Discovery of drugs has its roots in medicinal plants that appeal researchers to identify new therapeutical entities from plants. The current study was conducted to determine its hepatoprotective activity. The results showed that aqueous methanolic extract of Chenopodium murale (200 and 500 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.001) decrease in paracetamol induced increased levels of liver enzymes (alanin transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase) and total bilirubin. These findings were further supported by histopathological investigations by microscope and detection of phytoconstituents having hepatoprotective potential e.g. qurecetin, kaempferol and gallic acid by HPLC. Conclusively aqueous methanolic extract of C. murale possess hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced liver damage in mice.

Aim This work was conducted to produce, purify and characterize biosurfactants from Aspergillus flavus AF612 isolated from citrus fruit. Methods and results Biosurfactant named ‘Uzmaq’ was isolated from A. flavus AF612. The chemical characterization of the biosurfactant was conducted. Biosurfactant Uzmaq produced by A. flavus, was composed of methoxy phenyl oxime glycosides. Two molecular forms of the biosurfactant, Uzmaq‐A and Uzmaq‐B were isolated. Biological properties (antifungal activity) were evaluated. The fractions of the biosurfactant were isolated and their surface properties were analysed. Uzmaq‐A and Uzmaq‐B had critical micelle concentration (CMC) around 170 and 80 mg l−1, and lowered surface tension of water up to 20 and 25 m Nm−1 respectively. The biosurfactants were stable at pH 3–12 and temperature up to 80°C. Growth and biosurfactant production kinetics were also analysed. Conclusion Novel biosurfactant Uzmaq was produced from A. flavus, which was composed of methoxy phenyl oxime glycosides. The surface activity of Uzmaq was better than the maximum values of synthetic chemical surfactants. The biosurfactant showed antifungal activity and self‐assembling properties. Significance and Impact of the Study Aspergillus flavus AF612 can be used for commercial production of Uzmaq that may be employed for controlled drug release applications and bioremediation.

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The bacterial Cytochrome P450 (CYP) BM3 (CYP102A1) is one of the most active CYP isoforms. BM3 mutants can serve as a model for human drug-metabolizing CYPs and/or as biocatalyst for selective formation of drug metabolites. Hence, molecular and computational biologists have in the last two decades shown strong interest in the discovery and design of novel BM3 variants with optimized activity and selectivity for substrate conversion. This led e.g. to the discovery of mutant M11 that is able to metabolize a variety of drugs and drug-like compounds with relatively high activity. In order to further improve our understanding of CYP binding and reactions, we performed a co-crystallization study of mutant M11 and report here the three-dimensional structure M11 in complex with dithiothreitol (DTT) at a resolution of 2.16 Å. The structure shows that DTT can coordinate to the Fe atom in the heme group. UV/Vis spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation studies underline this finding and as first structure of the CYP BM3 mutant M11 in complex with a ligand, it offers a basis for structure-based design of novel mutants.

Objective: Nonprescription drugs are subject to unrestricted handling and are, therefore, potentially susceptible to postproduction contamination by microorganisms from both the handlers and the environment. The aim of this work is to investigate the occurrence of contamination of certain tablet surfaces by microorganisms. Methods: Twenty-two samples of commercially available analgesic and vitamin preparations in tablet form were obtained as sold or dispensed from retail pharmacies and clinical pharmacies in Nigeria and Kuwait. Sample surfaces of tablets were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and augmented by streaking and superficial implantation on agar media for culture development. Results: Of 22 samples tested, 14 (64%) were visually found to have surface microbial contamination. However, only 4 samples (18%) of the total samples investigated yielded positive microbial cultures on growth media. The most commonly observed surface contaminants were yeast cells. The microorganisms isolated included Saccharomyces sp., Rhodotorula rubra, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Penicillium sp. Conclusion: Commonly available nonprescription drugs in tablet dosage form have been shown to be frequently contaminated by microorganisms. However, cases of microscopic visualization of microbial contamination of drugs do not often result in recoverable cultures on growth media.

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Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a cost-effective technique for producing small, complex, precision parts in high volumes. MIM consists of four main processing steps: mixing, injection molding, debinding and sintering. In the mixing step, the powder titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) medical grade is mixed with a binder system based on palm stearin to form a homogeneous feedstock. The rheological studies of the feedstock have been determined properly in order to success during injection into injection molding machine. After molding, the binder holds the particles in place. The binder systems then have to be removed completely through debinding step. Any contamination of the binder systems will affect the final properties of the parts. During debinding step, solvent extraction debinding has been used to remove partly of the binder systems. The debound part is then sintered at high temperature under control atmosphere furnace. The properties of the sintered craniofacial implants then was measured and compared. The sintered craniofacial implants also then were determined in term of in-vitro cytotoxicity study using mouse fibroblast lines L-929. The results show that the sintered craniofacial implants of titanium alloy produced by MIM fullfill the in-vitro cytotoxicity test.

Tracheal stenosis is a condition where the diameter size of trachea wall decreases and leads to the obstruction of the breathing airflow. Investigation on the effect of the stenosis to the airflow pattern in the trachea and main bronchi is the objective for this study. CT-scan images of two airways models were modeled, one with the stenosis and one without. Numerical solution was used to study the airway pattern inside the airway. Different boundary conditions of inspirations flow rate were applied; 15 l/min, 60 l/min and 100l/min where the ratio for the right main bronchus is 55% and for the left main bronchus is 45%. The results showed that the pressure drop inside the stenosis model is higher compared to that of healthy model. The pressure drop was also shown to interrupt the inlet condition into the main bronchi.