Pusat Pengajian Sains Farmasi - Tesis
Browse
Recent Submissions
- PublicationVasorelaxant And Antihypertensive Effects Of 3,4,7,2',4'-Pentahydroxyflavone In In Vitro And In Vivo Models(2024-08)Tew, Wan YinHypertension is one of the chronic medical conditions characterised by consistently high blood pressure exerted against the wall of blood vessels. It has emerged as a major global health concern due to its increasing worldwide prevalence. Although numerous antihypertensive medications are available in the market, many are reported to have low efficacy and frequently come with adverse effects or contraindications. Consequently, the current study was designed to identify a potential antihypertensive agent which could avoid all the issues associated with currently market available medications. Morin, a flavonol which was known for its diverse pharmaceutical properties, was selected to evaluate its vasodilatory and antihypertensive activities using in vitro and in vivo approaches, respectively. The vasodilatory effect of morin and its underlying mechanism were evaluated in vitro using aortic rings assay. The results revealed that morin exerts its vasodilatory effects through multiple mechanisms pathways, including endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent pathways.
- PublicationIntranasal Delivery Of Andrographolide Nanoparticles For Improvement Of Cognitive Function: In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation(2024-07)Raman, SubashiniThis study explores the neuroprotective potential of andrographolide (ADG), a bioactive compound derived from Andrographis paniculata, and its formulations in various in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. The present study focuses on the development of a reverse-phase (RP) HPLC method for the quantification of andrographolide (ADG) and neoandrographolide (NEO) in A. paniculata (AP) extract. Through meticulous experimentation, a mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and water (30:70 v/v) was identified as optimal, resulting in sharp peaks and excellent separation of ADG and NEO. The method exhibited good specificity, linearity (r² = 0.999), accuracy (% R.E ≤ 2%), and precision (% RSD ≤ 2%) over a concentration range of 1.0 – 200 μg/ml, complying with US FDA guidelines. Upon development of quantification method, ADG were formulated using single emulsion solvent evaporation method (ADGPNPs and APENPs) and spray drying techniques (NSD NPs, NSD NCs and MSD MNCs). Both the formulation strategies comprising of total 5 formulations were further characterised using SEM, TEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA and XRD. ADGPNPs, APENPs and NSD NPs which were also known to be highly amorphous, have shown a spherical shape with uniform nanoparticles size distribution. Meanwhile, NSD NCs and MSD MNCs which revealed a crystalline nature has a non-uniform size and shape of squares, semi-squares, and rectangle crystals.
- PublicationMental Health Literacy Among Tertiary Education Students: Perspectives From University Students And Educators(2024-07)Soo, Yue YinUniversity students’ perspectives on mental health issues remain scarce despite the growing prevalence of mental illness among this population. Using a qualitative approach, this thesis explored students' perceptions and beliefs about mental health and mental illness, mental health help-seeking, as well as educators' perspectives on students' mental health literacy and their roles and challenges in supporting students' mental health. Virtual or face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted independently among university students and educators between December 2021 to July 2022. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Sixteen university students and twelve educators were interviewed. Most student informants related mental health to an individual's thoughts, emotions and behaviours, while a minority equated 'mental health' with 'mental illness'. Students perceived socio-environmental factors as the primary cause of mental illness. Nearly all informants expressed positive attitudes and willingness to help people with mental illness.
- PublicationPharmacometrics Time-To-Event And Disease Progression Modelling Of Diabetic Nephropathy In Patients With Type ii Diabetes Mellitus In Malaysia(2024-07)Aziz, SohailDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is a significant complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and poses a considerable burden on healthcare systems worldwide. This study aims to develop pharmacometrics-based time-to-event (TTE) and disease progression (DP) models to gain insights into the factors influencing the progression and development of diabetic nephropathy in a cohort of Malaysian patients, while also analysing the differences in clinical characteristics between patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. The data were collected from two tertiary care hospitals, and the patients were followed for 7.2 years. Parametric TTE analysis was conducted using NONMEM software. The event was defined as the development of persistent proteinuria for three consecutive visits. Three baseline hazard models exponential, Gompertz, and Weibull hazard models were tested. For the baseline HbA1c and eGFR model, both linear and non-linear disease progression models were assessed. The linear model represents the simplest disease progression model utilized in this study, assuming a constant rate of change in disease status over time. Within-group differences in clinical parameters under various drug treatments were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while between-group analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U Test.
- PublicationFormulation And In Vitro Evaluation Of Tamoxifen Ethosomal Gels For Transdermal Delivery(2024-07)Assi, Reem AbouBreast cancer (BC) poses a significant global health concern, accounting for 2.3 million cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020. Among these cases, two-thirds involve hormone receptor-positive tumours, characterised by estrogen receptors that fuel cancer growth. Tamoxifen stands as the conventional therapy and preventive measure for women at risk or already afflicted by hormone receptor-positive BC. However, oral tamoxifen encounters obstacles such as limited absorption due to hydrophobicity and liver first-pass effect, along with severe side effects including fatty liver disease, blood clots, and a heightened risk of endometrial cancer. To mitigate these adverse effects, this work investigated the localised tamoxifen transdermal delivery utilising the ethosomal system as an alternative administration route to oral intake. The current research work has involved studying three distinct classes of ethosomes: transethosomes employing Tween 20®, Span 20®, and Span 80®, bilosomes using sodium taurocholate and sodium cholate, and invasomes incorporating limonene and isophytol. The study encompassed seven separate 24 factorial designs to assess the impact of lipid, ethanol, penetration enhancer concentrations, and extrusion times on key parameters like particle size (PS), dispersity (Đ), and zeta potential (ZP). Only formulations meeting specific criteria proceeded to entrapment efficacy studies. Among the investigated incorporated concentrations of tamoxifen (0.6, 1, and 1.4 mg/ml), 1 mg/g was selected.