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Topic Review
Cyclo- and Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications
Cyclic and polyphosphazenes are extremely interesting and versatile substrates characterized by the presence of -P=N- repeating units. The chlorine atoms on the P atoms in the starting materials can be easily substituted with a variety of organic substituents, thus giving rise to a huge number of new materials for industrial applications. A wide variety of new phosphazene systems, either trimeric or polymeric, have been developed as biomaterials in view of different applications. The materials to apply in biomedical applications should be biocompatible.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nanocarriers in Enhanced Antifungal Delivery
Fungal infections are an extremely serious health problem, particularly in patients with compromised immune systems. Most antifungal agents have low aqueous solubility, which may hamper their bioavailability. Their complexation with cyclodextrins (CDs) could increase the solubility of antifungals, facilitating their antifungal efficacy. Nanoparticulate systems are promising carriers for antifungal delivery due to their ability to overcome the drawbacks of conventional dosage forms. CD-based nanocarriers could form beneficial combinations of CDs and nanoparticulate platforms. These systems have synergistic or additive effects regarding improved drug loading, enhanced chemical stability, and enhanced drug permeation through membranes, thereby increasing the bioavailability of drugs. 
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin
Photodamage is an umbrella term that includes general phototoxicity, photoaging, and cancer caused by UVR. All these phenomena are mediated by direct or indirect oxidative stress and inflammation and are strictly connected one to the other. Astaxanthin (ASX) is a peculiar marine carotenoids characterized by outstanding antioxidant properties. In particular, ASX has an exceptional efficacy in counteracting all categories of photodamages, in vitro and in vivo, thanks to both antioxidant potential and activation of different pathways.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Application of Probiotics for Acne Vulgaris Topical Therapies
The skin microbiome is an essential barrier for preventing the invasion of pathogens and regulating the immune responses. When this barrier is disrupted, several dermatoses, including acne vulgaris, may arise. Probiotics have proven to be an alternative to the use of antibiotics, often associated with undesirable effects, in the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders such as acne. 
  • 1.3K
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
FAK as Promising Cancer Therapy
FAK is an intracellular non-receptor tyrosine kinase that promotes tumor cell growth by controlling cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Therefore, targeting FAK is considered to be a promising cancer therapy with small molecules.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Formulation Strategies to Improve Pharmacokinetics Profile
The oral route is the most common and practical means of drug administration, particularly from a patient’s perspective. However, the pharmacokinetic profile of oral drugs depends on the rate of drug absorption through the intestinal wall before entering the systemic circulation. However, the enteric epithelium represents one of the major limiting steps for drug absorption, due to the presence of efflux transporters on the intestinal membrane, mucous layer, enzymatic degradation, and the existence of tight junctions along the intestinal linings. These challenges are more noticeable for hydrophilic drugs, high molecular weight drugs, and drugs that are substrates of the efflux transporters. Another challenge faced by oral drug delivery is the presence of first-pass hepatic metabolism that can result in reduced drug bioavailability. Over the years, a wide range of compounds have been investigated for their permeation-enhancing effect in order to circumvent these challenges. There is also a growing interest in developing nanocarrier-based formulation strategies to enhance the drug absorption.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Differential Inhibitors of Aldose Reductase
Aldose reductase, classified within the aldo-keto reductase family as AKR1B1, is an NADPH dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic aldehydes. AKR1B1 is the first enzyme of the so-called polyol pathway that allows the conversion of glucose into sorbitol, which in turn is oxidized to fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase. The activation of the polyol pathway in hyperglycemic conditions is generally accepted as the event that is responsible for a series of long-term complications of diabetes such as retinopathy, cataract, nephropathy and neuropathy. The role of AKR1B1 in the onset of diabetic complications has made this enzyme the target for the development of molecules capable of inhibiting its activity.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Curcumin-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles
Curcumin has multiple properties that are used to cure different diseases such as cancer, infections, inflammatory, arthritic disease, etc. Despite having many effects, the inherent physicochemical properties—such as poor water solubility, chemical instability, low bioavailability, photodegradation, fast metabolism, and short half-life—of curcumin’s derivatives have limited its medical importance. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising drug delivery systems for more effective and safer treatment of several diseases, such as infections, cancers, and osteoporosis. Achieving a high drug loading in MSNs is critical to the success of this type of treatment. Their notable inherent properties—such as adjustable size and porosity, high pore volume, large surface area, functionality of versatile surfaces, as well as biocompatibility—have prompted extraordinary research on MSNs as multi-purpose delivery platforms.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies for Oral Films
The interest in buccal drug delivery is under consideration due to some distinct properties compared to the traditional pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration: significantly higher bioavailability, a faster absorption rate of the drug, and substantial compliance for special needs patients. Oral films are obtained through various technologies, from conventional tools to 3D and 4D printing approaches. Three-dimensional printing can solve the formulation problems of producing oral films (OFs).
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Medical Uses of Iron/Copper/Zinc Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles (NPs) improve delivery of ions and confer targeting capabilities, with the potential for use in treatment and diagnosis. Iron deficiency, cancer, and sepsis are persisting major issues. While targeted delivery using Fe NPs can be used as food fortifiers, chemotherapeutic agents against cancer cells and microbes have been developed using both Fe and Cu NPs. A fast and accurate means of diagnosis is a major impacting factor on outcome of patients, especially when critically ill. Good quality imaging and bed side diagnostic tools are possible using NPs, which may positively impact outcome. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Organic Cation Transporters in Lung
Organic cation transporters (OCT) 1, 2 and 3 and novel organic cation transporters (OCTN) 1 and 2 of the solute carrier 22 (SLC22) family are involved in the cellular transport of endogenous compounds such as neurotransmitters, l-carnitine and ergothioneine. OCT/Ns have also been implicated in the transport of xenobiotics across various biological barriers, for example biguanides and histamine receptor antagonists. In addition, several drugs used in the treatment of respiratory disorders are cations at physiological pH and potential substrates of OCT/Ns. OCT/Ns may also be associated with the development of chronic lung diseases such as allergic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, thus, are possible new drug targets.
  • 1.3K
  • 23 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Lipopolysaccharide, Inflammation and Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is the most abundant proinflammatory agent. Considerable evidence indicates that LPS challenge inescapably causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell and tissue damage. Increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation triggered by LPS is known to play a key role in the progression of the inflammatory response. mtROS at excessive levels impair electron transport chain functioning, reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential, and initiate lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of mitochondrial proteins and mtDNA. Over the past 20 years, a large number of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (mito-AOX) of different structures that can accumulate inside mitochondria and scavenge free radicals have been synthesized. Their protective role based on the prevention of oxidative stress and the restoration of mitochondrial function has been demonstrated in a variety of common diseases and pathological states.
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Apr 2021
Topic Review
The Pharmacological Activities of Siraitia grosvenorii 
Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey ex Lu et Z. Y. Zhang is a unique economic and medicinal plant of Cucurbitaceae in Southern China. For hundreds of years, Chinese people have used the fruit of S. grosvenorii as an excellent natural sweetener and traditional medicine for lung congestion, sore throat, and constipation. It is one of the first species in China to be classified as a medicinal food homology, which has received considerable attention as a natural product with high development potential. Various natural products, such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, amino acids, and lignans, have been released from this plant by previous phytochemical studies. Pharmacological research of the fruits of S. grosvenorii has attracted extensive attention, and an increasing number of extracts and compounds have been demonstrated to have antitussive, expectorant, antiasthmatic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, immunologic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and other activities.
  • 1.3K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Multiple Functions of Melatonin in the Military Setting
Melatonin is a technique that is being increasingly employed to manage growing psycho-physical loads. In this context, melatonin, a pleotropic and regulatory molecule, has a potential preventive and therapeutic role in maintaining the operational efficiency of military personnel. In battlefield conditions in particular, the time to treatment after an injury is often a major issue since the injured may not have immediate access to medical care. Any drug that would help to stabilize a wounded individual, especially if it can be immediately administered (e.g., per os) and has a very high safety profile over a large range of doses (as melatonin does) would be an important asset to reduce morbidity and mortality.
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin
Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Drug–Drug Interactions Involving Dexamethasone in Clinical Practice
Concomitant administration of multiple drugs frequently causes severe pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug–drug interactions (DDIs) resulting in the possibility of enhanced toxicity and/or treatment failure. The activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a drug efflux pump sharing localization and substrate affinities with CYP3A4, is a critical determinant of drug clearance, interindividual variability in drug disposition and clinical efficacy, and appears to be involved in the mechanism of numerous clinically relevant DDIs, including those involving dexamethasone. The recent increase in the use of high doses of dexamethasone during the COVID-19 pandemic have emphasized the need for better knowledge of the clinical significance of drug–drug interactions involving dexamethasone in the clinical setting. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Anthocyanin Bioactivity in Obesity
Obesity and type-2 diabetes trends continue to worsen in the United States. Dietary anthocyanins (typically provided by berries and other fruits) are reported to have protective effects against both conditions using a variety of experimental research models including animal and human feeding studies. This review highlights studies that explore the biochemical pathways in both tissue and rodent models which could explain clinical improvements noted with anthocyanin consumption. First, the primary mode of intestinal absorption of anthocyanins is through both sGLT1 and GLUT2 glucose transporters. Stronger binding affinities may allow anthocyanins to be more inhibitive to glucose absorption compared to the reverse, where GLUT2 expression may also be affected. Genetic or chemical inhibition of sGLT1 or GLUT2 demonstrate their essential function in anthocyanin absorption across the enterocyte, where the former interacts with a greater variety of anthocyanins but the latter is the major transporter for specific anthocyanin-glycosides. Once absorbed, anthocyanins positively modulate GLUT4 density and function in both skeletal muscle and adipose tissues via the upregulation of AMPK and restoration of insulin sensitivity. Antioxidant properties and phosphodiesterase inhibition by anthocyanins promote both mitochondrial function and density which could be novel targets for dietary management of obesity and its complications.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Pectin-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Applications
Among the various reported biopolymer-based hydrogel drug delivery systems, pectin (Pec) is an exceptional natural polymer due to its unique functionalities and excellent properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low-cost, and simple gelling capability, which has received considerable interest in the drug delivery fields. 
  • 1.3K
  • 05 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Properties of Ocimum basilicum, Lamiaceae
Since ancient times, various scientists and doctors have utilized different herbs to heal diseases. Due to the rise in drug resistance and the negative effects of chemosynthetic drugs, researchers and the general public around the world have become more interested in medicinal herbs and plant metabolites/extracts. This is due to its non-toxicity and its several health benefits when used to treat diseases in clinical and medical settings. Ocimum basilicum is one such plant, possessing a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, steroids and glycosides, as well as complex pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing and antiviral properties.
  • 1.3K
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activators
The guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is heme-containing enzyme, which causes an increase in the level of cyclic 3′-5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle and subsequent vascular relaxation.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 May 2023
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