Vigorous research has been conducted into the phenology of the shea tree, its usage and that of the shea butter extracted from the nuts of the shea fruit. Shea butter is the most valuable product in the Shea tree and its use as raw or in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products was expanded in the last years. The aim was to carry out comparative study between imported South African raw Shea Butter, one sample from Poland and samples from Libyan market on their physical properties (organoleptic), thin layer chromatography (TLC) chromatogram, phytochemical screening and diphenylpicrylhydrazil (DPPH) scavenging activity. As well as antimicrobial screening. Organoleptic test was carried out by comparing color and odor. TLC chromatogram was performed by spotting solution of samples in hexane on TLC plate and eluted twice in hexane: ethylacetate 8:2 to get good separation. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of carbohydrates (Fehling test), steroids, and triterpens (Salkwiski test). DPPH assay was carried out by spraying TLC sample spots by 0.2% DPPH methanolic solution. Antimicrobial test was conducted on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Mueller-Hinton agar was used with ciprofolxacin as +ve control and DMSO as–ve control. As a result, Shea Butter samples showed wide diversity in color and odor which considered normal except two white samples that might undergo refining process, while spreadability and TLC chromatograms were similar. Samples and control showed presence of carbohydrates, steroids and triterpens. Control and samples had DPPH scavenging activity. Shea Butter control and samples had no antimicrobial activities against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. arabic 17 English 111
Sakina Salem Saadawi, Khairi Ali Alennabi, Hanin Nafed Mughrbi, Kholoud Lotfi, Nesrin Saleh Ali Abdulnabi(4-2020)

Aims: This article aimed to study the effect of different caffeine concentrations on behaviour and motor activity of mice. Place and Duration of Study: This study took place in Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli, and was conducted between 2017 to 2018. Methodology: The experiment was carried out using 24 male mice (25-30 gm). Plus maze was used for screening antianxiety effect of caffeine. While swimming maze was used to test the antidepressant effect. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS (version 22), followed by one sample Kolmogorov-Simirnov test. One-Way ANOVA was applied to compare between groups and Post Hoc test (LSD). Results: At a dose of 100 mg/kg, caffeine produce significant decrease in the duration of immobility using forced swimming maze; while the lower (25 mg/kg) and the higher (200 mg/kg) doses did not produce any changes compared to the control. In plus maze, Caffeine decreases the anxiety measure at the dose used of 100 mg/kg; but did not change the anxiety measure when lower (25 mg/kg) or higher (200 mg/kg) doses used compared to the control. The spontaneous motor activity was decreased significantly after administration of the higher dose of 200 mg/kg; the lower dose (25 mg/kg) showed insignificant increase, while the dose of 100 mg/kg produce insignificant decrease in the spontaneous motor activity. Conclusion: Caffeine has dose dependent effect, in a dose 100 mg/kg it produce anxiolytic and antidepressant like action, while lower (25 mg/kg) and higher (200 mg/kg) doses did not show any changes. Caffeine also produce dose dependent decrease in the spontaneous motor activity, this indicate that caffeine produce CNS depression with higher doses. arabic 12 English 73
Sakina S. Saadawi, Khairi A. Alennabi, Sumaya Baayo, Amera Fares, Najwa Alosta, Suher M. Aburawi(3-2020)

Aims: The study is intended to compare the freshly collected henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) and the market henna in term of microscopical key elements and heavy metals contamination. Moreover, this study is aimed to investigate the effect of henna and its oily additives on kidney histology in female mice. Study Design: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli and Animals House, Biotechnology Research Center in 2010. Methodology: The powders of collected and market henna have been subjected to a microscopical study with magnification of 5x then 40 x to investigate the henna key elements, which are calcium oxalate clusters, anomocytic stomata, starch grains and fibers. Three elements: arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pd) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAs) for the collected and market henna. For histopathological study, an aqueous extracts of L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils were prepared by maceration. Eighteen female Albino Wister mice (3-4-months, 20-25 gm) were injected with the prepared extracts subcutaneously by dose 50 ml/kg/day for 5 days. Kidneys were collected and subjected to histopathological study. Results: From this study, the microscopical investigation exhibited the presence of some elements which are never mentioned as the henna key elements. Both market and collected henna were contaminated with a high level of heavy metals specially lead (Pd). The histopathological findings implied that there are many histological changes on the kidney tissues such as aggregation of round cells and congestion of blood vessels. Conclusion: The market henna might be adulterated with other types of plant. The presence of a high concentration of lead (Pd) in the collected henna as well as the market henna might be considered as the cause of some L. inermis adverse effects. L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils aqueous extracts implied many abnormalities in the kidney tissues. arabic 17 English 102
Sakina S. Saadawi, Hanin N. Mughrbi, Mukhtar R. Haman, Surur A. Ahmed, Laila A. Ghashout, Elsayed R. Elattar(5-2020)

Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance throughout the world. It is found in coffee, black tea, and chocolate, as it is produced naturally in the beans and leaves of the plants used to manufacture these products. This study aimed to make a survey study among children 2-11 years in some Tripoli, Libya schools to determine caffeine concentration in number of beverages and foods consumed by studied children. About 313 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to students to be filled by their parents. Caffeine was extracted from samples using dichloromethane. Purity of isolated caffeine was estimated by using TLC method.Quantitative analysis of caffeine was performed by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, cocoa milk and chocolate ice cream were the highest consumed products among the studied children (81%, 79%, 67% and 63% respectively). The highest side effects of caffeine consumption was hyperactivity was the highest side effect in children (76%). Some children also suffered from severe side effects such as panic attack (14%). Naseem ice cream sample showed the highest caffeine content (28 mg/serving) among solid samples.Whereas in the beverages, energy drink samples Red pull, XIR and Shark were 268, 262 and 250 mg/serving respectively. In conclusion, there was excessive consumption of caffeine among the studied group of children and some of them showed side effects and even severe side effects. Variety of tested foods and beverages under the study contained uncontrolled concentrations of caffeine. In addition, chocolate milk (Al Rayhan), contained no caffeine. arabic 15 English 97
Sakina S. Saadawi, Khairi A. Alennabi, AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, , , ٍSuhera Mehemed Abdulsalam Aburawi(9-2019)

Caffeine has dose-dependent effects on mood, attention, and physiology. Behavioral effects of caffeine in humans have also been well documented. This article aimed to study the effect of different caffeine concentrations on behavior and motor activity of mice. The experiments was carried out using 24 male mice (25-30gm). Plus maze was used for screening of antianxiety effect of caffeine. While swimming maze was used to test antidepressant effect. Statistical analysis were performed using computer program SPSS (version 22). At dose of 100 mg/kg, caffeine acted as anxiolytic compound. Caffeine increased motor activity at dose of 25mg/kg and decreased motor activity at dose of 200mg/kg. At dose of 100mg/kg, caffeine acted as antidepressant. In conclusion, caffeine can act as stimulant, while in over dose it acts as depressant. Caffeine showed to have anxiolytic effect in certain doses. arabic 14 English 91
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, ٍSuhera Mehemed Abdulsalam Aburawi, SUMAYA ESEDEEG ABDALLAH BAAIO(4-2018)

Mosquitoes can transmit more diseases than any other group of arthropods and affect millions of people throughout the world. They act as a vector for most of the life-threatening diseases like malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. The major tool in mosquito control operation is the application of synthetic insecticides such as organochlorine and organophosphate compounds. Use of many of the former synthetic insecticides in mosquito control program has been limited due to high cost, environmental sustainability, harmful effect on human health, and other non-target populations, their non-biodegradable nature, higher rate of biological magnification through ecosystem, and increasing insecticide resistance on a global scale. One of the most effective alternative approaches under the biological control program is to explore the floral biodiversity and enter the field of using safer insecticides of botanical origin as a simple and sustainable method of mosquito control. This study aimed to evaluate larvicidal and pupicidal effect of five plant extracts (thyme, peppermint and citronella leaf extracts, clove buds extracts and lemon peels extract). Methanol extracts of thyme, peppermint and citronella leaf, clove buds and lemon peels were tested for their larvicidal and pupicidal activity. The standard WHO guideline for larvicides and pupicides evaluation was used. Three plant extract concentrations were prepared (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) and tested on 20 larvae and 20 pupas (3rd and 4th instars) for each concentration on white enamel trays. Mortality percentage were calculated after 24 hrs. where larvae who doesn’t show swimming movement considered dead. Adult mosquitoes were identified to genus level. Thyme showed the highest % of yield (56%) followed by clove, peppermint, lemon and citronella with 13, 13, 8 and 5 % of yield respectively. The highest mortality % of larvae were by clove with 100% for the three tested concentrations, followed by thyme, lemon and peppermint. Citronella gave no effect as larvicidal agent. In pupicida activity test, thyme showed the highest activity followed by clove. Lemon didn’t show any pupicidal activity. Mosquito was identified as Culex. This result clearly reveals that buds extract of E. caryophyllus and leaf extracts of T. vulgaris and peels extract of C. limonoids could serve as a potential larvicidal agents against the Culex mosquito. The mode of action and larvicidal efficiency of these plant spp. extract should be scrutinized and determined. Besides, further investigation regarding the effect on non-target organism is extremely important and imperative in the near future. arabic 11 English 79
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, , , (4-2019)

The inhibitory effects of Mitrella kentii leaf and stem extracts on the production prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and antagonist effect on platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding were evaluated. The inhibition of PGE2 and TXB2 productions were determined using the radioimmunoassay technique, and the inhibitory effect of PAF receptor binding to rabbit platelet was determined using the 3H-PAF as a ligand. Among the extracts tested, ethyl acetate, methanol and hexane leaf extracts, and methanol stems extract showed inhibitory effects on PGE2 and TXB2 productions and antagonistic effect on PAF receptor binding. M. kentii extracts may have the potential of being developed as supplements for inflammatory conditions. arabic 14 English 86
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, Malina Jasamai, Juriyati Jalil, Ibrahim Jantan(9-2019)

Oil and its derivatives spills have been a major issue across decades and it is hard to biodegrade even though there are many techniques are being developed to clean up petroleum contaminated soil. Phytoremediation has long been applied as a treatment technology that is cost-effective, ecologically friendly and efficient for the decontamination of hydrocarbon pollution. In this study, four crude oil contaminated soil samples were collected from oil extraction fields in Libya. Three plants were chosen (Malva punilora, Ricinus communis and Triticum repens) on 0.5% and 1% crude oil contaminated soil .The chosen plant species were implanted individually in the contaminated soil pots. Soil sample (triplicate) was taken from each pot at zero time, after 15 days. After 30 days and after 45 days of experiment. Hexane was added to the soil samples, mixed, filtered and the absorbance was measured using spectrophotometer at 360 nm. The results were compared to the standard curve to calculate the crude oil concentration and percentage of removal. As a result the highest percentage of removal of 0.5 % crude oil contaminated soil was by Triticum repens (94%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Malva parviflora(88.5) and Ricinus communis(77 %). While in 1% crude oil contaminated soil pots experiment, the highest percentage of removal was by Malva parviflora (89%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Triticum repens (80%) and Ricinus communis (76 %). Triticum repens showed good results suggesting more field application. arabic 15 English 97
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, , AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, , (1-2015)

Spices are any pungent, aromatic plant substances used to flavor food or beverages. Plant foods and agricultural commodities including spices are increasingly subjected to adulteration by design or default. This study aimed to compare home grinded spices against ready locally prepared ones in Libyan market. Chosen spices were compared according to their percentage of yield, organoleptic features, and pharmacognostic parameters as macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, pH measurement, microbial contamination (total viable count and microbial identification), and thin layer chromatography (TLC) chromatogram and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. From the results, the ready prepared samples showed to have higher percentage of yield compared to home prepared ones. There were no difference in organoleptic test results, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and pH test results. Bacteria in spices samples were too many to count (TMTC) in most samples, however thyme, rosemary and cinnamon showed better results. The isolated bacteria were identified as Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli species. TLC chromatogram and DPPH scavenging activity test also showed no difference in both sample groups. All these tests indicates that the samples obtained from market as grinded powder and the same samples of spices that was brought as a raw materials and grinded at home had the same characteristics, which indicated that they are of the same quality which not necessary to be a good one. arabic 12 English 75
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, , , AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, (1-2015)

Acetylmelodorinol, chrysin and polycarpol, together with benzoic acid, benzoquinone and stigmasterol were isolated from the leaves of Mitrella kentii (Bl.) Miq. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production in human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique. Their inhibitory effect on platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor binding to rabbit platelet was determined using 3H-PAF as a ligand. Among the compounds tested, chrysin showed a strong dose-dependent inhibitory activity on PGE2 production (IC50 value of 25.5 μM), which might be due to direct inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymatic activity. Polycarpol, acetylmelodorinol and stigmasterol exhibited significant and concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on TXB2 production with IC50 values of 15.6, 19.1 and 19.4 μM, respectively, suggesting that they strongly inhibited COX-1 activity. Polycarpol and acetylmelodorinol showed strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PAF receptor binding with IC50 values of 24.3 and 24.5 μM, respectively. arabic 23 English 159
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, Juriyati Jalil, Malina Jasamai, Ibrahim Jantan(4-2012)

Background: The fat extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is called Shea butter. It has multiple uses at the local level as it is used in cosmetic products and as a cocoa butter substitute in chocolate industries. It has a high nutritious value and is also a valuable product on the local, national, and international markets, making it the ideal candidate to research and invest in. Aim: This study is a comparative experimental study of the possible burn healing effects between imported South African raw Shea butter and samples in a Libyan market. Method: The control samples were brought from South Africa (Benin traditional markets). A total of 18 different samples were collected from different sale centers in Tripoli, including pharmacies, beauty shops, and spices shops, in addition to one sample brought from Poland. Animal experiment on burn healing effect was carried out on nine male Sprague Dawley (350–400 g) rats aged 6–8 weeks old. After shaving the animal’s dorsum hair, a metal cube was used to create a deep second degree burn wound, and the cube was heated to 100°C for 20 seconds. Medication with Shea butter (control, T1, and T2) was initiated daily for one for these groups by the application of a thin film of the Shea butter samples on the burned areas. On days 1, 3, and 7, the rats were anesthetised and a sample from the burned scar tissue and skin adjacent were evaluated using pathological parameters. Results: The histological study indicates that the use of Shea butter T1 as topical treatment induces an immune response, which enhances the form of the presence of a large number of inflammatory cells in the epidermis and dermis layers. The treatment of burned skin with T2 lasted for 72 hours and it showed slightly significant healing in the normal structure of proliferative granulation tissue with accumulation of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells surrounding the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Small areas of the epidermis which formed few layers were observed and some hair roots were grown. This was well seen in cases of T1 and T2. Shea butter bought as raw might have a bad effect on burned skin. Conclusion: Shea butter bought as raw might have bad effect on burned skin. On the other hand, the sample from Poland had a therapeutic effect, which was because of the additives such as avocado oil, grape seed oil, and others. arabic 18 English 101
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, Soad Ali Abdulsalam Treesh, ٍSuhera Mehemed Abdulsalam Aburawi, , , (11-2020)

Hydroxyethylrutosides (Troxerutin) is a standardized mixture of semi-synthetic flavonoids obtained by substituting hydroxyethyl groups in the naturally occurring flavonol rutin. Because there are four dissociation hydroxyls in rutin, some fifteen kinds of hydroxyethylrutins can be theoretically synthesized. The good quality of the raw material of a drug and the finished product must include the related impurities in an analytical investigation, and this seemed particularly important to the quality control of Troxerutin. According to the literature, it is clear that, the chromatographic analysis of Troxerutin still problematic as its sample can be considered as a complex sample as it contains plenty of different components. In this study, new HPLC technology named fused- core column was used to separate the major components of Troxerutin bulk powder. Fused – Core silica stationary phases represent key technological advancement in the area of fast HPLC separations. These phases are made by fusing 0.5 μm porous silica. The reduced intra – particle flow path of the fused particles provides superior mass transfer kinetics and better performance at high mobile phase velocities, while the fused – core particles provide lower pressure than sub – 2 μm particles. arabic 13 English 77
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, Mohamed Nouri Mansour El Attug, Amal Khalifa Ali Belaid, ٌRuwida Mohamed Ali Kamour, Tariq Khalifa Masoud Almog(1-2016)

Chemical constituents and biological activities of the Mitrella kentii leaf oil were investigated in this study. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the chemical constituents of the oil. The oil was evaluated for its ability to inhibit prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) productions in human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique. Its inhibitory effect on platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding with rabbit platelets using 3H-PAF as a ligand and its free radical scavenging effect on DPPH were also investigated. Caryophyllene oxide (33.8%w/w), E,Z-farnesol (6.9%), benzyl benzoate (6.5%w/w) and viridiflorol (6.5%w/w) were among the major components of the oil. Even though weak inhibitory activities were observed in both PGE2 and TXB2 assays, significant results were obtained in both PAF receptor binding inhibition and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging effect with IC50 value of 6.6 μg/mL and 155.6 μg/mL respectively. These promising activities warrant the development of the oil as an anti-inflammatory agent. arabic 14 English 74
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, JURIYATI JALIL, IBRAHIM JANTAN, MALINA JASAMAI(1-2021)

Grape seeds extract has therapeutic values including antimicrobial activity, antioxidant effect, wound healing and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate and compare antibacterial activity of different species of grape seed) Vitis labrusca, Vitis vinifera and Vitis vinifera( against some bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli). Determine antioxidant effect of grape seed extracts (qualitatively). Antibacterial effects was performed using agar cup cut diffusion method for all bacterial species, followed by using minimum inhibitory concentration MIC for the species showed to be inhibited by grape seeds extracts. Antioxidant assay was done using DPPH scavenging test, methanolic solution of each grape seeds was spotted on TLC paper, sprayed with 0.2 % methanolic solution of diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) reagent. Vitamin C was used as positive control. From the results, all grape species didn’t have any effect on K. pneumonia and E. coli, red and black grape seeds showed the highest inhibition zone (20 mm) on Staph. Aureus agar plate, green grape had the highest effect on Sterp. Pneumonia agar plate (20 mm). The lowest effect was for the red grape seeds extract (13 mm) on Acinetobacter calciaceticus. In general the three grape seeds extract had effect on Staph. aureus, Sterp. pneumonia and Acinetobacter calciaceticus. The red and black grape seed extract was effective against Sterp. pneumonia strain at MIC values of 7.8 mg/mL and black grape seeds extract had MIC at 7.8 mg/mL on Staph. aureus. However, the test for MIC of seeds extracts for the rest of bacterial species ranged between 15.62 and 87.5 mg/mL. The result showed that black grape seeds extract had the largest spot change in color indicating strong antioxidant effect. The lowest effect was by red grape seeds. From this result black grape showed to be the best grape seeds extract among the three chosen species in its antibacterial and antioxidant efficacy.
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi(4-2021)

Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal drug which is also effective against anaerobic bacteria. The availability of several brands of Metronidazole tablets in Libyan pharmacies today places health practitioners and a pharmacist in a problem of drug substitution in case of a particular brand is not available. The aim of the present study was the evaluation and comparison of pharmaceutical equivalence of five different Metronidazole coated tablets 500 mg, which are commercially available in the private pharmacies in Tripoli city, produced by various pharmaceutical companies with different trade names. The pharmaceutical quality of five brands of Metronidazole tablets was analyzed using official and unofficial quality control tests prescribed in different Pharmacopoeia including uniformity of weight, thickness, hardness, disintegration time, drug content as well as dissolution rate and assay. Acceptable external features as well as uniformity in diameter and thickness were revealed for all the tablets. The entire selected brands complied with the official specifications for uniformity of weight, hardness and disintegration, they released more than 75% of their drug content within 45 minutes. It can be concluded that all the brands could be regarded as bioequivalent and therefore can be interchanged in the clinical practice; this sort of study is good indicator for the evaluation of the idealness of commercial products and showed the importance of post marketing investigation for the drugs imported and distributed in Libya.
Sakina Salem Saadawi(12-2021)

The ever-increasing demand for natural products and biotechnology, derived from bees and ultramodernization of various analytical devices, has facilitated the rational and planned development of biotechnology products with a focus on human health to treat chronic and neglected diseases. This study aimed to prepare, characterize and examine the stability and evaluation of the antioxidant and the antibacterial activity of Libyan propolis. Propolis Nanoparticles PNP were prepared using particle size reduction, then Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at a magnification of X 25000, was used for accurate evaluation of the size distribution of NPs. Three different concentration (10, 5, 2.5 mg/ml) of propolis and nano-propolis powder were tested for their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The quantitative antioxidant activity test results using UV Spectrophotometer absorbance at 517 nm. The antibacterial activities of propolis and prepared nano propolis at different concentrations (10, 5 and 2.5mg/ml) were tested on bacterial strain, Klebsiella, human mouth, skin, and surface bacteria using cup cut diffusion method. The findings exhibited that the prepared propolis Nanoparticles (PNPs) were generally non-spherical with a size 100-200 nm. The PNP was a nano-sized particle around 316 nm in diameter. Zeta potential of PNP showed a negative surface charge value (− 48 mV) which was sufficiently high to avoid NPs aggregation. This value represents a stable and dispersed suspension of NPs and disables the tendency of aggregations in a short in period of time. Poly dispersity index (PdI) of synthetized PNP was used as a measurement of the size distribution. PdI values for PrNP were generally uniform with PdI 0.3 indicating monodispersity of the prepared systems. The propolis and PNPs displayed good antioxidant activity with inhibition percentage (77%, 46% and 18%) for propolis and (82%, 66% and 37%) for PNPs. Propolis nanoparticles showed to have more antibacterial effect compared to propolis. Libyan propolis nanoparticles has shown to be potential candidates as antioxidant and antibacterial agent.
sakina Salem Saadawi, Rabia O Alghazeer, Hanin N. Mughrbi, Bushra M. Dakhil, Rokaya O. Amara, Khairi A. Alennabi, Riham M. El-Moslemany, Khadija O. Turkman, Masarra A. Daraweel(3-2022)

The poor rate of drug discovery for the control of Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including schistosomiasis has necessitated effective management of existing drugs by modulating their delivery. Nanotechnology-based colloidal drug carriers have been explored to improve the activity and safety profile of drugs for NTDs including parasitic diseases. In developing new drug delivery systems for schistosomiasis, research efforts have focused mainly on Praziquantel (PZQ) as the sole antischistosomal agent in current clinical practice. Carrier systems of the polymer, inorganic and lipid-based type have been investigated for the delivery of PZQ. However, promising results were obtained using lipid-based delivery systems including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and nanoemulsions. Selection of these lipid carrier systems has been based on the lipophilicity of PZQ, controlled drug release, potential increase in its bioavailability by promoting lymphatic absorption to bypass the extensive first pass effect biodistribution to the host liver and enhancement of PZQ interaction with the worm tegument of a similar phospholipid nature.
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi(2-2022)