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Discussion of the Thesis Submitted by Pharmacist / Reem Yassien Abd El-Kareem, Teaching Assistant at the Department of Pharmaceutics, and registered for the Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmaceutics), will be held on Sunday, February 1, 20

A network pharmacology-based potential of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in the fight against scabies

Research Abstract

Scabies is a contagious parasitic skin infection caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites, which is classified by WHO as a neglected tropical disease. The current study aims at shedding light on the scabicidal potential of some bioactive Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. All collected compounds were filtered based on ADME analysis, to yield 74 compounds for further in silico screening analysis. Network pharmacology predicted the anti-scabies and antipruritic potential of these alkaloids, via identification of key protein targets associated with scabies. This was achieved by analyzing data from bioinformatics databases. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Gene ontology analysis was performed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was also conducted. The investigations highlighted the genes crucial for immune response as CDC42BPA, PAK4, PAK6, PIK3CB, skin integrity as CTNND1), detoxification as EPHX1, GSTZ1 and cytoskeletal dynamics as IQGAP2, BAIAP2, and RTN). The docking results against the Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme showed that most of the molecules attained moderate to strong docking scores with a special focus on cliviamartine and cripowellin B (S = −6.79 and −6.26 kcal/mol, respectively); compared to the co-crystallized ligand (S = −6.01 kcal/mol). The current work suggests that Amaryllidaceae alkaloids hold great potential as future candidates and offer novel therapeutic strategies for treating scabies.

Research Authors
Soad A.L. Bayoumi, Salwa F. Farag, Shaymaa M. Mohamed, Hisham A. Abou-Zied, Eman Maher Zahran, Yaser Abdelhady Mostafa, Gerhard Bringmann, Usama Ramadan AbdelMohsen
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Egyptian Journal of Chemistry
Research Year
2025

Unlocking anti-scabies potential of amaryllidaceae alkaloids through integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation

Research Abstract

Human scabies, a highly contagious parasitic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis mites, spreads rapidly through interpersonal contact. This study employed an integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approach to identify shared therapeutic targets of seven structurally diverse Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (1–7) and evaluate their anti-scabies potential. A scabies-associated protein network was constructed, revealing interleukin-6 as the highest-degree node and a pivotal therapeutic target, alongside caspase-3. Sub sequent molecular docking analyses assessed the binding affinities and interaction stability of two promising alkaloids, narcissidine methyl ether (2) and crinine (3), with IL-6 and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Narcis sidine methyl ether demonstrated the strongest binding affinity to IL-6 (ΔG =–4.618 kcal/mol), while both compounds exhibited notable interactions with GST (ΔG =–5.917 and 4.885 kcal/mol, respectively). Computational screening confirmed their adherence to Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, indicating favorable drug likeness properties. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed significant acaricidal activity, with narcissidine methyl ether showing potent scabicidal effects. Histopathological evaluation of treated rabbit models demon strated marked improvement in ear auricle skin architecture three weeks post-treatment, supporting the thera peutic efficacy of both compounds. These findings highlight narcissidine methyl ether and crinine as promising anti-scabietic drugs, offering a foundation for future preclinical studies.

Research Authors
Shaymaa M. Mohamed, Soad A.L. Bayoumi, Salwa F. Farag, Mahmoud A. Ramadan, Sara A.A. Mohamed, Asmaa A.E. Nasr, Islam M. Abdel-Rahman, Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
South African Journal of Botany
Research Pages
241-252
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Rank
Q2
Research Vol
190
Research Website
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1mWiIvvMcITSI
Research Year
2026

Terbium-enhanced poly(Pyrosin) sensor for the concurrent electroanalysis of L-Dopa, Carbidopa, and Istradefylline in human plasma

Research Abstract

The present work rationalizes the construction of a cutting-edge electrochemical sensor and its utilization in establishing the unique square wave voltammetric (SWV) procedure for the concurrent analysis of a ternary mixture of anti-Parkinson drugs (L-dopa (LVD), Carbidopa (CRD), and Istradefylline (ISF)) in bulk forms and plasma specimens. The sensor, denoted as TbNPs@poly-PRS/PGE, was designed which based on terbium nanoparticles (TbNPs) decorated Pyrosin (PRS) stain polymer platform on the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The improved electrochemical efficiency and morphological features of the sensor was assured through various investigations including cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and theoretical computational modelling. This sensor was devoted to electrooxidization and simultaneous quantitation of LVD-CRD-ISF …

Research Authors
Noha M. Hosny, Antonio Frontera, Wesam M. El-Koussi
Research Date
Research Journal
Microchemical Journal
Research Member
Research Pages
117107
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Vol
Volume 222
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2026.117107
Research Year
2026

Further insights into the multitarget anticancer activity of tetrahydrocarbazole-1-amine/5-arylidene-4-thiazolinone based hybrids

Research Abstract

Based on a previous study from our group, fifteen new tetrahydrocarbazoles (THC) incorporating 5-arylidene-4-thiazolinone scaffolds at one position were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, elemental and X-ray crystallographic techniques. The new hybrids were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against a panel of eight human cancer cell lines utilizing Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay with doxorubicin as a reference. Among all synthesized THC based hybrids, compounds 11c and 12c revealed the highest potency and selectivity against Jurkat (IC50 1.44 ± 0.09 μM), U937 (IC50 1.77 ± 0.08 μM) and HCT-116 (IC50 6.75 ± 0.08 μM) cell lines, while against normal cell line HME1 (IC50 > 50 μM). To validate the multitarget approach, topoisomerases, tubulin and EGFR inhibition assays were performed. Results indicate that compound 11c inhibited Topo Iα (IC50 52.12 μM), Topo IIα …

Research Authors
Basma S Ali, Anber F Mohammed, Varsha Menon, Wafaa S Ramadan, Claire Simons, Benson M Kariuki, Raafat El-Awady, Hajjaj HM Abdu-Allah
Research Date
Research Journal
Bioorganic Chemistry
Research Pages
108853
Research Publisher
Academic Press
Research Vol
Volume 164
Research Website
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?oi=bibs&cluster=4097059526471361089&btnI=1&hl=ar
Research Year
2025

Structure-based design of benzofuran library as P. aeruginosa Quorum sensing inhibitors: Synthesis, biological evaluation and Molecular docking study.

Research Abstract

Two series of benzofuran-based thiosemicarbazides 7, 8(a-l) are evaluated as P. aeruginosa quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs). The studied compounds resulted in reduction of violacein production of C. violaceum, at ¼ MIC, up to 26.04 – 67.36%, relative to the reference drug azithromycin (54%). In vitro evaluation of QS and antivirulence activities, at the same concentration, against P. aeruginosa, showed promising inhibitory effect of biofilms formation, bacterial motility and virulence factors production (pyocyanin, and rhamnolipids). Compounds 7a, 7d, and 7k inhibit biofilm formation up to 57.31%, 67.54%, 78.38%, respectively, in addition to > 50% inhibition of hemolysin production. On the other hand, compounds 8a, 8d, 8f and 8k of the bromobenzofuran series showed, 55.66%, 50.67%, 73.34%, 79.93%, reduction in biofilm formation, respectively. Compounds 8d and 8f exhibit > 50% reduction of hemolysin

Research Authors
Shaimaa I. Nazeih Noha G. Mohamed, Wesam S. Qayed, Mahmoud M. Sheha, Farghaly A. Omar, Wael AH. Hegazy
Research Date
Research Journal
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Research Year
2025

Visit of the Follow-up Team Members from the University Quality Assurance Center to the Faculty

تUnder the patronage of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Manshawy, President of the University, and Prof. Dr. Gihan Nabil Hassan Fetih, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Pharmacy received on Monday, January 19, 2026, the esteemed members of the follow-up team from the University Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center, during a field visit to the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit at the Faculty.

The follow-up team included Prof. Dr. Abdel Tawab Abdallah Abdel Tawab and Dr. Amal Abdel Azim Mohamed. The team examined and documented the extent of the Faculty’s practices aimed at improving the educational process and fulfilling the requirements of institutional and program accreditation.

The team was received by Prof. Dr. Hassan Refat Hassan Ali, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Dr. Dina Fathallah Mohamed, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research; Prof. Dr. Noha Nahedj Atia Mohamed, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Dr. Jelan Abd Elrazik Abd Elalim, Director of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit; Dr. Marwa Ahmed Sayed, Deputy Director of the Quality Assurance Unit; and Prof. Dr. Yaser Ghallab Gouda Hussein, Coordinator of the Clinical Pharmacy Program.

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