Ayat Abdulkhaleq Jawad, Zainab M. Abdulkhaleq, Amjad I. Oraibi
et al.
Long-acting injectable (LAI) biologics, a class of agents consisting of a biologically active compound – the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) – and polymers that form a microparticle, suspension, or hydrogel, have recently emerged as a potentially revolutionizing modality in immunopharmacology. LAIs are a type of controlled drug delivery system administered parenterally via deep and lateral muscle tissue or the fat layer below the skin. After injection, the polymers biodegrade gradually, and the API is released slowly within a therapeutic window that lasts from weeks to months. Due to its multi-daily oral administration, LAIs offer several advantages, primarily enhanced compliance, better control of plasma levels by avoiding spikes, reduced risk of human error, and the potential for use in cases of psychophysical syndromes. In recent years, the biotech industry has invested heavily in biologics research and development, resulting in the increasing use of biologic APIs and pharmaceutical excipients in nanoformulations for novel LAI products. This new generation of LAIs may alter the pharmacokinetic profile and injection site response, thereby changing and broadening the histological and immunohistochemical aspects of the long-residing depot created at the injection site. Thus, investigating LAI formulations is of the utmost importance. The novelty and complexity of these agents make it essential to assess the potential risks associated with their use and to promote pre-market managerial strategies to mitigate such risks. Therefore, this manuscript aims to provide a systematic analysis of the toxic and inflammatory responses to therapeutic LAI formulations in rodent and non-rodent models.
Naglaa Bahr, Amna H. M. Nour, Abd M. Abd El-KaderEl-Kader
et al.
Abstract Background The risk of liver injury is increased by persistent hyperglycemia. Diabetes-related liver damage involves both oxidative stress and an abnormal inflammatory response. Nevertheless, many plants possess notable pharmaceutical properties, such as Portulaca oleracea (purslane, PE), which stands out for its wide range of potential medicinal applications globally. Consequently, this research sought to investigate the possibilities of purslane ethanolic extract in protecting against liver damage, oxidative stress, and the inflammatory response associated with diabetes. Methods Diabetes was induced in rats through a high-fat diet, followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). The diabetic rats were treated with PE at dose of (100 mg/kg), metformin (MT) at dose of (100 mg/kg) or combination therapy of (50 mg/kg) PE plus (50 mg/kg) MT for 4 weeks. Prooxidants (TBARS, XO, and NO) levels, antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD and GPx), inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ), and hepatic architecture abnormalities were measured by using standardized protocols. Results Rats treated with STZ exhibited notable elevations in tissue prooxidants (TBARS, XO, and NO), and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ), with a parallel reduction in the activity of tissue antioxidants (SOD and GPx). Severe histopathological include vacuolated hepatocytes, dilated congested central veins, and numerous apoptotic signs, in addition to histochemical alterations in the liver tissue, were noted. When diabetic animals were treated with MT, PE ethanolic extract, or a combination of MT plus PE, these deleterious effects were improved. Conclusion All together the obtained data confirmed that PE displayed an ameliorating effect against the liver damage, inflammatory response, and oxidative damage linked to diabetic mellitus.
Abstract Sustainable development goal 6 (SDG 6), aimed primarily at ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all, stands as the cornerstone of the broader sustainable development goals (SDGs). Progress toward achieving SDG 6 in the Arab world, an area classified as water-scarce, has faced multifaceted challenges arising from climate change, population growth, transboundary dependency, and water governance policies. Given that research dynamics are pivotal indicators of nations’ capacity to innovate, they also show how countries address challenges. This review endeavors to quantify the advancements made toward SDG 6 in the Arab region. The study seeks to identify research interests, trends, scientific trajectories, and major contributors and, consequently, to delineate gaps and provide insights into future perspectives. This involved conducting a comprehensive search within the Scopus database, specifically targeting publications originating from the Arab world. To facilitate this, a pregenerated SDG 6 query utilizing Elsevier’s machine learning model designed for classifying SDGs was employed. The analysis constituted an assessment of different qualitative and quantitative indicators. Visualization resources, specifically VOSviewer applications, were employed to delineate collaboration structures, underline co-citation ties across major knowledge-sharing sources, and recognize primary domains determined by keyword co-occurrence analysis. Thematic evolution and intellectual analyses, conducted via SciMAT software, aimed to determine driving and emerging themes, as well as the uniformity of concepts over the course of time. The analysis identified 7922 documents, constituting 7.4% of the overall global output. Saudi Arabia and Egypt emerged as the leading contributors, with 2494 and 2132 documents, respectively. India, China, and the United States stand out as the most productive non-Arab collaborating countries, with 771, 751, and 707 documents, respectively. King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, emerged as the leading institution, producing 682 documents (8.6%). The study highlights strong regional focus on water security, non-conventional resources, advanced treatment technologies, and growing South–South collaborations, particularly with South and Southeast Asia. The key themes likely to continue shaping future SDG 6-related research in the Arab world involve exploring diverse treatment methods to remove nitrate and sulfate ions from groundwater and addressing water contamination caused by substances such as heavy metals, dyes, industrial waste from the textile industry, and organic pollutants. Key applications involve the utilization of nanocomposite materials, adsorption kinetics, and advanced oxidation techniques, targeting pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics. Additional themes of interest are the development of effective dye adsorbents, the utilization of photocatalysis for the degradation of organic contaminants, and the exploration of the promise of bioreactors for wastewater treatment. The priorities to further advance SDG 6 in the region are investments that contribute to filling data gaps, leveraging innovative and intelligent technologies, and developing resilient frameworks for water management. Other areas of equal priority include strengthening community participation, enabling water conservation practices, and integrating social sciences into water projects. Holistic strategies must combine water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) with integrated water resources management (IWRM) as the foundation of sustainable progress. Graphical abstract
Suzane Meriely da Silva Duarte, Allysson Kayron de Carvalho Silva, Katia Regina Assunção Borges
et al.
Cervical cancer is caused by a persistent and high-grade infection. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which, when entering cervical cells, alters their physiology and generates serious lesions. HPV 18 is among those most involved in carcinogenesis in this region, but there are still no drug treatments that cause cure or total remission of lesions caused by HPV. It is known that L-asparaginase is an amidohydrolase, which plays a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the treatment of specific cancers. Due to its antitumor properties, some studies have demonstrated its cytotoxic effect against cervical cancer cells. However, the commercial version of this enzyme has side effects, such as hypersensitivity, allergic reactions, and silent inactivation due to the formation of antibodies. To mitigate these adverse effects, several alternatives have been explored, including the use of L-asparaginase from other microbiological sources, which is the case with the use of the fungus <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, a high producer of L-asparaginase. The study investigated the influence of the type of fermentation, precipitant, purification, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxicity of L-asparaginase. The results revealed that semisolid fermentation produced higher enzymatic activity and protein concentration of <i>A. niger</i>. The characterized enzyme showed excellent stability at pH 9.0, temperature of 50 °C, resistance to surfactants and metallic ions, and an increase in enzymatic activity with the organic solvent ethanol. Furthermore, it exhibited low cytotoxicity in GM and RAW cells and significant cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. These findings indicate that L-asparaginase derived from <i>A. niger</i> may be a promising alternative for pharmaceutical production. Its attributes, including stability, activity, and low toxicity in healthy cells, suggest that this modified enzyme could overcome challenges associated with antitumor therapy.
Massadeh Rafeef K., El-Elimat Tamam, Al-Gharaibeh Mohammad
et al.
The alkaloid-rich fraction obtained by fractionation of the crude methanolic extract of the leaves of wild tobacco tree Nicotiana glauca Graham (Solanaceae) was analyzed using UPLC-MS and GC-MS. Anabasine, a piperidine alkaloid, was identified as the major constituent with approximately 60 % (m/m) of the alkaloid-rich fraction. In addition to anabasine, six secondary metabolites were identified using high-resolution UPLC-MS. Anabasine was quantified in the leaves to be 1 mg g−1 dry plant material. The GC-MS analysis revealed five compounds with anabasine as the major component, while nicotine was not detected. Moreover, GC-MS was used for the analysis of the volatile oil that was obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves of N. glauca. The volatile plant oil was found to be rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (e.g., β-bisabolol) and carboxylic acids and esters (e.g., ethyl linoleate and hexadecanoic acid), whereas anabasine was not detected.
Kaho Shionoya, Kaho Shionoya, Masako Yamasaki
et al.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious public health, social, and economic damage worldwide and effective drugs that prevent or cure COVID-19 are urgently needed. Approved drugs including Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir or Interferon were reported to inhibit the infection or propagation of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), however, their clinical efficacies have not yet been well demonstrated. To identify drugs with higher antiviral potency, we screened approved anti-parasitic/anti-protozoal drugs and identified an anti-malarial drug, Mefloquine, which showed the highest anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity among the tested compounds. Mefloquine showed higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity than Hydroxychloroquine in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 and Calu-3 cells, with IC50 = 1.28 μM, IC90 = 2.31 μM, and IC99 = 4.39 μM in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. Mefloquine inhibited viral entry after viral attachment to the target cell. Combined treatment with Mefloquine and Nelfinavir, a replication inhibitor, showed synergistic antiviral activity. Our mathematical modeling based on the drug concentration in the lung predicted that Mefloquine administration at a standard treatment dosage could decline viral dynamics in patients, reduce cumulative viral load to 7% and shorten the time until virus elimination by 6.1 days. These data cumulatively underscore Mefloquine as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitor.
Ever since a novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan(China), things have changed to a large extent. It has shattered the entire world in all the possible sectors by its continuous spread. Scientists all around the world have put in in-numerous amount of efforts as a result of which the world has finally witnessed its some of the first potential vaccines which have got approvals for emergency use in various countries. Now the next crucial step that comes in this process of fighting this virus is the supply of vaccines to all the different parts of the world. But there are certain challenges to this process as vaccines need to be constantly monitored all the time for their temperatures, humidity and other environmental factors which vary a lot depending on the geographical conditions. Also, maintaining drug safety is the most important challenge as counterfeiting of vaccines and drugs has always been a concern for the pharmaceutical industry. Manual traceability for all the ingredients used during manufacturing is a very difficult process and doesn’t even give a full guarantee for the same. This can lead to serious health issues in the consumers and can even result in death. The power of Blockchain and it’s principle of proof of concept can deal with this problem by maintaining a record for all the events taking place in this process right from manufacturing to vaccinations in hospitals. BLE Beacons can also come very handy here as they are small, inexpensive and easy to use devices that can provide real time updates by tracking various parameters of the vaccine. This paper aims at suggesting an entire system of supply chain of vaccines using Blockchain based record, QR(Quick Response) Codes for vaccine safety and BLE Beacons network for real time tracking and news updates of the vaccines.
Introduction. The review describes various systems used as inclusion matrices or modifiers of biologically active substances to enhance their absorption or deposition and subsequent release, both continuous or «on demand», i.e. in response to a stimulus.Text. Technologies for the incorporation of active substances into cyclodextrin nanoaggregates are developed to the greatest extent. Such technologies were used to obtain modified forms of hydrocortisone, glibenclamide, and a number of peptide drugs. Acetylcysteine immobilized on ethyl cellulose or other polymer particles significantly increases the bioavailability of peptide drugs on their intranasal administration. The deposition of active substances in the body takes place by way of their delayed controlled dissolution, adsorption, encapsulation, or esterification. The release of deposited substances upon exposure to an endogenous (change in pH, temperature) or external (exposure to ultrasound, electric or magnetic field, chemical activators) stimulus can be single or multiple, depending on the ability of the accommodating matrix for self-aggregation.Conclusion. Self-aggregated peptides are most promising for stimulus-induced release/delivery of biologically active substances. Modern technologies for the modification of active substances increase the efficiency of their administration and favor targeted location and implementation time of biological effects.
A. V. Sosnov, M. I. Vlasov, S. V. Sadovnikov
et al.
Application of luminescent reagents for detection of toxicants including warfare agents, pesticides and their degradation products and precursors has been systematically reviewed. Methods of organophosphorus toxicants and products of their destruction (OP) detection based on lanthanide luminescent complexes (primarily Eu3+) have the similar sensitivity as the most advanced instrumental chromatographic and biochemical assays with detection level in the range of several ppts that allows to determine supertoxicants at the safety requirements concentration levels and at appropriate analysis duration from a few seconds to 10 minutes. High selectivity of toxicants identification is achieved by means of imprinted materials, modified cyclodextrins and luminescent sensor arrays. This is the basis for development of new technologies for trace analysis of toxicants and their decomposition products, including possible technology of luminescent contrast agents’ application to increase sensitivity of spectroscopic methods and remote determination of toxicants on the ground. Further possibilities to develop next generation materials for protective gear, equipment and multifunctional contact surfaces providing visualization and identification of toxicants and simultaneous catalytic self-decontamination is discussed. Relationship between technologies for improving safety and security at the crossroads of analytical chemistry of warfare agents, criminalistics, chemical safety and pharmaceutics has been demonstrated.
Keratin is a durable, fibrous protein which is mainly present in higher vertebrates (mammals, birds and reptiles) and humans epithelial cells. Food industry especially the meat market, slaughter house and wool industry produces million of tons of keratin containing biomass. These industries are constantly growing and the major producers include USA, Brazil and China, account for more than 40 million tons per year. These proteins constitute keratin by-products have from 15 to 18% nitrogen, 2-5% sulphur, 3.20% mineral elements and 1.27% fat and 90% of proteins. The organic waste rich in keratin can be utilized as a natural source using chemical and mechanical methods. The natural keratin obtained by biomass does not contain any harmful chemical and can be used directly to produce variety of cosmetics, creams, shampoos, hair conditioners and biomedical products. The natural protein is more compatible to use or apply on human skin and hairs. The monomeric units of natural keratin can penetrate in the skin and hair cuticle and able to nourish the skin without any side effects. In the present review various strategies for the purification and separation of keratin from the organic waste have been described and use of natural keratin in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry has also been explored.
There has obviously been a recent increased concern over unethical business practices. Certainly, in this era of customer-orientation and emphasis on long-term business relationships, unethical salesperson behavior would be a detriment. We extend the model of relationship quality as developed by Crosby, Evans and Cowles (1990) to include ethical salesperson behavior. In regression analyses, ethical behavior and expertise of pharmaceutical salespersons impact both trust of the salesperson and satisfaction with the exchange as reported by physicians. Implications and suggestions for the pharmaceutical industry are offered.
Gabriel Lima Barros de Araujo, Altivo Pitaluga Jr, Selma Gutierrez Antonio
et al.
O polimorfismo pode ocasionar desvios de qualidade
durante o processo produtivo e influenciar o
desempenho dos medicamentos. Por isso, o
entendimento do fenômeno e suas implicações abre um
campo amplo de possibilidades a serem exploradas na
área farmacêutica, incluindo o surgimento de novos
paradigmas e ferramentas na garantia da qualidade de
medicamentos. Este trabalho apresenta uma introdução
aos aspectos básicos do fenômeno do polimorfismo e suas
implicações na produção e controle de medicamentos,
com ênfase no polimorfismo dos fármacos.
Pharmaceutical industry, Pharmacy and materia medica