{"title":"Exploring Immunogenetic Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease Using Single-Cell Transcriptomics and Mendelian Randomization.","authors":"Dongyuan Xu, Yu Lei, Ji Wu, Keyu Chen, Songshan Chai, Nanxiang Xiong","doi":"10.2174/0113892010378080250711022253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010378080250711022253","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neuron. Although the role of immunity in PD has been increasingly recognized, the immunogenetic mechanisms underpinning its progression remain largely unresolved.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We employed an integrative approach combining Mendelian randomization (MR), expression quantitative trait loci analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate immune cell infiltration and transcriptional regulation in PD. Immune cell composition, pathway activation, and gene regulatory networks were assessed through single-cell gene set enrichment analysis and transcriptional correlation analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Immune profiling revealed significant increases in naive B cells (1.22-fold), plasma cells (3.00-fold), switched memory B cells (2.85-fold), and unswitched memory B cells (6.70- fold) in PD patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). MR analysis identified five causal genes- CYTH4, FGR, LRRK2, RIN3, and SAT1- associated with monocyte, neutrophil, and B cell infiltration. SAT1 (OR: 1.529; 95% CI: 1.018-2.297) and RIN3 (OR: 1.222; 95% CI: 1.039- 1.437) showed strong associations with PD risk (p < 0.01). SAT1 positively correlated with PARK7 and regulated reactive oxygen species signaling, while FGR negatively correlated with ABCA4, influencing lipid metabolism and immune responses.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings highlight distinct immunogenetic mechanisms driving PD progression. The SAT1-PARK7 axis appears to modulate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, whereas the FGR-ABCA4 interaction may affect metabolic and immune pathways. While the study is limited by population heterogeneity and the challenges of inferring causality, it provides mechanistic insights into immune contributions to PD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our integrative genomic analysis identified novel regulatory networks involving immune-related genes in PD, offering potential targets for mechanistic understanding and therapeutic development.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144689416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ethanolic Extract of Cyperus rotundus Augments Chemosensitivity to Docetaxel and Suppresses Autophagic Flux in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells.","authors":"Xiaoli Bian, Chao Li, Xiaoyu Liu, Zhaoyun Liu, Xiang Song, Fukai Wang, Xinzhao Wang, Wenna Shao, Haiyin Sun, Zhiyong Yu","doi":"10.2174/0113892010374529250715164342","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892010374529250715164342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Breast cancer (BC) represents a malignancy affecting populations globally. Its incidence is on the rise. The ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) has demonstrated potent anticancer activities against multiple human cancer types, inducing apoptosis in BC cells. Autophagic flux protects HER2+ cancer cells from trastuzumab-induced cytotoxicity, so inhibiting it undermines the resistance phenotype. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic potential of EECR in trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive BC and decipher its underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Colony formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assessed cell viability. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis detection. Western blotting quantified relevant protein expressions. Nude mice were euthanized prior to tissue harvest. Tumor tissues were excised and processed for histological examination, with 5 μm paraffin sections prepared on glass slides for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. An orthotopic JIMT-1 cell transplantation tumor model was established, and immunohistochemistry was conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EECR demonstrated a dose-dependent suppressive effect on HER2-positive BC cells, inducing apoptosis and G2-M phase cell cycle arrest. It inhibited autophagic flux, as evidenced by LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 accumulation, and upregulated raptor and phosphorylated Mitogen- Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) in trastuzumab-resistant JIMT-1 cells. Phosphorylated ERK (pERK)/total ERK and Raptor levels were significantly elevated in EECR-treated JIMT-1 cells compared to other treatment groups. Furthermore, EECR significantly inhibited tumorigenic growth in JIMT-1 cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reveals that EECR effectively impedes autophagic flux in trastuzumabresistant HER2-positive breast cancer cells, a mechanism increasingly recognized as central to therapeutic resistance. By promoting LC3B and p62 accumulation and modulating the MAPK/mTOR signaling axis, EECR not only disrupts a key survival pathway in resistant cells but also enhances the efficacy of standard chemotherapeutic agents like docetaxel. These dual effects-autophagy inhibition and chemosensitization-underscore EECR's therapeutic potential as an adjuvant strategy to overcome trastuzumab resistance. Given its multi-target nature and favorable safety profile, EECR represents a promising candidate for future combination therapy in refractory HER2-positive breast cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144689415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kajal -, Mohammad Rashid Khan, Minhaj Ahmad Khan, Pratibha Pandey, Fahad Khan
{"title":"Formulation and Assessment of Broccoli Extract-Infused Hydrogel for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy.","authors":"Kajal -, Mohammad Rashid Khan, Minhaj Ahmad Khan, Pratibha Pandey, Fahad Khan","doi":"10.2174/0113892010373087250710035336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010373087250710035336","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The most prevalent kind of cancer among women is breast cancer. Consequently, the development of novel, potent medications with fewer adverse effects is required to treat it. Breast cancer is frequently treated clinically with chemotherapy and surgery. However, there are still significant challenges to be addressed in the treatment of breast cancer, including inadequate therapeutic results, inevitable side effects, and the surgical excision of breast tissue. The objective of the study is to develop broccoli extract-based Hydrogel to overcome the challenges in breast cancer treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The developed Hydrogel was characterized by certain techniques to check its stability and drug release abilities. Swelling studies and drug release behavior were checked; the porosity of Hydrogel was checked by SEM EDX Analysis. Furthermore, in vitro studies were done to check the anti-breast cancer activity of the developed Hydrogel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The hydrogel was a highly porous structure with and compressive modulus, which makes it good for biological use in drug delivery. The in vitro studies showed that, developed Hydrogel inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) at different concentrations and time intervals of 24 and 48 Hrs and was compatible with the non-cancerous cell line 3T3-L1. The results indicate the tolerability of Hydrogel at the level of cells.</p><p><strong>Discussions: </strong>Numerous investigations have demonstrated the anticancer effects of SFN by influencing the various biological processes that tumor cells engage in. In breast cancer cell lines, SFN functions as an HDAC inhibitor and reduces the expression of ER, EGFR, & HER-2 proteins. SFN also triggers apoptosis and cell cycle halt. Both Hydrogel and SFN inhibit the cells growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and agree with the previous studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, we synthesized a hydrogel using broccoli extract to treat breast cancer with better stability, tolerance, and effectiveness through sustained local drug delivery. It was determined that this new hydrogel was a simple and affordable way to accomplish the continuous gene release feature, which would enhance the therapeutic efficacy in anti-cancer treatment while reducing the likelihood of potentially fatal side effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144689417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advances in Polymer-Based Nanoparticles for Biomedical and Industrial Applications.","authors":"Fahad Y Sabei","doi":"10.2174/0113892010386798250708153155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010386798250708153155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) are considered to be a revolutionary method for drug delivery and offer significantly more advantages than conventional drug delivery systems. This review synthesizes recent research on biodegradable polymers in drug delivery, emphasizing their properties, modifications, toxicity, and applications in drug absorption. It consolidates key insights from 193 research papers to offer a comprehensive overview of the field, addressing existing research gaps and highlighting various applications. Polymers can be classified based on their structure, source, and biodegradability, which are crucial for assessing their environmental impact and suitability for various applications. Polymers are categorized into two main groups based on biodegradability: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The primary aim of this review is to elucidate the diverse applications of natural and synthetic biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, which include cancer treatment, diabetes management, pulmonary drug delivery, and the treatment of ocular infections, all of which are thoroughly explored in this review. Additionally, the role of polymer-based hydrogels is explored as a promising solution in drug delivery. These hydrogels address issues such as poor stability and enhance treatment efficacy by ensuring the sustained release of drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144636474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bin Wang, Jiang Xie, Bo Pang, Fang Dong, Junna Zhou, Huanzhang Zhu
{"title":"Unveiling the Influence of Culture Conditions on Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Transcriptome Sequencing Study.","authors":"Bin Wang, Jiang Xie, Bo Pang, Fang Dong, Junna Zhou, Huanzhang Zhu","doi":"10.2174/0113892010375906250619115932","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010375906250619115932","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p>Aims: To optimize the culture process of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and enhance their biological functions. </p><p> Background: MSCs have shown great potential in treating various diseases due to their low immunogenicity and potent paracrine effects. However, the inherent heterogeneity of MSC populations, which can vary depending on the culture conditions, may challenge large-scale clinical application.</p><p> Objective: This study investigates the inconsistency of MSCs cultured in different media, from the transcriptional level to biological functions.</p><p> Method: RNA sequencing was used to identify different expressed genes of MSCs separated and expanded in three media, which were then validated with qPCR. In vitro assays, including proliferation, tube formation, wound healing, multilineage differentiation, paracrine secretome and injured hepatocyte protection assay, were performed to verify the potential differences among three groups.</p><p> Result: MSCs cultured in platelet lysate-containing medium exhibited high expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix regulation, collagen metabolic processes, and angiogenesis, whereas those cultured in serum-free medium demonstrated high expression of genes associated with DNA replication and chromosome segregation. MSCs cultured under serum-containing medium indicated high levels of genes associated with extracellular matrix regulation, cartilage development, and chemotaxis. The results of functional comparative experiments were consistent with the differences in their gene expression patterns. Notably, MSCs cultured in the serum- containing system exhibited greater protective effect against hepatocyte activity.</p><p> Conclusion: Different culture conditions affect the biological functions of MSCs. Optimal conditions should be investigated for applications. Next, an in vivo model should be established to evaluate differences in MSC tissue repair function under various culture conditions.</p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rana A K Al-Refaia, Yahya F Al-Khafaji, Khilowd Omran Ali, Ahmed A Alkarimi, Osama B Alswafy
{"title":"Growth of Chloroquine Crystals and Their Properties as a Beta-Hematin Inhibitor.","authors":"Rana A K Al-Refaia, Yahya F Al-Khafaji, Khilowd Omran Ali, Ahmed A Alkarimi, Osama B Alswafy","doi":"10.2174/0113892010366828250623060543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010366828250623060543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><p> Introduction: The crystallization of heme into β-hematin and its subsequent conversion to hemozoin has garnered significant interest as a promising target for the development of novel antimalarial therapies, particularly through the heme detoxification pathway. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine (CQ) has been widely recognized, with several studies highlighting its role as an inhibitor of β-hematin and hemozoin formation. </p> <p> Methodology: This study reports the synthesis of two novel CQ-derived compounds, 7- chloroquinolin-4-amine (CQC1) and 7-chloro-4-(<sup>1</sup>-oxidaneyl)-3,4-dihydroquinoline (CQC2), and evaluates their individual inhibitory effects on β-hematin formation. </p> <p> Results: Notably, comparative analysis of the experimental data revealed significant variability in the IC50 values for these compounds, which correspond to the concentration required to inhibit 50% of β-hematin synthesis. The impact of incubation time and compound concentration on IC50 values was also investigated. </p> <p> Conclusion: The findings suggest that increasing the concentration and incubation time of both CQ derivatives led to a reduction in their IC50 values, with both compounds demonstrating enhanced inhibitory activity relative to commercial chloroquine (CQ). </p>.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"HIV Co-infected with Asymptomatic Visceral Leishmaniasis Exhibited a High Prevalence of the B type HBV Genotype.","authors":"Shiril Kumar, Ganesh Chandra Sahoo, Krishna Pandey, Ashish Kumar","doi":"10.2174/0113892010310175250618134149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010310175250618134149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multiple organisms infect the host simultaneously in the case of coinfection. This study intended to determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis B in HIV/Asymptomatic VL co-infected patients and to identify the HBV genotype circulating in these patients in Bihar, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>There were 96 archived samples with co-infection with HIV and asymptomatic VLpositivity included in this study. A real-time PCR test was performed to measure the load of HBV DNA, and a chemiluminescent immunoassay was performed to determine the level of HBsAg.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our study evaluated HIV and AVL co-infected patients with two coexisting genotypes of HBV and observed the expression of the B, C, and D genotypes. HBsAg levels correlated directly with HBV DNA levels in almost every case.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>For a better understanding of this disease, authors need approaches and strategies for improving the current diagnostic techniques, as well as studies focusing on vector control procedures and other operational tools.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144539288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Challenges and Progress of Orphan Drug Development for Rare Diseases.","authors":"Abhijit Debnath, Rupa Mazumder, Avijit Mazumder, Pankaj Kumar Tyagi, Rajesh Kumar Singh","doi":"10.2174/0113892010371761250616112614","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010371761250616112614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rare diseases, defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States or less than 1 in 2,000 people in Europe, pose significant challenges for healthcare systems and pharmaceutical research. This comprehensive review examines the evolving landscape of orphan drug development, analyzing scientific, economic, and regulatory challenges while highlighting recent technological breakthroughs and innovative approaches. We explore how artificial intelligence, next-generation sequencing, and personalized medicine are revolutionizing rare disease research and treatment development. The review details key advances in therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy, cell-based treatments, and drug repurposing strategies, which have led to breakthrough treatments for previously untreatable conditions. We analyze the impact of international collaborations, such as the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium, and discuss how regulatory frameworks worldwide have evolved to accelerate orphan drug development. The paper highlights the growing market for orphan drugs, projected to reach $242 billion by 2024 while examining the complex challenges of ensuring treatment accessibility and economic sustainability. We assess innovative clinical trial designs, patient registry development, and emerging strategies in personalized medicine that are transforming the field. Despite notable advancements, significant gaps remain in diagnosis, treatment accessibility, and sustainable funding for rare disease research. The review concludes by proposing specific actions for enhancing international collaboration, improving patient registries, and aligning incentives to address the unmet medical needs of rare disease patients, emphasizing the critical role of continued public-private partnerships and technological innovation in advancing orphan drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144539286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Towards a Personalized Medicine Approach for HCC.","authors":"Radhika Tippani, Pallavi Kagithoju, Ranjith Pabbati, Maheswara Reddy Mallu, Mahendar Porika","doi":"10.2174/0113892010366459250616125419","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010366459250616125419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Owing to the lack of appropriate selective treatments, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the major reasons of cancer associated death. Chronic liver failure nearly always accompanies HCC, and doctors usually detect it only after the disease has progressed beyond the point where curative therapies are possible. Despite the fact that HCC has distinct morphological and phenotypic patterns, therapeutic options are limited to comparatively homogeneous drugs such as multi-targeted tyrosine kinase blockers and immune checkpoint blockers. Multiple studies evaluating the effectiveness of different medications have yielded disappointing findings, indicating that HCC has poor immunity to chemotherapy, which is exacerbated by multidrug resistance. As a result, more successful therapies addressing HCC's disordered metabolic and molecular pathways are needed. The quite often change in sequence of genes and molecular targets in HCC patients are telomerase reverse transcriptase, Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway oncogene (CTNNB1), and the TP53 gene, according to integrated genomic profiling. Furthermore, new approaches like genome-scale metabolic replicas may be utilized to explicate the basic cancer specific metabolism, allowing for such exploration of promising biomarkers and drug candidates. The clinical implications of metabolic network driven heterogeneity of HCCcaseson the basis of redox response, metabolite use, and subtype specific pathways could help accelerate the advancement of personalised medicine. Another interesting strategy is microRNA- based therapy which involves miRNA antagonists to block oncogenic miRNAs and miRNA substitution, which entails reintroducing a tumor-suppressor miRNA to restore function following a functional impairment. The existing and evolving clinical purpose in context of molecular targets and metabolic network-based approaches are summarised in this review, paving the way for successful HCC patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144539289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alaa T Rajkhan, Odai I Medhesh, Duaa Bafail, Osama Abdelhakim Ahmed, Abdelbagi Alfadil Musa, Ahmed Shaker Ali, Ibrahim M Ibrahim
{"title":"A Multidisciplinary Approach for Developing a Natural Antifungal Formulation Targeting Oropharyngeal Candidiasis: A Mini-review.","authors":"Alaa T Rajkhan, Odai I Medhesh, Duaa Bafail, Osama Abdelhakim Ahmed, Abdelbagi Alfadil Musa, Ahmed Shaker Ali, Ibrahim M Ibrahim","doi":"10.2174/0113892010374288250612065712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010374288250612065712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), a fungal infection affecting the mouth and throat, imposes a substantial burden on vulnerable populations such as HIV/AIDS patients, cancer treatment recipients, and the elderly. Conventional antifungal medications are encountering increasing resistance and side effects, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review proposes a comprehensive strategy for developing a novel natural product- based antifungal formulation targeting OPC. The approach involves harnessing promising natural compounds with established antifungal properties and employing advanced delivery systems like mucoadhesive microemulsions to improve efficacy and minimize adverse effects. Additionally, the review explores the integration of computational methods to expedite the identification and development of potent antifungal agents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Search terms included combinations of \"oropharyngeal candidiasis,\" \"natural antifungal agents,\" \"flavonoids,\" \"mucoadhesive microemulsions,\" \"computational drug discovery,\" and \"in vitro/in vivo studies.\" Priority was given to studies published within the last ten years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review identifies promising natural compounds with antifungal activity against Candida species commonly associated with OPC. Additionally, several studies highlight the potential of computational tools such as molecular docking and in silico ADMET for rapidly identifying natural compounds with potent antifungal activity and favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. A brief overview of in vitro and in vivo experiments is provided, emphasizing their role in validating the safety and efficacy of the proposed natural product-based antifungal formulation. Formulation and analytical aspects are also discussed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The multidisciplinary approach outlined, incorporating natural products, computational methods, advanced preclinical in vitro and in vivo experiments, and advanced delivery systems, offers promise for the rapid, cost-effective development of safe and effective optimized formulations to address the growing challenge of OPC, particularly in vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":10881,"journal":{"name":"Current pharmaceutical biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144539285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}