SARS – COV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Critical Review on Novel Coronavirus Pathogenesis, Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment

The 2019-nCoV is officially called SARS-CoV-2 and the disease is named COVID-19. The Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) caused pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2019 is a highly contagious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a global public health emergency. This is the third serious Coronavirus outbreak in less than 20 years, following SARS in 2002–2003 and MERS in 2012. Currently, the research on novel coronavirus is still in the primary stage. It is currently believed that this deadly Coronavirus strain originated from wild animals at the Huanan market in Wuhan by Bats, snakes and pangolins have been cited as potential carriers. On the basis of current published evidence, we systematically summarize the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. This review in the hope of helping the public effectively recognize and deal with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and providing a reference for future studies. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Coronavirus, pneumonia, Respiratory infectio

VARIABLES INFLUENCING DRUG RELEASE PATTERN OF MICROSPHERES: A TECHNICAL REVIEW

Purpose of writing this review on microspheres was to compile the recent literature with special focus on the various variables which affect the drug release pattern of microspheres. There are various approaches in delivering a therapeutic substance to the target site in a controlled release fashion. One such approach is using microspheres as a carrier for drugs. For success of microspheres as drug delivery system, it’s necessary they release the drug in controlled release manner for longer duration. This can be made possible by optimizing the formulation as well as process variables. Therefore before designing the microspheres formulation, it’s necessary to understand the effect of various variables on the drug release pattern of these microspheres. The intent of the paper is providing the deep understanding of various variables those are useful during the development of microspheres system. This paper also summarize the various relevant aspects of microsphere

SELF-MICRO EMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS (SMEDDS): A REVIEW ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND BIOPHARMACEUTICAL ASPECTS

Nearly 40% of new drug candidates exhibit low solubility in water, which is a challenge in development of optimum oral solid dosage form in terms of formulation design and bioavailability of new pharmaceutical products. Many strategies have been used to overcome these problems either by means of modifying the solubility or maintaining the drug in dissolved form throughout gastric transit time. Much attention has focused on lipid solutions, emulsions and emulsion pre-concentrates, which can be prepared as physically stable formulations suitable for encapsulation of such poorly soluble drugs. Recently, self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) especially have attracted increasing interest primarily because  these are physically stable, easy to manufacture, can be filled in soft gelatin capsules and then will generate a drug containing micro-emulsion with a large surface area upon dispersion in the gastrointestinal tract. The emulsions will further facilitate the absorption of the drug due via intestinal lymphatic pathway and by partitioning of drug into the aqueous phase of intestinal fluids. In the present review, an overview of SMEDDS as a key technology for formulating lipophilic drugs and various factors that potentially affect the oral bioavailability of such drugs are presented. Keywords: Low solubility, Oral bioavailability, Self-micro emulsion, Intestinal lymphatic pathway.Â

EXPLORING PHYTOCHEMICALS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL USES OF CORDIA DICHOTOMA (INDIAN CHERRY): A REVIEW

The use of phytoconstituents single or combined with standard medicines has been utilized in cure of different diseases. Many plants of genus Cordia comprise of trees and shrubs are widely distributed in warmer regions and have been utilized in management of various diseases. Various phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, and glyceridess having different activities were screened and isolated from different parts of C. dichotoma. Various important Pharmacological properties including Antiulcer, Contraceptives, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, analgesic, anticancer, Antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic and others have been well documented for this plant.  Therefore, we have briefly reviewed the various bioactivities of C. dichotoma to improve our knowledge on plant phytochemicals as therapeutic entities. The present review describes the various phytoconstituents and therapeutic potential of C. dichotoma that can be followed for future research on this plant for human health benefits. Keywords: Cordia Dichotoma, phytoconstituents, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antifertility, Traditional medicin

DENDRIMERS IN DRUG DELIVERY, DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY: BASICS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

This review gives concise information about the dendrimers, properties, synthesis and application in drug delivery, diagnosis and therapy. Due to their unique architecture these have improved physical and chemical properties. They show high solubility, miscibility and reactivity due to their terminal groups. Dendrimers have well defined size, shape, molecular weight and monodispersity. These properties make the dendrimers a suitable carrier in drug delivery application. Dendrimers are unimolecular miceller in nature and due to this enhances the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Their compatibility with DNA, heparin and polyanions make them more versatile. Dendrimers, also referred as modern day polymers, they offer much more good properties than the conventional polymers. Due to their multivalent and mono disperse character dendrimers have stimulated wide interest in the field of chemistry biology, especially in applications like drug delivery, gene therapy and chemotherapy. Self assembly produces a faster means of generating nanoscopic functional and structural systems. But their actual utility in drug delivery can be assessed only after deep understanding of factors affecting their properties and their behavior in vivo. Key words: Dendrimers, PAMAM, monodispersity, Divergent-Convergent synthesis, carrier for drug deliveryÂ

POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF DENDRIMERS IN DRUG DELIVERY: A CONCISE REVIEW AND UPDATE

This review gives concise information about the application of dendrimers in the field of drug delivery. Due to their unique architecture these have improved physical and chemical properties. Due to their terminal groups these show high solubility, miscibility and reactivity. Dendrimers have well defined size, shape, molecular weight and monodispersity. These properties make the dendrimers a suitable carrier in drug delivery application. Dendrimers are unimolecular miceller in nature and due to this enhances the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Their compatibility with DNA, heparin and polyanions make them more versatile. Dendrimers, also referred as modern day polymers, they offer much more good properties than the conventional polymers. Due to their multivalent and mono disperse character dendrimers have stimulated wide interest in the field of chemistry biology, especially in applications like drug delivery, gene therapy and chemotherapy. Self assembly produces a faster means of generating nanoscopic functional and structural systems. But their actual utility in drug delivery can be assessed only after deep understanding of factors affecting their properties and their behavior in vivo. Key words: Dendrimers, Drug targeting, nanoscale carriers

EDITOR'S MASSAGE

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ADMET informatics of Tetradecanoic acid (Myristic Acid) from ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves

In-silico Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) often comprehends virtual screening (VS) of datasets of natural pharmaco-active compounds for drug discovery protocols. Plant Based Natural Products (PBNPs) still, remains to be a prime source of pharmaco-active compounds due to their unique chemical structural scaffolds and functionalities with distinct chemical characteristic feature from natural source that are much acquiescent to drug metabolism and kinetics. In the Post-COVID-Era number of publications pertaining to PBNPs and publicly accessible plant based natural product databases (PBNPDBs) has significantly increased. Moreover, PBNPs are important sources of inspiration or starting points to develop novel therapeutic agents. However, a well-structured, in-depth ADME/Tox profile of PBNPs has been limited or lacking for many of such compounds, this hampers the successful exploitation of PBNPs by pharma industries. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties play key roles in the discovery/ development of drugs, pesticides, food additives, consumer products, and industrial chemicals. In the present study, ADMET-informatics of Tetradecanoic Acid (Myristic Acid) from ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves to predict drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) outcomes has been taken up. This work contributes to the deeper understanding of Myristic acid as major source of drug from commonly available medicinal plant - Moringa oleifera with immense therapeutic potential. The data generated herein could be useful for NP based lead generation programs. Keywords: Moringa oleifera; Secondary Metabolites; Bioactive Substances; Myristic acid (MA); DMPK; ADME/Tox; Natural Products (NPs); PBNPs; PBNPDB

ADMET informatics of Plant Derived n-Hexadecanoic Acid (Palmitic Acid) from ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Palmitic Acid (PA) is known to exert multiple fundamental biological functions at cellular and tissue levels and its steady concentration is guaranteed by its endogenous synthesis by DNL. PA has been for a long time negatively represented for its detrimental health effects tailing its essential physiological attributes. PA has been portrayed to serve as a signalling molecule regulating the progression and development of many diseases at molecular level. Controversial data on the association of dietary PA with detrimental health effects has been related to several parameters such as fatty acid/ macronutrient imbalance by altered lipid metabolism, positive energy balance, excessive intake of carbohydrates, imbalance of dietary PA/PUFA, physiopathological conditions, presence of enhanced DNL and sedentary lifestyle. This may result in dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, increased ectopic fat accumulation and increased inflammatory tone indicating that clear understanding of system based PA metabolism is still lacking. In the present study an attempt has been made to bring out the absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity profile of PA. Results are expected to have some implications in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that regulates pathophysiological events involved in hyperglycemia/ hyperlipidemia-induced complications associated with diabesity and CVD. Besides it may provide a better understanding to identify key molecular targets for therapeutic management of PA induced metabolic disorders. Keywords: Moringa oleifera; MOLE; Bioactive Secondary Metabolites; ADME/Tox; Natural Products (NPs); PBNPs; PDHA; n-Hexadecanoic Acid (nHDA); Palmitic Acid (PA