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Topic Review
Adverse Side Effects of Long-Term Lithium Therapy
Lithium remains the drug of first choice for prophylactic treatment of bipolar disorder, preventing the recurrences of manic and depressive episodes. The longitudinal experiences with lithium administration greatly exceed those with other mood stabilizers. Among the adverse side effects of lithium, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, thyroid, metabolic, cognitive, dermatological, cardiologic, and sexual are listed. Probably, the most important negative effect of lithium, occurring mostly after 10–20 years of its administration, is interstitial nephropathy.
  • 1.2K
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Applications of Solid Dispersions
Solid dispersions (SDs) are a technological strategy to improve the pharmacological potential of natural or synthetic bioactive molecules, due to the increase in its solubility and bioavailability, leading to a possible improvement of its biological activities. In this sense, the review sought to synthesize and critically examine the studies that address SDs with therapeutic applications, evaluated through in vitro and/or in vivo tests. This bibliographic survey shows the significant therapeutic potential of SDs in the context of the most diverse biological activities. Among these, including in vitro and/or in vivo antitumor, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or cytoprotective activities, while additional activities, such as gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic or antinociceptive, were highlighted by in vivo studies. Although SDs have already been studied and cited in the literature, the number of studies published with a focus on in vitro and in vivo trials is still relatively small, considering the great potential of these formulations in pharmaceutical technology and with the most diverse applications. The results of biological activity studies showed that SDs, as a drug release tool, is not a limiting factor for the execution of in vitro and in vivo tests. Additionally, it stands out as a promising system in which the active principle and the carrier interact, allowing, in most cases, an increase in the pharmacological potential due to changes in the physicochemical properties of the constituents. Thus, SDs can represent a safe and effective alternative for the development and improvement of drugs directed to a wide range of pharmacological treatments.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Ascorbic Acid against Chronic Diseases
Ascorbic acid (ASC) is a key nutrient that serves as an antioxidant and a cofactor for numerous enzymatic reactions. However, humans, unlike most mammals, are unable to synthesize it. Consequently, ASC must be obtained through dietary sources, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. The value of administering exogenous micronutrients, to reestablish antioxidant concentrations in patients with severe disease, has been recognized for decades. Despite the suggestion that ASC supplementation may reduce oxidative stress and prevent several chronic conditions, few large, randomized clinical trials have tested it in patients with severe illness. This article reviews the recent literature on the pharmacological profile of ASC and the role of its supplementation in critically ill patients.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Aqueous Prostaglandin Eye Drop Formulations
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is characterized by progressive optic neuropathy in association with damage to the optic nerve head and, subsequently, visual loss if it is left untreated. Among the drug classes used for the long-term treatment of open-angle glaucoma, prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) are the first-line treatment and are available as marketed eye drop formulations for intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by increasing the trabecular and uveoscleral outflow. PGAs have low aqueous solubility and are very unstable (i.e., hydrolysis) in aqueous solutions, which may hamper their ocular bioavailability and decrease their chemical stability. Additionally, treatment with PGA in conventional eye drops is associated with adverse effects, such as conjunctival hyperemia and trichiasis. It has been a very challenging for formulation scientists to develop stable aqueous eye drop formulations that increase the PGAs’ solubility and enhance their therapeutic efficacy while simultaneously lowering their ocular side effects.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Complex Pharmacological Properties of Non-Selective Opioid Modulator Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine has high affinity for the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), delta (DOR), and kappa (KOR) and intermediate affinity for the nociceptin (NOR). Buprenorphine’s active metabolite, norbuprenorphine, crosses the blood–brain barrier, is a potent metabolite that attenuates the analgesic effects of buprenorphine due to binding to NOR, and is responsible for the respiratory depressant effects. The area under the concentration curves are very similar for buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine, which indicates that it is important to consider this metabolite. 
  • 1.2K
  • 07 Nov 2023
Topic Review
The Applications of Cyclodextrins in Food
Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides produced from starch, consisting of a hydrophobic interior cavity and hydrophilic exterior. Cyclodextrins have gained significant and established attention as versatile carriers for the delivery of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources in various applications, including medicine, food and cosmetics. Their toroidal structure and hydrophobic cavity render them ideal candidates for encapsulating and solubilizing hydrophobic and poorly soluble compounds. Most medicinal, food and cosmetic ingredients share the challenges of hydrophobicity and degradation that can be effectively addressed by various cyclodextrin types.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Proteolytic Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel
Epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) are integral to maintaining salt and water homeostasis in various biological tissues, including the kidney, lung, and colon. They enable the selective reabsorption of sodium ions, which is a process critical for controlling blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and overall fluid volume. ENaC activity is finely controlled through proteolytic activation, a process wherein specific enzymes, or proteases, cleave ENaC subunits, resulting in channel activation and increased sodium reabsorption. This regulatory mechanism plays a pivotal role in adapting sodium transport to different physiological conditions.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
New Flavonoid & Myo-Inositol Supplement
Background and Aim. Cardiovascular risk is increased in women with menopause and metabolic syndrome. Aim of this study was to test the effect of a new supplement formula, combining cocoa polyphenols, myo-inositol, and soy isoflavones, on some biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.Methods and Results. A total of 60 women were enrolled and randomly assigned (n=30per group) to receive the supplement (NRT: 30 mg of cocoa polyphenols, 80 mg of soy isoflavones, and 2 gr of myo-inositol), or placebo for 6 months. The study protocol included three visits (baseline, 6, and 12 months) for the evaluation of glucose, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bone-ALP). At 6 months, a significant difference between NRT and placebo was found for glucose (96±7versus108±10 mg/dL), triglycerides (145±14versus165±18 mg/dL), visfatin (2.8±0.8versus3.7±1.1 ng/mL), resistin (27±7versus32±8 µg/L), and b-ALP (19±7versus15±5 µg/mL). No difference in HDL-C concentrations nor in adiponectin levels between groups was reported at 6 months.Conclusions.The supplement used in this study improves most of the biomarkers linked to metabolic syndrome. This Trial is registered withNCT01400724.
  • 1.2K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Human Endogenous Retroviruses
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 
  • 1.2K
  • 05 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Lipid Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems and Skin Disorders
Lipid nanoparticles (LN) are recognized as promising drug delivery systems (DDS) in treating skin disorders. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) together with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) exhibit excellent tolerability as these are produced from physiological and biodegradable lipids. Moreover, LN applied to the skin can improve stability, drug targeting, occlusion, penetration enhancement, and increased skin hydration compared with other drug nanocarriers. Furthermore, the features of LN can be enhanced by inclusion in suitable bases such as creams, ointments, gels (i.e., hydrogel, emulgel, bigel), lotions, etc. 
  • 1.2K
  • 16 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Thiazole-Based Peptides
Peptides are distinctive biomacromolecules that demonstrate potential cytotoxicity and diversified bioactivities against a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi via their unique mechanisms of action. Among broad-ranging pharmacologically active peptides, natural marine-originated thiazole-based oligopeptides possess peculiar structural features along with a wide spectrum of exceptional and potent bioproperties. Because of their complex nature and size divergence, thiazole-based peptides (TBPs) bestow a pivotal chemical platform in drug discovery processes to generate competent scaffolds for regulating allosteric binding sites and peptide–peptide interactions. The present study dissertates on the natural reservoirs and exclusive structural components of marine-originated TBPs, with a special focus on their most pertinent pharmacological profiles, which may impart vital resources for the development of novel peptide-based therapeutic agents.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Fluoroquinolones Used in Therapy
Antibacterial fluoroquinolones (FQs) are frequently used in treating infections. However, the value of FQs is debatable due to their association with severe adverse effects (AEs). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued safety warnings concerning their side-effects in 2008, followed by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and regulatory authorities from other countries.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Transdermal Delivery of Chemotherapeutics
Chemotherapeutic drugs are primarily administered to cancer patients via oral or parenteral routes. The use of transdermal drug delivery could potentially be a better alternative to decrease the dose frequency and severity of adverse or toxic effects associated with oral or parenteral administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. The transdermal delivery of drugs has shown to be advantageous for the treatment of highly localized tumors in certain types of breast and skin cancers. In addition, the transdermal route can be used to deliver low-dose chemotherapeutics in a sustained manner. The transdermal route can also be utilized for vaccine design in cancer management, for example, vaccines against cervical cancer. However, the design of transdermal formulations may be challenging in terms of the conjugation chemistry of the molecules and the sustained and reproducible delivery of therapeutically efficacious doses.
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Natural Compounds with Antioxidant in Maintaining Eye Health
An antioxidant compound can be defined as a substance that can delay or prevent oxidation. The body uses different strategies against the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS): firstly, antioxidant enzymes are used, as already reported, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px). It is important to remember that some antioxidant enzymes need micronutrients to function properly, such as zinc, selenium, copper and manganese. Secondly, ROS can be reduced or neutralized by the intake of antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E (a-tocopherol), beta-carotene, and vitamin C, among others. An insufficient intake of foods with antioxidant function or an unbalanced diet can alter the body’s natural antioxidant system and facilitate the damage induced by ROS. Additional defense mechanisms include antioxidant compounds, such as metallothionein, melanin, and glutathione. Eye health is crucial, and the onset of diseases can reduce vision and affect the quality of life of patients. Evidence has accumulated that polyphenols (mostly deriving from Citrus Bergamia) represent a reliable source of antioxidants able to counteract oxidative stress accompanying early stages of eye diseases. Luteolin in particular has been found to protect photoreceptors, thereby improving vision in many disease states. Moreover, a consistent anti-inflammatory response was found to occur when curcumin is used alone or in combination with other nutraceuticals. Additionally, Coenzyme Q10 has been demonstrated to produce a consistent effect in reducing ocular pressure, thereby leading to protection in patients undergoing glaucoma. Both grape seed extract, rich in anthocyanosides, and polynsatured fatty acids seem to contribute to the prevention of retinal disorders. A combination of nutraceuticals and antioxidants may represent the right solution for a multi-action activity in eye protection.
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Glutamate and GABA Dysfunction in Depression
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a term used to describe a particular type of major depressive disorder (MDD). There is no consensus about what defines TRD, with various studies describing between 1 and 4 failures of antidepressant therapies, with or without electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). That is why TRD is such a growing concern among clinicians and researchers, and it explains the necessity for investigating novel therapeutic targets beyond conventional monoamine pathways. An imbalance between two primary central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters, L-glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has emerged as having a key role in the pathophysiology of TRD.
  • 1.2K
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role of Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are a large subclass of flavonoids, widely distributed in fruits and vegetables in the human diet. Among flavonoids, anthocyanins have gained prominence mainly due to their high intake in humans and their well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities [10,12], among others, making them promising agents for the prevention and treatment of distinct pathological conditions, such as cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, vision impairment, and neurological diseases [11,13,14,15,16,17].
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Aptamers in Parasitology
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences of 20-80 nucleotides that interact with different targets such as: proteins, ions, viruses, or toxins, through non-covalent interactions and their unique three-dimensional conformation. They are obtained in vitro by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Because of their ability of target recognition with high specificity and affinity, aptamers are usually compared to antibodies. However, they present many advantages that make them promising molecules for the development of new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. In medical parasitology, aptamers also represent an attractive alternative for the implementation of new parasite detection methods, easy to apply in endemic regions. The aim of this study was to describe the current advances in the development of diagnostic tests based on aptamers in parasitology. For this, articles were selected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The 26 resulting articles deal with the use of aptamers for the detection of six important protozoa that affect human health. This systematic review clearly demonstrates the specificity, sensitivity and selectivity of aptamers and aptasensors, that certainly will soon become standard methods in medical parasitology.
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Thiolated-Polymer-Based Nanoparticles
Thiomers (or thiolated polymers) have broken through as avant-garde approaches in anticancer therapy. Their distinguished reactivity and properties, closely linked to their final applications, justify the extensive research conducted on their preparation and use as smart drug-delivery systems (DDSs).
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Mexican Plants with Teratogenic Effects
In Mexico, the use of medicinal plants is the first alternative to treat the diseases of the most economically vulnerable population. Some species with teratogenic effects and the main alterations that were found in the nervous system and axial skeleton, induced by compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, and flavonoids. 
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Combination Therapy for Glioblastoma
Aggressive glioblastoma (GBM) has no known treatment as a primary brain tumor. Since the cancer is so heterogeneous, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) exists, and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents chemotherapeutic chemicals from reaching the central nervous system (CNS), therapeutic success for GBM has been restricted. Drug delivery based on nanocarriers and nanotechnology has the potential to be a handy tool in the continuing effort to combat the challenges of treating GBM. Combination therapies may be enhanced by using nanotechnology-based delivery techniques. Nano-chemotherapy, nano-chemotherapy–radiation, nano-chemotherapy–phototherapy, and nano-chemotherapy–immunotherapy for GBM.
  • 1.2K
  • 02 Nov 2022
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