Loratadine Loaded Chitosan Tannic Acid Nanoparticles as Anti-Proliferative Agent Against Breast Cancer: In-silico, in-vitro and Cell Studies.

Purpose: This study aims to prepare Loratadine-loaded chitosan/tannic acid nanoparticles (LOR-CS/TAN NPs) through ionic gelation to be used as an anti-proliferative agent to aid in overcoming breast cancer propagation.

Methods: First, in-silico virtual screening was carried out to select the most appropriate anti-histaminic drug based on its inhibitory effect on the H1-histamine receptor, resulting in the selection of Loratadine (LOR). Molecular interaction between LOR with chitosan (CS), a positively charged polymer, and hyaluronan, a negatively charged polymer, was investigated separately through molecular docking, leading to the selection of CS.

Design and optimization of acetazolamide nanoparticle-laden contact lens using statistical experimental design for controlled ocular drug delivery.

This study aims to formulate and evaluate Eudragit nanoparticles-laden hydrogel contact lenses for controlled delivery of acetazolamide (ACZ) using experimental design. Eudragit S-100 was selected for the preparation of nanoparticles. The optimization of Eudragit S100 concentration (X1), polyvinyl alcohol concentration (X2), and the sonication time (X3) was attempted by applying a central composite experimental design.

An update on the latest strategies in retinal drug delivery.

Introduction: Retinal drug delivery has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, mainly driven by the prevalence of retinal diseases and the need for more efficient and patient-friendly treatment strategies.

Areas Covered: Advancements in nanotechnology have introduced novel drug delivery platforms to improve bioavailability and provide controlled/targeted delivery to specific retinal layers. This review highlights various treatment options for retinal diseases.

Percutaneous absorption and Skin accumulation of Lorazepam-Diphenhydramine- Haloperidol Carbopol gel in Porcine Ear Skin.

This study presents the formulation and evaluation of an ABH Carbopol gel containing lorazepam (Ativan®), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl®), and haloperidol (Haldol®) for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in hospice patients. ABH PLO gel is widely used for this purpose due to its low cost and presumed efficacy. However, previous studies, including one conducted by the authors, have reported insufficient drug absorption from the ABH PLO gel.

Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Neuroprotective Agents in the Treatment of Ocular Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Retinal neurodegeneration is considered an early event in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. At present, there is no definitive treatment to prevent the progression or reversal of vision loss caused by photoreceptor degeneration and the death of retinal ganglion cells. Neuroprotective approaches are being developed to increase the life expectancy of neurons by maintaining their shape/function and thus prevent the loss of vision and blindness.

Community pharmacists' response to complaints of gastroesophageal reflux: A simulated patient study in the Northern United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Patients frequently use gastric acid-reducing agents (ARAs) to treat symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the risk for drug-drug interactions (DDI) is a serious concern. This potentially makes the community pharmacist (CP) act as a primary intervention by providing the appropriate counseling and dispensing practice.

Recent Advancements in Electrospun Nanofibers for Wound Healing: Polymers, Clinical and Regulatory Perspective.

Wound management is an unmet therapeutic challenge and a global healthcare burden. Current treatment strategies provide limited efficiency in wound management, thus undergoing constant evolution in the treatment approaches. As wound healing is a complex physiological process involving precise synchronization of various phases like hemostasis, inflammation and remodelling, which necessitates innovative treatment strategies.

Synthesis, Characterization and Safety Evaluation of Sericin-Based Hydrogels for Controlled Delivery of Acyclovir.

Conventional formulations of antiviral drug acyclovir have various limitations such as low bioavailability. The current study was aimed at developing polymeric matrices for the controlled delivery of acyclovir using sericin as polymer and acrylic acid (AA) as a monomer. The free radical polymerization technique was used for hydrogel formulation.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Taste-Masking Effect of Selected Flavors on Dental Lidocaine HCl Injection.

Aim: Anxiety and intolerance to dental local anesthetic injections are common in patients undergoing dental procedures. This work was designed to study cytotoxicity of selected flavors in primary gingival keratinocytes (PGK), to acquire information on their suitability for use in dental lidocaine hydrochloride (LID) injection. We also evaluated the bio-mimetic taste of LID dental injection in the presence of selected flavors and sweetener using an Astree electronic tongue (ETongue).

Proper Counseling and Dispensing of Isotretinoin Capsule Products by Community Pharmacists in UAE: A Simulated Patient Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the pharmacist's assessment of patient eligibility for safe use of isotretinoin and the quality of pharmacist's counseling.

Patients And Methods: A covert simulated patient (SP) methodology was used in which a trained female researcher, who was 25 years old, played the patient's role through this cross-sectional study by visiting community pharmacies and requesting isotretinoin capsules through a controlled prescription. A data form was used to collect the information following each pharmacy visit by asking about medical/family history and providing comprehensive counseling about the most common adverse effects, proper use instructions, and the importance of adherence to medication.

Pharmacovigilance in perspective: drug withdrawals, data mining and policy implications.

Considering that marketed drugs are not free from side effects, many countries have initiated pharmacovigilance programs. These initiatives have provided countries with methods of detection and prevention of adverse drug reactions at an earlier stage, thus preventing harm occurring in the larger population. In this review, examples of drug withdrawals due to effective pharmacovigilance programs have been provided with details.

In Vitro Dissolution and in Silico Modeling Shortcuts in Bioequivalence Testing.

Purpose: To review in vitro testing and simulation platforms that are in current use to predict in vivo performances of generic products as well as other situations to provide evidence for biowaiver and support drug formulations development.

Methods: Pubmed and Google Scholar databases were used to review published literature over the past 10 years. The terms used were "simulation AND bioequivalence" and "modeling AND bioequivalence" in the title field of databases, followed by screening, and then reviewing.

Smoking Patterns and Willingness to Quit: A Cross-sectional Study in Al Ain City, UAE.

Background: Tobacco use is the major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. The main objectives of this study were to identify smokers willing to participate in quit smoking campaigns using social media and to identify smoking habits of everyday smokers in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Research Design And Methods: Everyday smokers from Al Ain city of the UAE were surveyed in different locations of the city including malls and specialized tobacco-selling shops.

Assessing hormonal contraceptive dispensing and counseling provided by community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates: a simulated patient study.

Background: Hormonal contraceptive pills have evolved as a common form of contraception worldwide. Pharmacists play a vital role in providing safe and effective access to these medicines. In many developing countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), these medicines are available to the general public without the presentation of a prescription which requires the pharmacist to shoulder responsibility by assessing and educating patients to assure their appropriate use.

Evaluation of Bloodletting Cupping Therapy in the Management of Hypertension.

Background: Bloodletting cupping therapy (Hijama) is a traditional alternative medicine practiced in different cultures. Claims about the therapeutic efficacy of Hijama in hypertension are contradictory. The aim of this project was to determine if Hijama therapy is beneficial in the treatment of patients with hypertension.

Evaluation of Certain Pharmaceutical Quality Attributes of Lisinopril Split Tablets.

Tablet splitting is an accepted practice for the administration of drugs for a variety of reasons, including dose adjustment, ease of swallowing and cost savings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of lisinopril tablets as a result of splitting the tablets either by hand or with a splitting device. The impact of the splitting technique of lisinopril (Zestril tablets, 20 mg) on certain physical parameters such as weight variation, friability, disintegration, dissolution and drug content were studied.

Future prospect of insulin inhalation for diabetic patients: The case of Afrezza versus Exubera.

The current review was designed to compare between the insulin inhalation systems Exubera and Afrezza and to investigate the reasons why Exubera was unsuccessful, when Afrezza maker is expecting their product to be felicitous. In January 2006, Pfizer secured FDA and EC approval for the first of its kind, regular insulin through Exubera inhaler device for the management of types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in adults. The product was no longer available to the market after less than two years from its approval triggering a setback for competitive new inhalable insulins that were already in various clinical development phases.

Influence of capsule shell composition on the performance indicators of hypromellose capsule in comparison to hard gelatin capsules.

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro performances of "vegetable" capsules in comparison to hard gelatin capsules in terms of shell weight variation, reaction to different humidity conditions, resistance to stress in the absence of moisture, powder leakage, disintegration and dissolution. Two types of capsules made of HPMC produced with (Capsule 2) or without (Capsule 3) a gelling agent and hard gelatin capsules (Capsule 1) were assessed. Shell weight variability was relatively low for all tested capsules shells.

Novel N-phenylcarbamothioylbenzamides with anti-inflammatory activity and prostaglandin E2 inhibitory properties.

A number of 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(substituted-phenylcarbamothioyl) benzamides (1a-h) were synthesized via reaction of 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl isothiocyanate (2) as a key intermediate with several substituted primary aromatic amines. The new compounds were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C-NMR), infrared spectrometry (IR), mass spectrometry (MS), and elemental analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity of 1a-h was investigated by acute carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice using the reference drug indomethacin.

Antimicrobial prospect of newly synthesized 1,3-thiazole derivatives.

A new series of 1,3-thiazole and benzo[d]thiazole derivatives 10-15 has been developed, characterized, and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity at concentrations of 25-200 μg/mL against Gram+ve organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram-ve organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the fungal strain Aspergillus niger (A. niger) by the cup plate method.

HPMC capsules: current status and future prospects.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is employed for a wide variety of pharmaceutical and food preparations. Its applications as viscolizing agent (thickening agent), coating polymer, bioadhesive, in solid dispersion to enhance solubility, binder in the process of granulation and in modified release formulations have been well documented. One other notable use is in the production of capsule shells, replacing the animal derived gelatin in conventional two-piece capsules.

Cellactose a co-processed excipient: a comparison study.

This article describes the differences in compaction properties between microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and alpha-lactose monohydrate physical mixture, and microcrystalline cellulose co-processed with alpha-lactose monohydrate (Cellactose). The different compaction parameters are not only compared for the pure materials but also for the lubricated powders with magnesium stearate. Magnesium stearate does not facilitate the densification of either the physical mixture or Cellactose during compaction.

Improving the high variable bioavailability of griseofulvin by SEDDS.

To enhance the dissolution and oral absorption of poorly water-soluble griseofulvin (GF), self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) composed of oil, surfactant and cosurfactant for oral administration of griseofulvin was formulated, and its physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. The solubility of griseofulvin was further improved by the addition of hydrochloric acid. Droplet size of griseofulvin emulsion was kept constant both in simulated gastric fluid without pepsin and simulated intestinal fluid throughout 12 weeks incubation period.

Encapsulation of ketoprofen for controlled drug release.

Ketoprofen particles were encapsulated with polyions and gelatin to control the release of the drug in aqueous solutions. Charged linear polyions and gelatin were alternatively deposited on 6 microm drug microcrystals through layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Sequential layers of poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) were followed by adsorption of two to six gelatin/PSS bilayers with corresponding capsule wall thicknesses ranging from 41 to 111 nm.