Nanoencapsulation of water-soluble drug, lamivudine, using a double emulsion spray-drying technique for improving HIV treatment

This research article published by Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2013Current treatments available for human immunodeficiency virus, namely antiretrovirals, do not completely eradicate the virus from the body, leading to life-time commitment. Many antiretrovirals suffer drawbacks from toxicity and unpleasant side effects, causing patience noncompliance. To minimize challenges associated with the antiretrovirals, biodegradable nanoparticles used as drug delivery systems hold tremendous potential to enhance patience compliance. The main objective of this work was to load lamivudine (LAM) into poly(epsiloncaprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles. LAM is a hydrophilic drug with low plasma half-life of 5–7 h and several unpleasant side effects. LAM was nanoencapsulated into PCL polymer via the double emulsion spray-drying method. Formulation parameters such as the effect of solvent, excipient and drug concentration were optimized for the synthesis of the nanoparticles. Spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 215 ± 3 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.227 ± 0.01 were obtained, when ethyl acetate and lactose were used in the preparation. However, dichloromethane presented sizes larger than 454 ± 11 nm with PDI of more than 0.4 ± 0.05, irrespective of whether lactose or trehalose was used in the preparation. Some of the nanoparticles prepared with trehalose resulted in crystal formation. UV spectroscopy showed encapsulation efficiency ranging from 68 ± 4 to 78 ± 4 % for LAM depending on the starting drug concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the possibility of preparing amorphous PCL nanoparticles containing LAM. Drug release extended for 4 days in pH 1.3, pH 4.5 and pH 6.8. These results indicated that LAM-loaded PCL nanoparticles show promise for controlled delivery

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of chloroform extracts of cucumis metuliferus and lippia kituiensis in mice and rats model

This research article was published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Volume 9, Issue 2, 2020Objective: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Cucumis metuliferus and Lippia kituiensis leaf chloroform extracts in mice and rats model. Methods: Acute oral toxicity study of chloroform extracts of L. kituiensis and C. metuliferus was carried out by administration of 300, 600, 1500, mg/kg body weight to mice in the respective groups. The LD50 of the C. metuliferus and L. kituiensis extracts was determined to be not greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight. Sub-acute toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of the extracts at daily doses of 150, 300 and 500mg/kg body weight in the respective groups of rats for 28 days, and a positive control consisting of 1% DMSO and 5 mL was given to each. Results: In acute toxicity, all treated groups revealed neither mortality nor significant alteration in behavior, body weight, and hematology parameters. However, the significance different was observed in organ weight at a dose of 600mg/kg and 1500mg/kg of the tested plant extract in both plants. In sub acute study the result revealed neither mortality nor significant alteration in behavior between treated and control. The significant different was observed in body weight in all doses in both plants and organ weight and haematological parameter in dose level 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg compared to control. Moreover the significant change was observed in biochemical parameters of both sexes in dose of 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of C. metuliferus and L. kituiensis extract. A significant histological change was observed in liver, kidney, lungs and spleen in all extract of C. metuliferus and L. kituiensis in a dose of 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: These plants can causes‟ severe toxicity to animals

Recent advances in thermochemical conversion of biomass into drop-in fuel:a review

This research article was published in the Journal of Scientific African Volume 17, September 2022The global evolutional changes towards the use of renewable energy sources for trans- portation purposes are on the increase in an attempt to mitigate the environmental haz- ard and the proposed depletion associated with fossil fuel resources. Pyrolysis and hy- drothermal processes of biomass conversion into renewable biofuels are resulted into the production of biocrude with high oxygen content due to the presence of large amount of oxygenates in biomass feedstocks. The presence of oxygen content in bio-oil causes cor- rosion, low heating value, instability and high viscosity in bio-oil. These challenges have necessitated the application of upgrading techniques such as catalytic hydrodeoxygenation process among others. The presence of several oxygenated compounds made the mech- anisms of bio-oil synthesis difficult and model bio-oil were reviewed to understand the effects of process parameters and catalysts on aromatic selectivity and conversion. The se- lectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons was affected by deactivation of catalysts’ active sites. Coke formation has been identified as one of the common and notorious causes of cata- lysts’ deactivation which is dependent on the nature of feedstock, conditions of operation and the nature of catalyst. Therefore, the need to develop, evaluate a structurally and ther- mally stable catalyst with high catalyst recovery and reusability are of importance in the quest to depict hydrodeoxygenation process as an excellent technique for bio-oil upgrad- ing

A computational study on the role of water and conformational fluctuations in Hsp90 in response to inhibitors

This research article published by Elsevier Inc.,2020Molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) represents an interesting chemotherapeutic target for cancer treatments as it plays a role in cancer proliferation. Thus, continued effort to identify novel inhibitors of this target is an important task. Drug design using computational approach has gained significant attention in recent years. This work aims to propose docking protocols to re-purpose FDA-approved drugs targeting Hsp90. Sensitivity of results to different docking protocols such apo, holo and receptor ensembles (relaxed complex) structures, the role of water and conformational changes of Hsp90, are described. We show that the protein conformation and water have effects on drug binding. Holo relaxed complex receptors ensembles improves the binding energy of ligands to the protein. We also compare and contrast structural stability of three drugs namely: ezetimibe, pitavastatin and vilazodon in the Hsp90 protein. The results obtained serves as a possible basis towards developing Hsp90 inhibitors

Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of orange peels into biocrude: An optimization approach by central composite design

This research article was published in the Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, Volume 173, August 2023.Global instability, persistent increase in pump-price, inflation and depletion of fossil fuel resources amidst the continuous discharge of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels combustion call for urgent attention. The application of novel catalyst towards an improved biocrude production and enhanced biomass conversion are required for effective performance of hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass feedstocks. In the present study, iron supported carbon nanospheres (Fe/CNSs) catalyst has been developed using wet impregnation approach and explored for its catalytic potency in improving yield of biocrude using an optimization approach; central composite design. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was adopted as a process route where the catalyst dosage (3–6 wt%) and the reaction temperature (330–430 °C) were optimized on the constant weight of orange feedstock (10 g), reaction time of (15 mins) and solvents’ ratio of 3:1 (acetone to ethanol). The performance of the catalyst was found to be aided with the even dispersion of the Fe on the surfaces of the CNSs support and improved surface area. The effects of reaction temperature were observed to be more progressive on biocrude yield formation over the catalyst loading. The optimum biocrude yield, solid residue, biomass conversion and gas yield were obtained to be 71.09 wt%, 28.18 wt%, 71.82 wt% and 40.14 mL/g at 430 °C and 3 wt% catalyst loading. The obtained analysis of variance suggests a good correlation between the experimental and predicted data in all responses. The selectivity of Fe/CNSs catalyst to high yield of phenolics and aromatic compounds in the biocrude suggest that, the biocrude can be further be upgraded into transportation fuel through hydrodeoxygenation process. The findings have further suggested the viability of the developed Fe/CNSs as an effective catalyst for improved HTL products in a batch reactor

Microalgae: An alternative natural source of bioavailable omega-3 DHA for promotion of mental health in East Africa

This research article published by Elsevier, 2019Mental health illness associated with poor nutrition is a serious public concern worldwide. The most at risk individuals are children and adolescents in the developing world. Deficiencies in omega-3 DHA fatty acids have long been recognized as a major contributing factor for mental health illnesses. Provision of products rich in omega-3 DHA could address this problem. But most commonly used products do not have preformed omega-3 DHA, making them less suitable for prevention of mental illnesses in resource-poor countries. The objective of this study was to provide a narration of the best alternative source of bioavailable omega-3 DHA for promotion of mental health in developing countries. This study identified microalgae as the best natural source of preformed omega-3 DHA over fish oil which has been reported to contain heavy metals, antibiotics and other contaminants that may pose a serious safety concerns to consumers. The study has further narrated future opportunities around microalgae in East Africa. One of the opportunities is development of a business model that could accelerate sustainable production and utilization of microalgae for improved nutrition and health in Eastern Africa

Development of a Natural Product Rich in Bioavailable Omega-3 DHA from Locally Available Ingredients for Prevention of Nutrition Related Mental Illnesses.

This research article published by Taylor & Francis Online, 2020Poor mental health remains a serious public concern worldwide. The most vulnerable individuals are children and adolescents in developing countries. Nutritional deficiency of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have long been recognized as a major contributing factor for mental health illnesses. Provision of ready-to-use natural product rich in preformed Omega-3 DHA and EPA could address this problem. However, most commonly used products are expensive and contain less or no preformed Omega-3 DHA and EPA, making them less suitable for prevention of mental illnesses in resource-poor countries. The main objective of this study was to develop a natural product rich in preformed Omega-3 DHA and EPA from locally available ingredients. Linear programing (LP) was used to formulate a natural product rich in preformed Omega-3 DHA and other essential nutrients using locally available ingredients other than fish and dairy products. Laboratory analysis was then performed to validate the nutritional value of the LP-formulation using standard analytical methods. The relative difference between the LP tool calculated values, and the laboratory-analyzed values were calculated. Sensory testing was also done to evaluate consumer acceptance of the final product. Optimal formulation contained about 220 mg of preformed Omega-3 DHA + EPA, enough to meet the RDI for children aged 2-10 years. The LP analysis further showed that the cost of the developed product is USD 0.15/100 g, which is 50% lower than that of Plumpy'nut. Laboratory analysis revealed similar results as that of LP at P = 0.05. These findings indicate that ready-to-use natural food rich in preformed DHA and EPA can be developed from locally available ingredients

Mobile application development framework to support farming as a business via benchmarking: the case of Tanzania

This research article published by the International Journal of Advanced Computer Research (IJACR), Volume-9 Issue-45 -2019Contributions from various researchers and scholars have made major advances relevant to a wide range of mobile applications at various scales. Although current agricultural and rural development (ARD) systems have features that are needed for farming as a business (FAAB). It is established that all of them have limitations in realising benchmarking as their basic principle. Common limitations across all systems, include 1) scarcity of data for modelling, evaluating, and applying benchmarking and 2) inadequate knowledge systems that effectively communicate benchmarking results to farmers. These two limitations are greater obstacles to developing useful mobile applications than gaps in conceptual theory or available methods for using “Farming as a Business via Benchmarking (FAABB)”. This paper presents reviews of the current state of mobile application development frameworks, focusing on their capabilities and limitations to support FAABB. The paper presents a new framework to support FAABB in the Tanzanian context, which is implemented through a FAABB cyber studio hosted at the Nelson Mandela –African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania. The framework promises to address not only the knowledge codification problem, but also the need for a cultural change among agricultural researchers to ensure that data for addressing the range of use-cases are available for future mobile application development. The FAABB framework has been tested in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) and its initial results provides a useful starting point for developing m-apps for addressing ARD challenges in developing countries

Review of Agricultural and Rural Development System Models and Frameworks to Support Farming as a Business via Benchmarking: The Case of Tanzania

This research article published by the International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems, 2019This paper presents a review of the current state of agricultural and rural development (ARD) system frameworks, focusing on their capabilities and limitations to support farming-as-a-business via benchmarking (FAABB). Presented and discussed include the state of system models in relation to five modelling views of the ARD systems, namely: (i) defining factors for agricultural echo systems, (ii) farm characterization and management practices, (iii) simulation systems for predictable farm data, (iv) limiting factors for agricultural optimization, and (v) performance estimation through benchmarking. Also, the paper proposes a new framework to support FAABB in Tanzania that is being tested through various use-cases in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) with a FAABB Cyber Studio hosted at the Nelson Mandela – African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) also in Tanzania. The FAABB setup at NM-AIST promises to address not only the agricultural knowledge codification problem, but also the need for cultural change among agricultural researchers to ensure that data for addressing a range of use-cases is available for future mobile application development. The proposed FAABB framework provides a useful starting point for addressing limitations of existing frameworks and considering a ubiquitous m-app development framework for targeted ARD research in developing countries

Inorganic Nanocarriers: Surface Functionalization, Delivery Utility for Natural Therapeutics - A Review

This research article was published by Scientific.Net, 2022Inorganic nanocarriers for a decade have increased interest in nanotechnology research platform as versatile drug delivery materials. The utility of the inorganic nanocarriers for delivery of therapeutic agents is attributed to their unique properties such as magnetic, photocatalytic nature and the ability to exhibit surface functionalization. Herein, we review the surface functionalization and delivery utility for natural therapeutics exhibited by inorganic nanocarriers mostly focusing on their magnetic, photocatalytic and the plasmonic properties. The review also highlights the influence of electronic property of inorganic surface on functionalization of ligand based natural therapeutic agents. Improvement of stability and therapeutic potential by formation of nanocomposites are detailed. Furthermore, we suggest improvement strategies for stability and toxicity reduction of inorganic nanoparticles that would potentially make them useful for clinical application as therapeutic delivery tools for treatment of various diseases