Journal of Drug Discovery and Therapeutics

Traditional Memory Tonic to Modern Neurotherapeutic: Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer’s Disease

Ajeet Singh — 2026-01-22

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with cognitive decline and dementia, typically seen in the elderly due to ongoing neurodegeneration. It progressively deteriorates the patient's memory capabilities. The key diagnostic indicators include the presence of senile plaques and Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). A significant reduction in Acetylcholine (Ach), a neurotransmitter in the brain, occurs due to its breakdown by the enzyme Acetylcholine esterase before it can exert its effects, along with neural cell death, which are the main contributors to AD. Although there are various categories of Anti-Alzheimer’s medications available for managing AD, successful outcomes have been limited due to poor patient adherence. Additionally, incorporating Nutraceuticals into daily diets, engaging in Aromatherapy, adjusting daily routines, and practicing yoga regularly can help alleviate stress, insomnia, improve blood circulation, detoxify organs through rhythmic breathing, and reduce headache frequency, as evidenced by surveys. Currently, herbal medicine has emerged as a preferred option for managing AD due to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, high patient compliance, ease of preparation, and minimal adverse side effects. Innovative methods can be employed to enhance the development of herbal medicine. Bacopa monnieri is a native plant that grows across India. For centuries, it has been recognized in Ayurveda as a “Medhya Rasayan” (nootropic). Research has demonstrated several effects of Bacopa monnieri, including its ability to inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase. This inhibition can lead to a reduction in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a crucial neurotransmitter, the levels of which are diminished in Alzheimer’s disease. key active ingredients in this plant include triterpene saponins known as bacosides, along with alkaloids like bramine and herpestine, as well as flavonoid and steroid compounds. Research conducted in vivo has demonstrated that an extract of B. monnieri containing 25% bacoside A produces an anxiolytic effect similar to that of lorazepam. While lorazepam is often associated with side effects such as amnesia, B. monnieri does not lead to these adverse effects and, in fact, offers memory-enhancing benefits.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Bacopa monnieri, Medhya Rasayan, Bacosides A, bramine and herpestine, Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), Acetylcholine (Ach).

Formulation and Optimization of Magnoflorine-Loaded Transdermal Patches for Sustained Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Mayuri Srivastava — 2026-02-16

Background: Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are a major health concern worldwide. The existing oral and injectable formulations have limitations such as low bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and poor patient compliance, making the need for a continuous and non-invasive drug delivery system an area of prime importance.

Aim: The aim of the current study is to design and develop optimized transdermal patches of magnoflorine for controlled anti-inflammatory therapy.

Methods: Transdermal patches of magnoflorine were prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC) using the solvent casting method. Polyethylene glycol 400 was used as a plasticizer and oleic acid as a permeation enhancer. The formulation was optimized by changing the ratio of the polymers, plasticizer, and enhancer. The patches were tested for their physical properties, thickness, weight, folding endurance, moisture content, drug content uniformity, in vitro drug release, and stability. The release kinetics of the drug was studied using zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-peppas equations.

Results: The optimized formulation (F3) had a uniform thickness of 0.25 mm, excellent folding endurance of 260 cycles, and high drug content uniformity of 98.4%. In vitro release studies revealed the sustained release of drugs up to 96.2% in 24 hours, following diffusion-controlled Higuchi kinetics. Stability studies revealed negligible changes in appearance, drug content, and release characteristics for three months.

Conclusion: Magnoflorine transdermal patches provide a stable, non-invasive, and sustained-release platform for chronic anti-inflammatory therapy, enhancing efficacy and patient compliance while minimizing systemic side effects.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory therapy; Drug delivery systems; HPMC–ethyl cellulose matrix; Magnoflorine; Sustained release; Transdermal patches.

Development and Evaluation of Acetazolamide-Loaded Nanospanlastic Gel for Enhanced Ocular Delivery

Siddharth Kesharwani — 2026-02-18

Background: Acetazolamide, a potent antiglaucoma agent, lacks effective topical ocular delivery due to low aqueous solubility, corneal permeability, and short elimination from the precorneal area, hence low bioavailability and frequent dosing.

Aim: The current study aims to establish an acetazolamide-loaded nanospanlastic ocular gel to improve corneal permeability, increase ocular residence time, and provide sustained release for the therapy of glaucoma.

Methodology: Nanospanlastic vesicles were formed using the ethanol injection method. The drug purity, compatibility, and preformulation studies were carried out. The optimized nanospanlastics were characterized, and the final product in the form of a mucoadhesive gel was prepared. The physicochemical studies were done, followed by in vitro drug release, ex vivo corneal permeation, and stability studies.

Results: The optimized formulation had a particle size of 154.8 ± 2.11 nm, zeta potential of −28.6 ± 0.92 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 79.65 ± 1.14%. Ocular gel showed physiological pH, adequate viscosity, reproducible drug content, controlled drug release for a period of up to 12 h, and improved corneal permeation. The stability studies confirmed the integrity of the formulation during three months.

Conclusion: The developed acetazolamide-loaded nanospanlastic gel is a stable and effective ocular delivery system that may provide improved management of glaucoma.

Keywords: Acetazolamide; Corneal permeation; Glaucoma therapy; Nanospanlastics; Ocular drug delivery; Sustained drug release

Hepatoprotective effect of Curcuma amada rhizome extracts against Paracetamol induced liver injury in rats

Payal — 2026-02-09

The purpose of this study was to examine the hepatoprotective efficacy of Curcuma amada rhizome extracts against Paracetamol induced liver damage in rats. Wistar albino rats were orally fed 500 mg/kg of body weight of Methanolic and Hydroethanolic Curcuma amada rhizome extract, with Silymarin serving as the reference. By restoring functional parameters, physical parameters, biochemical parameters, and decreasing blood enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBL) in the selected animal, the methanolic and hydroethanolic extracts exhibited a potent hepatoprotective effect. The plant's chemical composition includes, among others, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, phenolics, and saponins. The overall experimental data suggest that bioactive phytoconstituents, such as flavonoids and alkaloids, present in the Methanolic and Hydroethanolic extracts of Curcuma amada rhizome may be responsible for the plant's significant hepatoprotective effect. The results thus support the use of Curcuma amada as a hepatoprotectant.

Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride, Hepatoprotective activity, Curcuma amada rhizome