Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 31, Issue 13, 2025

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a common and highly pathogenic pathogen, which often causes several serious infections in humans. The rampant and inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has fueled a worrisome surge in Multidrug Resistance (MDR) among the strains of K. pneumoniae, which has significantly boosted the risk and complexity of nosocomial infection transmission in clinical settings. Consequently, this situation presents a substantial challenge to the efficacy of anti-infective treatments, making the development of new and innovative therapeutic approaches important. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria. They and their derived products are now being considered as promising alternatives or adjuncts to antimicrobial therapies for treating bacterial infections in humans, which exhibit a remarkable safety profile and precise host specificity. Numerous studies have also unequivocally demonstrated the remarkable potential of phages in effectively combating MDR K. pneumoniae infections both in vitro and in vivo. These studies have explored various approaches to K. pneumoniae phages, such as phage cocktails, phage-derived enzymes, and the synergistic utilization of phages and antibiotics. Therefore, phage therapy is old but not obsolete, particularly in light of the escalating problem of antimicrobial-resistant K. pneumoniae infections. Here, we have presented a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge on phage therapy for K. pneumoniae infections, including phage distribution, in vitro characterization of phages, in vivo investigations, and cases of clinical study. This review highlights the rapid advancements in phage therapy for K. pneumoniae, offering a promising avenue for combating this global public health threat.

Cancer is a significant health challenge worldwide, causing social and economic burdens. Despite advancements in medicine, it remains a leading cause of death and is projected to increase by 2040. While conventional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are effective, they often have severe side effects. CAR T-cell (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) treatment is a novel immunotherapy method personalized to the patient's immune system and directly targets cancer cells. It originated in the 1980s, and advancements have made it more effective. However, challenges remain, such as severe side effects, high costs, and manufacturing variability. Despite these challenges, the treatment with CAR T-cells has shown remarkable success, especially in hematologic malignancies. Though, it is new to solid tumours, ongoing research looks promising. CAR T-cell therapy offers hope for fightingcancer, and it stands poised to redefine cancer treatment paradigms, giving renewed optimism to patients globally.

Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, has been shown to have significant cardioprotective effects in various preclinical studies. This article reviews the various mechanisms by which ursolic acid achieves its cardioprotective effects, highlighting its potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Ursolic acid upregulates anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), effectively reducing oxidative stress, thereby decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improving lipid peroxidation levels. Furthermore, ursolic acid downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibits key inflammatory pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which results in its anti-inflammatory effects. These actions help in protecting cardiac tissues from acute and chronic inflammation. Ursolic acid also promotes mitochondrial function and energy metabolism by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and reducing dysfunction, which is critical during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, ursolic acid influences multiple molecular pathways, including B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated x-protein (Bax), miR-21/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Collectively, these properties make ursolic acid a promising therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), warranting further research and clinical trials to harness its potential fully.

Intrauterine Adhesions (IUA) are a significant cause of infertility and miscarriage, often resulting from trauma to the endometrium. While hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is the primary treatment, the use of hydrogels as anti-adhesion barriers and drug delivery systems is gaining traction for improving patient outcomes. This review aims to explore various hydrogel types, their role in tissue repair, and the integration of stem cell therapy. Recent advancements in biomaterial scaffolds have demonstrated potential in preventing adhesion recurrence and promoting endometrial regeneration. These emerging treatments provide promising avenues for enhancing the efficacy of traditional therapies in IUA management.