Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

Analysing Oxadiazole Derivatives for Their Anticancer Activity: A Review (Short Communication)

Vishnu Kumar Yadav — 2026-02-27

Innovative ways are needed to effectively treat cancer, which continues to be one of the most difficult medical problems of our day. A new class of chemicals with promising cancer therapeutic potential has evolved in the last few years: oxadiazole derivatives. This study summarizes what is now known about oxadiazole-based medications, including how they work, what their pharmacological characteristics are, and what we have learned from recent advances in both clinical and preclinical research.

Ethno-Medicinal Healing Practices Among the Santals of Odisha, India

Dr. Minaketan Bag — 2026-02-27

The present study reconnoiters the traditional healthcare practices among the Santal Tribe in Odisha. By interacting with the sample population and traditional health care service providers of the study attempts a holistic understanding on traditional health care practices among them. 25 different plant species are documented that used as a medication. The process of collection of plants, preparation and medication are based purely on traditional method. Significantly, the plants are recognized by using native dialect prior to be translated into the Odia language and scientific botanical names. The data are collected in integrated narrative methods, those include unstructured interviews, focused group discussion and case study among the community members and key informants’ interview among the medicinal specialists of sample area. Moreover, the observation has been made to understand the access of Santals people traditional health care practices. Overall, this study comprehends a holistic picture of health care system and also contributes significantly to the documentation and preservation of traditional healthcare knowledge among the Santal Tribe in Odisha. It accentuates the importance of distinguishing and respecting native healing traditions and the appreciated role of medicinal plants in maintaining community health and wellbeing

Anti-Inflammatory Activity Study of Baby Coconut Herbal Oil in Different Base Oils

Aneesha S — 2026-02-27

Background: Baby coconut (Cocos nucifera), a drupe rich in bioactive compounds, holds traditional promise for anti-inflammatory applications. This study evaluated herbal oils incorporating baby coconut ethyl acetate extracts in coconut, sesame, and mustard oil bases.

Methods: Herbal oils (F1: coconut; F2: sesame; F3: mustard) were prepared via 11-cycle infusion (12-15 days, 75-80°C) and standardized for acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, refractive index, and specific gravity. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages using COX, LOX, MPO inhibition, and nitrite assays (25-100 µg/mL). Stability was monitored over 30 days.

Results: All formulations showed dose-dependent inhibition. Sesame oil-based F2 excelled overall: IC₅₀ values—COX: 122.02 µg/mL, LOX: 94.02 µg/mL, MPO: 63.25 µg/mL; nitrite reduction at 100 µg/mL: 373.23 µg. Mustard oil (F3) led in COX (101.15 µg/mL) and nitrite (311.35 µg), coconut (F1) in stability. Sesame offered balanced potency via sesamin/sesamolin; coconut resisted oxidation best.

Conclusion: Sesame oil-based baby coconut herbal oil demonstrates superior multi-target anti-inflammatory efficacy, validating traditional uses for skin inflammations. Coconut base ensures stability, suggesting hybrid formulations. Findings support advancement to in vivo/clinical studies for natural cosmeceuticals.

Ocular Drug Delivery System Challenges and New Advancements

Suhail K — 2026-02-27

Ocular medication delivery remains one of the most difficult areas of pharmaceutical science due to the eye's unique anatomical and physiological obstacles. Drug absorption and bioavailability are considerably limited by protective mechanisms including as tear turnover, blinking, nasolacrimal drainage, corneal epithelial tight junctions, and the blood-aqueous and blood-retinal barriers.

Conventional dose formulations, such as eye drops and ointments mostly have a short residence time and low therapeutic efficacy, demanding frequent administration and resulting to lower patient compliance. Furthermore, posterior segment disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma necessitate focused and continuous drug delivery techniques that overcome both static and dynamic ocular obstacles.

Recent advancements in ocular drug delivery systems have focused on improving bioavailability, prolonging precorneal retention, enabling controlled release, and enhancing tissue targeting. Innovative approaches include nanoparticle-based systems (polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers), liposomes, niosomes, dendrimers, micelles, and in situ gelling systems. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable implants, microneedles, ocular inserts, and contact lens mediated delivery have also demonstrated promising outcomes for sustained and site-specific therapy. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as stimuli-responsive systems, gene delivery vectors, and nanofiber-based platforms are expanding therapeutic possibilities for both anterior and posterior segment disorders.