The development of a vector for the delivery of therapeutic drugs in a controlled and targeted fashion is still a major challenge in the treatment of many diseases. The conventional application of drugs may lead to many limitations including poor distribution, limited effectiveness, lack of selectivity and dose dependent toxicity. An efficient drug delivery system can address these problems. Recent nanotechnology advancements in the biomedical field have the potential to meet these challenges in developing drug delivery systems. Nanomaterials are changing the biomedical platform in terms of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Nanomaterials aided drug delivery provides an advantage by enhancing aqueous solubility that leads to improved bioavailability, increased resistance time in the body, decreased side effects by targeting drugs to the specific location, reduced dose dependent toxicity and protection of drugs from early release. In this volume, the contributors have compiled reports of recent studies illustrating the promising nanomaterials that can work as drug carriers, that can navigate conventional physiological barriers. A detailed account of several types of nanomaterials including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, carbon nanomaterials, magnetic nanoparticles, solid lipid-based nanoparticles, silica nanomaterials and hydrogels for drug delivery is provided in separate chapters. The contributors also present a discussion on clinical aspects of ongoing research with insights towards future prospects of specific nanotechnologies. The book is an informative resource for scholars who seek updates in nanomedicine with reference to nanomaterials used in drug delivery systems.

Frontiers in Drug Design and Discovery is a book series devoted to publishing the latest and the most important advances in drug design and discovery. Eminent scientists have contributed chapters focused on all areas of rational drug design and drug discovery including medicinal chemistry, in-silico drug design, combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening, drug targets, and structure-activity relationships. This book series should prove to be of interest to all pharmaceutical scientists who are involved in research in drug design and discovery and who wish to keep abreast of rapid and important developments in the field. The tenth volume of this series brings together reviews covering topics related to the treatment of neoplasms, systems biology, respiratory diseases among others. Topics included in this volume are: - Recombinant Protein Production: from Bench to Biopharming - Plant Virus Nanoparticles and Virus like Particles (VLPs): Applications in Medicine - MAO Inhibitory Activity Of 4, 5-Dihydro-1 HPyrazole Derivatives: A Platform To Design Novel Antidepressants - Flavonoids Antagonize Effects of Alcohol in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons: A Drug Discovery Study - Hybrid Smart Materials for Topical Drug Delivery: Application of Scaffolds

Both Asia and Africa are home to many plants that can be used for the treatment of many diseases and their medicinal properties are gaining interest in western societies. Medicinal plants from Asia and Africa are used for their healing abilities and also have a symbolic meaning in communities. The importance of traditional autochthonous plant remedies plays a crucial role in the health of millions of people of these two continents. Even today, traditional medicine represents the dominant medical system for millions of people showing a significant impact on health care practices. Therefore, traditional operators still represent a vital part of regional healthcare systems. For this reason, pharmaceutical industries consider traditional medicine as a source for the identification of bioactive compounds that can be used in the preparation of synthetic drugs. Biologically Active Natural Products from Asia and Africa: A Selection of Topics guides the reader to information about new natural products from these regions and the different ways to use them to treat or alleviate many of the most common diseases. The volume presents nine topics covering a number of facets of natural product medicine including: - pharmaceutical analysis of anti-diabetic herbal medicines from Bangladesh and local retailers - caffeine intake and the risk of female infertility - pharmaceutical analysis of Urena sinuata (bur mallow) - anti-CHIKV activities of diterpenes and their derivatives - anti-inflammatory nanogel for the treatment of psoriasis - antlithiatic properties of Moroccan medicinal plants - ethnobotanic, phytochemical and biological activities of Aristolochia longa L. (pipevine) - wound healing potential of combined extracts of stem bark and leaves of sphenocentrum jollyanum (an African shrub) This is a handy reference for specialists and R&D experts in pharmaceutical chemistry who wish to be informed about current knowledge on developing natural remedies in Asia and Africa

Obesity is a complex health problem, caused by a number of factors such as excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, genetic predisposition, endocrine disorders, medications and psychiatric illnesses. The incidence of obesity among populations in both the developing and the developed world has reached epidemic proportions. In response to this, efforts to control and treat obesity have also been vigorously pursued, ranging from activities focused on raising awareness about lifestyle changes to the discovery and development of safe and effective anti-obesity drugs. Anti-obesity Drug Discovery and Development is a book series focused on this very important area of healthcare research. Each volume presents insightful updates on pharmaceutical research and development for clinical researchers and healthcare professionals involved in obesity treatment programs. The fifth volume of this series is a compilation of 6 reviews of interesting topics on the subject that highlight different aspects of obesity treatment and management, some of which are novel approaches. Topics covered in this volume include: - the effect of sleep on weight and obesity management - AMPK as a postulated target for metabolic syndrome and obesity - Harnessing addiction neuroscience to treat obesity - Current treatment of obesity versus the next generation of anti-obesogenic drugs: an ecologically and sustainable approach to health - Leptin and leptin sensitizers for the treatment of obesity related conditions - MicroRNAs as targets for the management of obesity