Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets - Volume 25, Issue 5, 2025

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory condition affecting the colon, primarily impacting individuals aged 30 to 40. It typically begins in the rectum and gradually progresses to the proximal regions of the colon, characterized by recurrent and remitting mucosal inflammation. Ulcerative colitis is categorized under inflammatory bowel disease, which encompasses various gastrointestinal tract disorders, but its underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. The development of ulcerative colitis is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and inflammatory factors. The severity of the disease guides the management of ulcerative colitis. Restorative strategies include the use of TNF-α (anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha) monoclonal antibodies. Janus Kinase inhibitors suppress cell signaling of the innate immune system. As ongoing research continues, the treatment options for ulcerative colitis are continually evolving and improving. Various types of dosage forms (tablets, capsules, suppositories, etc.) are available in the market for managing ulcerative colitis, with the primary goal of achieving and maintaining clinical and endoscopic remission of the disease. Ensuring a high level of patient compliance is crucial when considering the formulation of these dosage forms. This review article seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of ulcerative colitis while highlighting the existing treatment options on various available dosage forms.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a significant global health threat, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. These infections can lead to severe illness and death, placing a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Fungi were not previously considered a substantial risk to human health, but this perception changed with the rise of the HIV epidemic. The emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains further complicates the management of these infections, highlighting the urgent need for effective antifungal therapies. Innovative approaches in antifungal drug delivery formulations. This article explores the role of effective antifungal drug delivery formulations in combating the rise of IFIs. These formulations, ranging from lipid-based systems like liposomes and lipid emulsions to polymeric nanoparticles and microparticles, offer several advantages over conventional drug delivery methods. Optimizing these formulations may improve drug efficacy, reduce the risk of drug resistance, and enhance patient outcomes. Furthermore, advancements in nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery systems hold promise in overcoming existing limitations and expanding the scope of antifungal therapies.

SARS-CoV-2, also called coronavirus causes SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome, a highly transmissible disease that has rapidly spread worldwide, straining healthcare systems and leading to a substantial number of fatalities. Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2 has revealed a gender difference, with males dying at a greater rate and with more severe cases than women. It's worth noting that the male reproductive system might be particularly susceptible to damage during periods of moderate to severe sickness, which has been linked to cases of orchitis and erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 virus particles have been found in the tissues of the testes and penile of both living patients who have recovered from the virus and in post-mortem analyses of males who have died from it. For males who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2, sexual transmission is not a big concern, even though moderate to severe infections may have detrimental effects on male reproductive health. This includes the depletion of germ cells and Leydig cells that leads to a decrease in the formation of sperm, potentially decreasing the release of male sex hormones. These adverse effects may result in issues such as infertility and sexual dysfunction, which are of growing concern for couples looking to conceive or those in need of assisted reproduction. Numerous investigations have examined SARS-CoV-2's effects on male reproductive health from a variety of perspectives. The purpose of this review is to give a general summary of how SARS-CoV-2 has affected male reproductive health.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019 and early 2020, the identification of drugs to control severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and its symptoms has been a pressing focus of research. Cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the leading causes of mortality following infection. In this review, we discuss immune pathogenesis and four medications, including Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Dexamethasone, and Annual SZ for COVID-19. A comparison of the effectiveness and therapeutic usage of drugs as reported in clinical trials and reports was made at different disease levels as well. Clinical studies indicate that Annual SZ with mild side effects was more affordable and might be more effective than other medications. Additionally, Annual SZ was capable of reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as viral attachment and RNA replication.

The resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents presents numerous challenges. The formation of biofilms leads to enhanced resistance to adverse environmental conditions, as well as to antimicrobial agents. Natural compounds have been of interest as potential therapeutic agents. Emodin, a natural anthraquinone compound, has recently attracted attention for its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. This ability could potentially help combat biofilm-associated infections and enhance the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies. This review was carried out to evaluate the effects of emodin on microbial biofilms, determine its effectiveness in inhibiting and reducing biofilm formation, eradicate biofilms, and examine its antimicrobial effects. Our study shows that the use of emodin as an additional therapeutic agent in combating microbial biofilms holds considerable promise. As researchers continue to investigate how emodin interacts with microbial biofilms, there is excitement about the potential applications of this natural compound in addressing biofilm-related issues. However, it is suggested to pay more attention to evaluating the effects of emodin on microbial biofilms in future studies.