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Topic Review
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles/Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Acne VulgarisTreatment
Acne vulgaris (acne) is one of the most common dermatological problems affecting adolescents and young adults. Although acne may not lead to serious medical complications, its psychosocial effects are tremendous and scientifically proven. The first-line treatment for acne is topical medications composed of synthetic compounds, which usually cause skin irritation, dryness and itch. Therefore, naturally occurring constituents from plants (phytochemicals), which are generally regarded as safe, have received much attention as an alternative source of treatment. However, the degradation of phytochemicals under high temperature, light and oxygen, and their poor penetration across the skin barrier limit their application in dermatology. Encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles is one of the strategies commonly used to deliver drugs and phytochemicals because it allows appropriate concentrations of these substances to be delivered to the site of action with minimal side effects. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising delivery systems developed from the combination of lipid and emulsifier. They have numerous advantages that include biocompatibility and biodegradability of lipid materials, enhancement of drug solubility and stability, ease of modulation of drug release, ease of scale-up, feasibility of incorporation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and occlusive moisturization, which make them very attractive carriers for delivery of bioactive compounds for treating skin ailments such as acne.
  • 532
  • 24 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine is a water-soluble amino monosaccharide available in two forms (glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride), which is a normal constituent of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cartilage matrix and in the synovial fluid and consequently present in high quantities in articular cartilage. It is a constituent of keratan sulphate. Chondroitin is a major component of the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage, which played an important role in creating considerable osmotic pressure. In this way, it could provide cartilage with resistance and elasticity to resist tensile stresses during loading conditions.
  • 531
  • 31 Dec 2021
Topic Review
The Antimicrobial Resistance
The resistance of microorganisms has appeared since the first antimicrobial was used. Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) to resist the action of an antimicrobial agent.
  • 531
  • 22 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Bioplastic-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Systems
Plastics have changed human lives, finding a broad range of applications from packaging to medical devices. Biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced on the market. These polymers are biodegradable but also bioresorbable and, indeed, are fundamental tools for drug formulations, thanks to their transient ability to pass through biological barriers and concentrate in specific tissues.
  • 531
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Soy Isoflavones
After consumption of soy isoflavones, a study revealed statistically insignificant reduction in fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR (changes in glucose metabolism). The observed ability of both extracted isoflavone and soy protein with isoflavones to modulate the lipid profile suggests benefits in preventing cardiovascular events in diabetic subjects.
  • 529
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Natural Products in Oncology
In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The encapsulation of natural products into different delivery systems may lead to a significant enhancement of their anticancer efficacy by increasing in vivo stability and bioavailability, reducing side adverse effects and improving target-specific activity. More and more studies in the nanomedicine field aim to design nanostructured systems containing natural compounds for new drug delivery tools in anticancer therapies.
  • 528
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Tirzepatide in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Tirzepatide is a novel once-a-week dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, currently under trial to assess glycemic efficacy and safety in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • 528
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Digalloyl Glycoside: A Potential Inhibitor of Trypanosomal PFK
Human African trypanosomiasis is an endemic infectious disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei via the bite of tsetse-fly. Most of the drugs used for the treatment, e.g., Suramin, have shown several problems, including the high level of toxicity. A phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of E. abyssinica was carried out. Twelve compounds, including two triterpenes (1, 2); one sterol-glucoside (4); three ellagic acid derivatives (3, 9, 11); three gallic acid derivatives (5, 6, 10); and three flavonoids (7, 8, 12), were isolated. Compound (10) was obtained for the first time from genus Euphorbia while all other compounds except compound (4), were firstly reported in E. abyssinica. Consequently, an in silico study was used to estimate the anti-trypanosomal activity of the isolated compounds. Several compounds displayed interesting activity where 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose (10) appeared as the most potent inhibitor of trypanosomal phosphofructokinase (PFK). Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and ADMET calculations were performed for 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose. In conclusion, 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose revealed high binding free energy, desirable molecular dynamics, and pharmacokinetic properties; therefore, it could be suggested for further in vitro and in vivo studies for trypanosomiasis.
  • 528
  • 04 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Prospects of Cepharanthine
Cepharanthine is an active ingredient separated and extracted from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, a Menispermaceae plant. As a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, cepharanthine has various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumoral, and antiviral effects. Following the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), cepharanthine has been found to have excellent anti-COVID-19 activity.
  • 528
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Ethanol in a Human Study
In the pharmacokinetic analysis of ethanol after oral administration, only single- or two-compartment models are used, but their precision in estimating pharmacokinetic parameters might be insufficient. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained using pharmacokinetic models differ depending on the type of model used. The estimated pharmacokinetic parameters depend on the type of model used. The classic Widmark model in particular overestimated the fraction of absorbed ethanol from the gastrointestinal system to systemic circulation. 
  • 528
  • 23 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Thiopurines’ Metabolites and Drug Toxicity
Thiopurines (comprising azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and 6-thioguanine) have been used for over 5 decades in the treatment of a myriad of disorders, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), auto-immune hepatitis (AIH), and also in the prophylaxis of rejection in organ transplant recipients. Many questions remain unanswered regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) utility with thiopurines. We performed a systematic review with inclusion of studies evaluating the relationship between thiopurines’ metabolites and drug toxicity. Meta-analysis of mean difference (MD), correlations and odds ratio (OR) was performed. We identified 21,240 records, 72 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. Levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) were higher in patients with leukopenia (MD 127.06 pmol/8 × 108 RBC) and gastrointestinal intolerance (MD 201.46 pmol/8 × 108 RBC), and lower in patients with hepatotoxicity (MD −40.6 pmol × 108 RBC). We established a significant correlation between 6-TGN and leukocytes (r = −0.21), neutrophils (r = −0.24) and alanine aminotransferase levels (r = −0.24). OR for leukopenia in patients with elevated 6-TGN was 4.63 (95%CI 2.24;9.57). An optimal cut-off of 135 pmol/8 × 108 RBC for leukopenia was calculated (sensitivity 75.4%; specificity 46.4%). 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6-MMPR) were significantly associated with hepatotoxicity (MD 3241.2 pmol/8 × 108 RBC; OR 4.28; 95%CI 3.20; 5.71). Levels of 6-MMPR measured in the first 8 weeks of treatment were associated with leukopenia. We conclude that TDM could be used to prevent thiopurines’ toxicity. As optimal metabolites level may vary according to indication, physicians may adapt posology to decrease toxicity without compromising efficacy.
  • 527
  • 16 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Pharmacological Properties of Psammaplysins
Marine natural products (MNPs) continue to be in the spotlight in the global drug discovery endeavor. Currently, more than 32,000 structurally diverse secondary metabolites from marine sources have been isolated, making MNPs a vital source for researchers to look for novel drug candidates. The marine-derived psammaplysins possess the rare and unique 1,6-dioxa-2-azaspiro [4.6] undecane backbone and are represented by 44 compounds in the literature, mostly from sponges of the order Verongiida.
  • 525
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Interstitial Lung Diseases
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a heterogeneous group of pulmonary disorders characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis resulting in the loss of alveolar function and impairment of gas exchange.
  • 524
  • 30 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Definition and Characterization of Coronary Calcification
Coronary artery calcification is increasingly prevalent in our patient population. It significantly limits the procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events both in the short-term and long-term. 
  • 524
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Chalepin and Chalepensin
Dihydrofuranocoumarin, chalepin (1) and furanocoumarin, chalepensin (2) are 3-prenylated bioactive coumarins, first isolated from the well-known medicinal plant Ruta chalepensis L. (Fam: Rutaceae) but also distributed in various species of the genera Boenminghausenia, Clausena and Ruta.
  • 523
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Monoclonal Antibodies in Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have revolutionized the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a term that comprises two quite similar, yet distinctive, disorders—Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Two blockbuster MAbs, infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADL), transformed the pharmacological approach of treating CD and UC. However, due to the complex interplay of pharmacology and immunology, MAbs face challenges related to their immunogenicity, effectiveness, and safety.
  • 523
  • 19 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Heart Sounds Classification
The automated classification of heart sounds plays a significant role in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). 
  • 521
  • 04 Jun 2021
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).
  • 521
  • 28 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Role of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in Neurodegenerative Disease
Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles (BEVs) possess the capability of intracellular interactions with other cells, and, hence, can be utilized as an efficient cargo for worldwide delivery of therapeutic substances such as monoclonal antibodies, proteins, plasmids, siRNA, and small molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). BEVs additionally possess a remarkable capacity for delivering these therapeutics across the blood–brain barrier to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
  • 521
  • 26 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes
Metformin is the most commonly used glucose-lowering therapy (GLT) worldwide and remains the first-line therapy for newly diagnosed individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in management algorithms and guidelines after the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) showed cardiovascular mortality benefits in the overweight population using metformin.
  • 520
  • 21 Jan 2021
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