Using natural lipids to covalently connect with antitumor agents to construct lipid-based molecular prodrugs and their nanosystems is a promising research frontier for sustainable medicinal chemistry, nanobiotechnology and tumor chemotherapy. This paper reviewed recent progress of lipid-based doxorubicin (molecular) prodrugs and their nanodelivery systems, including lipid-doxorubicin prodrugs, stimuli-responsive lipid-doxorubicin prodrugs, and lipid-doxorubicin prodrug-based drug co-delivery nanosystems. Additionally, possible future research outlooks in this field were also discussed.

Augmented reality is a technology-based on an interaction between the virtual and real-world, mixing them and expanding their possibilities. This technology is currently used in the most varied areas of human knowledge. The use of augmented reality in drug package has excellent potential in several diseases and could be an indispensable tool, especially in diseases with low medication adherence. In this context, its application in tuberculosis treatment could be of great help, as this treatment presents two major issues: the long-term treatment time (six months) and its severe side effects resulting in its non-adherence to the treatment. In this article, we aim to address the problems related to tuberculosis treatment causing non-adherence by using augmented reality. Using a smartphone in the medicine packaging could gain valuable information making patients be aware of following the treatment until the end.

The protective effect of the polysaccharides on ethylene glycol induced kidney impairment has been explored. Polysaccharides have been extracted from Sargassum graminifolium, which belongs to brown algae. Three different doses of polysaccharides were used for rats with kidney stones by ethylene glycol feeding. Then, urinary biochemistry parameters, renal function factors including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels were detected. Besides, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in kidney tissue were elevated, which belong to proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, kidney histopathological sections were examined. The results illustrated that polysaccharides not only increased calcium level but also decreased oxalate, Scr, and BUN levels. In addition, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced. Moreover, renal micro-scopic analysis showed polysaccharides treatment alleviated observably calcium oxalate deposits in the kidney tissue. The results indicated that the renoprotective mechanism of SGP may be attributed to suppression of inflammation, reducing the growth of urinary stones and improving kidney function in vivo, which explained SGP through multiple ways to protect kidney cells from damaging of hyperoxaluria rats.

Diterpenoids are important chemical constituents isolated from the genus Illicium, which possess many pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral activities, cytotoxicity, and so on. Up to now, 68 diterpenoids have been isolated from the genus Illicium, and they are classified as abietane-type, pimarane-type and podocarpane-type. In this paper, the chemical constituents and bioactivities of the diterpenoids from the genus Illicium are reviewed.

FlosPopuli is a dry male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa., Populus canadensis. Some researches show that FlosPopuli contains rich flavonoids and phenolic glycosides, which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-viral effects. In order to systematically understand the chemical compositions and biological activities of FlosPopuli and lay the foundation for subsequent research, this article reviews the two above aspects. Fifty-three kinds of flavonoids, phenol glycosides and others were isolated from FlosPopuli; moreover, their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects were investigated.

Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle is known as Foshou fruit that can be used as Chinese medicinal materials and has a health and longevity effect. In recent years, investigations about the chemical compounds of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle have shown that its main compounds include flavonoids, essential oils, coumarins, and polysaccharides, with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, effect on the autonomic nervous system, and other pharmacological effects. In this paper, the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle are summarized.