Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics Journal

Effective Herbal Treatments for Enhancing Female Fertility: A Comprehensive Review

2025-12-20T09:54:40+00:00

Background and Objective: Female fertility represents a significant global challenge, influenced by numerous factors including hormonal imbalances, environmental stressors, and lifestyle choices. These factors impact both physical and mental health and have significant social and economic implications. Consequently, there is an urgent need for effective and natural approaches to identify safe and efficacious treatments. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review and analyze the efficacy of herbal therapies in enhancing female fertility.

Methods: A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for English-language studies using MeSH terms such as women's fertility, herbal medicine, reproductive health, plant extracts, and complementary therapies. The research focused on the effects of improving fertility components in both primary and secondary studies published from 1995 to the end of the year 2024.

Results: Herbal treatments have become a natural and effective alternative for enhancing female fertility, addressing issues like hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress. Plant extracts, particularly polyphenolic compounds, help neutralize free radicals and may enhance reproductive health by regulating hormone levels. Certain herbs, such as Vitex agnus-castus, fennel, and Ashwagandha, aid in menstrual regulation and fertility enhancement. Systematic reviews suggest that these remedies can enhance pregnancy rates and improve the quality of oocytes and embryos. However, potential risks must be considered, and further research through rigorous clinical trials is needed to establish standardized guidelines

Conclusion: Herbal treatments have been introduced as a natural and effective option for enhancing women's fertility. Further research in pharmacology, phytochemistry, and toxicology could lead to the development of new and effective medications by evaluating the biological activity of compounds extracted from plant extracts. This approach aids in the identification of novel treatments for women's fertility disorders and improves their quality of life and reproductive health.

Incidence and Clinical Management of Animal Bites in Yazd, Iran (2019–2023)

2025-12-20T09:54:39+00:00

Background: Bites from animals pose a pronounced threat to people's health because they can cause the fatal disease of rabies. Rabies in Iran remains one of the significant health and economic problems.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of animal bite cases in Yazd, Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population includes animal bite cases referred to health centers in Yazd (2019-2023). The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21).

Results: A total of 12122 cases were included in the study. Cats and Dogs caused almost 97% of all bites. 98.2% of the invasive animals were domestic, and 55.3% of them were strays. Most of the bites occurred during the summer season, which accounted for 29.13% of all bites. The most bitten parts were the hands. The most affected age group was individuals aged 21-40 years, which accounted for 39% of the cases.

Conclusion: In the present study, most cases of bites were related to dogs and cats in Yazd city and the importance of the resulting complications in terms of health and economy, the authorities should plan to reduce cases by increasing the level of awareness through training and combating stray dogs and cats, as well as providing the necessary equipment to treat and follow up on people who have been bitten.

The Impact of Eptifibatide on Midterm Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2025-12-20T09:54:38+00:00

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the standard reperfusion strategy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Eptifibatide, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, is used during primary PCI to reduce ischemic complications. However, its clinical benefit remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the rates of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 12 months between patients who received eptifibatide and those who did not.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 268 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received eptifibatide (n=134) and those who did not (n=134). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and TVR at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included the individual components of the primary endpoint and in-hospital major bleeding.

Results: Patients who received eptifibatide had a lower rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 12 months than those who did not (11.2% vs 26.9%, p=0.001). Eptifibatide use was associated with lower rates of death (3% vs 11.2%, p=0.008), while rates of TVR (3.7% vs 8.2%, p=0.098) and recurrent MI (4.5% vs 7.5%, p=0.220) did not differ significantly between groups. The incidence of in-hospital major bleeding was not statistically significant (10.6% vs 4.5%, p=0.156). Comparison between groups showed significantly lower odds of cardiac death and of the composite major adverse cardiovascular events in patients who received eptifibatide (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.76, p=0.015; and OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18-0.66, p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, administration of eptifibatide was associated with lower rates of death and MACE at 12 months without an increase in in-hospital major bleeding. Use of eptifibatide during primary PCI may improve mid-term outcomes.

From Liraglutide to Tirzepatide: New Frontiers in Anti-Obesity Pharmacotherapy

2025-12-20T09:54:37+00:00

Obesity is a global health challenge, with over one billion people affected worldwide. While lifestyle changes remain essential, pharmacological interventions have become increasingly crucial in managing this complex condition. This editorial explores the evolution of anti-obesity medications, from liraglutide to the more recent breakthroughs like semaglutide and tirzepatide. These drugs, especially the newer GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists, have shown remarkable efficacy—comparable to bariatric surgery in some cases. The discussion highlights not only their clinical benefits but also their mechanisms, limitations, and future potential. As science advances, the integration of these therapies into mainstream care could significantly transform obesity treatment and improve long-term health outcomes.

Targeted drug delivery using smart nanoparticles

2025-12-20T09:54:35+00:00

Background: Conventional chemotherapy for cancer treatment is often limited by poor specificity, systemic toxicity, and the development of drug resistance. Targeted drug delivery systems utilizing smart nanoparticles present a promising strategy to overcome these challenges by enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing off-target effects.

Materials and Methods: Folate-conjugated, pH- and temperature-responsive PLGA-PEG nanoparticles encapsulating doxorubicin were synthesized via a nanoprecipitation method. The nanoparticles were characterized for their size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release kinetics. Their targeting capability and cytotoxicity were evaluated in folate receptor-positive (MCF-7) and negative (NIH-3T3) cell lines using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and MTT assays. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, antitumor efficacy, and safety were assessed in murine xenograft models.

Results: The formulated nanoparticles were monodisperse (~140 nm) with high drug loading capacity and stability. Folate functionalization significantly enhanced cellular uptake in MCF-7 cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Drug release was minimal at physiological pH (7.4) but accelerated significantly under acidic conditions (pH 5.5) and at an elevated temperature (42°C). In vivo studies demonstrated a prolonged circulation time, higher tumor accumulation, and superior tumor growth inhibition (75% reduction) with the targeted nanoparticles compared to both free doxorubicin and non-targeted controls, alongside reduced systemic toxicity.

Conclusion: The integration of active targeting with dual-stimuli responsiveness in this nanoplatform markedly enhances the precision and efficacy of doxorubicin delivery, underscoring its potential for clinical translation in precision oncology.

Comparative Prognostic Value of Combined versus Conventional Apgar Scores for Neonatal Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study

2025-12-20T09:54:34+00:00

Objective: To compare the predictive performance of the combined Apgar score versus the conventional Apgar score in forecasting adverse clinical outcomes among hospitalized neonates in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted from April to October 2023 at Imam Khomeini and Sina Hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran, enrolled 637 neonates requiring hospitalization. Both conventional and combined Apgar scores were recorded at 1, 5, and 10 minutes post-birth by trained neonatologists following standardized protocols. The combined Apgar score integrated gestational age adjustments and resuscitative interventions, while the conventional score assessed five physiological parameters. Primary outcomes included mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, seizures, and blood product infusions. Predictive performance was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of greater than 0.75 as the threshold for acceptable sensitivity. Multivariable logistic regression was adjusted for confounders, including gestational age and birth weight.

Results: Among the 637 neonates enrolled (64% male and 36% female; gestational age, 23–42 weeks; birth weight, 500–5060 g), 193 were born preterm. The combined Apgar score demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity and specificity than the conventional score in predicting mortality (n = 99), mechanical ventilation (n = 166), seizures (n = 51), blood product infusions (n = 139), and prolonged hospital stays (all AUC > 0.75, p < 0.0001). Significant negative correlations were observed between Apgar scores and adverse outcomes, with the combined score showing stronger prognostic accuracy, particularly in preterm infants.

Conclusion: The combined Apgar score, by incorporating gestational age and intervention data, offers superior predictive accuracy for neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to the conventional method. Its adoption in clinical practice could enhance early identification of high-risk neonates, optimize resource allocation, and improve outcomes, particularly in preterm and high-risk populations. Multicenter studies with long-term follow-up are warranted to validate and extend these findings.

Artificial Intelligence in Parasitology: Advancing Malaria Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control

2025-12-20T09:54:33+00:00

Parasitology remains essential for understanding parasites and the diseases they cause, with malaria persisting as a significant global health challenge. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), face limitations, including misdiagnosis, prolonged turnaround time, and difficulty in detecting low-level infections, despite progress achieved through international control strategies. Furthermore, global issues such as drug resistance and climate change pose significant threats to these gains.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), is revolutionizing parasitology, especially in malaria diagnosis. AI-driven models, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, reaching 98.4% in blood smear image classification (1). These tools provide faster, more sensitive, and accessible diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited environments. AI also supports drug discovery, predicts therapeutic efficacy based on resistance markers, facilitates personalized treatment, and enables early outbreak prediction by integrating meteorological and demographic data. In research, AI accelerates the identification of vaccine targets and the discovery of therapeutic molecules, significantly reducing development timelines.

While AI presents clear benefits in diagnostic precision, individualized therapy, and disease surveillance, challenges such as limited data availability, infrastructural barriers, and ethical considerations persist. Addressing these barriers through targeted investment, ethical frameworks, and cross-disciplinary collaboration is crucial for harnessing the full potential of AI in managing parasitic diseases, such as malaria, and advancing the field of parasitology.

Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms Beyond Cholesterol-Lowering Capabilities of Statins: Evidence from in vitro and in vivo Studies

2025-12-20T09:54:32+00:00

Hypercholesterolemia is a major contributor to the risk of developing a range of severe health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), brain diseases, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. The primary function of statins is to mitigate cholesterol content via suppressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA-R). This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the cholesterol-reducing capabilities of statins. The effects of statins beyond their cholesterol-lowering action are referred to as pleiotropic effects. Anti-inflammatory effects are among the pleiotropic roles of statins. These effects include lowering triglyceride (TG) concentrations, elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), and downregulating inflammatory markers. Part of the anti-inflammatory effects results from the suppression of the activity of the Rho and Ras protein families, thus inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and activating protein-1 (AP-1). In recent years, the anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin have been studied more extensively than those of other statins. In fact, these statins are more prominent.