Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics Journal

Impact of Basic Science Research on Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mahdi Mashhadi Akbar Boojar — 2025-03-12

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global community and created unprecedented challenges. Basic science has played a vital role in understanding the virus and developing diagnostic tools, vaccines, and treatments. Using the principles of virology and immunology, researchers have discovered the transmission routes and physical pathology of COVID-19. This mini-review covers the basic science accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods: This review study conducted a content analysis of texts on basic science findings in the COVID-19 pandemic by reviewing PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. By July 2024, 197 relevant articles were extracted, while the findings of only 78 studies were assessed.

Results and discussion: Identifying the virus as a new coronavirus and developing diagnostic tests have made it possible to track its spread. Preventive measures such as social distancing and wearing masks have been introduced as essential in controlling the virus while promising treatments to combat COVID-19 have saved many patients' lives. The development of vaccines such as the Noora, PastoCovac, and COVIran Barekat vaccines has been significant in the fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has caused widespread economic impacts and prompted international organizations and policymakers to propose mitigation strategies. Covid-19 has also had a profound impact on society and mental health, leading to increased anxiety and social isolation, which has been studied in psychology and sociology. Utilizing these experiences during future infectious epidemics will be incredibly beneficial.

The effect of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) Swingle on epistaxis as a pre-hospital treatment

Fateme Modjallal — 2025-03-12

Objective: Epistaxis is a frequent complaint of emergency ward patients. This study investigated the local effect of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) Swingle (wfo-0001242548).

Juice on the control of spontaneous epistaxis in emergency ward patients.

Materials and Methods: This single-blind clinical trial was carried out on 150 patients with epistaxis that referred to the emergency ward. They were randomly assigned into two groups of 75 patients. Cotton soaked in lidocaine and then phenylephrine was used for the control group. Also, cotton soaked in lidocaine and Citrus aurantifolia juice was used intra-nasally for the intervention group. The epistaxis control rate was measured.

Results: The epistaxis control rate was 84% in the control group and 37.3% in the intervention group 10 min after the treatment in two groups. The recurrence rate of epistaxis 24 h of follow-up was 14.7% in the control group and 13.3% in the intervention group (P>0.05). Also, the complications observed in patients in the two groups were not significantly different. Aggravation of epistaxis, allergy, pain, and burning sensation was present in 6.7%, 4%, and 10.7% of patients in the control group and in 5.3%, 6.7%, and 16% of patients in the intervention group.

Conclusion: The present study suggested that Citrus aurantifolia has a mild effect in the treatment of epistaxis, but it was not as effective as phenylephrine in controlling epistaxis; nevertheless, in the first time of epistaxis and mild items, it can be used as an available method at home.

In Vitro Antifungal Effects of Duloxetine in Combination with Fluconazole on Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans

Ehsan Momeni — 2025-03-12

Aim: This study evaluate the antifungal effects of duloxetine as monotherapy and in combination with fluconazole on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans.

Methods: In this in vitro study, a suspension of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans clinical isolates from oral candidiasis was prepared using the CLSI M37-A3 method. Fluconazole (3 mg/mL) and duloxetine (160 µg/mL) stock solutions were serially diluted 9 times (0.625-160 µg/mL for duloxetine and 0.5-128 µg/mL for fluconazole). Their antifungal activity against C. albicans were evaluated by the microdilution method through broth media. The minimum inhibitory concentration of duloxetine, fluconazole, and their combination was also determined.

Results: Fluconazole-resistant C. albicans was only sensitive to 32, 64, and 128 µg/mL fluconazole and 160, 80, and 40 µg/mL duloxetine as monotherapy. It was also sensitive to 80 and 160 µg/mL duloxetine combined with all 9 dilutions of fluconazole, but 40 µg/mL duloxetine was only effective in combination with 16 to 128 µg/mL fluconazole. Fluconazole-resistant C. albicans was sensitive to 10 and 20 µg/mL duloxetine combined with 32, 64, and 128 µg/mL fluconazole. It was also sensitive to 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/mL duloxetine combined with 64 and 128 µg/mL fluconazole. The MIC of duloxetine was 40 µg/mL as monotherapy and 16 µg/mL combined with fluconazole.

Conclusion: Duloxetine had antifungal effects and the combination of duloxetine with fluconazole had synergistic effects on inhibited fluconazole -resistant C. albicans.

Occurrence of Seizures with Cannabis Abuse: A Case Report

Sara Salarian — 2025-03-12

Introduction: Cannabis sativa is being medicinally used by humans and is well known for its recreational uses. Seizure is exceedingly rarely seen following cannabis use. Various cellular mechanisms have been suggested in the occurrence of seizures caused by cannabinoids.

Case: The patient was a 28-year-old man who complained of weakness, lethargy, and convulsions after consuming cannabis (hashish). The laboratory findings and brain CT were normal. The patient's toxicity panel was positive for hashish.

Conclusion: Physicians working in the emergency department should be aware that hashish may cause seizures. Although several investigations have shown anticonvulsant effects for cannabis.

Effects of Non-Adherence to Clopidogrel in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abbas Andishmand — 2025-03-12

Aims:Adherence to clopidogrel therapy is crucial for achieving favorable outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the rates of clopidogrel adherence, factors associated with adherence, and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This study employed a prospective observational design involving patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) who were scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and prescribed clopidogrel. Adherence to clopidogrel therapy was assessed, with follow-up visits scheduled at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year post-intervention.

Results: The study included 268 participants with a mean age of 58.9±13.2 years, predominantly male (82%). Adherence rates to clopidogrel were 94.8% at 1 month, 93% at 6 months, and 90.5% at 12 months post-PCI. The patients were compared in terms of adherence to clopidogrel. There were no significant differences in the distribution of sexes between the groups (p = 0.567). However, a significant difference in education levels was observed (p=0.034), with lower education levels associated with non-adherence. The non-adherence group had a higher risk of death (HR: 7.8, 95% CI: 6-106.8, p=0.001), cerebrovascular accident (HR: 10, 95% CI: 0.08-1.3, p=0.043), and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (HR: 5.2, 95% CI: 1.2-22.2, p=0.000). The primary factors contributing to non-adherence were low income (52%) and low health literacy (32%) among patients.

Conclusion:Non-adherence to clopidogrel was associated with a heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction.