35 research outputs found
FUSION CONCEPT BETWEEN CONTEMPORARY MEDICINE AND NATURAL PRODUCTS: A NEW PARADIGM IN THE DESIGN OF SAFER MEDICINE
Drug-drug combinations in a single dosage form have become a routine approach to get synergistic effect and improved compliance. However, such combinations usually do not reduce overall side-effects or adverse effects. Here, we attempted fusion between contemporary and natural products aiming to see synergistic effects and reduction in the toxicity. Drug of choice was gentamicin whereas the natural product was Nigella sativa oil formulated into microspheres dosage form. Promising results were demonstrated from the in vitro and in vivo testing suggesting potential application in clinical setting
Effect of surfactants on plasmid DNA stability and release from Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of surfactants on plasmid DNA during preparation and release from
polylactic glycolide (PLGA) microspheres.
Methods: Various surfactants, both ionic and non-ionic (Span, Tween, Triton X100,
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulphate), were added during the microsphere
preparation and their effect was evaluated. Supercoil index (SCI) was introduced as a harmonised value
derived from encapsulation efficiency and supercoil preservation efficiency in order to evaluate the
impact of different surfactants on pDNA encapsulation.
Results: Polyvinyl alcohol and Span revealed low SCI whereas Tween increased the SCI in a fraction-
dependent manner. The Tween blend of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 16 and Triton X-100
(HLB = 13.5) showed the highest SCI. Span revealed high burst release of pDNA whereas Triton X-100
exhibited low burst release. Following the burst release, diffusion mechanism was found to predominate
in DNA release.
Conclusion: The microspheres were non-toxic to the neuro-2a cells which suggest they can be
potentially used in the gene therapy of neuronal diseases
Ascorbic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles gel intended to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma
The conventional chemotherapy approach is associated with several drawbacks specifically detrimental adverse effects to the patient and occurrence of chemoresistance towards commonly used chemotherapy which further leads to treatment failure, disease recurrence and metastasis. The main objective of this study was to develop and characterise alternative potential anticancer ascorbic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles gel for oral mucosa application for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Ascorbic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method followed by incorporation in different concentration of mucoadhesive Carbopol gel bases. The nanoparticles formulation were characterised for various physicochemical properties such as particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug-polymer interaction, nanoparticles morphology and in vitro drug release profile. Ascorbic acid nanoparticle loaded mucoadhesive gel were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, viscosity, flow behaviour, spreadability, mucoadhesion and in vitro release study. The particle size of the optimised nanoparticles was found to be 252 ยฑ 2.98 nm, polydispersity index of 0.151 ยฑ 0.02, zeta potential of -20.93 ยฑ 0.87 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 69.73 ยฑ 1.07%. Scanning electron microscope images revealed the spherical shape of nanoparticles. The drug release behaviour exhibited a biphasic pattern namely initial burst release followed by controlled release subsequently. The FT-IR result confirmed the absence of drug-polymer interaction. The optimised nanoparticle-in-gel formulation showed a good physical appearance, pH value, spreadability, viscosity and mucoadhesion. The flow behaviour of the optimised nanoparticle-in-gel formulation exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour. The cumulative amount of ascorbic acid released at 6 hours was 42.9 ยฑ 4.3% with zero-order release kinetics. In conclusion, ascorbic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticle-in-mucoadhesive gel was successfully prepared and the study proved the potentiality and suitability of the formulation to be topically applied to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma
Ascorbic acid-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles incorporated into a polyacrylic acid gel as a promising tool for site-specific oral cancer therapy
Background: Chemotherapy is commonly used in oral cancer therapy, especially as the disease advances. However, it is associated with terrible adverse effects and the occurrence of chemoresistance which causes treatment failure. Thus, discovering a new potential anticancer agent and developing a safe, effective and non-invasive drug delivery are necessary. Objective: The objective of the current study is to develop ascorbic acid-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (AA-PLGA) nanoparticles incorporated into polyacrylic acid gel intended to treat oral cancer. Materials and methods: Double emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to
fabricate AA-PLGA nanoparticles. Optimisation was carried out in the primary emulsion based on multilevel factorial design by testing at varying surfactant types and concentrations. The optimised nanoparticles formulation was further incorporated into different concentrations of polyacrylic acid gel, and compared with a mucoadhesive polyacrylic acid-based commercial product (Kin Care) as a reference. The optimised AA-PLGA nanoparticles were subjected to cytotoxic assay against the SCC-25 cell line. Results: For the optimised formulation, we observed particle size of 252 ยฑ 2.98 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.151 ยฑ 0.02, zeta potential of -20.93 ยฑ 0.87 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 69.73 ยฑ 1.07%. Polyacrylic acid polymer with a strength of 1% was chosen as the optimum gelling agent for AA-PLGA nanoparticles-in-gel formulation. Cytotoxicity study of the optimised nanoparticle demonstrated significant (p-value < 0.05) reduction of cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 2.42 mg/mL. Conclusion: The results of the present study support the feasibility of AA-PLGA nanoparticles-in-gel formulation for oral cancer therapy
Method development and validation using UV spectrophotometry for Nigella sativa oil microparticles quantification
Nigella sativa oil (NSO) has been exploited for medical purposes for many generations. The fabrication of microparticles containing NSO intended for sustained release was done to be used in treating osteomyelitis. Method in quantifying NSO using UV-spectroscopy was developed and validated. Linearity shown a good correlation coefficient with the values higher than 0.995, both for actual and different analysts. The LOD and LOQ values were recorded to be 2.89 ฮผg/mL and 8.75 ฮผg/mL respectively. In addition, the highest %RSD values for the intermediate and repeatability studies were 0.970% and 0.445% which suggested the method was precise. The percentage recovery for 4 known concentrations gave the range between 98.16% to 99.39%, indicating the high accuracy of the method. The parameters analyzed in this study were in accordance with ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines
IIUM Entrepreneurship Educators Module 1.0
IUM Entrepreneurship Educators Module 1.0 is a precise and comprehensive module created and intended to guide and
accelerate the IIUM Entrepreneurship Educators professional knowledge and skills development. This module provides an
extensive curriculum toward development of entrepreneurs' holistic skills and knowledge from basic level of entrepreneurship,
social entrepreneurship, digital entrepreneurship to business tools such as Value Proposition Canvas
Mama food: produk tradisional citarasa nasional
Pembentukan masyarakat Malaysia yang memiliki pemikiran keusahawanan merupakan antara faktor pemangkin yang berupaya untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara keusahawanan yang unggul menjelang tahun 2030, seperti
yang dihasratkan oleh Dasar Keusahawanan Nasional (DKN) 2030. Peranan besar dan penting ini merupakan sebahagian daripada tanggungjawab Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) dan Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi (IPT) selaku entiti yang
bertanggungjawab untuk menghasilkan bakat terutamanya dalam bidang-bidang berkemahiran tinggi. Dalam konteks sektor pengajian tinggi, Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2015 โ 2025 (Pendidikan Tinggi) menekankan kepentingan untuk melahirkan graduan yang holistik, berciri keusahawanan dan seimbang menerusi lonjakan pertama daripada 10 lonjakan yang digariskan oleh Pelan tersebut. Selain itu, Dasar Keusahawanan IPT yang diperkenalkan sejak tahun 2010, juga meletakkan usaha untuk menganjak minda para pelajar IPT daripada hanya berfikiran untuk bekerja
dengan majikan selepas menamatkan pengajian kepada graduan yang berkecimpung dalam arena keusahawanan dan menjadi pencipta pekerjaan atau โjob creatorโ dengan menawarkan peluang pekerjaan kepada individu lain setelah perniagaan mereka berjaya.Namun begitu, terdapat segelintir graduan menganggap keusahawanan sebagai kerjaya pilihan terakhir mereka sedangkan sebaliknya, harus ada jalan
alternatif lain yang perlu diambil, lebih-lebih lagi dalam melengkapkan diri berdepan dengan situasi semasa yang penuh cabaran, pesaing yang ramai, peluang penempatan perkerjaan yang terhad, dan isu pengangguran yang tidak berkesudahan. Bahkan, ada antara graduan terlepas pandang yang mereka sebenarnya berpotensi dan berkemahiran
untuk mencipta kejayaan melalui bidang keusahawanan.
Proaktif terhadap perkara ini dan dalam mendokong hasrat untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebagai negara keusahawanan yang unggul, KPT telah melaksanakan pelbagai inisiatif demi menggalakkan lebih ramai lagi pelajar IPT terlibat secara langsung dalam bidang keusahawanan semasa pengajian. Pelan Tindakan Keusahawanan yang diperkenalkan pada tahun 2013, telah melakar pencapaian yang menyaksikan
peningkatan sebanyak lebih 30 peratus penyertaan pelajar dalam program dan aktiviti keusahawanan di IPT. Kejayaan ini menunjukkan komitmen tinggi KPT dalam menyediakan dasar yang berupaya mengubah minda pelajar ke arah erpemikiran
keusahawanan. Di bawah Pelan Tindakan Keusahawanan ini juga, kesemua 20 buah universiti awam termasuk politeknik dan kolej komuniti telah menubuhkan Pusat Keusahawanan.
Pusat ini bertanggungjawab untuk merancang, menilai dan memantau pelaksanaan program keusahawanan di institusi masing-masing. Penetapan aspek pembangunan dan pendidikan keusahawanan sebagai satu daripada bidang keutamaan dan petunjuk prestasi utama institusi merupakan manifestasi komitmen pengurusan tertinggi IPT terhadap agenda keusahawanan.Kecemerlangan pelaksanaan Pelan Tindakan Keusahawanan IPT ini kemudiannya
diteruskan dengan penambahbaikan strategi dan inisiatif untuk tempoh 2016 hingga 2020. Pada tahun 2020 sahaja, lebih 68,000 pelajar direkodkan telah menjalankan
perniagaan. Daripada jumlah tersebut, hampir 8,000 orang pelajar meneruskan aktiviti perniagaan selepas mereka menamatkan pengajian. Ini jelas membuktikan impak positif daripada pelaksanaan pelan tindakan yang telah dilaksanakan oleh Pusat-pusat Keusahawanan di IPT khususnya dalam meningkatkan kesediaan pelajar
untuk menceburi dan memilih bidang keusahawanan sebagai satu kerjaya pilihan. Sebagai kesinambungan, pelan tindakan bagi tempoh lima (5) tahun seterusnya (iaitu 2021 โ 2025) juga telah dibangunkan. Pelan yang dilancarkan oleh YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Menteri Pengajian Tinggi pada 19 Februari 2021 menggariskan tiga (3) teras, iaitu Ekosistem Keusahawanan Bersinergi; Kolaborasi Berimpak Tinggi; dan
Inovasi dan Teknologi Dalam Keusahawanan. Di bawah teras-teras ini, terdapat tujuh (7) strategi dan 28 inisiatif keseluruhannya yang disenaraikan. Modus operandinya
adalah untuk meningkatkan lagi penglibatan pelajar dalam bidang keusahawanan. Entrepreneurship Integrated Education yang memfokuskan kepada lima (5) strategi dan 33 inisiatif sebagai panduan utama IPT dalam membangunkan kurikulum keusahawanan. Kedua-dua naskhah strategik ini menjadi rujukan induk IPT dalam memperkukuh lagi ekosistem keusahawanan, seterusnya menjadi satu daripada
pemangkin untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara keusahawanan. Menerusi strategi dan inisiatif pembangunan usahawan yang dilaksanakan oleh
KPT dan IPT sejak lebih satu dekad yang lalu, sejumlah besar usahawan pelajar dan graduan dalam pelbagai bidang telah berjaya dilahirkan. Variasi bidang ini termasuklah
makanan dan minuman; perkhidmatan; kosmetik dan kesihatan; teknologi, fotografi dan audiografi; peruncitan; serta bidang kreatif dan tekstil. Pengetahuan โtacitโ yang
diperoleh oleh usahawan pelajar dan graduan ini sepanjang upaya untuk mengecapi apa yang mereka ada pada hari ini merupakan aset berharga yang perlu didendang kepada khalayak, terutamanya para pelajar yang ingin berkecimpung dalam arena ini. Justeru, bagi menyebar luas kepentingan dan manfaat bidang keusahawanan dalam membantu pelajar menjana pendapatan, seterusnya menjadikan mereka sebagai pencipta pekerjaan, buku โUsahawan Siswa: Memeta Haluan, Melakar Jayaโ ini diterbitkan oleh KPT dengan kerjasama Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. Naskhah yang
mengiktiraf kejayaan usahawan pelajar dan graduan ini turut meraikan semangat dan kekuatan mereka dalam menghadapi liku-liku dunia perniagaan. Karya ini mengangkat 39 kisah perjalanan perniagaan usahawan pelajar dari 19 buah IPT terpilih sehingga mereka berjaya menempa kejayaan semasa dan selepas pengajian. Naratif eksklusif perjalanan perniagaan figura-figura ini dihimpunkan mengikut bidang keusahawanan yang diceburi, iaitu 11 lakaran kejayaan dalam bidang makanan dan minuman; enam (6) lembaran gemilang dalam bidang perkhidmatan; empat (4) citra niaga dalam
bidang kosmetik dan kesihatan; tujuh (7) kanvas sukses dalam bidang teknologi, fotografi dan audiografi; enam (6) ceritera unggul dalam bidang peruncitan; dan lima (5) jejak gemilang dalam bidang kreatif dan tekstil. Hasrat penghasilan wacana ini adalah bagi memberikan motivasi dan inspirasi kepada pelajar dan khalayak pembaca yang berkeinginan untuk menceburi bidang keusahawanan dengan mengangkat catatan perjalanan sebenar usahawan pelajar ke dalam bentuk yang mudah untuk difahami dan dihayati. Satu demi satu lipatan pengalaman digarap agar dapat memberikan pengalaman pembacaan yang lebih nyata dan segar dengan kisah sebenar yang seolah-olah diceritakan sendiri oleh
usahawan pelajar tersebut. Semoga dengan penerbitan naskhah ini juga akan mendorong IPT untuk lebih giat lagi melahirkan lebih ramai usahawan muda dalam kalangan pelajar yang mempunyai kualiti daya saing tinggi di samping bersedia menghadapi realiti dunia perniagaan
Fabrication and characterization of fish-derived collagen scaffold loaded with metronidazole nanoparticle for periodontal bone regeneration
Periodontal disease poses a significant challenge to oral health, affecting the tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Tissue engineering emerges as a promising approach for restoring periodontal tissue and preventing bone loss using scaffolds. However, concern arises when using collagen sourced from mammals like porcine and bovine in scaffolds regarding halal status and disease transmission. Additionally, conventional treatment involves systemic antibiotics to control infection, leading to adverse side effects. This study aims to develop a scaffold using fish-derived collagen incorporated with metronidazole nanoparticles (MNP) and analyze scaffold properties while indirectly addressing safety and halal concerns. The scaffold was fabricated by physically cross-linking collagen derived from the tilapia fish (Tilapia mossambica) and chitosan, with metronidazole nanoparticles (MNP) incorporated into the blend. The scaffold underwent analysis of its physical characteristics, morphology, and pore size using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), swelling, and biodegradability in phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7.4, 37ยฐC). The fish-derived collagen-chitosan exhibited a consistent three-dimensional (3D) physical structure and optimal pore sizes (>100 ฮผm). Scaffolds with MNP concentrations ranging from 0 to 40 w/t% displayed excellent swelling ability and biodegradability, exceeding 80%. As the concentration of MNP increased, the scaffoldโs biodegradation rate slowed, suggesting potential as a controlled drug release vehicle aligned with the rates of new bone formation in vivo. In conclusion, the 3D porous scaffold with metronidazole nanoparticles met important criteria for physical structure, pore size, swelling ability, and biodegradability. These halal-compliant scaffolds hold promising potential for applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery and are subject to further in vivo and in vitro studies
Fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), atelocollagen, and fibrin bioscaffold composite for intervertebral disk tissue engineering application
The use of synthetically derived poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold and naturally derived materials in regeneration of intervertebral disks has been reported in many previous studies. However, the potential effect of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) in combination with atelocollagen or fibrin
or both atelocollagen and fibrin bioscaffold composite have not been mentioned so far. This study aims to fabricate and characterize three-dimensional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold incorporated with (1) atelocollagen, (2) fibrin, and (3) both atelocollagen and fibrin combination
for intervertebral disk tissue engineering application. The poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) without anynatural, bioscaffold composites was used as control. The chemical conformation, morphology, cellโscaffold attachment, porosity, water uptake capacity, thermal properties, mechanical
strength, and pH level were evaluated on all scaffolds using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, gravimetric analysis, swelling test, differential scanning calorimetry, and Instron E3000, respectively. Biocompatibility test was conducted to
assess the intervertebral disk, annulus fibrosus cells viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared results demonstrated notable peaks of amide bond suggesting interaction of atelocollagen, fibrin, and both atelocollagen and fibrin combination into the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold. Based on the scanning electron microscope observation, the pore size of the poly(lactic-co-glycolic
acid) structure significantly reduced when it was incorporated with atelocollagen and fibrin. The poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)โatelocollagen scaffolds demonstrated higher significant swelling ratios, mechanical strength, and thermal stability than the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold alone. All the three bioscaffold composite groups exhibited the ability to reduce the acidic poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) by-product. In this study, the biocompatibility assessment using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-
2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cells proliferation assay demonstrated a significantly higher annulus fibrosus cells viability in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)โatelocollagenโfibrin compared to poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) alone. The cellular attachment is comparable in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)โatelocollagenโfibrin and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)โfibrin scaffolds. Overall, these results may suggest potential use of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) combined with atelocollagen and fibrin bioscaffold composite for intervertebral disk regeneration
MIcrospher-iiUM, a novel, controlled-released drug/gene delivery system
Multiple-emulsion, solvent-evaporation method is employed to synthesise MICROSPHERiiUM. A biodegradable co-polymer, poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), is used as the
matrix to form the microspheres. Briefly, an appropriate amount of PLGA is dissolved in dichloromethane to form the primary emulsion. This phase is then homogenised with on
aqueous phase, containing surfactant and a model drug (e.g. plasmid DNA or small molecules drug) for a certain duration and at an appropriate speed. The resultant waterin-
oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion is then dispersed in a bigger volume of aqueous stabiliser. Then the mixture is transferred to a continuously stirred hardening tank containing the same stabiliser. Stirring is continued for a certain duration to allow complete evaporation of the
solvent. The hardened MICROSPHER-iiUM isharvested by means of centrifugation and washing with distilled before it was freeze-dried. Characterisation of the MICROSPHERiiUM
is conducted to investigate its surface morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro release profile. Different protocols are adopted depending on the
types of the madel drug to analyse the model drug. This MICROSPHER-iium has demonstrated robustness in encapsulating different types of agents with substantial
encapsulation efficiency. The controlled-release profile is also achievable due to the inherent degradation rate of the co-polymers, PLGA, of which the rate and duration are
dependent on its molecular weight. The colloidal size of this delivery system and the release of drug that can be controlled are envisaged to enhance the quality of therapy in chronic diseases as it can improve patient compliance towards drug regiment owing to reduction in frequency of dosing and reduction in side effects