Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 24, Issue 16, 2018

Nowadays, treatment with specific antivenins is considered the only cure for snakebites accidents. However, access to antivenom obstructs the successful implementation of the World Health Organization international guidelines. In the last few years, natural organic compounds, peptides, and proteins with the ability to inhibit snake toxins and obtained from different sources such as plant extracts and animal blood have be Read More

Background: Candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic fungal infections caused by genus Candida. The genus is composed of around 200 species. The most virulent among all are, Candida albicans followed by various nonalbicans species. Despite various treatments available, the incidence of severe systemic fungal infections is increasing, and with it the related morbidity and mortality, in relation to the misuse of a Read More

Background: Infection, tissue damage and aging can cause inflammation with high levels of inflammatory cytokines. Overproduction of inflammatory cytokines often leads to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis, and septic shock. However, prominent therapeutic targets have not been found, although the incidence of sepsis is likely to increase annually. Our recent studies indicate that s Read More

Otilonium bromide (OB) is a drug with spasmolytic activity belonging to quaternary ammonium derivatives and extensively used to treat patients affected by the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Thanks to its peculiar pharmacokinetic, OB concentrates in the large bowel wall and acts locally. From the pharmacodynamics point of view, OB is able to inhibit i) the main patterns of human colonic motility in vitro; ii) the contractility Read More

Background and Aims: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is closely related to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, especially Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, published works about the circulating MMP-9 levels in SLE are contradictory. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate circulating MMP- 9 levels in SLE patients more accurately and explore its related influencing factors. Methods: The related lit Read More

Background: Cancer poses a major public health issue, is linked with high mortality rates across the world, and shows a strong interplay between genetic and environmental factors. To date, common therapeutics, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, have made significant contributions to cancer treatment, although diverse obstacles for achieving the permanent “magic bullet” cure have remaine Read More

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases are common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in people aged over 60 years. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density, which deteriorates the microarchitecture of bones and increases the risk of bone fractures. Other pathologies also constitute risk factors for the development of osteoporosis, mainly cardiovascular diseases. In fact, a g Read More

Background: In the present investigation, a factorial design approach attempt was applied to develop the Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) of Glibenclamide (GLB) a poorly water-soluble drug (BCS -II) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Objectives: Prime objectives of this experiment are to optimize the SLN formulation of Glibenclamide and improve the therapeutic effectiveness of the developed formulation. Methods: Read More

Curcumin, as the main ingredient of the curcuma spice, has increasingly become the target of scientific research. The turmeric root where the spice is obtained from has been widely used in the traditional medicine. Moreover, scientific studies have found that curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic effects as well as antibacterial properties. Recently, curcumin has gathered interest as a pot Read More