldwide. These tumors occur most frequently in postmenopausal women and demonstrate a comparatively higher relative incidence in male patients than many other forms of breast carci- noma. Papillary carcinoma encompasses mul- tiple distinct entities, including papillary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), encapsulated papil- lary carcinoma (EPC), solid papillary carcinoma (SPC), and invasive papillary carcinoma (IPC). Despite shared papillary architecture character- ized by fibrovascular cores lined by neoplastic epithelial cells, these subtypes differ signifi- cantly in biological behavior, prognosis, and management. Immunohistochemistry plays a central role in diagnosis, particularly in assess- ing myoepithelial cell presence to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. Molecular stud- ies demonstrate that most papillary carcinomas exhibit a luminal phenotype and frequently har- bor PIK3CA mutations, with genomic profiles overlapping those of estrogen receptor–positive invasive ductal carcinoma. Clinical outcomes are generally favorable, particularly for EPC and SPC although diagnostic and therapeutic controversies persist. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding classification, his- topathology, molecular characteristics, imaging features, management strategies, and prognos- tic outcomes.