Current Pharmaceutical Analysis - Volume 18, Issue 8, 2022

Since the global spread of covid-19, PCR predominantly has taken the lead in the diagnosis. It amplifies a particular DNA target sequence into millions of copies. To simplify the laboratory- dependent disease diagnosis, the point of care diagnostics (POC) paved the way for labon- a-chip-technology. Succeeding that, POC integrated with PCR stole the limelight. This review points out the various diagnostic methods of covid-19 based on PCR and POC-PCR along with its principles, and types clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) based assays for the rapid, accurate, and easier detection of covid-19.

Background: Brexpiprazole (BRZ) is a "third-generation" antipsychotic dopaminergic (D2) and 5HT1A (serotonin) partial agonist, approved in July 2015 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the major depressive disorder (MDD) other than schizophrenia in adults. Antipsychotics are known to produce extrapyramidal effects as side effects. The recent development in this segment is of piperazine-based antipsychotic BRZ, which is more specific towards indented indications (depression) and has fewer side effects. Objective: To critically review the different analytical methods available in the literature. Methods: Eight spectrophotometry-based studies, nineteen chromatography-based studies, and two other method-based studies were found in the literature search. A brief discussion on pharmacokinetics and the mechanism of action is also included. Conclusion: This review can be used for the development of more robust and suitable analytical methods for the determination of drugs in different matrices. A brief discussion concerning the approach towards the advancement of green analytical methods is likewise one of the points of this review.

Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenolic yellow compound extracted from Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric) rhizome with a broad spectrum of pharmacological and medicinal properties as propounded by several in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies. Considerable research over the past century has been extensively carried out on chemical, biological, and analytical perspectives of curcumin. Nowadays, curcumin is widely used in food and pharmaceutical formulations due to its excellent health benefits. Therefore, characterization and quantification of curcuminoids in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals are required to measure their quality control parameters to address issues related to processing and storage. This review article specifies the current exploration of analytical methodologies used to extract and quantify curcuminoids in different matrices. Moreover, this review offers phytochemistry, synthetic and biosynthetic pathways, extraction methodologies, degradation and metabolism pathways, and health benefits of the curcumin scurrying from the kitchen shelf toward the clinic.

Aims: Syringopicroside (SYR) is an iridoid monomer compound isolated from the leaves of clove. HBV is a hepatotropic virus that can cause severe liver diseases, including acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Syringopicroside has a significant effect on anti-HBV, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. Methods: A metabolomics approach based on UPLC-G2-Si-HDMS was performed to analyze the serum biomarkers from HBV transgenic mice to find the biomarkers affected by syringopicroside. Through the analysis of metabolic pathways, the key pathways of syringopicroside involved in a therapeutic action were explored to study its potential mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the "component-target-pathway" network of syringopicroside in the treatment of hepatitis B was constructed and combined with the results of metabolomics. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of syringopicroside against HBV was also discussed. Results: Serum metabolomics identified a total of 42 HBV-related biomarkers, of which 8 returned to normal levels after syringopicroside treatment, involving a total of 6 metabolic pathways. Five biomarkers returned to normal levels after lamivudine treatment, involving 2 metabolic pathways. Network pharmacology analysis showed that syringopicroside in the treatment of hepatitis B mainly acts on 26 targets, including MMP9, MAPK1, and SLC29A1, involving 4 pathways. Conclusion: This study elucidates the multi-target and multi-channel integration mechanism of syringopicroside against HBV, lays a foundation for an in-depth study of the anti-HBV mechanism of syringopicroside, and also provides support for the development of innovative traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of hepatitis B.

Background: Artemether (ART) has been recognized as a potent and rapidly acting antimalarial agent metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4 into a more active form dihydroartemisinin (DHA). Hence, it was required to study the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of ART and DHA for the optimization of dose. Objective: The current research aims to develop an ultra-performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technique with high sensitivity for quantification of ART and DHA simultaneous in the biological fluid. Methods: An isocratic elution mode was applied for delivery of mobile phase (A) ammonium acetate (2mM) in UPLC grade water and (B) acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) comprising 0.1% v/v formic acid in each solvent system with the rate of flow maintained at 400 μL/min. For analyte detection and parent to daughter ion transition tracking, multiple reaction monitoring system was adopted. Artemisinin was selected as the internal standard (IS) for its structural similarity with the analytes. Results: The linearity range of the calibration curve was between 0.5-200 ng/mL. The regression equation indicated r² = 0.996 for ART and r² = 0.997 for DHA. Precision and accuracy set in terms of relative error (RE%: ±15) and relative standard deviation (RSD%: ±15) expressed in percentage were within the acceptability range. The % recoveries were within the acceptable limit (90–110%). The detection and quantification limits of the analyte were 0.2 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The method demonstrated a useful technique for quantification of ART and DHA for evaluating the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies in rat plasma following orally administered nanoformulation.