Evaluation of Origanum vulgare Essential Oil as a Natural Antibacterial Agent in Minced Meat | Chapter 5 | Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

 

The increasing consumer demand for natural, clean-label food preservation strategies has intensified interest in plant-derived essential oils as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. This study evaluates the antibacterial efficacy and preservative potential of Origanum vulgare essential oil in fresh minced meat under refrigerated storage. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and chemically characterised using GC–MS, revealing a carvacrol-rich chemotype with significant amounts of thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene, which collectively contribute to its strong antimicrobial activity. Phenolic derivatives accounted for over 64% of the oil composition, explaining its pronounced efficacy against microorganisms.

 

When incorporated into minced meat at a sensorially acceptable concentration of 0.1%, the essential oil significantly reduced total aerobic mesophilic microflora and Staphylococcus aureus populations over 48 hours at 4 °C, without affecting sensory attributes such as taste and odour. The stronger reduction in S. aureus is attributed to the higher susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to phenolic compounds. The antibacterial mechanism involves disruption of bacterial cell membranes, ion leakage, ATP depletion, and collapse of the proton-motive force, while minor compounds like p-cymene and γ-terpinene enhance membrane penetration and synergistically boost antimicrobial activity. The essential oil also exhibits anti-biofilm properties, preventing adhesion and disrupting mature biofilms.

 

From an industrial perspective, challenges such as volatility, instability, and strong aroma can be mitigated using encapsulation technologies (nanoemulsions, liposomes, cyclodextrins, biopolymer-based matrices) and by combining essential oils with other multi-hurdle preservation strategies, including modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings, organic acids, and mild thermal treatments.

 

In conclusion, Origanum vulgare essential oil is a promising natural preservative capable of enhancing food safety, extending shelf life, and meeting the consumer demand for minimally processed, natural meat products. Further studies are warranted to optimise encapsulation systems, synergistic preservation strategies, and industrial-scale applications.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Sonia Heni
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Biology of Materials, Higher Normal School of Technological Education of Skikda, Algeria.

 

Hicham Boughendjioua
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Biology of Materials, Higher Normal School of Technological Education of Skikda, Algeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v10/7083

Development and in vivo Evaluation of Gastroretentive Floating Microballoons of Acetohydroxamic Acid for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability |Chapter 4 | Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

 

The oral route remains the most preferred and patient-friendly mode of drug administration. Microballoons, a non-effervescent gastroretentive system, are hollow microspheres (<200 µm) composed of polymers or proteins that exhibit excellent buoyancy due to their internal cavity. As multiple-unit systems, they ensure uniform drug distribution, minimise dose dumping, and allow controlled drug release by optimising polymer composition. Acetohydroxamic acid, a urease inhibitor structurally similar to urea, effectively inhibits Helicobacter pylori by penetrating bacterial cells and blocking urease activity, making it suitable for stomach-specific delivery. This study involved the formulation of acetohydroxamic acid floating microballoons, the evaluation of gastric retention by X-ray imaging in rabbits, and bioavailability assessment through pharmacokinetic studies. DSC and FTIR confirmed drug–polymer compatibility. The percentage yield was in the range of 60-90 % for all the formulations. It was found to be less than 70% yield with ethyl cellulose and HPMC K4M, and for the optimised formulation, the yield was around 80 %. The entrapment efficiency was in the range of 60-90 % for all the formulations and was found to be 89.6%for optimized formulation. The percentage buoyancywas in the range of 60-90 % for all the formulations and was found to be 85.5% for optimized formulation. Drug content of all the prepared formulations was found to be within the acceptable range of 90.0 -110.0%. This manuscript is important to the scientific community as it provides a comprehensive and well-validated approach to gastroretentive drug delivery using floating microballoons as a non-effervescent, multiparticulate system. The work offers a reproducible formulation strategy for stomach-specific delivery of urease inhibitors, addressing a critical challenge in the management of Helicobacter pylori infections. Overall, the findings contribute valuable translational insights for the development of advanced oral drug delivery systems with improved clinical efficacy.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Munija Pancheddula
Vision College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Boduppal, Hyderabad, India.

 

Nemuri Mounika
Vision College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Boduppal, Hyderabad, India.

 

Upparaboina Srilatha
Vision College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Boduppal, Hyderabad, India.

 

Shayeda
Department of Pharmaceutics, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506009, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v10/7065

 

Chronotherapy and Pulsatile Drug Delivery Systems: Aligning Pharmacotherapy with Circadian Rhythms |Chapter 3 | Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

 

Chronotherapy is a therapeutic strategy that synchronises the timing of drug administration with the body’s endogenous circadian rhythms to enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects. These rhythms regulate physiological processes such as hormone secretion, metabolism, sleep–wake cycles, and cardiovascular function, making timing an essential component of optimised therapy. Pulsatile drug delivery systems complement chronotherapy by releasing drugs in a programmed manner after a predetermined lag time, allowing the drug to reach peak concentrations at the time when symptoms are most severe or when the body is most receptive to treatment. Chronotherapy can be implemented using various approaches, including delayed or advanced sleep phase therapy, rest-phase adjustment, and combination interventions involving light or behavioural therapy. In clinical practice, chronotherapy has shown particular benefit in arthritis management—night-time dosing of NSAIDs or corticosteroids helps reduce early-morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis, while morning dosing of COX-2 inhibitors is more effective for osteoarthritis. Overall, aligning drug delivery with circadian patterns offers a promising strategy to enhance therapeutic outcomes in time-dependent diseases.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Y. Ismail
Crescent School of Pharmacy, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, GST Road, Vandalur, Chennai 600048, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Vijaya Kumar Voleti
School of Pharmacy, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, OMR Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

S. Priya
School of Pharmacy, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, OMR Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v10/7019

Evaluation of α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Plants | Chapter 2 | Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

 

Background: Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), leading to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Naturally occurring inhibitors of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes may offer an effective way to limit the absorption of dietary carbohydrates while causing fewer adverse effects than synthetic drugs. α-amylase helps in the digestion and absorption of dietary starch and causes elevated blood glucose levels.

 

Aims: The present work aims to find natural α-amylase inhibitors derived from plants that have gained popularity as safe and cost-effective alternatives.

 

Study Design: This study investigates the α-amylase inhibitory potential of five medicinal plants (Aerva lanata, Emblica officinalis, Momordica charantia, Musa paradisiaca, and Psidium guajava) traditionally used in diabetes management.

 

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Botany, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

 

Methodology: The α-amylase inhibitory activity of five plant extracts (Aerva lanata, Emblica officinalis, Momordica charantia, Musa paradisiaca, and Psidium guajava) was evaluated at concentrations ranging from 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μg/mL. Metformin was used as a standard antidiabetic drug for comparison. The extracts underwent additional phytochemical analysis to determine their total tannin and total phenolic contents.

 

Results: Our findings demonstrate that these plant extracts exhibit varying degrees of α-amylase inhibitory activity, with Momordica charantia showing the highest inhibition (95.00% ± 0.58% at 100 μg/mL). The inhibitory potential of these extracts correlates with their phenolic and tannin content, suggesting a role for these phytochemicals in α-amylase inhibition. Notably, Emblica officinalis and Psidium guajava also displayed significant inhibitory activity comparable to the standard drug metformin.

 

Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the development of novel antidiabetic therapies from natural sources. Further studies are warranted to isolate and characterise the bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. The findings of this study have significant implications for the management of diabetes and the development of natural antidiabetic agents.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Nisha Joseph
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

 

A. S. Deepthi
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

 

Gokul G. Nair
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

 

Merin Grace Jiji
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v10/7036

Spectroscopic Methods for Analysing Herbal Medicine and their Roles in Healthcare |Chapter 1 | Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

 

Background: Spectroscopic methods are very fundamental, convenient, cost-effective and available equipment settings in both industry and laboratory to analyse a range of products, including food, medicines, cosmetics and herbal products. Herbal drugs, that is, plant-derived products, have been used in the healthcare system from ancient times. There are different types of spectroscopic methods, among which ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, Mass spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are widely used for analysing herbal drugs.

 

Materials and Methods: PubMed, Research Gate, Google Scholar and other search engines, including Artificial intelligence tools, have been searched to find suitable literature to find relevant research works. The keywords “Spectroscopy”, “Herbal medicines”, “UV-VIS spectroscopy”, “Analysis”, “Infra-Red spectroscopy”, “Raman spectroscopy”, “Atomic absorption spectroscopy”, “Mass spectroscopy”, “Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy”, “Analysis of herbs and phytoconstituents” etc. have been applied to find expected research articles and collect information on various aspects of spectroscopic methods for analysing herbal medicine and their roles in healthcare.

 

Results: After a thorough study of a lot of published articles, standard textbooks and related literature, we found some spectroscopic methods which are suitable for the analysis of herbal drugs. Some of these methods are - ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared and Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Several tandem systems integrate spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Prominent examples include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). These methods are highly suitable, specific, sensitive, and readily amenable to validation.

 

Conclusion: Spectroscopic methods provide a reliable and cost-effective approach for evaluating phytochemical potency and ensuring the quality of herbal preparations, making them essential tools in routine laboratory analysis.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Sabiha Ferdowsy Koly
Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Tejgaon-1215, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

Md. Shah Amran
Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy and Public Health, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), Bashudhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/psnid/v10/6660

Advancing Healthcare through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study of Bangladesh’s Banking Sector| Chapter 4 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has shifted from a philanthropic activity to a strategic business practice, especially in Bangladesh’s banking sector, where it plays a crucial role in healthcare improvements. The contribution of CSR by banks in Bangladesh has been influential in addressing critical societal needs and enhancing community well-being. Through their CSR initiatives, banks in Bangladesh are actively involved in promoting education, environmental sustainability, and particularly healthcare, reflecting a strong commitment to societal development. This chapter investigates how Bangladeshi banks have integrated CSR into their operations, aligning efforts with national health goals. Using content analysis of publications from the Bangladesh Central Bank and other sources, the study outlines the transition from basic charitable actions to more impactful CSR interventions. Under the Bangladesh Bank’s regulatory framework, banks are required to allocate a portion of profits to CSR, particularly focusing on healthcare, education, disaster relief, and environmental sustainability. The research highlights key healthcare initiatives such as infrastructure development, funding medical camps, and promoting public health awareness. Fluctuations in healthcare-related CSR spending from 2019 to 2023 are examined, showing a peak in 2021, followed by a decline due to political and economic instability. The study stresses the need for stronger oversight, strategic partnerships, and long-term healthcare investments to ensure sustainable outcomes. Bangladesh Bank has initiated several measures to integrate FI with social welfare activities, reflecting a comprehensive engagement of the banking sector in CSR to combat poverty, empower women, improve educational and healthcare facilities, handle disasters, and enhance cultural richness. The variability in expenditure, influenced by external political and economic factors, underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and strategic partnerships. By aligning CSR activities with national health goals and enhancing transparency, banks can ensure that their contributions to healthcare are both impactful and sustainable. Recommendations include aligning CSR strategies with national health objectives, enhancing transparency, and collaborating with healthcare providers and NGOs. Further research is suggested to evaluate the direct impact of these initiatives on healthcare outcomes to ensure long-term effectiveness.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Shamsul Sarkar
Healthcare and Community Service Professional, Sydney, Australia.

 

Sharmin Islam
Eastern University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

Shafiqur Rahman

Business, Int’l Open University, The Gambia.

 

Md Moniruzzaman
Amazing Dental Signature, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

Afruza Haque
DUET, Bangladesh.

 

Faiyaz Rahman
Komatsu, NSW, Australia.

 

Gazi Farid Hossain
King's Own Institute, Australia.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/6991

 

An Empirical Study on Impact Analysis of Macro Economic Indicators on Indian Banking Stocks | Chapter 3 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

The fluctuations in stock prices are due to both company-specific internal factors and many external factors. Among the external factors, the most important are the macroeconomic factors. To create a profitable portfolio, investors must analyse both internal and external influences. This study focuses on the impact of the most important macroeconomic factors, viz., GDP, inflation, industrial production, crude oil prices, foreign institutional investments, currency exchange rate and interest rates, on the prices of the listed banking stocks in India. The sample constitutes the top five listed banks selected from the public and private sectors on the basis of their market capitalisation. The collected secondary data was analysed using suitable statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, coefficient of correlation and linear multiple regression analysis. Hypotheses are tested based on Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. It is observed that only two variables, i.e. industrial production and exchange rate, have a significant positive impact on the stock prices. The variable interest rate is showing a significantly negative influence on the stock prices. All the other variables, viz., GDP, inflation, oil prices and FII investments have an insignificant impact.

 

 

Author(s) Details

S. Sundara Ram
C. U. Shah University, Wadhwan, Gujarat, India.

 

Munjal Dave
C. U. Shah University, Wadhwan, Gujarat, India.

 

M. Rajesh
VIT Business School, VIT University, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/6975