Noscapine

This article presents the results of a chemical forensic analysis of medicinal tablets discovered during the archaeological excavation of an ancient burial site in the Rostov region. The aim of the study was to determine the chemical composition of the tablets using a comprehensive set of analytical methods, including high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF-MS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). An additional objective was to develop a methodological framework for the forensic chemical examination of similar archaeological specimens. Three types of tablets were analyzed. The study outlines sample preparation protocols for each method, analytical conditions, and the results obtained. Morphine, papaverine, and noscapine — alkaloids of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum and related species) were identified in all examined samples, along with nicotine. Furthermore, the molecular and elemental composition of one tablet was found to correspond to lead oxychloride (mendipite), a naturally occurring mineral. This investigation represents a unique contribution to forensic medical science and archaeology, as no comparable studies have been previously conducted.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) demonstrates elevated death rates in its advanced stage. Bortezomib (BTZ) and Noscapine (NCP) have potential as antitumor agents in various cancers, including TNBC. In this investigation, we present a way to enhance the therapeutic outcomes in TNBC by utilizing BTZ and NCP, employing poly(D,L-Lactide-coglycolide, PLGA). BTZ and NCP, which exhibit lower water solubility, were co-encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles (BN-PLGA) and stabilized with 0.5% PVA, resulting in a low PDI and greater homogeneity. Several spectroscopic techniques were used to analyze BTZ- and NCP-loaded PLGA (BN-PLGA NPs). The in vitro release of these drugs from BN-PLGA NPs was examined at physiological and acidic pH to evaluate the drug release process. The effectiveness of BN-PLGA NPs against TNBC (MDA-MB-231) was assessed. In vitro drug release at pH 7.4 and 5.0 showed that BTZ and NCP encapsulated in PLGA NPs containing 0.5% PVA were sustained, unlike the free drugs, which showed a relatively rapid release. BN-PLGA NPs containing 0.5% PVA were spherical, with a mean diameter of 223 nm, and exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (BTZ ∼ 83%, NCP ∼ 78%) and enhanced cytotoxicity relative to BTZ monotherapy in vitro. The BN-PLGA NPs showed better MICs against P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus than the pure drug. The findings indicate that combining NCP and BTZ via PLGA NPs could be a viable approach for TNBC treatment, potentially paving the way for extensive in vivo investigations to assess the safety and efficacy of these innovative nanoformulations using TNBC animal models.