Neha Mandle

Biodegradable polymers present an environmentally safe alternative to reduce plastic waste by replacing traditional petroleum-based plastics. This review covered their classification, synthesis, properties, applications, and limitations, with examples of natural polymers, for example, starch and cellulose, and synthetic polymers like polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polycaprolactone (PCL). Different synthesis techniques, including bacterial fermentation, polymerization, and blending, were discussed for their advantages and disadvantages. These polymers have many uses in industry, including packaging, agriculture, biomedical applications, and textiles, but some limiting conditions exist, such as high processing costs, mechanical strength, and biological dependence for breakdown. To overcome these obstacles, a range of factors such as cheap feedstocks, genetic engineering, and improved processing, including green catalysts and nanocomposites, are worth investigating. It is also important to contextualize biodegradability in real-world cases that will shed light on the actual impact these polymers will have on the environment. If we continue this innovative research, amending policies, and work together as a sector, then biodegradable polymers will lead sustainable initiatives and drive us in the right direction towards a circular economy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming drug discovery by dramatically improving efficiency, lowering costs, and raising the rate of success. AI-powered algorithms scan enormous biological datasets, such as genomics and proteomics, to discover disease-related targets and forecast therapeutic interactions. This AI-supported process speeds up drug research, streamlining the drug development pipeline and heightening approval success rates. AI further helps predict pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and lead compound optimization, reducing costly and time-consuming experimental processes. In addition, AI-based systems assess real-world patients' data to offer personalized drug choices and optimize treatment effectiveness as well as compliance. This review exhaustively discusses AI applications in drug discovery, PK/PD studies, process optimization, and drug delivery dosage form development and raises related challenges as well as future directions for research.

Curcuma longa is the natural source of curcumin, a potent polyphenolic molecule with anti- inflammatory,  antioxidant,  and  anticancer  effects.  However,  its  clinical  use  is  severely hampered due to rapid metabolism and low oral bioavailability. Therefore, this research aims to  formulate  a  curcumin  nanoemulsion  that  is  stabilised  with  improved  solubility,  skin penetration, and stability. For this purpose, the nanoemulsion formulation was optimized for stability,  encapsulation  efficiency,  and  particle  size.  The  study  also  evaluates  its  anti- inflammatory  properties,  release  kinetics,  and  skin  penetration. The  results  obtained  were encapsulation efficiency of 85.6 ± 4.3%, zeta potential of -28.4 ± 3.1 mV, and particle size of128.5 ± 6.7 nm. The release kinetics of two formulations followed first-order kinetics, while the  third  formulation  followed  zero-order  kinetics.  The  therapeutic  potency  of  curcumin nanoemulsion in reducing inflammation was validated by substantial reductions in levels of inflammatory biomarkers TNF-α, 38.4%, and IL-6, 42.1% observed in the ex vivo analysis.