Development and Comparison of Intramuscularly Injected Long-acting Testosterone Undecanoate Nano-/Microcrystal Suspensions with Three Different Particle Size
The aim of this study was to develop and compare the pharmacokinetic property of testosterone undecanoate (TU) nano-/microcrystal suspension with three different particle sizes after intramuscular (i.m.) administration. TU nano-/microcrystal suspensions were prepared by high pressure homogenization method and the mean particle size was 0.30± 0.11μm (A), 1.21± 0.37μm (B), and 4.83± 0.60μm (C), respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the morphology of nano-/microcrystal suspensions after operation. X-ray Powder diffraction (XRPD) confirmed...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Food Additive (Sodium benzoate)-induced Damage on Renal Function and Glomerular Cells in Rats; Modulating Effect of Aqueous Extract of Atriplex halimus L.
In conclusion, the results demonstrate that Sodium benzoate damages kidney structure and function and is a nephrotoxic substance. Atriplex halimus was able to improve the renal damage as an antioxidant and a nephroprotective agent.  (Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research)
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Assessment of Influential Variables in the Pricing of Locally Manufactured Pharmaceuticals: Current Challenging Situation in Iran
The lack of transparency and predictability seems to remain one of the major complaints in the pharmaceutical pricing procedure in Iran, but there is not enough official evidence to support it. The main objective of this study was to identify influential variables officially or unofficially influencing the pharmaceuticals pricing in Iran and also clarifying the degree of importance of each variable from the viewpoints of two groups: the pricing Commission members (owners of pricing procedure) and other stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector. Semi-structured interviews with experts were performed to extract the influenti...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Bioassay-guided Isolation of Flavonoids from Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity
This study suggests that Caesalpinia bonduc could be considered for further investigations as a natural source of biological compounds. (Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research)
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Oral Pulse Betamethasone, Methotrexate, and Combination Therapy to Treat Severe Alopecia Areata: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Clinical Trial
In this study, 36 patients with severe AA were selected and classified into three groups of 12: 1- Oral betamethasone therapy (3 mg, once a week) with placebo; 2- Oral methotrexate (15 mg, once a week) with placebo; and 3- A combination of methotrexate (15 mg, once a week) and betamethasone (3 mg, once a week). The Severity Alopecia Tool (SALT) was used to measure improvements in the lesions through photographs, and the patients also rated their condition on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Assessments were performed, and the results were compared at baseline and then at intervals of three months for nine months. The demog...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

RSM-based Model to Predict Optimum Fermentation Conditions for Soluble Expression of the Antibody Fragment Derived from 4D5MOC-B Humanized Mab in SHuffle ™ T7 E. coli
Overexpression of the EpCAM in epithelial-derived neoplasms makes this receptor a promising target in antibody-based therapy. Due to the lack of N-glycosylation, Escherichia coli (E. coli) seems to be the most appropriate choice for the expression of antibody fragments. However, developing a robust and cost-effective process that produces consistent therapeutic proteins from inclusion bodies is a major challenge. Undoubtedly, it can be circumvented by the soluble expression of these proteins. Utilization of numerous genetically modified hosts and optimization of cultivation conditions are two effective approaches widely us...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Environmental Distribution of Personal Care Products and Their Effects on Human Health
In conclusion, the emerging environmental contaminants of PCPs and their association with the growing risks of negative effects on human health and globally on the environment emphasize the chemical-free simple lifestyle. (Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research)
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Economic Evaluation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Iran: Surgical Treatment or Dutasteride
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common chronic disease that is age-dependent. There are two main types of interventional treatment, transurethral resection of prostate as a gold standard (TURP) and open prostatectomy (OP); also, there are two pharmacological groups for managing BPH: alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). In this economic evaluation study, one 5-ARIs, dutasteride and two main surgical treatments are compared as alternatives for treating moderate BPH in Iran. A cost-utility study with an Iranian health provider perspective was conducted. Markov model in a cohort of 1000 patients with BPH...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

A Comprehensive Review on Preparation, Evaluation and Applications of Deformable Liposomes
Elastic or deformable liposomes are phospholipid-based vesicular drug delivery systems that help improve the delivery of therapeutic agents through the intact skin membrane due to their deformable characteristics that overcome the problems of conventional liposomes. In the present review, different types of deformable liposomes such as transfersomes, ethosomes, menthosomes, invasomes and transethosome are studied, and their mechanism of action, characterization, preparation methods, and applications in pharmaceutical technology through topical, transdermal, nasal and oral routes for effective drug delivery are compared for...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Determination of Cleaning Limits Considering Toxicological Risk Evaluation to Minimize the Risk of Cross Contamination
The historical approaches that have been used to establish cleaning validation acceptance limits should be updated to recent approaches to prevent cross contamination. In the present investigation, a cleaning method was validated using high performance liquid chromatography. Method modification critical parameters including spiking, swab sampling from PVC, Stainless Steel, and Polyethylene, extraction technique from swab, solubility, potency, toxicity (LD50), and improvement of limit of detection (LOD) of the method through analytical method validation were studied. In addition, roughness, mechanical and electro-p...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Development of A Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Technique for Evaluation of Multi-class Pesticides in Rice Samples
In the current study, a liquid chromatography coupled mass detector was set up to detect and quantify 108 pesticide residues in rice samples. QuEChERS method was applied for sample preparation and different validation parameters were determined to ensure the suitability of the method. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration 0.01-1.00 mg/kg with a coefficient of determination (R2) of more than 0.990 for all compounds. Based on signal to noise studies, the calculated LODs and LOQs were 0.005-0.060 mg/kg and 0.018-0.199 mg/kg, respectively; and acquired mean recoveries at three spiked levels (0.025, 0.200 and ...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Effects of Morphine on Serum Reproductive Hormone Levels and the Expression of Genes Involved in Fertility-related Pathways in Male Rats
The effects of morphine on serum reproductive hormone levels and markers involved in fertility-relatedpathways were evaluated. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 10) and intraperitoneally administered the following substances for 20 days: two single daily doses of morphine (10 mg/kg; morphine group), saline (healthy saline), and intact group. After confirming the morphine dependence of the experimental groups, all the animals were sacrificed and their total testis tissue was extracted and stored at−80°C until use. Male reproductive parameters (blood serum of testosterone, l...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

The Radiolabeled HER3 Targeting  Molecules for Tumor Imaging
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family plays pivotal roles in physiologic and pathologic conditions (such as tumor growth, proliferation, and progression in multiple epithelial malignancies). All the family members are considered tyrosine kinase, while HER3 as a member of this family shows no intrinsic tyrosine kinase. HER3 is called‘pseudokinase’ because it undergoes heterodimerization and forms dimers such as HER2-HER3 and HER1 (EGFR)-HER3. The exact role of HER3 in cancer is still unclear; however, the overexpression of this receptor is involved in the poor prognosis of malignancies....
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Anticancer Effects of Valproic Acid via Regulation of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line
Epigenetic mechanisms are the most important factors contributing to both the development and metastasis of cancer cells. We aimed to scrutinize the role of epigenetic alternations of genes involved in cancer metastasis, including CD44v6 (metastasis indicator) and Nm23-H1 (a novel tumor suppressor), in the A549 lung cancer cell line. The A549 cells were cultured in the DMEM medium. Valproic acid (VPA) was used as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by adding DEVD-pNA substrate to the cell lysate. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Finally, protein expression was assessed by wester...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

The Role of Desorptive Capacity in the Relationship of Entrepreneurial Orientation - Open Innovation Performance: The Case of the Pharmaceutical Industry
This study explores the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on open innovation performance, considering the mediating role of desorptive capacity, which is defined as the firm’s capability to recognize outward technology transfer opportunities and to facilitate it. We use structural equation modeling to examine the hypotheses on a dataset from 100 Iranian pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2018. The results of the study support our conceptual model. Our findings indicate that a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation and desorptive capacity have a positive effect on its open innovat...
Source: Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - March 19, 2022 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research