Pharmacists' Knowledge, Perception, and Prescribing Practice of Probiotics in the UAE: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The human body is a complex and interconnected system where trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota, coexist with these cells. Besides maintaining digestive health, this relationship also impacts well-being, including immune function, metabolism, and mental health. As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists are pivotal in promoting the benefits of probiotics for immune support.

Correction: Pomegranate extract-loaded sphingosomes for the treatment of cancer: Phytochemical investigations, formulation, and antitumor activity evaluation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Solid dispersion systems for enhanced dissolution of poorly water-soluble candesartan cilexetil: In vitro evaluation and simulated pharmacokinetics studies.

Background: Candesartan cilexetil (CC) is a selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist widely used to treat hypertension. CC is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), causing its efflux to the intestinal lumen. It is also practically insoluble in water and has low oral bioavailability (14%).

Pomegranate extract-loaded sphingosomes for the treatment of cancer: Phytochemical investigations, formulation, and antitumor activity evaluation.

Aim: Formulation of Pomegranate Extracts (PE)-loaded sphingosomes as an antitumor therapy for the intravenous and passive targeted delivery to various tumor types, especially that of the breast, colon, and uterus; to increase the therapeutic activity and decrease the adverse effects profile.

Methods: The pericarp and seeds' juice of Punica granatum were each extracted using D.W.

Development of Clindamycin Loaded Oral Microsponges (Clindasponges) for Antimicrobial Enhancement: In Vitro Characterization and Simulated in Vivo Studies.

Clindamycin phosphate (CLP) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used widely for different types of infections. It has a short half-life and hence it should be taken every six hours to ensure adequate antibiotic blood concentration. On the other hand, microsponges are extremely porous polymeric microspheres, offering the prolonged controlled release of the drug.

An Overview of Microparticulate Drug Delivery System and its Extensive Therapeutic Applications in Diabetes.

Microparticulate drug delivery system (MDDS) has attained much consideration in the modern era due to its effectiveness in overcoming traditional treatment problems. Microparticles (MPs) are spherical particles of a diameter ranging from 10 μm to 1000 μm. MPs can encapsulate both water-soluble and insoluble compounds.

Optimizing and Evaluating the Transdermal Permeation of Hydrocortisone Transfersomes Formulation Based on Digital Analysis of the Drug Release and Studies.

Background: Transfersomes can be used to enhance transdermal drug delivery due to their flexibility and ability to incorporate various molecules. For example, hydrocortisone (HC), a corticosteroid, is taken by different routes and serves as immunosuppressive, anticancer, and antiallergenic; however, it is poorly absorbed by the skin.

Objective: Therefore, the current study suggested HC-loaded transfersomes as an alternative route of administration for reaching deeper skin layers or systemic circulation, to reduce the side effects of HC and improve its bioavailability.

DDSolver Software Application for Quantitative Analysis of In vitro Drug Release Behavior of the Gastroretentive Floating Tablets Combined with Radiological Study in Rabbits.

Background: Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDSs) are designed to release the drug in the stomach over a prolonged time; thus, they can reduce drug dosing frequency and dose size and improve patient compliance. GRDDSs are also highly effective in enhancing the bioavailability of the drug that exhibits window absorption in specific segments of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Famotidine (FMT), an H2 receptor antagonist, is an example of these drugs.

Employment of Alginate Floating Gel for Controlled Delivery of Celecoxib: Solubilization and Formulation Studies.

Celecoxib (CXB) is a COX-2-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to control pain and various inflammatory conditions. CXB has limited oral bioavailability and a slow dissociation rate due to its poor water solubility. In order to enhance the oral bioavailability of CXB and reduce the frequency of administration, the present study was aimed at enhancing the aqueous solubility of CXB by a cosolvency technique and then at formulating and evaluating a CXB floating gelling system for sustained oral delivery.

Optimized Mucoadhesive Coated Niosomes as a Sustained Oral Delivery System of Famotidine.

The objective of this study is to develop an oral formulation of famotidine niosomes coated with a mucoadhesive polymer, chitosan. Famotidine (FMT) has low oral bioavailability of 40-45% and short half-life between 2.5 to 4 h.

Optimization of elastic transfersomes formulations for transdermal delivery of pentoxifylline.

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a xanthine derivative indicated in treatment of intermittent claudication and chronic occlusive arterial diseases. It has low oral bioavailability and short half-life; thus, it was considered as a good candidate drug for the transdermal transfersomes formulation. In the present study, an attempt has been made for development, in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of transdermal transfersomes using sodium cholate (SC) and non-ionic surfactants as edge activators.

Development and Evaluation of Sustained Oral Ketorolac Tromethamine Particulate Matrix via Bioadhesive Chitosan Based Freeze-Dried Solid Dispersions.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan (CTS) solid dispersion particulate matrix (SDPM) for sustained oral delivery of ketorolac tromethamine (KT).

Methods: SDPM formulations were prepared by freeze drying method and characterized for their effectiveness and biological activities via in vitro and in vivo assessment.

Key Findings: Powder's flowability and bioadhesion of SDPM increased compared to KT-CTS physical mixtures and the raw materials.

An investigation and characterization on alginate hydogel dressing loaded with metronidazole prepared by combined inotropic gelation and freeze-thawing cycles for controlled release.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined Ca(2+) cross-linking and freeze-thawing cycle method on metronidazole (model drug) drug release and prepare a wound film dressing with improved swelling property. The hydrogel films were prepared with sodium alginate (SA) using the freeze-thawing method alone or in combination with ionotropic gelation with CaCl2. The gel properties such as morphology, swelling, film thickness, and content uniformity and in vitro dissolution profiles using Franz diffusion cell were investigated.

Development of coated beads for oral controlled delivery of cefaclor: In vitro evaluation.

The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize coated chitosan-alginate beads containing cefaclor as a controlled release delivery system. Coated cefaclor beads were prepared by solvent evaporation techniques. Beads were found to be intact and spherical in shape.

Development and clinical evaluation of clotrimazole-β-cyclodextrin eyedrops for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

Fungal keratitis is a serious corneal disease that may result in loss of vision. There are limited treatment options available in Iraqi eye hospitals which might be the main reason behind the poor prognosis of many cases. The purpose of this study was to prepare and pharmaceutically evaluate clotrimazole-β-cyclodextrin (CTZ-β-CD) eyedrops then clinically assess its therapeutic efficacy on fungal keratitis compared with extemporaneous amphotericin B eyedrops (0.

Design and evaluation of a bioadhesive film for transdermal delivery of propranolol hydrochloride.

The objective of the study was to develop a suitable trans-dermal delivery system for propranolol hydrochloride (PPL) via employing chitosan as a film former. Drug concentration uniformity, thickness, moisture uptake capacity and skin bioadhesion of the films were characterized. The effects of chitosan and PPL concentration and different penetration enhancers on the release and permeation profiles from the films were investigated.

Development of an optimised application protocol for sonophoretic transdermal delivery of a model hydrophilic drug.

It has now been known for over a decade that low frequency ultrasound can be used to effectively enhance transdermal drug penetration - an approach termed sonophoresis. Mechanistically, acoustic cavitation results in the creation of defects in the stratum corneum that allow accelerated absorption of topically applied molecules. The aim of this study was to develop an optimised sonophoresis protocol for studying transdermal drug delivery in vitro.

Meloxicam β-cyclodextrin transdermal gel: physicochemical characterization and in vitro dissolution and diffusion studies.

The aim of the study was to develop a Meloxicam (ME) transdermal gel formulations based on complexation with β-cyclodextrin. ME β-Cyclodextrin gel formulations were prepared using four different gel bases with different concentrations and different permeation enhancers. The developed formulations were examined for their in vitro characteristics and their diffusion through a mouse skin.

Professional practices and perception towards rational use of medicines according to WHO methodology in United Arab Emirates.

Unlabelled: Inappropriate prescribing reduces the quality of medical care and leads to a waste of resources. No study has been reported concerning rational drug use in United Arab Emirates, UAE, recently.

Objectives: assessing patterns of use and defining problems regarding the rational drug use.