High-fidelity simulation versus case-based tutorial sessions for teaching pharmacology: Convergent mixed methods research investigating undergraduate medical students' performance and perception.

Introduction: Medical educators strive to improve their curricula to enhance the student learning experience. The use of high-fidelity simulation within basic and clinical medical science subjects has been one of these initiatives. However, there is paucity of evidence on using simulation for teaching pharmacology, especially in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the effectiveness of this teaching modality, relative to more traditional ones, have not been sufficiently investigated.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Bioactive Compounds from Seaweeds, Bryozoans, Jellyfish, Shellfish and Peanut Worms.

Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the body in response to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells, toxic compounds or radiation. However, chronic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Multiple anti-inflammatory drugs are currently available for the treatment of inflammation, but all exhibit less efficacy.

Identification of Specific Biomarkers and Pathways in the Treatment Response of Infliximab for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: In-Silico Analysis.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. In biological therapy, infliximab became the first anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent approved for IBD. Despite this success, infliximab is expensive, often ineffective, and associated with adverse events.

Study protocol for a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Frondanol in adults with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a debilitating condition with a rising incidence globally over recent years. Frondanol, a widely available nutraceutical extract of the edible sea cucumber has been reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory effects, likely mediated by the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase pathways, whilst showing no signs of toxicity. The potent anti-inflammatory effects of Frondanol in a mouse model of IBD provide encouragement for investigating its effects in human IBD patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Compounds from Echinoderms.

Chronic inflammation can extensively burden a healthcare system. Several synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs are currently available in clinical practice, but each has its own side effect profile. The planet is gifted with vast and diverse oceans, which provide a treasure of bioactive compounds, the chemical structures of which may provide valuable pharmaceutical agents.

Atorvastatin Improves Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Protects Renal Damage in Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), including nephrotic syndrome, is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The literature indicates that CKD is associated with profound lipid disorders largely due to the dysregulation of lipoprotein metabolism which further aggravates the progression of kidney disease. The present study sought to determine the efficacy of atorvastatin treatment on hepatic lipid metabolism and renal tissue damage in CKD rats.

Chronic treatment of curcumin improves hepatic lipid metabolism and alleviates the renal damage in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), including nephrotic syndrome, is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The literature indicates that CKD is associated with profound lipid disorders due to the dysregulation of lipoprotein metabolism which progresses kidney disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin on dyslipidaemia associated with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease in rats.

Attenuation of Glucose-Induced Myoglobin Glycation and the Formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) by (R)-α-Lipoic Acid In Vitro.

Unlabelled: High-carbohydrate containing diets have become a precursor to glucose-mediated protein glycation which has been linked to an increase in diabetic and cardiovascular complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of ()-α-lipoic acid (ALA) against glucose-induced myoglobin glycation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in vitro.

Methods: The effect of ALA on myoglobin glycation was determined via the formation of AGEs fluorescence intensity, iron released from the heme moiety of myoglobin and the level of fructosamine.

(R)-α-Lipoic acid inhibits fructose-induced myoglobin fructation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in vitro.

Background: Fructose-mediated protein glycation (fructation) has been linked to an increase in diabetic and cardiovascular complications due to over consumption of high-fructose containing diets in recent times. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of (R)-α-lipoic acid (ALA) against fructose-induced myoglobin fructation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in vitro.

Methods: The anti-glycation activity of ALA was determined using the formation of AGEs fluorescence intensity, iron released from the heme moiety of myoglobin and the level of fructosamine.

Chronic treatment of (R)--lipoic acid reduces blood glucose and lipid levels in high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats.

(R)- -lipoic acid (), an essential cofactor in mitochondrial respiration and a potential antioxidant, possesses a wide array of metabolic benefits including anti-obesity, glucose lowering, insulin-sensitizing, and lipid-lowering effects. In this study, the curative effects of (100 mg/kg) on a spectrum of conditions related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes () were investigated in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome and . The marked rise in the levels of glucose, triglycerides, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol in the blood of HFD-fed and low-dose STZ-injected rats were significantly reduced by treatment.

Diuretic and antiurolithiatic activities of an ethanolic extract of L. rhizome in experimental animal models.

is a plant commonly used as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses the wide range of pharmacological applications. The present study investigated the diuretic and antiurolithiatic activities of an ethanolic extract of L. (Family: Araceae) rhizome (EEAC).

Evaluation of polyherbal formulation (SJT-HT-03) for antihypertensive activity in albino rats.

Background: Hypertension is an incurable pathological condition and lifelong therapy is required. Long term use of conventional synthetic anti-hypertensive drugs is associated with a spectrum of toxic effects. However, therapeutic interventions using herbal drugs for hypertension have gained considerable attention worldwide.

MicroRNAs as newer therapeutic targets: A big hope from a tiny player.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel group of universally present small noncoding endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression and protein coding by base pairing with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs. So they have been associated with several physiological processes and play an important role in the manifestation of diverse diseases. miRNAs expression is associated with the normal and diverse pathophysiological state including cardiac hypertrophy, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and its complication, and cancer because individual miRNAs are associated with the regulation of the expression of multiple target genes.