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Topic Review
Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) are intracellular calcium release channels located on the endoplasmic reticulum of virtually every cell.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Sinomenine-Type Drugs to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sinomenine is the main component of the vine Sinomenium acutum. It was first isolated in the early 1920s and has since attracted special interest as a potential anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) agent, owing to its successful application in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatoid diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Investigational Polymeric Microparticles for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive destruction of dopaminergic tissue in the central nervous system (CNS). There is no cure for the disease, with pharmacological treatments aimed at controlling the symptoms. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new treatments for PD. In addition to new therapeutic options, there exists the need for improved efficiency of the existing ones, as many agents have difficulties in crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to achieve therapeutic levels in the CNS or exhibit inappropriate pharmacokinetic profiles, thereby limiting their clinical benefits. To overcome these limitations, an interesting approach is the use of drug delivery systems, such as polymeric microparticles (MPs) that allow for the controlled release of the active ingredients targeting to the desired site of action, increasing the bioavailability and efficacy of treatments, as well as reducing the number of administrations and adverse effects.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling
Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) is the newest and most promising sample-collection technique for quantitatively analyzing drugs, especially for routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and pharmacokinetic studies. This technique uses an absorbent white tip to absorb a fixed volume of a sample (10–50 µL) within a few seconds (2–4 s), is more flexible, practical, and more straightforward to be applied in the field, and is probably more cost-effective than conventional venous sampling (CVS).
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Nanodelivery Systems for Herbal/Phytoconstituents
Herbs and spices have been historically characterized as plant components utilized in the diet for their fragrant characteristics, but have no or minimal nutritional value. Herbs and spices, on the other hand, have been found as sources of different phytochemicals with strong antioxidant activity. As a result, phytoconstituents from herbs and spices can be formulated in various forms of nano-drug delivery systems.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Biological Activities of Asteltoxins
Asteltoxins belong to a group of polyene pyrone mycotoxins that are known to be potent inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and ATP hydrolysis. Asteltoxin A was first isolated from the toxic maize cultures of Aspergillus stellatus. Several attempts have been made to synthesize asteltoxin A, starting with the synthesis of a bis(tetrahydrofuran) moiety that has been demonstrated previously in biosynthetic studies. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Medicinal-Plant Extracts against Chikungunya Virus
The lack of specific treatment for chikungunya fever makes the need for anti-chikungunya virus agents more crucial. This study was conducted to evaluate 132 extracts obtained by sequential solvent extraction from 21 medicinal plants for cytopathic effect inhibitory activity using virus-infected Vero cells in two different sample introduction modes. Among the extracts, 42 extracts (31.8%) from 12 plants in the concurrent mode and three extracts (2.3%) from a plant in the non-concurrent mode displayed strong cytopathic effect inhibitory activity (cell viability ≥70%). Viral load quantification analysis unveiled that the extracts of Clinacanthus nutans (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol), Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (ethanol), and Ocimum americanum (ethanol and methanol) hindered the release of viral progeny from the infected cells while the extracts of Ficus deltoidea (ethanol), Gynura bicolor (water), H. sibthorpioides (water), and O. americanum (chloroform and ethyl acetate) blocked the entry of virus into the cells. The extracts of Diodella sarmentosa (ethyl acetate), Diplazium esculentum (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol), and G. bicolor (ethanol) possessed virucidal effect and caused 5.41-log to 6.63-log reductions of viral load compared to the virus control. The results indicate that these medicinal plants are potential sources of anti-chikungunya virus agents that have varied modes of action. 
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Clinical Pharmacy in Psychiatry
Although clinical pharmacy is a discipline that emerged in the 1960s, the question of precisely how pharmacists can play a role in therapeutic optimization remains unanswered. In the field of mental health, psychiatric pharmacists are increasingly involved in medication reconciliation and therapeutic patient education (or psychoeducation) to improve medication management and enhance medication adherence, respectively. However, psychiatric pharmacists must now assume a growing role in team-based models of care and engage in shared expertise in psychopharmacology in order to truly invest in therapeutic optimization of psychotropics.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Uses of Traditional Plants for Diabetes Nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious kidney illness characterized by proteinuria, glomerular enlargement, reduced glomerular filtration, and renal fibrosis. DN is the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease, accounting for nearly one-third of all cases of diabetes worldwide.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Flavocoxid, a Nutraceutical Approach to Blunt Inflammatory Conditions
Flavonoids, from Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) and Acacia catechu (black catechu), have been shown to exert a variety of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Flavocoxid is a mixed extract containing baicalin and catechin and it acts as a dual balanced inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 peroxidase enzyme activities with a significant inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme activity in vitro. Flavocoxid downregulates gene or protein expression of several inflammatory markers and exerts also strong antioxidant activity in several experimental models. Controlled clinical trials and a postmarketing study have clearly shown that flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen in managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and it has better upper gastrointestinal, renal, and respiratory safety profile than naproxen. Flavocoxid may therefore provide a potential therapeutic approach to the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Novel Psychoactive Substances
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) represent a severe health risk for drug users. The molecular mechanisms underlying the action of NPS are more complex than expected, with a wide range of overlap among activated receptors and neurotransmitter systems.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 May 2021
Topic Review
GenisteinSupplementation, CardiacFunction in Postmenopausal-Women with MetabolicSyndrome: Results from Pilot-Strain-Echo Study
Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone, may improve cardiovascular risk profile in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but few literature data on its cardiac effects in humans are available. The aim of this sub-study of a randomized double-blind case-control study was to analyze the effect on cardiac function of one-year genistein dietary supplementation in 22 post-menopausal patients with MetS. Participants received 54 mg/day of genistein (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) in combination with a Mediterranean-style diet and regular exercise. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was assessed as the primary endpoint, according to conventional and strain-echocardiography measurements. Also, left atrial (LA) morphofunctional indices were investigated at baseline and at the final visit. Results were expressed as median with interquartile range (IQ). A significant improvement of LV ejection fraction (20.3 (IQ 12.5) vs. -1.67 (IQ 24.8); p = 0.040)), and LA area fractional change (11.1 (IQ 22.6) vs. 2.8 (9.5); p = 0.034)) were observed in genistein patients compared to the controls, following 12 months of treatment. In addition, body surface area indexed LA systolic volume and peak LA longitudinal strain significantly changed from basal to the end of the study in genistein-treated patients. One-year supplementation with 54 mg/day of pure genistein improved both LV ejection fraction and LA remodeling and function in postmenopausal women with MetS.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Human Drug-Drug Interactions
Patients suffering from complex diseases (infectious diseases, oncology) or several conditions (co-morbidities) require combination therapies of different drugs. Combining different drugs will potentially lead to drug-drug interactions, influencing the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Development of novel drugs that are intended to be used in combination should consider drug-drug interactions as early as possible. Even with limited data, drug-drug interactions in humans can be predicted using model-informed drug discovery and development (MID3). The concept to utilize and integrate data from in vitro combination experiments combined with preclinical in vivo data on the exposure-response relationships of the drugs in combination through a computational model-informed approach, is introduced here with tuberculosis as case study.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 May 2021
Topic Review
Mexican Medicinal Plants
Some natural compounds belonging to the group of Mexican medicinal plants or “Mexican folk medicine”are  used for pain management in Mexico.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Drug-Induced Hyponatremia
Drug-induced hyponatremia caused by renal water retention is mainly due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). SIAD can be grouped into syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD). The former is characterized by uncontrolled hypersecretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP), and the latter is produced by intrarenal activation for water reabsorption and characterized by suppressed plasma AVP levels. Desmopressin is useful for the treatment of diabetes insipidus because of its selective binding to vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R), but it can induce hyponatremia when prescribed for nocturnal polyuria in older patients. Oxytocin also acts as a V2R agonist and can produce hyponatremia when used to induce labor or abortion. 
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Ulotaront for Neuropsychiatric Disorders
SEP-363856 (International Nonproprietary Name: Ulotaront) is an investigational antipsychotic drug with a novel mechanism of action that does not involve antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Ulotaront is an agonist of trace amine-associated receptor 1 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, but can modulate dopamine neurotransmission indirectly. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ulotaront for the treatment of schizophrenia.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Royleanones
Plants have been used for centuries to treat several illnesses. The Plectranthus genus has a vast variety of species that has allowed the isolation of cytotoxic compounds with notable activities.The abietane diterpenes 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (DeRoy), 7alfa-acetoxy-6 -hydroxyroyleanone (Roy), and Parvifloron D (ParvD) were obtained from Plectranthus spp. and showed promising biological activities, such as cytotoxicity on several cancer cell lines, including cancer stem cell inducing sphere cells. In silico studies comparied the possible binding modes of active compounds and derivatives against different PKC isoforms alpha/beta/delta/iota/lambda/theta/zeta.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
NF-κB Pathway Inhibitors in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
The NF-κB family is a group of transcription factors that play a pivotal role in regulating various biological processes, including immune responses, inflammation, cell survival, and cellular differentiation. The involvement of the NF-κB pathway in immune system responses, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival highlights its significance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression.
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Advantages of Intranasal Administration in Treatment of Depression
As a mental disease in modern society, depression shows an increasing occurrence, with low cure rate and high recurrence rate. It has become the most disabling disease in the world. At present, the treatment of depression is mainly based on drug therapy combined with psychological therapy, physical therapy, and other adjuvant therapy methods. Antidepressants are primarily administered peripherally (oral and intravenous) and have a slow onset of action. Antidepressant active ingredients, such as neuropeptides, natural active ingredients, and some chemical agents, are limited by factors such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB), first-pass metabolism, and extensive adverse effects caused by systemic administration. The potential anatomical link between the non-invasive nose–brain pathway and the lesion site of depression may provide a more attractive option for the delivery of antidepressant active ingredients.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Pharmacomicrobiomics and Drug–Infection Interactions
Microorganisms have a close relationship with humans, whether it is commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic. It has been documented that microorganisms may influence the response to drug therapy. Pharmacomicrobiomics is an emerging field that focuses on the study of how variations in the microbiome affect the disposition, action, and toxicity of drugs. Two additional sciences have been added to complement pharmacomicrobiomics, namely toxicomicrobiomics, which explores how the microbiome influences drug metabolism and toxicity, and pharmacoecology, which refers to modifications in the microbiome as a result of drug administration. Additionally, the concept of "drug-infection interaction" is included to describe the influence of pathogenic microorganisms on drug response. This entry analyzes in detail each of these concepts.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Jan 2024
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