DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences最新文献

Background: Resistance to docetaxel (DTX), a frontline chemotherapeutic agent for prostate cancer (PC), remains a major therapeutic challenge, often driven by impaired apoptosis and enhanced metastatic potential. Calebin A (CA), a natural polyphenol derived from turmeric, has demonstrated anticancer properties in various malignancies. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of CA and DTX on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, migration, and gene expression in human PC3 prostate cancer cells.

Methods: PC3 cells were treated with varying concentrations of CA and DTX, alone or in combination. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and drug interactions were evaluated using the combination index (CI) analysis. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was quantified using qRT-PCR, while gelatin zymography and wound healing assays evaluated protease activity and migratory behavior, respectively.

Results: Both CA and DTX exhibited time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with combination treatment producing synergistic effects (CI < 1). Co-treatment significantly increased apoptotic cell populations and induced marked sub-G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest. The combination therapy upregulated the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and downregulated MMP-2 expression, with modest reductions in MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymatic activities. Furthermore, migratory capacity was significantly diminished under combinatorial treatment compared to monotherapies.

Conclusion: CA enhances the antitumor efficacy of DTX by potentiating apoptosis, inhibiting migration, and modulating gene expression associated with metastasis and survival. These findings suggest CA as a promising adjuvant to overcome chemoresistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in prostate cancer.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Nanoparticles have emerged as a promising tool due to their unique properties, including tunable size, high surface area, drug-loading capacity, and the ability to be functionalized for targeted delivery. Their potential in early detection, precise drug delivery, and localized therapy positions them as a transformative approach in CVD management.

Objectives: This review explores the latest advancements in nanoparticle-based interventions for CVDs, focusing on their role in targeted drug delivery, diagnostic applications, and therapeutic efficacy. We highlight how engineered nanoparticles can improve specificity, reduce systemic side effects, and enhance treatment outcomes.

Methods: We examine preclinical and clinical studies on lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic nanoparticles optimized for CVD treatment. Their surface modifications, drug-release mechanisms, and targeting capabilities are analyzed, with particular attention to their applications in atherosclerosis, myocardial repair, and inflammation modulation.

Results: Functionalized nanoparticles demonstrate significant potential in CVD therapy by enabling site-specific drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaques, damaged cardiac tissue, and inflamed vasculature. Chemical and natural-based nanoparticles show enhanced therapeutic precision, with improved outcomes in drug bioavailability and reduced off-target effects.

Conclusion: Nanotechnology is reshaping CVD treatment through advanced drug delivery systems that enhance precision and efficacy. By leveraging nanoparticle engineering, future therapies can achieve targeted, personalized interventions, offering new hope in combating CVDs.

While traditional peer review offers advantages in academic publishing, it is often hampered by significant weaknesses, leading to frustration among many authors. Scientific discoveries after publication depend on thorough discussions and critiques, making post-publication peer review (PPPR) an essential tool for identifying errors and encouraging authors to make necessary corrections. PPPR is defined as a critical, ongoing, and public review conducted by the broader scientific community once research findings are formally published. Its goal is to enable more academic experts to continuously examine, question, and validate the work, identifying potential flaws or strengths that might have been missed during the initial review. This ongoing dialogue promotes transparency and motivates authors to make necessary corrections. Although the goal of PPPR is to enhance scientific integrity, the open nature of PPPR platforms makes them vulnerable to misuse. It can also be exploited to undermine colleagues, suppress differing viewpoints, or further personal or organizational interests. We also observe an increase in "hyper-skepticism," which differs from constructive criticism, reflecting an overly critical mindset that focuses on doubt rather than fostering understanding. To fully realize the benefits of PPPR and prevent misuse, the scientific community must build a more equitable and more responsible framework. Addressing these challenges requires a thoughtful strategy that integrates technological advancements, strengthens editorial policies, enhances transparency measures, and provides robust protections for good-faith scientific debate.

Background: Tacrolimus is a critical calcineurin inhibitor used in the management of liver transplant recipients. Currently, several pharmaceutical companies have developed and introduced generic formulations of Tacrolimus. Most studies on the use of generic Tacrolimus have focused on the conversion from branded to generic versions in stable patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Suprotac® compared to Prograf®, over a 12-month period in de novo adult liver transplant recipients.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted among adult liver transplant recipients at the Shiraz Transplant Center from October 2022 to June 2024. All patients over 18 years of age, with Tacrolimus as part of their post-transplant immunosuppressive regimen, were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: those receiving Suprotac® and those receiving Prograf® for 12 months in de novo manner. All patients were followed up for 12 months post-transplant. The incidence of rejection, graft loss, liver enzyme fluctuations, safety profile, and adverse events were evaluated between the two groups.

Results: A total of 152 patients participated in this study. The rejection rates were 5.88% in the Suprotac® group and 14.28% in the Prograf® group (p-value:0.093). Mortality rates were 22.05% in the Suprotac® group and 10.71% in the Prograf® group (p-value: 0.056. Additionally, 10 patients experienced graft loss. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding fluctuations in liver enzymes and renal function. The most commonly reported adverse events in both groups were neurological complications such as headache, and insomnia.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that de novo use of Suprotac®, compared to Prograf®, offers comparable efficacy in preventing rejection and a similar one-year safety profile in adult liver transplant recipients.

Lactose intolerance affects a significant portion of the global population. Among the proposed treatments for the disease, the main strategy is the use of Lactase, beta-galactosidase, and enzyme before consuming dairy products. The beta-galactosidase enzyme loses its activity in the acidic environment of the stomach before reaching the small intestine environment. In this study, a pH sensitive tablet of beta-galactosidase enzyme with local drug delivery was made for the treatment of lactose intolerance through the hydrogel formulation in the core compartment of the 3D-printed shell of the tablet. The tablets were characterized in terms of morphology, chemical interaction, mechanical properties, dissolution test and pharmacopeial physiochemical requirements. The best polymer weight percentages were selected during the 3D printing of the tablet so that less than 11% release of enzyme within 2 h inside the stomach environment (pH = 1.2) and about 100% enzyme release in the intestinal environment (pH = 6.8) within 6 h was achieved. It should be noted that the enzyme release was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The recovery of the enzyme activity in tablet was 94%, compared to the activity of the free enzyme. SEM analysis showed smooth, uniform, and continuous layers and the results of FTIR analysis showed no covalent interactions between different materials in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, acceptable tolerances were obtained for pharmacopeial tests including weight variation, content uniformity and assay. According to the results, incorporation of hydrogel into melt extrusion-based 3D printing could be used for producing tailored tablets containing beta-galactosidase enzyme amounts with a delayed release formulation and local oral drug delivery to treat lactose intolerance.

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a major cancer type, is usually treated with radiotherapy but encounters challenges with resistance and toxicity. Therefore, the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma needs agents to be very effective while protecting healthy cells. Blueberry extract, rich in micronutrients, flavonoids, and bioactive compounds, may inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis without harming normal cells.

Objectives: This study investigates the efficacy of blueberry extract in combination with radiotherapy as a radiosensitizer on Raji cells, a model for highly invasive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methods: First, Raji cells were treated with blueberry extract alone and in combination with a single dose of 2 Gy radiotherapy. The effects of blueberry extract on inhibiting proliferation and induction of apoptosis in Raji cells were investigated by MTT assay, flow cytometry (Annexin-V-FITC), cell cycle analysis, and quantitative gene expression analysis of BAX, BCL-2 and XPA. Its role in improving the efficacy of radiotherapy on cancer cells was also investigated.

Results: Treated cells with blueberry extract alone and in combination with radiotherapy showed reduced viability, increased induction of apoptosis and a higher proportion of cells in the SUB-G1 cell cycle phase was detected. Additionally, gene expression analysis indicated upregulation of the pro-apoptotic gene BAX expression and decreased anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 expression, along with elevated expression of XPA as an indicator of DNA damage after radiotherapy.

Conclusion: The study suggests that blueberry extract stimulates apoptosis in Raji cells and could serve as an anti-cancer drug. Furthermore, the combination of this extract with radiotherapy could be used as a radiosensitizer.

Enhancing the bioavailability of insoluble active agents in the eye through topical administration is a key focus in formulation science. This study aims to develop a microsuspension-based drug delivery system to effectively deliver anti-inflammatory drugs to deeper ocular tissues, offering a non-invasive alternative to intraocular injections.

Methods: To improve the bioavailability of the hydrophobic drug triamcinolone acetonide (TA), we reduced its particle size using the wet ball milling method with zirconium oxide beads. To enhance mucus penetration, we coated the TA microsuspension with the non-ionic surfactant Poloxamer 407. The microsuspension was characterized for morphology, particle size, zeta potential, and dissolution properties in various ocular media. We also modeled TA distribution in different ocular compartments using GastroPlus™ software and evaluated the impact of formulation parameters such as particle size and viscosity.

Results: Reducing the particle size to 250 nm significantly increased the dissolution rate of the microsuspension. The model indicated that viscosity and particle size are critical for enhancing the ocular concentration of eye drops in various tissues. Optimizing these parameters could lead to a nearly 40-fold reduction in the required TA eye drop dosage (from 4.0% w/v to 0.1% w/v).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a TA formulation with a particle size of 1.0 μm or less and a viscosity of about 72.0 cp. can be as effective as a larger particle size formulation while delivering significantly higher TA concentrations. The enhanced uniformity, re-dispersibility, and improved distribution to ocular tissues position this microsuspension as a novel approach to overcoming ocular drug delivery challenges and reducing the need for intraocular injections.

Status epilepticus (SE) presents a life-threatening medical emergency condition characterized by prolonged seizures, leading to severe neuronal damage, morbidity and mortality, if not promptly treated. Immediate intervention is crucial, yet current anti-seizure medications (ASM) face limitations such as adverse effects otherwise in need of invasive administration routes such as intravenous ASMs. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems offer a promising approach to overcoming these challenges by enhancing drug solubility, stability, and brain bioavailability. This systematic review examines recent advancements in nanoformulations of ASMs for SE management. Through a comprehensive search and analysis of the literature, 12 relevant studies were identified, highlighting various nanoparticle types, formulation methods, and pharmacokinetic parameters. ASM nanoparticles exhibit favourable characteristics for drug delivery, including small size, high surface area, and tuneable physicochemical properties. These properties enable efficient drug transport across biological barriers, precise targeting, and controlled release, ultimately improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects. With an optimized release profile and non-invasive route such as intranasal administration, nano-formulated ASMs offer promising immediate therapeutic strategy for SE therapy. However, further research is warranted to optimize nano-formulation parameters, assess long-term safety, and validate clinical efficacy. Overall, nanoparticle-based ASM delivery holds great potential for revolutionizing SE treatment, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

Background: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a chemotherapy medication used in the therapy of cancers. However, despite its killing of cancer cells, Dox is toxic to the heart and can lead to heart failure. This outcome in turn poses a therapeutic challenge given the limited treatment options available to these individuals.

Objectives: This study examines how CeO₂ nanoparticles, through oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function, reduced Dox toxicity in human cardiac myocyte (HCM) cells.

Methods: Following detection of the optimal doses of CeO₂ nanoparticles using the MTT assay, HCM cells were treated with Dox (8.25 µM) and CeO₂ nanoparticles for 24 h. Then, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial swelling, and mitochondrial cytochrome c release were analyzed. The level of gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as apoptosis, was also examined.

Results: The data of this work demonstrated that Dox significantly elevated levels of ROS and MDA and reduced GSH level and SOD activity, which is modified by CeO₂ nanoparticles. Also, Dox meaningfully increased inflammation markers and apoptosis and induced mitochondrial malfunction, which were meaningfully reduced by CeO₂ nanoparticles in a dose-response manner in HCM cells.

Conclusion: According to the present study results, CeO₂ nanoparticles, through a reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial malfunction, can have therapeutic potential in HCM cells toxicity induced by Dox.

Background: New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a rapidly evolving public health challenge due to their diverse chemical structures and psychoactive effects, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their classification, mechanisms of action, and detection.

Objectives: Recognizing critical gaps in the understanding and management of NPS, this review aimed to synthesize current liter-ature. Specifically, we sought to elucidate the evolving classifications of NPS, delineate their underlying molecular mechanisms of action to inform therapeutic strategies, and critically evaluate existing detection methodologies to ad-dress current analytical limitations, thereby providing an essential, integrated perspective on this rapidly changing landscape.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to analyze NPS classification, molecular mechanisms, and detection techniques. Searches were performed across Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Elsevier, using keywords such as "synthetic cathinones", "designer drugs", "new psychoactive substance(s)", "detection of new psychoactive sub-stances" and "toxicology." Inclusion criteria prioritized studies primarily focused on NPS with clearly defined com-pounds (e.g., UNODC, EMCDDA classifications) and published within the last four years. Eligible publications en-compassed in vivo and in vitro studies, original research, and various review types. Exclusion criteria involved liter-ature outside the specified timeframe and studies on established drugs of abuse or licit substances, unless a direct comparative analysis with NPS was presented.

Results: The review synthesized a classification framework for NPS, detailed the molecular mechanisms underlying their psychoactive effects, and summarized current detection methodologies. Furthermore, it underscored the significant health risks associated with NPS use, including addiction, psychological disturbances, organ toxicity, and fatal outcomes.

Conclusion: The continued emergence and proliferation of NPS necessitate ongoing research to fully characterize their specific effects and associated risks. This review provides a foundational synthesis of current knowledge, not only supporting the development of evi-dence-based interventions to mitigate their public health impact, but also serving as a catalyst for new research direc-tions aimed at a deeper understanding and more effective management of these evolving compounds.