Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics (JDDT)
Not a member yet
4948 research outputs found
Sort by
Design, Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Ketoconazole Microsponges by Quasi-Emulsion Solvent Diffusion Method
Get PDFKetoconazole-loaded micro sponges were successfully formulated employing the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique, aiming to optimize drug entrapment efficiency and enhance sustain release of the drug. Ethyl cellulose served as the release-retarding polymer, while polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) functioned as the emulsifying agent. Formulations were prepared in varying ratios of drug: PVA: ethyl cellulose to assess the impact of composition on micro sponge properties. The effect of variables including the drug: polymer ratio, emulsifier (PVA) concentration in organic solvent (dichloro methane) was examined. FTIR studies confirmed that there was no significant changes in the characteristic peaks suggesting the absence of interactions between the ketoconazole and the polymer. The encapsulation efficiency for selected (F4) formulation was found to be 94.78%. SEM analysis determined the surface morphology of microsponges and particle size of the microsponges were within the limits. The maximum in-vitro percentage drug release for F4 formulation was found to be 92.87% over 12h. These results indicate that ketoconazole-loaded microsponges, formulated with ethyl cellulose and PVA, are a promising system for sustained antifungal drug delivery.
Keywords: Ethyl cellulose, poly vinyl alcohol, FTIR, SEM, micro sponges, drug release studies
The Comprehensive Review of the Preventive facet of Fatty Liver Disease under the Paradigm of Unani Medicine
Get PDFThe liver, recognized as the largest and most vital organ, plays a central role in maintaining the body’s Hararat-e-Ghariziya (innate heat) according to the Unani system of medicine, which has a rich tradition in diagnosing and treating liver disorders. Fatty Liver Disease (FLD), or hepatic steatosis, is a reversible condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of triglycerides within liver cells, resulting from various causes such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms of FLD share similar histopathological features, including micro- and macrovesicular fatty changes, making clinical distinction challenging. Unani medicine attributes such liver imbalances to a disruption in the body’s natural temperament and heat regulation, emphasizing prevention through lifestyle modifications, dietary management, and the use of hepatoprotective herbs. This review provides an integrative perspective on FLD, combining modern medical understanding with classical Unani principles to highlight effective preventive and therapeutic strategies rooted in traditional medicine.
Keywords: Fatty Liver Disease, Hararat-e-Ghariziya, Unani Medicine, Insulin Resistance, Hepatic Steatosis, Preventive Car
Current Trends and Challenges in Clinical Trials for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review
Get PDFBackground: Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD) is a major contributor to severe vision impairment among older adults. Although anti-VEGF therapies are available, the condition continues to pose a considerable public health issue because of challenges related to effectiveness, recurrence, and the burden of treatment.
Objectives: This review seeks to examine the latest trends, recent developments, and ongoing challenges in clinical trials for wAMD. Additionally, it assesses the impact of innovative therapeutic approaches and regulatory obstacles on the results of clinical trials.
Methodology: An extensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Relevant clinical trials, systematic reviews, and regulatory guidelines from the last decade were analyzed to assess emerging trends, key barriers, and future directions in wAMD clinical research.
Results: The analysis revealed a trend towards personalized medicine, gene and cell therapies, and continuous drug delivery systems in wAMD clinical trials. Nevertheless, significant obstacles remain, such as difficulties in patient recruitment, elevated trial expenses, absence of predictive biomarkers, and the intricacies involved in assessing long-term efficacy. Additionally, variations in regulations and ethical issues hinder the seamless advancement of trials.
Conclusion: Despite advancements in clinical research for wAMD through innovative therapies and enhanced designs, it is vital to address current challenges to effectively translate promising treatments into successful real-world applications. Cooperative initiatives among researchers, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and the industry are critical for refining trial frameworks and improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: Clinical trials; management; degeneration; treatment; current status; macula
Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfamethoxazole Derivatives
Get PDFSulfamethoxazole (SMX) belongs to the sulfonamide group of antibiotics. It was chosen to represent this group because it is widely used and detected in aquatic environments. The thiazolidine ring has been incorporated into many well-known biologically active compounds, either as an additional component or by replacing another ring, prompting researchers to develop several compounds with this structure. Furthermore, the chemistry of chalcones has produced serious scientific readings throughout the world. Chiefly, interest has been concentrated on the creation and biodynamic actions of chalcones so that a diversity of novel heterocycles with favorable pharmaceutical shape can be designed. Synthetic procedures have been successfully developed for the generation of the target compounds. Six different aromatic para-benzaldehydes (H, OH, OCH3, NO2, Cl, & N(CH3)2) were used, following a multi-step reaction procedure. The purity of the products was checked by using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The chemical structure of the intermediate and final compounds was identified and verified by checking their melting points, using FT-IR spectroscopy, performing elemental microanalysis (CHNS), and analyzing the final compounds with 1H NMR. A preliminary study of antimicrobial activity was conducted on three different strains of bacteria, revealing that the final compounds M3(a-f) exhibit significant activity compared to the standard drug sulfamethoxazole, with moderate to favorable activity.
Keywords: Sulfamethoxazole, Synthesis, Sulfamethoxazole Derivative, Antibiotic
Nutraceutical: A Promising Era for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with nearly 18–20 million deaths annually. Conventional pharmacological and surgical therapies have improved survival but are often associated with side effects, high costs, and limited long-term efficacy. Nutraceuticals—bioactive compounds derived from dietary sources such as omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, polyphenols, vitamins, probiotics, and herbal bioactives—have emerged as promising adjuncts for the prevention and management of CVD. These agents exert cardioprotective effects through diverse mechanisms, including lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and endothelial-protective pathways. Clinical trials such as GISSI-Prevenzione, REDUCE-IT, PREDIMED, and Q-SYMBIO provide strong evidence supporting the efficacy of specific nutraceuticals, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols, Coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols, in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving outcomes in patients with heart disease. Furthermore, plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains—naturally enriched with nutraceuticals—demonstrate significant protective benefits against CVD progression. However, challenges remain regarding variability in supplement quality, bioavailability, and the need for standardized dosing. Future directions include integration of nutraceuticals into precision nutrition, exploration of gut microbiota interactions, and development of novel delivery systems to enhance clinical effectiveness. Overall, nutraceuticals represent a cost-effective, multi-targeted, and accessible strategy that complements conventional therapies, offering a promising era in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Nutraceuticals; Cardiovascular disease; Omega-3 fatty acids; Polyphenols; Probiotics; Functional foods; Antioxidants; Precision nutrition
Hormonal and Histological Changes in the Ovaries of Wistar Rats Treated with Oxycodone Hydrochloride
No full textIntroduction: Oxycodone hydrochloride can affect the nervous system, as well as other systems such as the endocrine and reproductive systems. Exposure to oxycodone hydrochloride is not without adverse effects. These adverse effects can lead to infertility. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of oxycodone hydrochloride on reproductive functions in adult female Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Fifteen adult female Wistar rats, weighing between 100 and 300 g, were used. Treatment was administered orally for thirty days. Three batches, each containing five adult female Wistar rats, were formed and treated as follows: (1) a control batch given distilled water at 10 ml/kg; (2) and (3) batches treated with oxycodone hydrochloride at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg respectively. The variables studied included physiological measurements, hormone assays and histological analysis of the ovaries. Results: Exposure of adult female Wistar rats to oxycodone hydrochloride at doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg induced severe morphological alterations such as palpable adnexal masses plus a significant (p<0.05) increase in ovarian weight. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in FSH, LH and progesterone was also observed. Microscopic alterations such as cortical granuloma nodules were observed. Conclusion: Prolonged administration of oxycodone hydrochloride led to a significant increase in ovarian weight, associated with severe morphological alterations, hormone depletion and the appearance of microscopic ovarian alterations. All these disturbances are potentially linked to infertility.
Keywords: oxycodone hydrochloride, infertility, hormone, ovary, histology, rat
Unani Regimenal Approaches for Pain, Function and Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Rapid Scoping Review of Current Evidence
No full textBackground: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder that leads to chronic pain and disability. Conventional therapies provide only limited long-term relief and are often associated with adverse effects and high cost. In Unani medicine, KOA is closely related to Wajaʹ al-Rukba, categorized under joint disorders, and managed through various regimenal therapies.
Objective: This scoping review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Unani regimenal therapies in the management of KOA.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and other relevant databases for studies published between January 2009 and March 2024. Keywords included “Knee osteoarthritis, Wajaʹ al-Rukba, Unani medicine, Greco-Arab medicine.” Eligible studies consisted of clinical trials, observational studies, and case studies assessing outcomes such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).
Results: A total of relevant Unani regimenal therapies were identified, including Hijama (cupping), Dalk (massage), Tadhīn (oiling), Takmīd (fomentation), Ḍimād (poultice), Irsaal-e-‘Alaq (leech therapy), and Qai (emesis). Across multiple studies, these therapies demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain reduction and functional outcomes (p<0.001 in several trials). Notably, no major adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion: Existing evidence suggests that Unani regimenal therapies are effective and safe in improving pain and function among KOA patients. However, most studies to date are small-scale, single-center, and methodologically heterogeneous. Larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and establish Unani therapies as cost-effective, complementary options in KOA management.
Keywords: Wajaʹ al-Rukba, Unani medicine, Cupping, Massage, Fomentation, Traditional medicin
Dietary Modulation of the Gut Microbiome: A Promising Approach for Management of Diabetes
No full textThe gut microbiome has emerged as a critical regulator of host metabolism, immune function, and energy homeostasis, offering novel opportunities for the prevention and management of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Dietary modulation represents a promising, non-pharmacological strategy to reshape gut microbial composition and functionality, thereby improving glycemic control and metabolic outcomes. Diets rich in fiber, polyphenols, fermented foods, and prebiotic compounds have been shown to enhance the abundance of beneficial bacteria species such as Bifidobacterium promote short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and reduce systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Conversely, high-fat and high-sugar Western-style diets are associated with dysbiosis, impaired gut barrier integrity, and metabolic endotoxemia, which exacerbate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Emerging evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicates that targeted dietary interventions, including the Mediterranean diet, plant-based diets, and functional food supplementation, can modulate gut microbiota diversity and metabolic pathways, supporting their therapeutic potential in diabetes management. This review highlights current knowledge on relationship between gut microbiome and diabetes, and offers new insights into potential preventive or therapeutic approaches that uses dietary modulation of the gut microbiome as a safe and effective adjunct to the clinical management of diabetes.
Keywords: Diabetes, Diet, Gut, Microbiome, Modulatio
Molecular Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Pharmacological Targets and Therapeutic Advances
No full textOne of the main characteristics of severe neurodegenerative disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson\u27s disease (PD), Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD), and Huntington\u27s disease (HD) is mitochondrial dysfunction. These disorders cause progressive neuronal degeneration due to abnormalities in mitochondrial energy metabolism, redox regulation, calcium homeostasis, and quality control pathways. Mechanistically, the key pathogenic causes are altered electron transport chain activity, dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion), impaired mitophagy, and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, mutations in proteins such as PINK1, Parkin, SOD1, TDP-43, and huntingtin worsen mitochondrial instability and interfere with mitochondrial-nucleus communication.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial dysfunction from a mechanistic perspective, highlighting disease-specific pathways and molecular targets. We evaluate current and emerging pharmacological strategies, including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, biogenesis activators, calcium modulators, and mitophagy enhancers. In addition, we discuss drug delivery innovations, such as mitochondrial-penetrating peptides and nanoparticle systems, as well as the clinical progress and limitations of mitochondrial therapies.By integrating insights from molecular biology, pharmacology, and translational neuroscience, this review outlines the therapeutic potential of targeting mitochondria and offers perspectives on future drug discovery aimed at mitigating neurodegeneration through mitochondrial repair and protection.
Keywords: Mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, PINK1, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, SIRT
Semaglutide: A Comprehensive Review of its Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, and Future Therapeutic Potential
No full textSemaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) that works for an extended period of time and has revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. By mimicking the endogenous incretin hormone GLP-1, semaglutide has a variety of physiological effects that help to improve metabolic control. It increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion while also reducing inappropriate appetite. Glucagon release, delayed gastric emptying, and increased satiety combine to produce better glycemic management and considerable weight reduction. Semaglutide differs from prior GLP-1 analogs in a crucial way: it comes in both subcutaneous injectable and oral tablet formulations, giving patients more options and ease. for patients, increasing adherence and long-term treatment outcomes.
Semaglutide has a long half-life of about a week, which makes it possible to administer the injectable form once a week. Its oral composition makes use of absorption-enhancing technology, which, despite the molecule\u27s peptide composition, aids in gastrointestinal absorption. Its greater effectiveness in lowering glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), decreasing body weight, and lowering the risk has been demonstrated by clinical trials, such as the SUSTAIN and PIONEER programs. of significant negative cardiovascular events when compared with conventional treatments. Mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea and vomiting, is a common side effect, and it typically subsides with time.
Beyond diabetes and obesity, emerging evidence suggests semaglutide’s potential in addressing metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, cardiovascular prevention, and neuroprotective applications. As research advances, semaglutide continues to exemplify the integration of peptide pharmacology and innovative drug delivery, marking a milestone in personalized management of metabolic disorders.
Keywords: Semaglutide, GLP-1 receptor agonist, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, SNAC [sodium N–(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl] amino)caprylate] , STEP program