Abstract: Introduction: Doxorubicin (Dox.) is a very effective antineoplastic agent for treating various tumours. It produces an anti-cancer mechanism through the intercalation of DNA and reducing topoisomerase II enzyme activity in fast-proliferating cancers. However, Dox. is associated with limited-use adverse effects specifically accumulative and dose-dependent heart toxicity which is the underlying cause for increasing the risk of mortality in cancer patients that use this kind of anticancer. Results: Many related mechanisms have been suggested for Dox.-induced cardiac toxicity such as oxidative stress and deteriorated mitochondrial function, a disturbance in iron regulatory protein [(IRP)-1], the release of nitric oxide, autophagy and dysregulation of Ca2+ level. Unfortunately, there is no clinically approved protective agent against Dox.-induced cardiotoxicity has been discovered yet. Aim: The current review attempts to focus on collecting information related to the mechanism of stimulating heart disease resulting from the use of Dox. and trying to understand it at the molecular level and addressing the most important compounds, especially the natural ones, and their proposed mechanism of action against Dox.-induced heart toxicity. Conclusion: Dox. still one of the most effective anticancer medications. Due to its undesirable cardiotoxicity and the lack of effective preventative methods, Dox. uses could increase the risk of death and restrict its potential clinical applications. Many mechanisms have been implicated in Dox.-induced cardiac toxicity. Therefore, targeting this alteration using bee propolis has shown strong protective effects against the cardiotoxicity of Dox. and the decrease the death rate among patients suffering from cancer.

Abstract: Background: Sildenafil citrate (SC) is a selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor with low aqueous solubility (4.1 mg/mL in water), resulting in only 40% bioavailability after oral administration. SC is classified as class II by the Biopharmaceutical Drug Classification System. Hydrotropic agents are ionisable organic salts that provide a simple, safe and effective technique for enhancing the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. Method: Solubility study of SC was conducted in water (as a reference) and in various hydrotropic solutions separately (including sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, Urea and mannitol). The concentrations of the hydrotropic solutions were at 10, 20 and 30 % solution concentration, as well as in the solution of 30 % concentration of mixed hydrotropic agents at a 1:1 ratio. Results: The results show marked enhancement of SC solubility in solution of urea at different concentrations while the solubility was enhanced only in 30% solution of sodium benzoate and slightly enhanced in 30% mannitol solution and mannitol-urea solution. The solubility enhancement in urea shows a positive relationship with solution concentration. In addition, the SC solubility was reduced in the solution of sodium acetate at all concentrations and in the solution of sodium benzoate at concentrations of both 10 and 20 % as well as in all mixed hydrotropic solution containing these two agents. Conclusion: Urea shows promising data as a potential additive with SC to achieve higher solubility and bioavailability of the compound.The results show marked enhancement of SC solubility in solution of urea at different concentrations while the solubility was enhanced only in 30% solution of sodium benzoate and slightly enhanced in 30% mannitol solution and mannitol-urea solution. The solubility enhancement in urea shows a positive relationship with solution concentration.In addition, the SC was reduced in the solution of sodium acetate at all concentrations and in the solution of sodium benzoate at concentrations of both 10 and 20 % as well as in all mixed hydrotropic solution containing these two agents. In conclusion, urea shows promising data as a potential additive with SC to achieve higher solubility and bioavailability of the compound.

Abstract: AbstractBackground: Acute renal colic is a severe and sudden form of loin pain that usually radiates from the flank towards the groin. Acute renal colic is one of the common causes of emergency department admission worldwide. Nefopam has a unique analgesic effect, that differs pharmacologically from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, or paracetamol and has a potential role in multimodal analgesia. Furthermore, studies have found that nefopam has opioid-sparing effects postoperatively following urological surgery, making it a suitable option for urologists and emergency physicians. Aim: This review aims to survey the literature regarding the efficacy of nefopam in treating acute renal colic. Conclusion: This review revealed that the efficacy of nefopam in treating acute renal colic has not been established in any clinical trial, nor has it been included in any international guidelines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intravenous paracetamol are first-line agents in the management of acute renal colic.

Abstract: Background: Supported by evidence-based literature, hand hygiene (HH) is one of the cost-effective and simple preventive measures against COVID-19. The phenomenon is least reported in the developing world. Methods: We therefore were interested in assessing whether the COVID-19 had influenced knowledge and practice of HH and to highlight the determinants of HH among mothers of children under five years of age. This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional predictive analysis. Four hundred and seventeen mothers of children under five years of age visiting a public healthcare institute were targeted for data collection by using a pre-validated, structured questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Followed by the descriptive analysis, the binary logistic regression was used to find the predictors of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward HH. Although adequate insight into HH was reported, certain areas of misconceptions were also observed. Results: Educational level was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice items and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test revealed a moderate positive trend (τ = 0.3 – 0.5) toward higher education. The binary logistic regression model had eight independent variables and all predictors were statistically significant (χ2 = 18.5, p < 0.001, DF =4). The strongest predictor of knowledge, attitude, and practice was education with significant OR of 2.5, 1.6, and 1.5, respectively. The study managed to highlight good HH among mothers, however; certain limitations were observed. Such limitations are related to a lack of health literacy that needs to be addressed as early as possible. Adequate HH ensures exceptional preventive measures against COVID-19 that provides a surety of an ailment-free environment. Conclusion: We urge the healthcare professionals and policymakers to target improving health literacy of the masses and to disseminate HH-related information that will help in management of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Abstract: Background: The problem of drug side effects necessitates the design, synthesis, and development of novel therapeutic agents that possess high activity with minimal side effects. According to the structure-activity relationship, the dioxolane moiety is found in many natural therapeutic agents and plays an important role in their medical action. Synthetic dioxolane conjugates have been studied in a variety of biological fields, including cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, and have demonstrated a distinct potency that encourages further research in this mode. Aim: This review highlights the most recent studies on dioxolane ring conjugates in various biological fields as a promising bioactive heterocyclic scaffold. Conclusion: The hydrogen bonding of the oxygen atoms in this heterocyclic ring with the target site may be responsible for the enhanced ligand-target interactions and improved bioactivity.

Abstract: Background: Particularly developed ingredients that are easily manufactured and utilized for additional exploitation are used in organic synthetic chemistry. Thionyl chloride serves as a significant illustration of such an ingredient. The usefulness of which has been discussed in a huge number of peer-reviewed papers. Aim: The literature that has been released since the previous assessment in 1980, which mainly focused on the responses of active methylene compounds, is where this review places its focus. In the present overview, we also discuss O- and N-nucleophiles. For the most part, patents have been disregarded in this analysis in order to keep it feasible. Conclusion: The authors concluded that SOCl2 has a variety of behaviors, including the ability to function as an initiator or a reactant, which makes it essential for the synthesis of many chemically reactive intermediates and final products. Additionally, SOCl2 can speed up and reduce the duration of traditionally long reactions, thereby raising its importance.

Abstract: Background: Irrational use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance against uropathogens is a global catastrophe. Consequently, it is necessary to identify the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of uropathogens while managing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Also, recognizing the susceptibility pattern of the uropathogens is essential for empirical antibiotic therapy. The current study aims to establish the bacterial profile and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern isolated from UTI patients in the northern Balochistan part of Pakistan. Methods: The study was carried out between January 2022 and December 2022. Clean catch midstream urine samples were collected. The isolation and antibiotic susceptibility procedures were performed through standard guidelines for microbiological techniques. One thousand forty-eight samples were collected and produced positive bacterial culture. The SPSS v 26 was used for data coding and descriptive statistics were applied accordingly. Results: Four hundred and forty patients (72%) were between 28 -37 years old; males contribute to (61.3%) of all samples. Microbiological cultures were found in 1048 patients with Escherichia coli being the dominant pathogen (1018, 97.1%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (202, 19.3%). The susceptibility pattern of our study revealed that Cefixime, Norfloxacin, and Nalidixic acid were the antibiotics with the highest resistance rates in bacterial uropathogens, at 100%, 94.0% and 93.7%, respectively. Meropenem, Amikacin, Tazobactam, Fosfomycin and Vancomycin were antibiotics with sensitivity rates exceeding 90%. Conclusion: The bacterial isolates identified in the current study reported high resistance to Cefixime, Norfloxacin and Nalidixic acid (predominantly for Escherichia Coli). This leaves clinicians with very limited options of drugs for the treatment of UTIs. Increased resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics in UTIs warrants strict surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic use in the community. 

Abstract: Background: Coumarin-based derivatives (Cou-Ds) are one of the most important types of heterocycles, with a wide range of uses in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Cou-Ds have interested researchers due to their wide range of biomedical potential and application as valuable synthetic scaffolds, which have been instrumental in the creation of coumarin chemistry. Cou-Ds are a unique class of bioactive candidates with novel therapeutic attributes due to their bacteriostatic, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, antidepressant, and other pharmacological properties. In addition to their biomedical uses, the literature illustrates the uses of Cou-Ds from a material point of view, such as those in food additives, fragrances, beauty products, optical brighteners, and would disperse fluorescent and laser dyes. Numerous optical purposes using Cou-Ds have been thoroughly investigated. A wide range of natural sources and newly created Cou-Ds are being isolated or produced at a growing rate. The procedures of synthesis and therapeutic uses of Cou-Ds in the treatment of various illnesses were critically found in many published papers. Aim: The aim of this review article is to highlight the most up-to-date information about Cou-Ds and clarify the various natural sources, synthetic strategies, reactions, biological activity, and different pharmaceutical applications of Cou-Ds. Conclusion: From the collected and discussed reviewing information, the authors concluded that the Cou-Ds can open the drug development door for producing more potent, biosafe medicines.

Abstract: Background: The numerous additional valued substances present within plant biowaste products have a wide range of candidates regarding their recycling, promoting the idea of the circular economy. The bell pepper (BP, Capsicum annum L.) has high concentrations of various vitamins and minerals. Also, the biowastes of this plant, including the peels, seeds, and leaves, can represent valuable starting factors for creating medicinal chemicals as an alternative for increasing outcomes and waste in BP production and utilization in the food industrial fields. Aim: This article evaluates the necessary information about the chemical compositions of various colored BP fruits and their associated biomedical characteristics. The BP seeds, fruits, or leaves are rich in bioactive substances such as phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, α-tocopherol, and pectic polysaccharides. These bioactive molecules may have the ability to be utilized as nutritional substances and display antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, immune-suppressive, and immune-stimulant characteristics. Revalorization of food biowaste products appears in this way as a highly technological and unique field of study with beneficial effects on consumers, finance, and the health of the planet. Conclusion: To make sure that the use of these molecules is effective and to understand their principles of action, more study is required.

Abstract: Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder characterized by chronic high blood sugar levels due to impaired insulin secretion or action. Existing diabetic medications have limitations, including high costs and the risk of hypoglycemia. Aim: To overcome these challenges, researchers are exploring advanced treatments, and one potential path is studying plants and natural sources. Many plants include green tea (Camellia sinensis), rich in catechin derivatives, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have shown promising effect because this agent may enhance beta cell proliferation, so it can produce dramatic response in management of diabetes mellitus and it is expected to reduce complication of this disease. Thorough data searching from September 2021 to June 2023 was used to conduct this study. The key terms diabetes mellitus, herbal treatment of diabetes, DYRK1A inhibitor, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and beta cell proliferation were concomitantly searched in Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed in order to find relevant material. The publications that are presented here were published between 2014 and 2023. Conclusion: Collectively EGCG properties as a DYRK1A inhibitor may enhance β cell proliferation that is promising effects in diabetes mellitus treatment.