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Meeting of the Council of the Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy this is Monday, July 1, 2024

God willing, the meeting of the Pharmaceutics Department Board of the Faculty of Pharmacy No. (529) this is Monday, July 1, 2024, at ten in the morning

in the department board on the third floor under the chairmanship of the Faculty to discuss the topics that we will inform you later.

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Clinical translation of nanomedicines: Challenges, opportunities, and keys

Research Abstract

Despite the massive interest and recent developments in the field of nanomedicine, only a limited number of formulations have found their way to the clinics. This shortcoming reveals the challenges facing the clinical translation of this technology. In the current article, we summarize and evaluate the status, market situation, and clinical profiles of the reported nanomedicines, the shortcomings limiting their clinical translation, as well as some approaches designed to break through this barrier. Moreover, some emerging technologies that have the potential to compete with nanomedicines are highlighted. Lastly, we identify the key factors that should be considered in nanomedicine-related research to be clinically-translatable. These can be classified into five areas: rational design during the research and development stage, the recruitment of representative preclinical models, careful design of clinical trials, development of specific and uniform regulatory protocols, and calls for non-classic sponsorship. This new field of endeavor was firmly established during the last two decades and more in-depth progress is expected in the coming years.

Research Authors
Mahmoud A. Younis , Hesham M. Tawfeek , Ahmed A.H. Abdellatif , Jelan A. Abdel-Aleem , Hideyoshi Harashima
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
Research Vol
181
Research Year
2022

Compositional characteristics of dairy products and their potential nondairy applications after shelf-life

Research Abstract

Many dairy products are discarded and useless after end of shelf-life, which causes economic and environmental challenges. The objective of this study was to study the compositional characteristics of some dairy products before and after shelf-life, and develop a process to utilize those dairy products after end of shelf-life in non dairy applications (cosmetic cream and soap). Several dairy products, such as sterilized milk, yogurt, soft cheese, hard cheese, cream, and butter were collected from markets in Egypt before shelf-life and after three months of shelflife. Electrophoresis analysis was conducted to estimate the changes in the protein fractions of protein products (sterilized milk, yogurt, and cheese) before and after expiration. Also, gas chromatography (GS) was performed to compare the fatty acids of fat products (cream and butter) before and after end of shelf-life. Sterilized milk, yogurt, soft, and hard cheese were turned into powder (Expired dairy products powder; EDPP) to be used as a raw material in manufacturing of cosmetic creams. The fat was separated from cream, butter, and hard cheese (Expired dairy products fat; EDPF) to be utilized in making soap. The formulated cosmetic creams were examined in vitro. Functional properties of cream were determined, such as appearance, spreadability, irritancy, and pH. Additionally, the soap quality was tested after manufacture. We found that dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese after shelf-life can be utilized as raw materials for the production of cosmetic creams, as well as production of soap from butter and cream. The produced products were similar to those in commercial markets. This study is an endeavor to conquer the dairy industry challenges, which are considered a huge loss from the economic and environmental aspects.

Research Authors
Nermeen N. Nasralla , , Nanis H. Gomah , Morsy M. Aly , Jelan A. Abdel-Aleem , Ahmed R. A. Hammam , Dina M. Osman , Yaser M.A. El-Derwy
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Current Research in Food Science
Research Vol
5
Research Year
2022

Captopril Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Gelatin-Based Oral Dispersible Films (ODFs) with Modified Release and Advanced Oral Bioavailability for the Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension

Research Abstract

Hypertension can begin in childhood; elevated blood pressure in children is known as pediatric hypertension. Contrary to adult hypertension, there is a scarcity of commercial medications suitable for the treatment of pediatric hypertension. The aim of this study was to develop orally dispersible films (ODFs) loaded with captopril for the treatment of hypertension in children. Captopril-loaded ODFs were composed of different blends of synthetic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and natural polymers, such as sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin. The ODFs were characterized based on their mechanical and thermal properties, drug content, surface morphology, in vitro disintegration, in vitro release, and bioavailability. A novel HPLC method with precolumn derivatization was developed to precisely and selectively determine captopril levels in plasma. A low concentration of PVA and a high concentration of SA generated ODFs with faster hydration and disintegration rates. SA-based films exhibited fast disintegration properties (1–2 min). The optimized modified-release film (F2) showed significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in bioavailability (AUC = 1000 ng min/mL), with a value 1.43 times that of Capoten® tablets (701 ng min/mL). While the plasma concentration peaking was in favor of the immediate-release tablet, Tmax was significantly prolonged by 5.4 times for the optimized ODF (3.59 h) compared with that of the tablets (0.66 h). These findings indicate uniform and sustained plasma concentrations, as opposed to the pulsatile and rapid plasma peaking of captopril from the immediate-release tablets. These findings suggest that the modified release of oral films could offer more favorable plasma profiles and better control of hypertension than the conventional release tablets

Research Authors
5- Hamdy Abdelkader , Jelan A. Abdel-Aleem , Heba Salah Mousa , Marwa O. Elgendy , Adel Al Fatease and Heba A. Abou-Taleb
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Pharmaceuticals
Research Vol
16
Research Year
2023

Silver nanoparticles coated with polymers: synthesis, characterization and loading with rousvastatin calcium

Research Abstract

This work was conducted with the aim of formulating the antihyperlipidemic statin; rousvastatin calcium (RVC) using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a carrier. The probability of the occurrence of interaction between RVC and the excipients used in synthesizing AgNPs was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using different capping agents; PEG 6000, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), - cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxylpropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβ-CD) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVPK90). The silver nitrate was reduced using sodium borohydride. The formed AgNPs were then characterized by measuring their size and zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of DSC and Ft-IR revealed the absence of interaction between the used excipients and RVC. The loading capacity of AgNPs toward RVC was found to be dependent on the capping agent. The characterization of AgNPs by zeta analyzer shown the particle size diameter ranged from 184.7 to 812.1 nm depending on the capping agent. The values of zeta potential ranged from -32.8 to -10.5 Mv.

Research Authors
4- Ahmed Sayed Ibrahim, Ahmed El-Sayed Aboutaleb , Mahrous Osman Ahmad and Jelan Abdel-Razik Abdel-Aleem.
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Sphinx Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences
Research Vol
5
Research Year
2023

Exploration of the safety and solubilization, dissolution, analgesic effects of common basic excipients on the NSAID drug ketoprofen

Research Abstract

Since its introduction to the market in the 1970s, ketoprofen has been widely used due to its high efficacy in moderate pain management. However, its poor solubility and ulcer side effects have diminished its popularity. This study prepared forms of ketoprofen modified with three basic excipients: tris, L-lysine, and L-arginine, and investigated their ability to improve water solubility and reduce ulcerogenic potential. The complexation/salt formation of ketoprofen and the basic excipients was prepared using physical mixing and coprecipitation methods. The prepared mixtures were studied for solubility, docking, dissolution, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in vivo evaluation for efficacy (the writhing test), and safety (ulcerogenic liability). Phase solubility diagrams were constructed, and a linear solubility (AL type) curve was obtained with tris. Docking studies suggested a possible salt formation with L-arginine using Hirshfeld surface analysis. The order of enhancement of solubility and dissolution rates was as follows: L-arginine > L-lysine > tris. In vivo analgesic evaluation indicated a significant enhancement of the onset of action of analgesic activities for the three basic excipients. However, safety and gastric protection indicated that both ketoprofen arginine and ketoprofen lysine salts were more favorable than ketoprofen tris.

Research Authors
Heba A. Abou-Taleb , Mai E. Shoman , Tarek Saad Makram , Jelan A. Abdel-Aleem and Hamdy Abdelkader
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Pharmaceutics
Research Vol
15
Research Year
2023

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in diabetic foot ulcer: An updated comprehensive review

Research Abstract

Background

Diabetes has evolved into a worldwide public health issue. One of the most serious complications of diabetes is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which frequently creates a significant financial strain on patients and lowers their quality of life. Up until now, there has been no curative therapy for DFU, only symptomatic relief or an interruption in the disease's progression. Recent studies have focused attention on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which provide innovative and potential treatment candidates for several illnesses as they can differentiate into various cell types. They are mostly extracted from the placenta, adipose tissue, umbilical cord (UC), and bone marrow (BM). Regardless of their origin, they show comparable features and small deviations. Our goal is to investigate MSCs' therapeutic effects, application obstacles, and patient benefit strategies for DFU therapy.

Methodology

A comprehensive search was conducted using specific keywords relating to DFU, MSCs, and connected topics in the databases of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The main focus of the selection criteria was on English-language literature that explored the relationship between DFU, MSCs, and related factors.

Results and Discussion

Numerous studies are being conducted and have demonstrated that MSCs can induce re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, decrease inflammation, contribute to immunological modulation, and subsequently promote DFU healing, making them a promising approach to treating DFU. This review article provides a general snapshot of DFU (including clinical presentation, risk factors and etiopathogenesis, and conventional treatment) and discusses the clinical progress of MSCs in the management of DFU, taking into consideration the side effects and challenges during the application of MSCs and how to overcome these challenges to achieve maximum benefits.

Conclusion

The incorporation of MSCs in the management of DFU highlights their potential as a feasible therapeutic strategy. Establishing a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between DFU pathophysiology, MSC therapies, and related obstacles is essential for optimizing therapy outcomes and maximizing patient benefits.

Research Authors
Helal F Hetta, Alaa Elsaghir, Victor Coll Sijercic, Mahad S Akhtar, Sayed A Gad, Avinash Moses, Mahlet S Zeleke, Fawaz E Alanazi, Abdulrahman K Ahmed, Yasmin N Ramadan
Research Date
Research Journal
Health Science Reports
Research Member
Research Publisher
WILEY
Research Rank
Q1
Research Website
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hsr2.2036
Research Year
2024

Phage therapy, a salvage treatment for multidrug-resistant bacteria causing infective endocarditis

Research Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as an infection of the endocardium, or inner surface of the heart, most frequently affecting the heart valves or implanted cardiac devices. Despite its rarity, it has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. IE generally occurs when bacteria, fungi, or other germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart. The epidemiology of IE has changed as a consequence of aging and the usage of implantable cardiac devices and heart valves. The right therapeutic routes must be assessed to lower complication and fatality rates, so this requires early clinical suspicion and a fast diagnosis. It is urgently necessary to create new and efficient medicines to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial (MDR) infections because of the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance on a worldwide scale. MDR bacteria that cause IE can be treated using phages rather than antibiotics to combat MDR bacterial strains. This review will illustrate how phage therapy began and how it is considered a powerful potential candidate for the treatment of MDR bacteria that cause IE. Furthermore, it gives a brief about all reported clinical trials that demonstrated the promising effect of phage therapy in combating resistant bacterial strains that cause IE and how it will become a hope in future medicine.

Research Authors
Helal F Hetta, Zainab I Rashed, Yasmin N Ramadan, Israa MS Al-Kadmy, Soheir M Kassem, Hesham S Ata, Wedad M Nageeb
Research Date
Research Journal
Biomedicines
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
Q1
Research Vol
11
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/10/2860
Research Year
2023

COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis among ICU patients: risk factors, control, and challenges

Research Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is still difficult to be controlled. The spread of this virus and the emergence of new variants are considered a great challenge worldwide. Disturbance in infection control guidelines implementation, use of steroids, antibiotics, hospital crowdedness, and repeated use of oxygen masks during the management of critically ill COVID-19 patients lead to an increase in the rate of opportunistic infections. So, patients need to fight both the virus with its different variants and opportunistic pathogens including bacteria and fungi especially patients with diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or those who undergo hemodialysis and receive deferoxamine. During the pandemic, many cases of Mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 infection were observed in many countries. In this review, we discuss risk factors that increase the chance of infection by opportunistic pathogens, especially fungal pathogens, recent challenges, and control measures.

Research Authors
Rehab Mahmoud Abd El-Baky, Esraa R Shady, Ramadan Yahia, Fatma Y Ahmed, Mohamed Ramadan, Hala Rady Ahmed, Israa MS Al-Kadmy, Yasmin N Ramadan, Helal F Hetta
Research Date
Research Journal
AMB Express
Research Member
Research Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Research Rank
Q1
Research Vol
13
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13568-023-01599-8
Research Year
2023

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infections

Research Abstract

An emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast called Candida auris has a high potential to spread quickly among hospitalized patients and immunodeficient patients causing nosocomial outbreaks. It has the potential to cause pandemic outbreaks in about 45 nations with high mortality rates. Additionally, the fungus has become resistant to decontamination techniques and can survive for weeks in a hospital environment. Nanoparticles might be a good substitute to treat illnesses brought on by this newly discovered pathogen. Nanoparticles have become a trend and hot topic in recent years to combat this fatal fungus. This review gives a general insight into the epidemiology of C. auris and infection. It discusses the current conventional therapy and mechanism of resistance development. Furthermore, it focuses on nanoparticles, their different types, and up-to-date trials to evaluate the promising efficacy of nanoparticles with respect to C. auris.

Research Authors
Helal F Hetta, Yasmin N Ramadan, Israa MS Al-Kadmy, Noura H Abd Ellah, Lama Shbibe, Basem Battah
Research Date
Research Journal
Pathogen
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
Q1
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/8/1033
Research Year
2023
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