International Journal of Health care and Biological Sciences

Molecular Assessment of Nano-Hesperetin in Restoring Testosterone Biosynthesis and Antioxidant Balance in Testicular Toxicity

2026-08-05T19:02:02+0530

Chemotherapeutic drugs still represent a major clinical challenge for testicular toxicity mainly due to the persistent oxidative insult that disrupt steroidogenesis and spermatogenic function. Hesperetin, an aglycone citrus flavonoid, is widely known for its antioxidant action, but its medicinal utility is hampered by its poor water solubility and modest oral bioavailability. In the present study, hesperetin nanoparticles (Nano-Hesperetin) were synthesised by an antisolvent precipitation-ultrasonication method and characterised by FTIR, XRD and FESEM. Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups: Control, Cyclophosphamide (CP, 150 mg/kg), CP + free Hesperetin (50 mg/kg/day) and CP + Nano-Hesperetin (25 mg/kg/day). Serum testosterone, LH and FSH were tested by ELISA and testicular SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA were determined spectrophotometrically. The mRNA expression of StAR, CYP17A1 and Nrf2 was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. FESEM results showed the presence of almost spherical particles with an average particle size of around 81 nm. The crystalline nature of hesperetin was confirmed by the XRD. CP significantly reduced serum levels of testosterone and gonadotropins, depleted enzymatic antioxidants, increased MDA and downregulated the expression of steroidogenic and Nrf2 genes. When administered together, nano-hesperetin restored the hormonal balance, refilled the antioxidant pool and reactivated the StAR/CYP17A1 axis to near control levels, but free hesperetin only partially restored these parameters. The nano-formulation provided much better protection than the bulk flavonoid suggesting that reduction in particle size leads to improved testicular protection by jointly restoring steroidogenic gene expression and redox equilibrium.

Evaluation and Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance of Pathogenic and Commensal Phylogenetic Group B2 Escherichia coli

2026-09-18T19:28:35+0530

Background: In this research, we evaluated the antibiotic resistance of phylogenetic group B2 of commensal and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), since these isolates are considered the most virulent and the main cause of urinary tract infections, which may be transmitted from the digestive system to the urinary tract through fecal contamination.

Methods: Urine and stool samples were taken from 150 patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). Isolates were grown on selective media and named by biochemical tests. Each confirmed isolate was then phylotyped by multiplex PCR. The reaction amplified chuA, yjaA and the TspE4.C2 fragment, following Clermont et al. (2000). Resistance was read by disc diffusion.

Results: Group B2 was carried by 59 (46%) UPEC and 30 (22%) commensal isolates. For most drugs the commensal B2 isolates were the more resistant of the two, but the gap was small. Tetracycline was the only drug to reach nominal significance (P = 0.015, Fisher’s exact test), and it did not hold after correction for multiple comparisons. Every commensal B2 isolate was multi-drug resistant: 50% resisted 3–5 drugs and 13% resisted all ten, against 42% and 5% of UPEC B2 isolates.

Conclusion: Commensal and pathogenic B2 E. coli exhibited broadly similar antibiotic resistance profiles. No statistically significant differences survived correction for multiple testing, although a trend toward higher resistance among commensal isolates was observed. Both commensal and pathogenic isolates were most sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, while they were highly resistant to the penicillin family.

Larvicidal Activity and Midgut Histopathology of Bacillus thuringiensis Whole Cells and Spores Against Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae

2026-09-29T19:32:39+0530

Culex pipiens is a vector of several human pathogens, and the chemical control of its larvae is losing ground to insecticide resistance. This study measured the larvicidal activity of whole cells and spores of a local Bacillus thuringiensis isolate against third-instar Cx. pipiens larvae and described the damage they cause to the larval midgut. Larvae were collected in Al-Hillah, central Iraq, between November 2024 and February 2025 and were reared in the laboratory for three generations. Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from non-clinical food samples and identified by colony morphology on HiCrome^TM Bacillus agar, Gram staining, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Three whole-cell concentrations (1.5 × 10⁸, 7.5 × 10⁷ and 3.7 × 10⁷ CFU/mL) and three spore concentrations (1.5 × 10⁷, 1.5 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) were tested, each with three replicates of ten larvae. Beta-cypermethrin served as the positive control and dechlorinated water as the negative control. Dead larvae were counted at 24, 48 and 72 h, and mortality was corrected with Abbott's formula. Whole cells killed every larva at 72 h at all three concentrations (100 % corrected mortality) against 10 % in the negative control. Mortality was very low at 24 h and rose sharply between 48 and 72 h. Spores gave 100 %, 95.72 % and 89.30 % corrected mortality at 1.5 × 10⁷, 1.5 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁵ CFU/mL, so their activity was close to that of whole cells. Histological sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin showed damage of the midgut that increased with the severity of the treatment: the epithelial lining was disrupted, muscle bundles were fragmented, and vacuoles, cellular debris and spore clusters filled the tissue. Control larvae kept a normal tissue architecture. The local B. thuringiensis isolate is therefore an effective, time-dependent larvicide against Cx. pipiens.

Nano-Silver Fluoride versus SDF/KI on Caries-Affected Dentin: Bond Strength of a Universal Adhesive and a Glass-Hybrid Restorative, and Color Change

2026-09-29T19:32:33+0530

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) arrests caries but blackens dentin and may weaken adhesion; potassium iodide (KI) only partly prevents the stain. Nano-silver fluoride (NSF) has been proposed as a non-staining alternative, yet little is known about how it affects bonding to caries-affected dentin (CAD). This in vitro study compared SDF/KI and NSF pretreatment of CAD in terms of micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of a universal adhesive with resin composite (UA) and a glass-hybrid restorative (GH), and of color change. NSF was characterized by XRD, FTIR and FESEM. Dentin discs from human molars were left sound (SD) or pH-cycled for 14 days to produce CAD, which was left untreated or treated with SDF/KI or NSF (n = 10 per subgroup). Micro-cylinders of UA or GH were tested after 24 h or after 10,000 thermal cycles, and the color change (ΔE₀₀) of treated CAD discs was followed for four weeks. Pretreatment, material, aging and their two-way interactions were all significant (three-way ANOVA, p ≤ 0.013). With UA at 24 h, NSF (17.68 ± 2.44 MPa) did not differ from untreated CAD (16.00 ± 2.82 MPa), whereas SDF/KI was lower (13.67 ± 2.53 MPa; p = 0.024 versus NSF). With GH, the three CAD pretreatments did not differ. Thermocycling reduced all bonds by 10–25%. ΔE₀₀ of SDF/KI rose from 3.70 to 12.94 over four weeks, far beyond the acceptability threshold of 1.8, while NSF stayed between 1.59 and 2.81. NSF therefore preserves bonding to CAD and avoids the progressive darkening seen with SDF/KI.

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON HYDROGELS FOR CONTROLLED DRUG RELEASE

2026-06-20T20:12:09+0530

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the use of polymer gel in drug administration mechanism. In 1891, to their modern practices in reparative drug, towel design, and agriculture. It highlights the part of hydrogels in prolixity controlled, swelling-controlled, and chemically controlled medicine delivery systems. It also explores the use of hydrogels in colorful medicine delivery routes, including subcutaneous, oral, rectal, and topical transdermal administration and provides exemplifications of retailed hydrogel products for medicine delivery.

MICRO ENCAPSULATION: FROM CONCEPT TO COMMERCIAL APPLICTIONS

2026-06-20T19:31:13+0530

This review article delves into the dynamic realm of microencapsulation, a technology that encapsulates active ingredients within microscopic particles. The membrane dissolves itself when stimulated, releasing the core at the desired time or place. Microencapsulation has many applications in the food, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. It has been used in flavours, acids, oils, vitamins, and microorganisms. This article comprehensively explores various microencapsulation techniques, ranging from traditional methods to state-of-the-art technologies. Microencapsulation offers the crucial functionality of controlling the release of food ingredients at precise locations and timings, ensuring optimal effectiveness. It examines the applications of microencapsulation in different industries including pharmaceutical, agriculture, food, printing, cosmetic, textile and defence. Also highlighting its impact on product stability, controlled release and enhanced performance in different areas of science and technology. In the realm of pharmaceuticals and various other industries, microencapsulation plays a crucial role in enhancing stability, protecting sensitive substances and regulating the release of active ingredients. Microencapsulation is garnering significant attention across various domains including commercial development and research.

NANOTECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN INNOVATIONS IN BRAIN TUMOR

2026-06-20T19:35:47+0530

Brain tumours remain one of the most challenging neurological disorders to treat due to poor drug penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), tumour heterogeneity, systemic toxicity, and multidrug resistance associated with conventional chemotherapy. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to overcome these limitations by enhancing targeted delivery, improving bioavailability, and reducing adverse effects. Nanomaterials ranging from 1–100 nm, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, extracellular vesicles, and inorganic carriers, enable controlled and site-specific drug release to tumour tissues.

CONTROLLED AND TARGATED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR OCULUAR DISEASE

2026-06-20T19:56:36+0530

The drug delivery is highly challenging due to the presence of anatomical and physiological barriers that limit drug absorption and therapeutic effectiveness. These barriers, classified as static (corneal epithelium, blood–ocular barrier) and dynamic (tear turnover, blinking, nasolacrimal drainage), significantly reduce drug bioavailability. As a result, conventional ocular dosage forms such as eye drops show poor drug retention and require frequent administration. The human eye possesses unique structural and functional characteristics that hinder drug penetration into targeted tissues. Although topical administration is the most convenient and patient-compliant route, especially for anterior segment diseases, it provides limited therapeutic concentrations for extended periods. More than 95% of marketed ophthalmic products are liquid formulations, yet their effectiveness is restricted by rapid precorneal elimination. To overcome these limitations, advanced drug delivery systems such as intravitreal implants, biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymeric systems, nanoparticles, in situ gels, and viscosity-enhanced formulations have been developed. These systems aim to prolong drug residence time, provide controlled and sustained release, reduce dosing frequency, and improve patient compliance. Recent advancements focus on enhancing ocular permeation and achieving targeted drug delivery, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes in chronic ocular diseases.

A REVIEW ON ADVANCED WOUND CARE PRODUCTS AND THEIR CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

2026-08-02T12:56:48+0530

Because of inadequate biological signalling, the intricate organic process of wound healing is frequently slowed down in chronic and non-healing wounds. Traditional mechanical running is proposed by outdated remedies like coil bandages and covering inserts, but they lack the bioactive components needed for well-organized tissue regeneration. Due to recent advancements in reformative medicine, secretum-loaded biomaterials have emerged as a useful adjunct to conventional wound care methods. Cells such as mesenchymal stem cells create the secretum, which contains bioactive chemicals such as growth effects, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles. These particles are essential for skin growth and renewal as well as for controlling inflammation.

Immunological Aspects of Leishmaniasis: A Review on the Latest Developments

2026-08-20T19:09:19+0530

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease of ancient origin caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies, with an estimated 1.7 to 3 million new cases and approximately 20,000 deaths each year, concentrated in poor rural and semirural communities. Unlike many other vector-borne infections, Leishmania does not establish a self-limiting infection in the vertebrate host: it escapes the innate response and persists within a tissue-resident macrophage reservoir, producing a clinical spectrum that extends from asymptomatic carriage to cutaneous, mucosal and visceral disease. This review synthesises current understanding of the immunological basis of that spectrum. It follows the response from the moment of inoculation sand fly saliva, complement deposition, the early neutrophil influx and phagocyte uptake through dendritic-cell priming to the polarisation of CD4+ T-helper subsets, and examines how the Th1/Th2 balance, together with Th17 and regulatory T cells, separates control of infection from progressive disease. Macrophage activation states, the tissue-specific immune microenvironments of skin and mucosa, and species- and strain-specific evasion strategies are considered in turn, alongside the genetic and epigenetic determinants that modulate susceptibility. The review then examines the translation of this knowledge into practice through immune-based diagnostic biomarkers, vaccine strategies directed at immune pathways, and immunomodulatory therapies given alongside conventional drugs. Persisting gaps are identified, in particular the absence of a licensed vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis and the lack of a gold-standard laboratory method for diagnosis.