Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

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    In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory properties of extracts and isolates of Pangdahai
    (Phytomedicine Plus, 2024) Oppong, M. B.; Lartey, M.; Adutwum, L. A.; et al
    Background: : Pangdahai (matured, ripened, and dried seeds of Scaphium affine (Mast.) Pierre) is widely used in managing several diseases in countries like China, Vietnam, Japan, and India. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the crude extracts (ethanol and aqueous) and isolated compounds of Pangdahai. Methods:: Xylene-induced ear edema in mice, carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, and nitric oxide (NO) assay were used to evaluate and screen the crude extracts and isolated compounds from the ethanolic extracts of Pangdahai. TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the tissues of rat foot and ear were determined by ELISA. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was also determined by MTT assay. Molecular docking studies using targets involved in the inflammatory process were also used to further evaluate the compounds. Results: : Both aqueous and ethanol extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effect and markedly attenuated vascular permeability in mice induced by acetic acid in a dose-independent manner. The ethanol extract also significantly inhibited levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Four (4) compounds exhibited significant inhibitory effects on NO release without cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophage. These compounds also showed good binding affinities for COX-2, PLA2, IRAK-4 and NIK. Conclusions: This study validates, provides scientific evidence and justification for the use of the aqueous de coctions of Pangdahai in pharyngitis traditionally. (+) – Pinoresinol, tiliroside, Z-caffeic acid, and 3,4-dihydrox ybenzoic acid (protocatechuic acid) isolated from Pangdahai showed anti-inflammatory activities, which might be responsible for the actions of Pangdahai. Tiliroside showed a high binding affinity comparable to the native ligands of inflammatory mediators.
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    Contamination of herbal medicinal products in low-and-middle-income countries: A systematic review
    (Heliyon, 2023) Opuni, K.F.M.; Kretchy, J-P.; Ankamah, S.; et al.
    The use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) has grown significantly across low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). Consequently, the safety of these products due to contamination is a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and levels of contaminants in HMPs from LMICs. A search was performed in seven online databases, i.e., Africa journal online (AJOL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Health Inter-Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), World Health Organization Global Index Medicus (WHO GIM), Scopus, and PubMed using appropriate search queries and reported as per the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-one peer-reviewed articles published from 1982 to 2021 from 28 different countries across four continents were included in the study. Although metals, microbial, mycotoxins, pesticides, and residual solvents were the reported contaminants in the 91 articles, metals (56.0%, 51/91), mi crobial (27.5%, 25/91), and mycotoxins (18.7%, 17/91) were the most predominant. About 16.4% (1236/7518) of the samples had their contaminant levels above the regulatory limits. Samples tested for microbial contaminants had the highest proportion (46.4%, 482/1039) of contaminants exceeding the regulatory limit, followed by mycotoxins (25.8%, 109/423) and metals (14.3%, 591/4128). The proportion of samples that had their average non-essential metal contaminant levels above the regulatory limit was (57.6%, 377/655), 18.3% (88/480), 10.7% (24/225), and 11.3% (29/257) for Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, respectively. The commonest bacteria species found were Escherichia coli (52.3%, 10/19) and Salmonella species (42.1%, 8/19). This review reported that almost 90% of Candida albicans and more than 80% of moulds exceeded the required regulatory limits. HMP consumption poses profound health implications to consumers and patients. Therefore, designing and/or implementing policies that effectively regulate HMPs to minimize the health hazards related to their consumption while improving the quality of life of persons living in LMICs are urgently needed.
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    Contamination of herbal medicinal products in low-and-middle-income countries: A systematic review
    (Heliyon, 2023) Opuni, K. F.M.; Kretchy, J-P.; Agyabeng, K.; et al
    The use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) has grown significantly across low-and-middleincome countries (LMICs). Consequently, the safety of these products due to contamination is a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and levels of contaminants in HMPs from LMICs. A search was performed in seven online databases, i.e., Africa journal online (AJOL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Health Inter-Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), World Health Organization Global Index Medicus (WHO GIM), Scopus, and PubMed using appropriate search queries and reported as per the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-one peer-reviewed articles published from 1982 to 2021 from 28 different countries across four continents were included in the study. Although metals, microbial, mycotoxins, pesticides, and residual solvents were the reported contaminants in the 91 articles, metals (56.0%, 51/91), microbial (27.5%, 25/91), and mycotoxins (18.7%, 17/91) were the most predominant. About 16.4% (1236/7518) of the samples had their contaminant levels above the regulatory limits. Samples tested for microbial contaminants had the highest proportion (46.4%, 482/1039) of contaminants exceeding the regulatory limit, followed by mycotoxins (25.8%, 109/423) and metals (14.3%, 591/4128). The proportion of samples that had their average non-essential metal contaminant levels above the regulatory limit was (57.6%, 377/655), 18.3% (88/480), 10.7% (24/225), and 11.3% (29/257) for Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, respectively. The commonest bacteria species found were Escherichia coli (52.3%, 10/19) and Salmonella species (42.1%, 8/19). This review reported that almost 90% of Candida albicans and more than 80% of moulds exceeded the required regulatory limits. HMP consumption poses profound health implications to consumers and patients. Therefore, designing and/or implementing policies that effectively regulate HMPs to minimize the health hazards related to their consumption while improving the quality of life of persons living in LMICs are urgently needed.
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    Dried serum spots on pre-punched filter paper discs are ready-to-use storage and shipping devices for blood-borne antigens and antibodies
    (Journal of Immunological Methods, 2023) Billinger, K.; Okai, C.A.; Opuni, K.F.M.
    Dried serum spots that are well prepared can be attractive alternatives to frozen serum samples for shelving specimens in a medical or research center's biobank and mailing freshly prepared serum to specialized laboratories. During the pre-analytical phase, complications can arise which are often challenging to identify or are entirely overlooked. These complications can lead to reproducibility issues, which can be avoided in serum protein analysis by implementing optimized storage and transfer procedures. With a method that ensures ac curate loading of filter paper discs with donor or patient serum, a gap in dried serum spot preparation and subsequent serum analysis shall be filled. Pre-punched filter paper discs with a 3 mm diameter are loaded within seconds in a highly reproducible fashion (approximately 10% standard deviation) when fully submerged in 10 μl of serum, named the “Submerge and Dry” protocol. Such prepared dried serum spots can store several hundred micrograms of proteins and other serum components. Serum-borne antigens and antibodies are reproducibly released in 20 μl elution buffer in high yields (approximately 90%). Dried serum spot-stored and eluted antigens kept their epitopes and antibodies their antigen binding abilities as was assessed by SDS-PAGE, 2D gel electrophoresis-based proteomics, and Western blot analysis, suggesting pre-punched filter paper discs as handy solution for serological tests.
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    Quality Assurance of Samples for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology
    (Springer, Cham, 2023) Bekoe, S.O.; Asare-Nkansah, S.; Opuni, K.F.M.
    The integrity of samples employed for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and clinical toxicology (CT) has a significant impact on the quality of data obtained for clinical decision-making. Samples usually employed for TDM and/or CT are obtained either using invasive or non-invasive approaches, and these include blood, plasma, or serum (invasive approaches), urine, and saliva (non-invasive approaches). Lack of standard operating procedures for samples in the pre-analytical stage could lead to variabilities in analysis results because of factors such as haemolysis (blood samples), inappropriate cooling and storage (urine samples), and desiccation of saliva. Therefore, assuring the quality and integrity of samples obtained for TDM and CT studies is a requirement for reliable data suitable for informed clinical decisions for patients as well as medical emergencies. It is an irrefutable emphasis that the assurance of the quality of samples meant for TDM and CT assessments correlates strongly with the quality of data obtained for clinical interpretation and implementation of optimized care. This chapter thus addresses major concerns, regarding the quality assurance of samples for TDM and CT.
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    Analytical Techniques for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology
    (Springer, Cham, 2023) Bekoe, S.O.; Asare-Nkansah, S.; Opuni, K.F.M.
    Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and clinical toxicology (CT) studies play significant roles in understanding and controlling the observed variabilities in therapeutic response of administered drug products, as well as proffering measures to improve the safety and efficacy of treatments that patients receive. However, the optimization of patient care through TDM continues to remain a challenge in many health jurisdictions despite the numerous advancements and progress in analytical techniques and technology. The practice of TDM and CT in the optimization of patient care is still evolving and requires a myriad of technical and material resources to achieve the needed optimal health outcomes. One of the critical elements in this endeavour is the availability of analytical techniques that are sensitive, cost effective, and high performing in terms of accuracy and precision and also possess seamless workflow. This chapter, thus, discusses the various high-throughput analytical techniques employed in TDM and CT, as well as the challenges associated with their respective applications as reported in the literature. It must be emphasized that consideration for a suitable analytical method for TDM and CT comes with careful planning and decision making. Factors to be considered include but are not limited to the availability of expertise (clinical and laboratory), equipment/instrument, the physicochemical nature of the target analyte (drug, metabolite, toxicant, or toxin), and the clinical situation presenting the need for TDM. Other important factors such as sample preparation and storage, analytical method development and validation, and interferences associated with matrix effect also require careful consideration in order to assure the reliability and quality of TDM or CT data needed for informed clinical decision.
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    Levels of elements in selected food substances that support usage in the management and treatment of erectile dysfunction
    (Nutrition and Health, 2023) Lartey, M.; Frimpong-Manso, S.; Amoah, S.O.; Boamah, D.; Mohammed, A.A.R.
    Background: The use of fruits and vegetables for the management and treatment of erectile dysfunction has gained popularity due to the cheaper cost, accessibility and perceived absence of side effects. Much of the work done on plant-based aphrodisiacs has focused on the phytochemistry of secondary metabolites. Aim: This work sought to analyze selected fruits and vegetables that are commonly used in the management of erectile dysfunction in Ghana and quantify the levels of some micro- and macro-elements necessary for good penile health in order to determine the usefulness or otherwise of the selected produce. Methods: Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to detect and quantify the levels of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in carrot roots, cucumber fruit, garlic bulb, ginger rhizome, nutmeg fruit, sweet potato tuber, tiger nut tuber and watermelon fruit. Results: The analysis revealed the presence of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn. Levels of Se were below detection. The concen tration of K was the highest in each of the food substances. However, in terms of recommended daily allowance, Mg had the highest contribution. Cucumber fruit and the rind of watermelon fruit had the highest levels of micro- and macro elements implicated in erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: The potential use of these foods to treat and manage erectile dysfunction may not only be due to the presence of phytochemicals alone but also the presence of significant levels of micro- and macro-elements required for good penile health.
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    Development and Validation of an Ion-Pair HPLC-UV Method for the Quantitation of Quinoline and Indoloquinoline Alkaloids in Herbal and Pharmaceutical Antimalarial Formulations
    (Hindawi Journal of Chemistry, 2022) Bekoe, S.O.; Orman, E.; Adjabui, S.A.; Brobbey, A.A.; Oppong-Kyekyeku, J.; Opuni, K.F-M.; Kuntworbe, N.; Asare-Nkansah, S.
    Quinine- and cryptolepine-based antimalarials serve as valuable alternatives to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in Ghana. *eir use, however, is associated with adulteration and substandard quality challenges. An HPLC method targeting quinoline and indoloquinoline antimalarial alkaloids was developed, validated, and applied to evaluate herbal and pharmaceutical antimalarial formulations (HPAFs) and starting materials (APIs). *e separation/quantitation of the alkaloids (including quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, cinchonidine, dihydroquinine, dihydroquinidine, and cryptolepine) was achieved on a Zorbax SB-CN column (250mm× 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with an isocratic elution system of methanol: trifluoroacetic acid (0.1%, v/v) (15 : 85, v/v) at 1.5 mL/min and 223 nm. Method validation was according to ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. It was then used to assess the quality of APIs (n = 3) and HPAFs (n = 44) including quinine-based pharmaceutical antimalarial formulations (QBPAFs) (n = 23) and herbal antimalarial products (HAMPs). *e method was found to be specific, selective, accurate, precise, and robust toward the alkaloids with linearity achieved within specified concentration ranges (r2 > 0.995 for all analytes). Analyte stability ranged between 6 and 12 hours. All the APIs contained quinine <99.0%–101.0%, with dihydroquinine and cinchonidine at levels compliant with the established acceptance criteria. *e QBPAFs had quinine content ranging between 50.2% and 151.2%, with 43.5% (n = 10/23) of them complying with the acceptance criteria. *erelated alkaloids observed in the QBPAFs included quinidine (56.5%, n = 13/23), dihydroquinine (100%, n = 23/23), dihydroquinidine (21.7%, n = 5/23), cinchonine (17.4%, n = 4/23), and cinchonidine (95.7%, n = 22/23). For the HAMPs, 81.0% (n = 17/21) were adulterated with quinine (0.59 ± 0.04 mg/10 mL–86.03 ± 0.02 mg/10 mL). Cryptolepine was identified in 19% (n = 4/21) of the HAMPs with concentration ranging between 43.99 ± 0.43 μg/mL and 747.86 ± 0.34 μg/mL. In conclusion, the application of the ion-pair HPLC method targeting quinoline and indoloquinoline antimalarials has demonstrated the presence of quality and poor-quality HPAFs on the Ghanaian market.
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    From Free Binding Energy Calculations of SARS-CoV-2—Receptor Interactions to Cellular Immune Responses
    (MDPI, 2022) Glocker, M.O.; Opuni, K.F.M.; Thiesen, H.
    Our study focuses on free energy calculations of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding motives (RBMs) from wild type and variants of concern (VOCs), with emphasis on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Our computational analysis underlines the occurrence of positive selection processes that specify Omicron host adaption and bring changes on the molecular level into context with clinically relevant observations. Our free energy calculation studies regarding the interaction of Omicron’s RBM with human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) indicate weaker binding to the receptor than Alpha’s or Delta’s RBMs. Upon weaker binding, fewer viruses are predicted to be generated in time per infected cell, resulting in a delayed induction of danger signals as a trade-off. Along with delayed immunogenicity and pathogenicity, more viruses may be produced in the upper respiratory tract, explaining enhanced transmissibility. Since in interdependence on the human leukocyte antigen type (HLA type), more SARS-CoV-2 Omicron viruses are assumed to be required to initiate inflammatory immune responses, and because of pre-existing partial immunity through previous infections and/or vaccinations, which mostly guard the lower respiratory tract, overall disease severity is expected to be reduced.
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    Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy and Chemometric Strategy Enable the Classification and Detection of Expired Antimalarial Herbal Medicinal Product in Ghana
    (Hindawi, 2021) Mensah, J.N.; Brobbey, A.A.; . Addotey, J.N.; Ayensu, I.; Asare-Nkansah, S.; Opuni, K.F.M.; Adutwum, L.A.
    To meet the growing demand for complementary and alternative treatment for malaria, manufacturers produce several antimalarial herbal medicinal products. Herbal medicinal products regulation is difficult due to their complex chemical nature, requiring cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming methods of analysis. *e aim of this study was to develop a simple spectroscopic method together with a chemometric model for the classification and the identification of expired liquid antimalarial herbal medicinal products. Principal component analysis model was successfully used to distinguish between different herbal medicinal products and identify expired products. Principal component analysis showed a clear class separation between all five herbal medicinal products (HMP) studied, with explained variance for first and second principal components as 37.51% and 26.38%, respectively, while the third principal component had 18.74%. Support vector machine classification gave specificity and accuracy of 1.00 (100%) for training set data for all the products. *e validation set HMP1, HMP2, and HMP3 had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 1.00. HMP4 and HMP5 had sensitivity and specificity of 0.90 and 1.00, respectively, and an accuracy of 0.98. *e support vector machine classification and principal component analysis models were successfully used to identify expired herbal medicinal products.*is strategy can be used for rapid field detection of expired liquid antimalarial herbal medicinal products.