Cancer remains a major global health challenge due to its molecular complexity, heterogeneity, and frequent resistance to conventional therapies. Although chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy remain central to cancer management, their clinical effectiveness is often limited by toxicity, poor selectivity, and drug resistance. In this context, medicinal plants and their bioactive phytochemicals have gained increasing attention as complementary and alternative strategies owing to their multi-targeted anticancer properties and favorable safety profiles. This review comprehensively explores the synergistic potential of plant-derived compounds—including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and saponins—in cancer prevention and therapy, with particular emphasis on their ability to modulate key molecular pathways involved in apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic regulation. The manuscript further highlights the advantages of combinational phytotherapy, wherein natural compounds are used alone or in conjunction with conventional anticancer agents to enhance therapeutic efficacy, overcome drug resistance, and reduce treatment-related toxicity. Importantly, recent advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are discussed as a transformative approach to address the major pharmacokinetic limitations of phytochemicals, such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid metabolism. Nanoparticle formulations—including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, micelles, and carrier-free self-assembled systems—have demonstrated improved stability, controlled release, tumor-targeted delivery, and enhanced anticancer outcomes across multiple cancer types. Collectively, this review underscores the integration of medicinal plant–derived bioactives with advanced nanotechnology platforms as a promising, sustainable, and multi-targeted strategy for modern cancer therapy. Such approaches bridge traditional medicine with contemporary biomedical innovation and offer new directions for the development of safer, more effective, and personalized anticancer interventions.

Malaria continues to pose a significant global health burden, with an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 deaths reported in 2023, disproportionately affecting the WHO African Region. The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium strains has necessitated the search for novel therapeutic strategies. Sulfonamides, originally introduced as antibacterial agents, have been repurposed as promising antimalarial compounds due to their unique mechanism of action. These compounds inhibit the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) enzyme in the folate biosynthesis pathway, a critical process for DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in Plasmodium species. By acting as competitive alternative to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), sulfonamides disrupt parasite replication and survival. Advances in structure-activity relationship studies have led to the development of sulfonamide derivatives with improved binding affinity, pharmacokinetic properties, and reduced toxicity. Combination therapies, such as sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, exploit the synergistic inhibition of the folate pathway to enhance efficacy and mitigate resistance. This review highlights the mechanistic insights, structural advancements, and clinical applications of sulfonamide-based antimalarials, emphasizing their role in sustainable malaria control, particularly in combating multidrug-resistant strains of Plasmodium.

The synthesis and evaluation of azo-metal complexes derived from m-aminophenol and 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone were conducted to investigate their antioxidant and anticancer potential. Ligand, 3-(2′,4′-dihydroxy-5-acetylphenylazo)-1-hydroxybenzene (LH2) was synthesized and complexed with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) ions. The compounds were characterized with different spectroscopic methods, including FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, ESR, ESI-MS and XRD, along with thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) and SEM-EDS. Antioxidant activity assessed through the DPPH assay revealed that Cu(II) complex showed the highest radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 13.38 µg/mL, outperforming the free ligand (IC50 = 34.57 µg/mL). Anticancer activity was evaluated against MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) and HepG2 (liver cancer cell line) cell lines using the MTT assay. Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes demonstrated superior cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 13.48 µg/mL and 14.42 µg/mL, respectively, at 48 h, compared to the standard drug doxorubicin (IC50 = 10.31 µg/mL). Molecular docking studies against 17-β-HSD1 indicated strong binding affinities, particularly for Ni(II) complex (-9.81 kcal/mol), attributed to favourable coordination and electronic properties. Computational analyses, including molecular dynamics simulations and HOMO-LUMO energy evaluations, highlighted the stability, reactivity and interaction potential of the metal complexes. ADME profiling confirmed their drug-likeness, with Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes showing promising pharmacokinetic attributes, including high gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability.

Natural products, a potent reservoir of novel anticancer compounds with fewer side effects, provide a novel treatment modality to counter challenging global cancer situations. The present study investigated the anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of Leea macrophylla roots (EELM). This study employed a multivariate approach to optimize the extraction of Leea macrophylla tuberous roots for maximum therapeutic efficiency. Cytotoxicity assessment was performed in vitro using the MTT assay, where optimized EELM exhibited 90

This study reports the synthesis of sulfonamide-based azo-metal complexes [copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn)], derived from a novel ligand, 3,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-sulfonamido-phenyl) diazenyl-2,4dihydroxy-5,7-dioxo-1-benzenesulfonic acid. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonsance, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis were used for structural characterization of the synthesized complexes, Elemental analysis confirmed their molecular compositions, while thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis established their thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy provided surface morphology and elemental distribution and x-ray diffraction analysis suggested the amorphous nature of the complexes. Biological activity evaluation revealed significant antioxidant potential, with the Zn (II) complex exhibiting highest 74% of inhibition (at 25 mu g/mL concentration; IC50: 13.44 mu g/mL), comparable to standard ascorbic acid (IC50 = 6.80 mu g/mL), likely mediated through the Nrf2 pathway. Anticancer activity on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) demonstrated the Ni (II) complex as the most potent agent (IC50 = 8.98 mu g/mL at 48 hours) with efficacy close to standard cisplatin (IC50 = 7.23 mu g/mL). Molecular docking studies against 17-beta-HSD1 enzyme indicated strong binding interactions with Ni (II) complex with the highest docking score (-9.26 kcal/mol). It suggests a potential anticancer mechanism of the complex via the regulation of p53 and PGC1-alpha pathways, influencing mitochondrial function and glycolysis. HOMO-LUMO energy calculations indicated that Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes exhibit high reactivity, while the ligand displayed notable stability. The proposed study on the synthesis of azo-metal complexes using 2,4-dihydroxy acetophenone is first of its kind, demonstrating high structural stability and promising anticancer and antioxidant activity, underscoring the need for further research.

Wearable sensors (WS) are transforming personalized health monitoring by providing continuous, real-time tracking of physiological and environmental parameters. This manuscript presents a comprehensive overview of the rapid growth in the wearable technology market and its integration into healthcare systems, driven by advancements in flexible, biocompatible materials and the increasing need for remote monitoring due to aging populations and chronic illnesses. Diverse sensor types, including accelerometers, Electrocardiography, photoplethysmography, and temperature and glucose sensors, are enabling early disease detection, chronic condition management, and emergency interventions. The synergy between artificial intelligence and WS is enhancing data interpretation, predictive analytics, and personalized care through advanced algorithms like machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. The paper further explores recent biomedical engineering implementations, such as gait analysis, cardiovascular and body temperature monitoring systems, and non-invasive glucose detection using interstitial fluid and sweat. While highlighting innovations, such as optical coherence tomography and bioimpedance-based continuous glucose monitoring systems, the review also addresses challenges including data security, algorithmic bias, and regulatory concerns. Future trends suggest deeper AI integration, miniaturization, and improved energy efficiency of WS, with promising applications in precision nutrition and implantable monitoring. Ultimately, the convergence of AI, biomedical engineering, and wearable technologies paves the way for a more proactive, patient-centered healthcare paradigm.

The escalating use and legalization of cannabis (marijuana) in the United States reflect shifting societal attitudes and growing awareness of its potential therapeutic benefits. Historically viewed as a harmful psychoactive substance, contemporary research has shown the intricate pharmacology of cannabis, with its diverse array of cannabinoids and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Among these cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive component, characterized by its activation of cannabinoid receptors. The discovery of endocannabinoids, including anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, illuminated the body's innate cannabinoid signaling pathways and their involvement in several physiological processes. Endocannabinoids exert both positive and negative effects on the male reproductive system. They facilitate erectile function by modulating neurotransmission and vasodilation, offering potential therapeutic avenues for conditions like erectile dysfunction and prostatitis. However, chronic exogenous cannabinoid use, mainly of tetrahydrocannabinol, poses risks to male reproductive health by disrupting spermatogenesis, causing hormonal imbalances, and potentially influencing cancer cell proliferation. Understanding endocannabinoid signaling in the male reproductive system is essential to fully comprehend both the therapeutic benefits and potential drawbacks of cannabis use. Further research is required on these mechanisms, to provide insights that can guide clinical practice and policy-making regarding cannabis use. In this narrative review, we highlight the need for additional research into how cannabinoids affect male reproductive health, particularly with prolonged use. Investigating cannabinoids' impacts on spermatogenesis, hormonal balance, and cancer cell proliferation can provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals.

Bamboo is highly regarded for its rich nutritional value and versatility as a sustainable resource. Its unique nutraceutical properties contribute to various pharmacological effects, making it a standout in natural health and wellness. This study compared elemental, nutritional, and phytochemical characteristics of ten bamboo species (Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa spinosa, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa textilis, Dendrocalamus strictus, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus giganteus, Thyrsostachys siamensis and Fargesia nitida) collected from the Niyamgiri Hill Range in Western Odisha, India. We conducted a systematic ethnobotanical survey to collect the selected bamboo samples from the study region. Nutritional, phytochemical and elemental analyses were performed to evaluate mineral content, macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemical composition in aqueous extract of bamboo shoots of different species. Bambusa vulgaris emerged as the most ethnopharmacologically significant bamboo species, exhibiting a cultural index of 0.96. It displayed higher levels of key nutritional and phytochemical components, including crude fibre, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and total energy, than the other species. Additionally, Bambusa vulgaris contained substantial quantities of essential minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, calcium and magnesium. These findings offer valuable insights into the diversity of these bamboo species and their potential applications in nutrition and industry. The composition and quantitative determination of specific compounds provide useful insights that could reveal their potential uses and aid in developing new drugs and formulations, contributing to sustainable resource utilization.

Customized nanoparticles are being used to treat cancer, improve patient outcomes, and reduce mortality. Due to their unique and multifaceted properties, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have emerged as promising candidates for cancer treatment. This review discussed the advances in synthesizing GNPs to leverage their versatility and functionalization for targeted cancer therapy. We discuss advances in the chemical, physical, and biological preparation methods of GNPs, which provide numerous opportunities to improve cancer therapy. Specifically, biosynthesis strategies using natural products, such as plant extracts, yield more stable GNPs with superior morphological control. GNPs are effective in cancer therapy as drug carriers conjugated with chemotherapeutic drugs. We explored the pivotal role of gold nanocarriers in delivering drugs to tumor sites, their application in gene therapy via nucleic acid delivery, and their use in transporting photosensitizing agents to tumor sites for photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and radiofrequency therapy. Surface-functionalized GNPs are powerful tools for targeted therapy, enabling precise manipulation of angiogenic pathways. This review highlights the therapeutic utility of synthetic advances to maximize GNPs in clinical cancer treatment, emphasizing their multifaceted role in targeted drug delivery and modulation of angiogenesis.

Antimicrobial resistance presents a formidable challenge to contemporary medicine, necessitating innovative therapeutic solutions. Azo dyes and their metal complexes have emerged as promising candidates due to their notable antimicrobial properties. This review comprehensively examines the synthesis and application of azo dyes and metal complexes for emerging antimicrobial therapies. Through various synthetic strategies and metallation, the chemical structure of azo derivatives allows for modifications that enhance their antimicrobial efficacy, making them promising candidates for pharmaceutical development against microbial infections. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of antimicrobial action, including DNA intercalation, enzyme inhibition, membrane disruption, and reactive oxygen species generation. The role of metal ions is particularly significant, enhancing structural stability, reactivity, and the ability to target microbial enzymes effectively. Chelation effects, such as reduced polarity and increased lipophilicity, facilitate the penetration of microbial cell membranes and the disruption of enzyme activity. The review highlights novel azo-metal complexes’ significant antifungal and antibacterial activities, particularly their efficacy against pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The importance of structure–activity relationships is detailed, showing how specific functional groups and metal ions influence antimicrobial efficacy. Additionally, their potential sensing ability to detect and identify microorganisms highlights the multifaceted role of azo dye derivatives in infection management

Background Sickle cell disease is a fatal systemic condition characterized by acute painful episodes, persistent anemia, ongoing organ damage, organ infarction, and a markedly shorter average lifetime. It first appeared in the tropics' malarial zones, where carriers benefit from an evolutionary advantage by being shielded from malaria death. Due to demographic shifts, this crisis now affects people all over the world. In higher-income areas, such as vast swaths of Europe and North and South America, more children are born with the syndrome. Main body Over the last 10 years, a clearer knowledge of the change from fetal to adult hemoglobin has evolved. Further investigation into chimerism, genomics, mixed gene editing, and therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin has produced very promising findings. Between 2017 and 2019, three innovative medications for sickle cell disease were approved by the FDA thanks to previous advances, while many more treatments are now under development. Short conclusion To improve patient outcomes, various innovative medications that were created in the late 1990s and utilized to treat sickle cell disease are examined in this study. In our appraisal, we'll also focus on the most important developments of the decade.

Sensing technology is receiving increasing attention and improvements every day, making it a suggested component of personalized healthcare management. This is due to the capabilities of organometallic compounds supported by bioengineering. Organometallic compounds have abundant biological activity and many industrial and material science applications. Due to their unique biological targetability, they possess potential applications in drug development, diagnosis, and treatment. Organometallic compounds are emerging as promising candidates for the advancement in sensor technology as they are engineered to address some of the limitations encountered by their traditional counterparts. These compounds have distinctive characteristics that render them exceptionally responsive to alterations in their surroundings, hence enabling their use as sensors for the detection of diverse chemicals or circumstances. In addition, the adaptability of organometallic compounds allows for their incorporation into various sensor platforms, rendering them appropriate for a diverse array of applications such as environmental surveillance, medical analysis, and industrial assurance of quality. This review presents an overview of the recent progress made in the field of organometallic compounds’ design and production, specifically focusing on their potential uses as sensors. In addition, the structural modifications, functionalization procedures, integration of microfluidics, and the consequent effects on the sensing capacities of the materials are recalled. These bio-based approaches will align with sustainability objectives and make sensing more affordable, applicable, and successful.

Omeprazole (OMP), which is given for treatment in conjunction with a number of medications, is drawing increased attention for its capacity to reduce gastric acid formation. Commonly administered OMP-loaded dose forms include aspirin (ASN), diclofenac (DCF) and domperidone (DMP). As a result, a single liquid chromatographic approach, which can simultaneously determine OMP-ASN, OMP-DCF or OMP-DMP in commercial formulations was developed. On a reverse-phase Agilent Eclipse XBD C18 analytical column (4.6 × 150 mm; 3.5 (m), the requisite separation was accomplished utilizing a gradient flow of the mobile phase made up of a mixture of solvents A and B (50:50 v/v) and diode array detection at 272 nm. Where solvent A is acetonitrile:buffer-A:buffer-B (10:90:50 v/v/v) and solvent B is acetonitrile:buffer-A:buffer-B (90:10:50 v/v/v). The buffer-B is made up of an equal mixture of 100 mM acetic acid and 100 mM triethyl-amine with a final attained pH of 5.2, whereas the buffer-A is made up of 10 mM trifluoroacetic acid (pH adjusted to 2.2). According to ICH Q2(R1) criteria, the method had been validated and verified the senstivity of the proposed method with a linearity range of 0.5-20 mcg/mL for all the analytes. The established technique for concurrently quantifying OMP with DCF, ASN or DMP in commercial formulations can be regularly employed in the quality control laboratory in accordance with the validation conditions.

Bamboo shoots are a unique and versatile ingredient that has been a part of traditional cuisine and medicine in India for centuries. This review article provides an overview of the culinary heritage of bamboo shoots in India, with a particular focus on the Northeast region. The article discusses the traditional methods of consumption and processing of bamboo shoots, along with the various traditional recipes that use bamboo shoots. The article also explores the nutraceutical potential of bamboo shoots and its bioactive components, along with the role of hydrogen cyanide in bamboo shoots. Furthermore, the impact of bamboo shoots on human health is analyzed. The review concludes with future prospects and the need for further research to fully understand the potential of bamboo shoots as a source of food and medicine.

Background: Anomalist psychology bases supernatural explanations on psychological and physical traits. Maladaptive psychopathological behaviors disturb life. Religious healers, help many patients and caregivers. On this basis, the current study explores the prevalence and cultural perceptions of hysteria among rural communities in Odisha's Balangir and Bargarh districts, India. Traditional therapies for psychopathological illnesses are commonly used in these communities, and we investigate the usage of medicinal plants by traditional healers. Methods: Through a six-month study involving various research methods, we identified 40 plant species across 25 families that are frequently used for treating hysteria and other psychiatric disorders. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the credit score of traditional herbs, and we found that plant leaf powder was frequently employed orally for most treatments. Results: The study found that traditional healers in the Balangir and Bargarh ethnic communities frequently use plant leaf powder, including species such as Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, for the treatment of hysteria and other psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The pharmacological research of these plants could provide useful insights for the treatment of mental health disorders. This study highlights the importance of traditional therapies in managing psychopathological illnesses in rural India. Keywords: Hysteria, Ethnobotanical survey, Traditional Plant Knowledge, Wild Useful Plants, Ethnomedicine, Cultural Practices, Mental Disorders, Neurological Disorders

India, the land of spices and condiments, is endowed with a plethora of herbs, spices, and unusual plants. Spices have been used as flavoring and coloring agents in Indian society since time immemorial. Spices have also been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Assessing spices’ taste, nutritional, and bioactive qualities during postharvest processing is critical for quality control and preventing adulteration. Various illegal colors are frequently used to adulterate spices for fraudulent trading operations. For instance, Sudan dyes are widely substituted with hot chili, red pepper, or tomato products; metanil yellow in turmeric; tartrazine, amaranth, and sunset yellow FCF in ginger and chili powder; and magenta III and rhodamine B in saffron. These adulterants degrade the flavoring, fragrance, cosmetics, medicinal, and preservative value of spices, their authentication is critical in quality control. Apart from these adulterants, various aflatoxins secreted after fungal contamination also cause quality degradation of spices. According to the literature evaluation, HPLC is a rapid and adaptable technique for efficiently identifying these compounds in spices. The proposed chapter summarizes application of HPLC for detection, quantification, and quality assessment of various spices. Some of the recently published work on the said topic from various search engines (Google scholar, Scopus, science direct, etc.) is mentioned in the chapter.