The blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a major challenge in the treatment of neurological disorders by restricting the entry of many therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). Nose-to-brain drug delivery has emerged as a promising, non-invasive approach to enhance CNS drug delivery by utilizing the olfactory and trigeminal pathways. This route is particularly advantageous for delivering drugs with poor brain penetration, including peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and other therapeutic molecules. However, its effectiveness is limited by several factors, including mucociliary clearance, enzymatic degradation, short nasal residence time, restricted dose volume, and variable drug deposition. To overcome these limitations, various formulation strategies, including mucoadhesive polymers, permeation enhancers, in situ gels, liposomes, nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimers, have been investigated. These systems may improve drug stability, enhance nasal retention, facilitate absorption, and provide controlled drug release. Nose-to-brain delivery is being explored for the management of several neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, migraine, brain tumors, stroke, and CNS infections. Recent advances in nanotechnology, thermoresponsive formulations, precision nasal delivery devices, and computational approaches have further expanded its potential. Nevertheless, challenges related to formulation safety, reproducible drug deposition, biodistribution, and clinical translation remain. Further pharmacokinetic investigations, long-term safety assessments, and well-designed clinical trials are essential to establish its therapeutic effectiveness. Overall, nose-to-brain drug delivery represents a promising strategy for improving CNS drug targeting and advancing the treatment of neurological disorders.

Pradip Kushwaha, Sudheer Yadav, Avinash Maurya, Jitendra Jena

November 2, 2026

The present study aimed to standardize and evaluate the phytochemical constituents of hydroalcoholic leaf extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Azadirachta indica and to compare their preliminary diuretic potential. The leaves were extracted using the Soxhlet extraction method, and the resulting extracts were assessed for extraction yield, organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical parameters, fluorescence properties, and phytochemical constituents. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were estimated using colorimetric methods. Diuretic activity was evaluated in experimental animals by measuring urine volume and urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations, with furosemide serving as the reference drug. The extraction yields of A. aspera and A. indica were 12.5% and 15.6%, respectively. Both extracts showed the presence of major phytochemical groups, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids or steroids. The total phenolic content was 48.5 ± 1.12 mg GAE/g for A. aspera and 56.8 ± 1.35 mg GAE/g for A. indica, while the total flavonoid content was 42.6 ± 1.08 and 53.4 ± 1.22 mg QE/g, respectively. In the reported diuretic evaluation, mean urine volumes were higher in both extract-treated groups than in the vehicle control, with A. indica showing higher mean values than A. aspera at both tested dose levels. However, both extracts produced lower mean urine volumes than furosemide. These findings suggest that both plant extracts warrant further investigation for their potential diuretic activity, with A. indica showing comparatively higher preliminary responses under the reported experimental conditions.

Akhilesh Kumar, Shailesh Pathak, Dr. A. K. Srivastava, Anurag Singh

November 2, 2026

Medicinal plants represent an important source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, commonly known as Bael, has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents of Aegle marmelos seed extracts, establish their High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint profiles, and evaluate their antimicrobial activity. The seeds were collected, authenticated, dried, and powdered before extraction using selected solvents, including methanol, ethanol, and water. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed to identify the major classes of secondary metabolites present in the extracts. HPTLC analysis was conducted using an appropriate chromatographic system to obtain characteristic fingerprint profiles based on the observed spots and their corresponding retention factor (Rf) values. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the selected experimental method. The combined findings of phytochemical screening, chromatographic profiling, and antimicrobial testing were intended to provide information on the chemical composition and biological potential of the seed extracts. HPTLC fingerprinting may also serve as a useful analytical approach for the identification, comparison, and quality assessment of the investigated extracts. The study provides a basis for further investigation of Aegle marmelos seeds as a potential source of biologically active constituents.

Anil Yadav, Dr Bhavana Yadav, Manoj kumar

November 2, 2026

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate fast-disintegrating tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride using Plantago ovata mucilage as a natural superdisintegrant. Six formulations (F1–F6) were prepared by the direct compression technique and evaluated for pre-compression and post-compression parameters, including flow properties, tablet hardness, friability, wetting time, water absorption ratio, drug content, disintegration time, and in-vitro dissolution. Among the developed formulations, F6, containing 18 mg of Plantago ovata mucilage, exhibited the most favourable performance, with a wetting time of 25.12 seconds, water absorption ratio of 92.22%, disintegration time of 21 seconds, and drug content of 99.24%. The formulation achieved 99.12% drug release within 25 minutes. Stability evaluation over six months showed only minor changes in the measured tablet characteristics and dissolution profile. The findings indicate that Plantago ovata mucilage is a promising natural superdisintegrant for developing fast-disintegrating tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride. Further studies may help establish its suitability for pharmaceutical applications.

Arati Bhardwaj, Harikesh Yadav, Anil kumar Sonkar, Avinash Yadav

November 2, 2026