Browsing by Author "Zayed, Ahmed"

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Antileishmanial Potentials of Phytochemicals
(Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2022) Ezzat, Shahira M; Salem, Mohamed A; Zayed, Ahmed
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that causes severe morbidity and mortality. It has an estimated worldwide incidence of 15 million infected people and 350 million at risk, living in tropical and subtropical areas of 88 endemic countries in America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. Current treatment of leishmaniasis relies on chemotherapy. No vaccine exists for leishmaniasis and most of the antileishmanial drugs currently in use, have disadvantages, such as severe side effects or parasite resistance. Amphotericin B and its lipid-carrier formulations have been successfully applied, while the first line drugs were no longer effective due to drug resistance. Nevertheless, very high costs of these drugs prevent their widespread use. Alternatively, many plants and plant constituents have been used over the past years for controlling such disease. In this chapter, emphasis was made on the different plants, plant extracts as well as natural lead molecules that were proved to have antileishmanial activity. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Application of Metabolomics in Emergency Phytochemical Poisoning and Remediation
(John Wiley and Sons, 2020-11) Salem, Mohamed A.; Zayed, Ahmed; Ezzat, Shahira M
relatively safe, and effective phytochemicals. However, natural does not necessarily mean safe. Many plants have been reported as toxic or natural killers in extremely high doses. Plant extracts are complex mixtures of thousands of primary as well as secondary metabolites. The biological activities and toxicities of plants are mostly attributed to secondary metabolites. The chemical diversity of secondary metabolites is a significant challenge in their analysis. This becomes even more complicated if they interact with biological systems. Therefore, there is no simple method of analysis that comprehensively covers the chemically diverse phytochemicals. Metabolomics has emerged as a comprehensive tool to analyze the total set of metabolites within a biological system. This chapter aims to discuss the technical use of metabolomics and its potential applications in emergency phytochemical poisoning and remediation
Aroma‑based discrimination of Egyptian versus Indian guava fruits and in response to probiotics as analyzed via SPME/GC–MS and chemometric tools
(Nature Publishing Group, 2023-12) Kamal, Islam M; Zayed, Ahmed; Eissa, Tarek F; Farag, MohamedA
Guava tree (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) is an economic grown worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Guavas encompass numerous cultivars (cvs.) that were discriminated in previous studies based on leaf morphological features and profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Nevertheless, fruit VOCs have also shown outstanding potential for discrimination of other plant taxa, which has not been utilized in guava. Hence, the current study investigates the various guava cvs. harvested from India and Egypt. A total of 5 samples were analyzed by solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results led to the detection of 42 VOCs belonging to aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, in addition to monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Butylated hydroxytoluene and β-caryophyllene were predominant reaching 77% and 41% in Egyptian and Indian guava, respectively. The impact of probiotic fermentation, i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum on aroma profile was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Multivariate data analyses were further applied for samples classification and markers determination, including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). PCA score plot showed clear segregation of Egyptian from Indian specimens, whereas OPLS-DA revealed that β-caryophyllene was associated with white fruit versus 3-butenyl isothiocyanate and muurolol in red fruit type in the case of Indian guava. The richness of Egyptian guava in butylated hydroxytoluene in addition to the presence of vitamin C may potentiate its antioxidant activity, to be followed in subsequent studies regarding its health effects. © 2023, The Author(s).
Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive metabolites among three Moroccan Juniperus leaves extract supported with in vitro enzyme inhibitory assays
(Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2024-05) El Jemli, Meryem; Ezzat, Shahira M; Kharbach, Mourad; Mostafa, Eman Sherien; Radwan, Rasha Ali; El Jemli, Yousra; El-Guourrami, Otman; Ahid, Samir; Cherrah, Yahia; Zayed, Ahmed; Alaoui, Katim
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Herbs of the genus Juniperus (family Cupressaceae) have been commonly used in ancestral folk medicine known as “Al’Araar” for treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, inflammation, pain, and fever. Bioassay-guided isolation of bioactives from medicinal plants is recognized as a potential approach for the discovery of novel drug candidates. In particular, non-addictive painkillers are of special interest among herbal phytochemicals. Aim of the study: The current study aimed to assess the safety of J. thurifera, J. phoenicea, and J. oxycedrus aqueous extracts in oral treatments; validating the traditionally reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Further phytochemical investigations, especially for the most bioactive species, may lead to isolation of bioactive metabolites responsible for such bioactivities supported with in vitro enzyme inhibition assays. Materials and methods: Firstly, the acute toxicity study was investigated following the OECD Guidelines. Then, the antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities were evaluated based on chemical and mechanical trauma assays and investigated their underlying mechanisms. The most active J. thurifera n-butanol fraction was subjected to chromatographic studies for isolating the major anti-inflammatory metabolites. Moreover, several enzymatic inhibition assays (e.g., 5-lipoxygenase, protease, elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase) were assessed for the crude extracts and isolated compounds. Results: The results showed that acute oral administration of the extracts (300–500 mg/kg, p. o.) inhibited both mechanically and chemically triggered inflammatory edema in mice (up to 70% in case of J. thurifera) with a dose-dependent antinociceptive (tail flick) and anti-inflammatory pain (formalin assay) activities. This effect was partially mediated by naloxone inhibition of the opioid receptor (2 mg/kg, i. p.). In addition, 3-methoxy gallic acid (1), quercetin (2), kaempferol (3), and ellagic acid (4) were successfully identified being involved most likely in J. thurifera extract bioactivities. Nevertheless, quercetin was found to be the most potent against 5-LOX, tyrosinase, and protease with IC50 of 1.52 ± 0.01, 192.90 ± 6.20, and 399 ± 9.05 μM, respectively. Conclusion: J. thurifera extract with its major metabolites are prospective drug candidates for inflammatory pain supported with inhibition of inflammatory enzymes. Interestingly, antagonism of opioid and non-opioid receptors is potentially involved.
Chemometrics-Based Aroma Discrimination of 14 Egyptian Mango Fruits of Different Cultivars and Origins, and Their Response to Probiotics Analyzed via SPME Coupled to GC−MS
(ACS Publications, 2022-01) Farag, Mohamed A; Dokalahy, Erick U; Eissa, Tarek F; Kamal, Islam M; Zayed, Ahmed
The present study investigated the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 14 Egyptian mango specimens collected from three different regions and of different cultivars (cvs). VOCs were extracted via solid-phase microextraction, followed by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry analysis. The results obtained for sesquiterpene hydrocarbons’ qualitative abundance were represented by 28 peaks, whereas monoterpene hydrocarbons amounted for the highest levels in most of the mango cvs. Multivariate data analyses were employed for sample classification and identification of markers. Unsupervised principal component analysis revealed that “zebdia” cv from the three origins combined together being enriched in terpinolene. Moreover, supervised orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis identified β- terpinene and (Z)-geranylacetone in the premium “awees” cv. The impact of probiotic bacteria on mango juice aroma was further assessed revealing no potential changes in the composition. This study provides the first comprehensive insights into Egyptian mango aroma and reveals that the cv type overcomes the geographical origin in their aroma profile.
A Comparative Metabolomics Approach for Egyptian Mango Fruits Classification Based on UV and UPLC/MS and in Relation to Its Antioxidant Effect
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2022-07) Farag, Mohamed A; Abdelwareth, Amr; Zayed, Ahmed; Eissa, Tarek F.; Dokalahy, Eric; Frolov, Andrej; Wessjohann, Ludger A
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a tropical climacteric fruit that encompasses a myriad of metabolites mediating for its nutritive value, unique taste, flavor, and medicinal uses. Egypt is among the top mango producers worldwide, albeit little characterization has been made toward its fruits’ chemical composition. This study aims to assess metabolites difference via comparative profiling and fingerprinting of Egyptian mango in context to its cultivar (cv.) type and/or growth province. To achieve such goal, hyphenated chromatographic techniques (UPLC/MS) and UV spectroscopy were employed and coupled to multivariate data analysis for Egyptian mango fruits’ classification for the first time. UPLC/MS led to the detection of a total of 47 peaks identified based on their elution times and MS data, belonging to tannins as gallic acid esters, flavonoids, xanthones, phenolic acids and oxylipids. UV/Vis spectra of mango fruits showed similar absorption patterns mostly attributed to the phenolic metabolites, i.e., gallic acid derivatives and phenolic acids showing λmax at ca. 240 and 270 nm. Modeling of both UPLC/MS and UV data sets revealed that cv. effect predominated over geographical origin in fruits segregation. Awees (AS) cv. showed the richest phenolic content and in agreement for its recognition as a premium cv. of mango in Egypt. Results of total phenolic content (TPC) assay revealed that AS was the richest in TPC at 179.1 mg GAE/g extract, while Langara from Ismailia (LI) showed the strongest antioxidant effect at 0.41 mg TE/g extract. Partial least square modeling of UV fingerprint with antioxidant action annotated gallates as potential contributor to antioxidant effect though without identification of exact moieties based on UPLC/MS. The study is considered the first-time investigation of Egyptian mango to aid unravel phytoconstituents responsible for fruits benefits using a metabolomics approach.
Fucoidans as nanoparticles: pharmaceutical and biomedical applications
(Elsevier, 14/01/2022) Zayed, Ahmed; Haggag, Yusuf; Ezzat, Shahira M; Salem, Mohamed A; Ulber, Roland
Fucoidans are multifunctional marine sulfated polysaccharides. They have gained much interest in the last few decades, due to promising and diverse biological activities. Additionally, nanobiotechnology is a relatively new scientific field, which has been developed to improve the quality of life, including medicine. Formulation of fucoidans in nanoparticles has taken different forms owing to their polyanionic and reducing nature. They are used in either plain preparations or as a capping agent for various metal nanoparticles or in combination with other cationic polymers as a drug carrier. These applications have resulted in increasing the medical efficiency of fucoidans, opening new era in drug delivery systems for anticancers and antibiotics and helping diagnosis of human diseases as well. The current chapter deals with different aspects regarding technologies used for fucoidans nanoparticles synthesis and utilization of such formulations specifically in the fields of nanomedicine.
Herbal cosmeticology
(Elsevier, 2021) .Ezzat, Shahira M; .El Bishbishy, Mahitab H; El Kersh, Dina M.; Zayed, Ahmed; .Salem, Mohamed A; .Salama, Maha M
Preparation of Phytopharmaceuticals for the Management of Disorders The Development of Nutraceuticals and Traditional Medicine 2021, Pages 129-168 Chapter 7 - Herbal cosmeticology Author links open overlay panelShahira M.EzzatabMaha M.Salamaac https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820284-5.00022-8 Get rights and content Abstract The concept of beauty and cosmetics is as ancient as mankind and civilization where everyone is obsessed with looking charming and young. A cosmetic is defined by the US Food and Drug Administration as the preparation used for cleaning, perfuming, and improving the appearance of the human body. Plants have emerged as the best source of cosmetic ingredients that meet the characteristics of efficiency and safety, thus increasingly replacing synthetic ingredients. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for naturally based cosmetics worldwide and an ever-growing interest in understanding their molecular and mechanistic aspects. In this chapter, we discussed the role of plants in cosmetology and skin care and how the various chemical structures exert biological activities on the skin of human
Identification and analysis of toxic phytochemicals
(Elsevier, 2021-03) Salem, Mohamed A; Serag, Ahmed; El-Seedi, Hesham R.; Hamdan, Dalia I; Ezzat, Shahira M; Zayed, Ahmed
Plants and plant products are used in food and medicine for thousands of years ago. It was thought that natural means safe, but this is not always the case as many plants or plant constituents are toxic or even poisonous especially those containing cardiac, cyanogenic, and thio-glycosides and certain types of alkaloids. Toxic natural products may cause hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, renal toxicity, and cytotoxicity. Analysis of toxic plants and plant constituents is facing a great challenge because of their different chemical and physicochemical properties. Novel extraction techniques have been proposed such as ultrasonic-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and accelerated solvent extraction. In this chapter, we will have an overview of some of the toxic plants and phytochemicals as well as the methods for their qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Important antihistaminic plants and their potential role in health
(Elsevier, 03/05/2021) Salem, Mohamed A; Zayed, Ahmed; Ezzat, Shahira M
Allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, hay fever, dermatitis, food, and drug allergies have increased tremendously in the last decade with increased morbidity. The current antihistaminic drugs have some limitations in terms of safety and efficacy. Most of the allergic conditions are chronic and long-term therapy is essential. Therefore, most allergic patients seek better alternatives to synthetic antihistaminic agents. Several plants and their derived natural products have been reported as effective, safe, and cheap antiallergic agents. Additionally, several plant-derived formulas have reached the clinical trials as safe antiallergic, with similar mechanisms to synthetics drugs. In this chapter, we highlighted the relevant use of plants from folk medicine or scientific-based evidence for natural antiallergic drugs. Special emphasis is given on the natural compounds with reported antiallergic activity.
Marine organisms as potential sources of natural products for the prevention and treatment of malaria
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023-02) Negm, Walaa A; Ezzat, Shahira M; Zayed, Ahmed
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a worldwide critical concern accounting for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases in 2020. Despite the various medicines available for the management, the deadliest VBD malaria, caused by Plasmodium sp., has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths in sub- Saharan Africa only. This finding may be explained by the progressive loss of antimalarial medication efficacy, inherent toxicity, the rise of drug resistance, or a lack of treatment adherence. As a result, new drug discoveries from uncommon sources are desperately needed, especially against multi-drug resistant strains. Marine organisms have been investigated, including sponges, soft corals, algae, and cyanobacteria. They have been shown to produce many bioactive compounds that potentially affect the causative organism at different stages of its life cycle, including the chloroquine (CQ)-resistant strains of P. falciparum. These compounds also showed diverse chemical structures belonging to various phytochemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, polyketides, macrolides, and others. The current article presents a comprehensive review of marine-derived natural products with antimalarial activity as potential candidates for targeting different stages and species of Plasmodium in both in vitro and in vivo and in comparison with the commercially available and terrestrial plant-derived products, i.e., quinine and artemisini
Metabolomics-Based Approach for Coffee Beverage Improvement in the Context of Processing, Brewing Methods, and Quality Attributes
(MDPI, 18/03/2022) Farag, Mohamed A; Zayed, Ahmed; Sallam, Ibrahim E; Abdelwareth, Amr; Wessjohann, Ludger A
Coffee is a worldwide beverage of increasing consumption, owing to its unique flavor and several health benefits. Metabolites of coffee are numerous and could be classified on various bases, of which some are endogenous to coffee seeds, i.e., alkaloids, diterpenes, sugars, and amino acids, while others are generated during coffee processing, for example during roasting and brewing, such as furans, pyrazines, and melanoidins. As a beverage, it provides various distinct flavors, i.e., sourness, bitterness, and an astringent taste attributed to the presence of carboxylic acids, alkaloids, and chlorogenic acids. To resolve such a complex chemical makeup and to relate chemical composition to coffee effects, large-scale metabolomics technologies are being increasingly reported in the literature for proof of coffee quality and efficacy. This review summarizes the applications of various mass spectrometry (MS)- and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics technologies in determining the impact of coffee breeding, origin, roasting, and brewing on coffee chemical composition, and considers this in relation to quality control (QC) determination, for example, by classifying defected and non-defected seeds or detecting the adulteration of raw materials. Resolving the coffee metabolome can aid future attempts to yield coffee seeds of desirable traits and best flavor types.
Molecular Networking Leveraging the Secondary Metabolomes Space of Halophila stipulaceae (Forsk.) Aschers. and Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb. ex Solms) Asch. in Tandem with Their Chemosystematics and Antidiabetic Potentials
(MDPI, 2021-05) Hegazi, Nesrine M; Saad, Hamada H; Marzouk, Mona; Abdel Rahman, Mohamed F; El Bishbishy, Mahitab H; Zayed, Ahmed; Ulber, Roland; Ezzat, Shahira M
The Red Sea is one of the most biodiverse aquatic ecosystems. Notably, seagrasses possess a crucial ecological significance. Among them are the two taxa Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) Aschers., and Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb. ex Solms) Asch., which were formally ranked together with the genus Enhalus in three separate families. Nevertheless, they have been recently classified as three subfamilies within Hydrocharitaceae. The interest of this study is to explore their metabolic profiles through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC- HRMS/MS) analysis in synergism with molecular networking and to assess their chemosystematics relationship. A total of 144 metabolites were annotated, encompassing phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and lipids. Furthermore, three new phenolic acids; methoxy benzoic acid-O-sulphate (16), O-caffeoyl-O-hydroxyl dimethoxy benzoyl tartaric acid (26), dimethoxy benzoic acid-O-sulphate (30), a new flavanone glycoside; hexahydroxy-monomethoxy flavanone-O-glucoside (28), and a new steviol glycoside; rebaudioside-O-acetate (96) were tentatively described. Additionally, the evaluation of the antidiabetic potential of both taxa displayed an inherited higher activity of H. stipulaceae in alleviating the oxidative stress and dyslipidemia associated with diabetes. Hence, the current research significantly suggested Halophila, Thalassia, and Enhalus categorization in three different taxonomic ranks based on their intergeneric and interspecific relationship among them and supported the consideration of seagrasses in natural antidiabetic studies.
Nanotechnology in leukemia: diagnosis, efcient-targeted drug delivery, and clinical trials
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2023-11) Salama, Maha M; Aborehab, Nora M; El Mahdy, Nihal M; Zayed, Ahmed; Ezzat, Shahira M
Leukemia is a group of malignant disorders which afect the blood and blood-forming tissues in the bone marrow, lymphatic system, and spleen. Many types of leukemia exist; thus, their diagnosis and treatment are somewhat complicated. The use of conventional strategies for treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy may develop many side efects and toxicity. Hence, modern research is concerned with the development of specifc nano-formulations for targeted delivery of anti-leukemic drugs avoiding toxic efects on normal cells. Nanostructures can be applied not only in treatment but also in diagnosis. In this article, types of leukemia, its causes, diagnosis as well as conventional treatment of leukemia shall be reviewed. Then, the use of nanoparticles in diagnosis of leukemia and synthesis of nanocarriers for efcient delivery of anti-leukemia drugs being investigated in in vivo and clinical studies. Therefore, it may contribute to the discovery of novel and emerging nanoparticles for targeted treatment of leukemia with less side efects and toxicities.
Natural Products for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2020) Salem, Mohamed A; El Bishbishy, Mahitab H; Zayed, Ahmed; Mahrous, Amr A; Salama, Maha M; Ezzat, Shahira M
Cardiovascular diseases constitute a serious public health problem. It is estimated that they are responsible for nearly 30% of world mortality. Regardless of the developments in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases, their incidence rate remains increasing. Therefore, newlines of drugs are needed to manage the expanding population of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Even though the most common existing treatments for cardiovascular diseases are synthetic molecules, natural compounds, of different chemical classes, are also being tested. Medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure and hypertension many centuries ago. Recently, the traditional remedies application for the treatment of different disorders is gaining revived popularity. In this chapter, we will investigate the efficacy and safety of natural products under preclinical studies and clinical trials with particular emphasis on their traditional uses and implementations in the primary health care system. The great potential of medicinal plants and herbs will be discussed in light of the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases as one of the most devastating global health problems.
Phytosedatives for Drug Discovery
(WILEY, 11/12/2020) Ezzat, Shahira M; Zayed, Ahmed; Salem, Mohamed A.
The incidence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders has increased significantly in recent years. Anxiety, nervous tension, agitation, insomnia, depression, epilepsy, dementia, and severe chronic pain represent the major neuropsychological disturbances. These disorders may occur alone or coexist, making their diagnosis and treatment challenging. Pharmacological treatment of such disorders can be in the form of a single drug or a combination of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, azapirones, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, among many other antidepressants. The adverse effects of these chemically synthesized drugs include dependence, amnesia, and dizziness as well as sexual disorders and restlessness. In this context, screening for new classes of sedatives is necessary for the production of drug leads with minor side effects. Plants are considered sustainable reservoirs for unique secondary metabolites, including phytotoxins that have been used for thousands of years for prevention as well as treatment of several disorders, including those related to the CNS. In this chapter, we introduce the major neuropsychological disturbances and the natural sources that support the treatment of these disorders. Moreover, we provide an overview of the plant metabolites that have been traditionally used or tested in vivo for their sedative effect.
Plants against malarial and typhoid fever
(Elsevier, 2021-03) Ezzat, Shahira M; Zayed, Ahmed
Malaria and typhoid fever are life-threatening infectious diseases usually detected in regions, where sanitary conditions are inadequate putting a high proportion of the world’s population at high risk. Plasmodium parasites cause malaria, while typhoid fever is of a bacterial origin caused by Salmonella typhi. The World Health Organization estimated more than 200 million malaria cases around the world in 2018 and above 10 million cases of typhoid every year. Due to multi-drug resistance and the absence of homogenous supply, the conventional drugs for treating these diseases became ineffective and non-available during natural disasters and military conflicts. Therefore, in the last few decades, fundamental researches have been conducted to explore and document the in vivo and in vitro antimalarial and anti-typhoid activities of many traditional plants and their constituents. In our chapter, we would have an overview of the most effective plants derived from different traditional medicines worldwide and their phytoconstituents responsible for such activities.
Psychoactive plants and phytochemicals
(Elsevier, 03/05/2021) Salem, Mohamed A; Zayed, Ahmed; Ezzat, Shahira M
Central nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s occur as a result of the imbalance of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine (Ach), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and/or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Such disorders may lead to emotional changes as well as impaired cognitive functions. Plants have been the predominant source of medicines throughout the vast majority of human history and remain so today outside of industrialized societies. Many plants are known for their anxiolytic, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing properties. Moreover, phytoconstituents, particularly alkaloids, have proven effectiveness as psychoactive lead drugs. In this chapter, we will have an overview of the most important psychoactive, neuroprotective, and antidepressant plants and phytoconstituents with emphasis on their mechanism of action.
Reorganization and Updating the Pharmacy Education in Egypt: A Review Study on the Transition from B Pharm to Pharm D Degree
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2022-10) Salem, Mohamed A; Ezzat, Shahira M; Hemdan, Dalia I; Zayed, Ahmed
During the last years, pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy profession have greatly expanded worldwide because of more modernization, digitalization, and globalization. In contrast, the situation in Egypt is very complex since the pharmacists’ role is still underutilized either by the community or the health care system. Based on the modern global requirements of the pharmacy profession and an official analysis of the Egyptian pharmaceutical community performed has adopted the decision of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for a transition in the pharmaceutical education in Egypt. This transition aimed at upgrading the educational and professional level of the graduates of the faculties of pharmacy. In addition, it included replacing of the current pharmacy bachelor degree (B Pharm) with the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) degree. The aim of this paper was to highlight the current scenario of pharmacy education in Egypt and the future challenges of pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy profession in the era of the fourth industrial revolution (FIR). Switching from B Pharm to Pharm D in Egypt is just the first step to introduce better quality of pharmaceutical education. However, the FIR may change the strategies of patient counselling, drug delivery and prescriptions dispensing to more computer-aided scenarios.
Supercharging metabolic health with Lycium barbarum L.: A review of the therapeutic potential of this functional food for managing metabolic syndrome
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024-01) Sharifi-Rad, Javad; Quetglas-Llabrés, Maria Magdalena; Sureda, Antoni; Mardones, Lorena; Villagran, Marcelo; Gürer, Eda Sönmez; Živković, Jelena; Ezzat, Shahira M; Zayed, Ahmed; Gümü¸sok, Safa; Kılıç, Ceyda Sibel; Fasipe, Babatunde; Laher, Ismail; Martorell, Miquel
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common disorder involving a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and atherogenic profile. MetS is characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and a chronic proinflammatory state, which are directly related to the development and progression of this pathology. It has been seen how a healthy lifestyle and good dietary practices are key to improving the different metabolic parameters and, therefore, play a fundamental role in reducing the risk of developing diabetes. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of Lycium barbarum L. in MetS gathered in the last years. Several preclinical studies suggest that L. barbarum extracts are a good dietary supplement for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with MetS. This compound has been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of atrophic gastritis, problems related to the lungs, kidneys, and liver, and as a supplement for eye health. In addition, different in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out that support the properties attributed to metabolites derived from L. barbarum, such as polysaccharides that have been shown diverse biological activities. In conclusion, L. barbarum extracts have multiple benefits to increase general well-being and immune function. However, there are a limited number of studies related to effect of L. barbarum in MetS, but they demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, and prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2 complication. © 2024 The Authors. Food Frontiers published by Nanchang University, Northwest University, Jiangsu University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.