Research Title: Preparation and Physicochemical Characterization of Atorvastatin Choline Salt and its Potential for Transdermal Permeation

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2020

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) is an anti-hyperlipidemic agent with poor bioavailability. Several approaches were reported to improve the solubility of ATV. In this study ATV was prepared as a choline salt (ATV-C) and a complex of the prepared salt with hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) (ATV-C-CD) hoping to enhance ATV solubility, decrease the partition coefficient and improve its transdermal permeability. The pharmaceutical properties of the products were investigated. The prepared salts were characterized by FTIR, NMR and DSC, UV and HPLC. 2D NMR was successfully employed to unequivocally assign the protons of ATV, which was essential for better understanding of the structure of the formed salt. ATV-C showed higher solubility in phosphate buffer than ATV. Its log Po/phosphate buffer was found to be 1.1 while that for ATV 1.78. This change had an effect on the transdermal permeation where the ATV-C compound achieved a 4 times greater diffusion compared to ATV. Interestingly, ATV-C seemed to cause a tighter fitting of the drug into the HPβCD cavity leading to higher binding constant. However, the ATV-C-CD complex showed a negative effect on transdermal permeation

Keywords: atorvastatin, bioavailability, transdermal, Log P

Research Title: Genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders in 103 Jordanian families

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2020

Clinical Genetics, 97

Faculty: Science

Abstract: We recruited 103 families from Jordan with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and patterns of inheritance mostly suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance. In each family, we investigated at least one affected individual using exome sequencing and an in‐house diagnostic variant interpretation pipeline including a search for copy number variation. This approach led us to identify the likely molecular defect in established disease genes in 37 families. We could identify 25 pathogenic nonsense and 11 missense variants as well as 3 pathogenic CNVs and one repeat expansion. Notably, 11 of the disease‐causal variants occurred de novo. In addition, we prioritized a homozygous frameshift variant in PUS3 in two sisters with intellectual disability. To our knowledge, PUS3 has been postulated only recently as a candidate disease gene for intellectual disability in a single family with three affected siblings. Our findings provide additional evidence to establish loss of PUS3 function as a cause of intellectual disability.

Keywords: exome sequencing, Jordan, neurodevelopmental disorder, PUS3

Research Title: Chapter 6 - Influence of Drug Properties and Routes of Drug Administration on the Design of Controlled Release System, IN Dosage Form Design Considerations Volume i Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research 2018, Pages 179-223

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2018

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: To achieve therapeutic drug concentration is not a major task, rather maintaining that concentration for the desired period is clinically more important and is a demanding area of drug delivery science. However, the design of controlled release formulations requires many factors to be considered such as drug delivery rate, delivery duration, physicochemical properties of the drug, nature of excipients, the route of administration, and the dosing interval etc. The objective of the chapter is to provide a complete understanding of several physicochemical properties of the drug that ultimately influence the performance of drug molecule. The chapter includes various aspects of designing controlled release formulations which includes rationale of design, drug properties (molecular weight, pH, pKa, etc.), pharmacokinetic aspects (absorption, distribution, etc.), pharmacodynamic aspects (dosing interval/frequency, patient condition, etc.), and route of drug administration (oral, transdermal, parenteral, etc.).

Keywords: Drug properties, controlled release, delivery system, routes of administration, patented CRS, pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics, patient compliance

Research Title: Chapter 15 - Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Metal Nanoparticles, IN Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research , Pages 527-612

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The most emerging branch of science during the last decade is nanoscience and nanotechnology. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have a great role in many scientific fields such as medicine, physics, mechanics, pharmaceutics, and others. In the last few years, scientists found great potential in metal NPs synthesis and applications and even used different spectroscopic or microscopic characterization methods. This book chapter covers the concept behind metal NPs, the advantages and role of metal NPs in pharmaceutical systems, and will focus on the synthetic methods for the production of different metal NPs by using physical, chemical, and biological approaches; allied characterization techniques including spectroscopic, microscopic, and physiochemical techniques; and the applications in medical technology of metal NPs including applications in drug, protein, peptide, and gene delivery; tissue engineering; enzymology; surface coating; biosensing devices; diagnostics and theranostics; in addition to many other applications, concluding with metal NPs’ future potential.

Keywords: Metal nanoparticlesgold NPssilver NPsiron NPscopper NPsselenium NPssulfur NPsplatinum NPsbimetallic NPs synthesis approachesnanoparticles characterizationnanoparticles applications

Research Title: Development of a chemical fingerprint as a tool to distinguish closely related Tinospora species and quantitation of marker compounds

Author: Manal Mohammad Alhusban, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 178

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Tinospora species are morphologically similar. Several cases of human toxicity have been reported in association with T. crispa. A chemical fingerprint was developed to differentiate T. crispa from its closely related species and to quantitate its major furanoditerpenes namely as borapetosides B, C and F. The rapid, sensitive and repeatable method was established using ultra–high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and single quadrupole electrospray mass spectrometry detectors using a flavonoid, two alkaloids, an amide and six diterpenoids. Qualitative and quantitative determination was performed by UHPLC-UV and confirmed by MS. The intra-day RSD for replicates was between 0.9 and 6.8% and inter-day RSD was between 1.2 and 9.1%. Recovery was 97–103 %. The method is useful to achieve decisiveness in not only identifying but also differentiating T. crispa from T. sinensis and other closely related Tinospora species. Seventeen Tinospora plant samples and seventeen dietary supplements claiming T. crispa, T. sinensis and T. cordifolia were analyzed. The newly developed and validated method successfully resulted in the conclusive identification of two dietary supplements to be mislabeled.

Keywords: T. crispaBorapetoside CT. sinensisTinosineside AMagnoflorineDietary supplements

Research Title: Rearranged clerodane diterpenoid from Tinospora crispa

Author: Manal Mohammad Alhusban, Published Year: 2019

Natural Product Research, 34

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A new rearranged clerodane diterpenoid, tinocrispide was isolated from the stems of Tinospora crispa along with thirteen known compounds including eight clerodane diterpenoids. Among the known compounds baenzigeride A, (6S, 9 R)-vomifoliol and steponine are being reported for the first time from T. crispa. Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR and confirmed by HRESIMS. The 13C NMR data of borapetol A has been revised.

Keywords: Tinospora crispa, isolation, NMR, tinocrispide, borapetol A

Research Title: Evaluating Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns of Pseudomonas in Relation to Specimen Type in Jordanian Hospital.

Author: Nabil Nimer, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity patterns of different antibiotics of pseudomonas in relation to specimen types. Methods: The quantitative retrospective study was conducted at Princess Iman Research and Laboratory Sciences Centre of Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan. The specimens of USS, urine, cerebral spinal fluid, and blood were collected from patients, who visited the hospital from January to September 2015. Drugs analysed included ampicillin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. Results: There were 358 samples collected. Ampicillin was found effective (p=0.002). There was a weaker correlation between amikacin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (r=-0.001). Similarly, nitrofurantoin was also effective (p=0.001), and the association between amikacin and ceftazidime was positive (r=0.998). Conclusion: The selected antibiotics were only examined, concerning the sensitivity patterns as data collected from the patients was insufficient for other drugs.

Keywords: Antibiotics, pseudomonas, Sensitivity Patterns, Specimen.

Research Title: A review on emerging and re-emerging of infectious diseases in Jordan the aftermath of the Syrian crises.

Author: Nabil Nimer, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The review aims to examine the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases in Jordan, in parallel with the Syrian refugee crisis. Qualitative approach has been adopted for systematically examining the outcomes of Syrian Crisis, which resulted with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. It has adhered that infectious diseases; including measles, tuberculosis, and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, have hazardous effects on Syrian refugees along with alarming threats to local population in Jordan. National health policies should be implemented to adhere to the influence of infectious diseases beside the reduction of the extent of infectious diseases in Jordan. In the 21st century, Syrian conflict can be deliberated as one of the biggest humanitarian disasters. In this multifaceted emergency with devastating requirements and limitations, it has been found essential for dominant medical healthcare providers to develop medical strategies that are based on comprehensive understanding of concerned context and the main medical requirements and susceptible groups.

Keywords: Emerging Infectious diseases, Reemerging Infectious diseases

Research Title: Isoform selectivity of harmine-conjugated 1,2,3-triazoles against human monoamine oxidase

Author: Manal Mohammad Alhusban, Published Year: 2018

FUTURE MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 10

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Aim: There is little information available on the monoamine oxidase isoform selectivity of N-alkyl harmine analogs, which exhibit a myriad of activities including MAO-A, DYRK1A and cytotoxicity to several select cancer cell lines. Results: Compounds 3e and 4c exhibited an IC50 of 0.83 ± 0.03 and 0.43 ± 0.002 μM against MAO-A and an IC50 of 0.26 ± 0.04 and 0.36 ± 0.001 μM against MAO-B, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed π–π interactions between the synthesized molecules and aromatic amino acid residues. Conclusion & future perspective: The current study delineates the structural requirements for MAO-A selectivity and such information may be helpful in designing selective analogs for kinase, DYRK1A and harmine-based cytotoxics without apparent MAO enzyme inhibition.

Keywords: 1,2,3-triazolesclick chemistryharminemonoamine oxidase

Research Title: PnPa13 Peptide derived from Brazilian wandering spider toxin interact with Cb1 cannabinoid receptor

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2018

The COMPARE Annual Research Symposium 2018, Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Center, University of Birmingham,UK

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Several peptides derived from venoms, including those from spiders, snakes and marines have been explored as analgesic agents. Molecular targets include voltage-gated and acid-sensitive ion channels or ionotropic glutamate receptors, as well as modulating opioid and cannabinoid pathways. An example is the drug (Prialt®), a potent analgesic, designed from ω-conotoxin MVIIA, a peptide from Conus magus snail venom. Our group has developed peptides analogue comprising the predicted active regions of particular toxins from the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer). The synthetic nontoxic peptide PnPP-19 (BR 10 2012 020800-8 A2) derived from PnTx2-6 toxin promoted antinociception, associated with an involvement of neutral endopeptidase, and CB1 cannabinoid, as well as μ and δ opioid receptors (FREITAS, ACN et. al., 2016). This work aims looking for a novel synthetic peptide, Pn-13 (MW= 1.58 kDa, 13 amino acid residues) modelled from δ-Ctenitoxin-Pn1a toxin, its sequence in patent application. We evaluated the selectivity of Pn-13 using CHO-CB1 and CHO-CB2 human receptors and [35S]-GTPγS in binding assays. The results indicated that Pn-13 exhibited some selectivity for the CB1 receptor. Preliminary results monitoring cAMP levels in CB1 and CB2 cells appear to show effects only in CB1 cells. Further studies of the downstream signalling pathways for the CB1 and CB2 receptors (calcium elevation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation), however, failed to show significant effects of Pn-13. Pn-13 peptide appears to have potential as a biased ligand at CB1 cannabinoid receptors and could be an interesting tool to study this receptor.

Keywords: cannabinoids, opioid,Pn1,G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)