Search Results (331)

Naproxen (NPX) is a widely occurring, refractory organic contaminant that cannot be removed by conventional water treatment processes. In response to the growing environmental pollution caused by NPX, an innovative and highly efficient green degradation method has been developed, designed on the principles of sustainability to promote long-term ecosystem health and advance a circular economy. In this study, using zero-valent molybdenum as a catalyst in combination with trivalent iron (Fe³⁺) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), we constructed a Mo/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ system to treat NPX-contaminated water. The effects of solution pH, H₂O₂ concentration, Fe³⁺ concentration, Mo dosage, and co-existing water-matrix constituents (Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, NO₃⁻, and humic acid (HA)) on NPX removal were investigated; reactive species were identified; and the reusability of Mo as well as its performance under the continuous-flow condition were evaluated. The results showed that the optimal pH was 3 and the appropriate Fe³⁺ dosage is 100 µM. With 500 µM H₂O₂, 87.9% of NPX was removed within 7 min, and a moderate increase in Fe³⁺ concentration, together with a suitable H₂O₂ level, enhanced the removal efficiency. HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, and HA exerted slight inhibition, whereas PO₄³⁻ markedly suppressed NPX degradation. Recycling tests and the 6 h continuous-flow treatment demonstrated excellent reusability and stability of Mo. Quenching experiments revealed that HO^• and Fe(IV) were the dominant reactive species responsible for NPX degradation. Full article

Water-soluble poly-β-cyclodextrins (PCDs), crosslinked with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dianhydride (EDTADA), were synthesized at varying β-CD:EDTADA molar ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, 1:15) to develop multifunctional nanocarriers with the ability to complex drugs, polymers, and ions. All PCDs exhibited nanometric particle sizes (14 to 28 nm), negative zeta potential (−18 to −27 mV), and adjustable content of free carboxyl groups controlled by crosslinker ratio. Functional evaluations demonstrated effective Ca²⁺ chelation and a linear inclusion complexation profile with acyclovir, but not with naproxen, highlighting pH-dependent solubility effects. Additionally, PCDs successfully formed polyelectrolyte complexes with poly-L-lysine, indicating their potential as components of advanced drug delivery systems. Among the analyzed variants, PCD 1:6 showed reduced yields, fewer reactive groups, and diminished ion-binding capacity compared to formulations with higher crosslinker content. These findings underscore the importance of crosslinking density in modulating physicochemical and functional properties and support the potential of EDTA-crosslinked PCDs as versatile platforms for advanced, ion-sensitive biomedical applications. Full article

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as salicylic acid (SAL), aspirin (ASP), ketoprofen (KET), and naproxen (NAP), are widely used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. For this reason, they are frequently detected in aquatic environments and have a negative impact on many aquatic organisms. In this study, walnut shell biochar (WSB) was used as an adsorbent for the removal of NSAIDs from water. The removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals was highly dependent on various parameters such as pH, contact time, sorbent dosage, and drug concentration. The studies conducted showed that WSB was able to remove as much as about 98% of pharmaceuticals. The maximum adsorption capacities of ASP, SAL, KET, and NAP were 20.92, 33.55, 39.84, and 172.41 mg/g, respectively. The equilibrium data for the investigated drugs showed a better fit to the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best fit to the kinetic data. The results of the present study show that WSB could be applied as an eco-friendly and cost-effective biosorbent for the removal of drugs from the NSAID group from aqueous solutions. Full article

This paper deals with the removal of selected micropollutants from water in the laboratory, namely the removal of pharmaceuticals using the sorption materials Filtrasorb F100 and Filtrasorb F400. A group of well-known and available pharmaceuticals was selected for the experiment, which were the over-the-counter analgesics Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen and Paracetamol. The model water was created by mixing drinking water from the water supply system of the city of Brno and standards of these pharmaceuticals prepared in the accredited laboratory of ALS Czech Republic. Water filtration was carried out through two filter columns, each filled with a different type of Filtrasorb sorbent. The filtered water was collected at selected time intervals (1, 2, 4 and 6 min) for analysis. The measurements showed that Filtrasorb F100 and Filtrasorb F400 activated carbons have comparable efficiency for the removal for Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen and Paracetamol (around 83%). Both activated carbons have proven to be reliable sorbents for the removal of selected micropollutants from water. Full article

The therapeutic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is limited by gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects caused by non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition. To address this issue, a new series of naproxen–azetidinone hybrids was rationally designed and synthesized to enhance COX-2 selectivity and reduce off-target toxicity. The synthesis involved esterification, hydrazide formation, Schiff base condensation, and intramolecular cyclization with chloroacetyl chloride. Structural characterization was achieved through FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR analyses. In silico ADMET profiling confirmed compliance with Lipinski’s rule and predicted favorable gastrointestinal absorption. Molecular docking revealed high COX-2 binding affinities (−11.93 to −9.72 kcal/mol), while MM/GBSA analysis identified compound N4_c (ΔG = −62.27 kcal/mol) as the most stable complex, surpassing meloxicam and naproxen. DFT (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) frontier molecular orbital analysis indicated a narrow HOMO–LUMO gap (ΔE = 2.97 eV) for N4_c, suggesting high electronic reactivity and strong enzyme interaction. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed complex stability. In vivo anti-inflammatory testing using an egg-white-induced rat paw edema model showed that N4_d, N4_e, and N4_f achieved higher inhibition (19.22%, 16.98%, and 16.98%) than naproxen (4.3%). These results highlight 2-azetidinone–naproxen hybrids as promising selective COX-2 inhibitors with enhanced pharmacokinetic and electronic properties. Full article

There is a knowledge gap about the effect of pharmaceutical agents on the biodegradation of Mg-based resorbable implants. The present work investigates how three common antibiotics and three anti-inflammatory drugs affect the corrosion of high-purity Mg, with and without ceramic and hybrid ceramic/polymeric coatings, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and hydrogen evolution tests. A Ca-P-Si-based ceramic coating is developed using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), after the AC voltage and frequency parameters are optimized. A hybrid coating included a PEO and a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) top layer formed by dip coating. High-purity Mg exhibited an instantaneous onset of corrosion with a corrosion rate of 90 μm/year after 24 h of immersion in a modified α-MEM. A hybrid PEO/PCL coating prevents the onset of corrosion for at least 5 h and reduces the H₂ evolution during the following 90 h by two times by the precipitation of 5–40 μm thick Ca-P surface deposits. Gentamicin, naproxen, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and paracetamol were found to be corrosion accelerators with respect to bare h.p. Mg, whereas aspirin was found to be an inhibitor. Streptomycin-functionalized PEO/PCL system exhibited an active protection mechanism, triggered upon the release of the coating and substrate cations, associated with the coating defect-blocking action of the insoluble Me(II)-streptomycin chelates. Full article

Background and Objectives: Spinal stenosis, low back pain, and radiating pain to the lower extremities are caused by inflammation of the spinal canal and impaired blood flow around the nerves. Because JOINS tablets are known to have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and blood circulation-enhancing properties, this research was conducted based on the assumption that they could improve spinal stenosis. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-center, open-label clinical trial with a 6-month follow-up period. A total of 100 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomized into two groups: 50 patients in the test group and 50 patients in the control group. The control group was prescribed the usual spinal stenosis medications (Naproxen, Limaprost, and Pregabalin), while the test group was prescribed JOINS tablets in addition to the usual medications. Results: The severity of low back pain and radiating leg pain was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale. Spinal functional outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36), with division into Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS). At 6 months, the JOINS group showed a greater reduction in low back pain compared with controls (p < 0.001). At all follow-up periods, the functional outcomes did not show statistically significant differences between the test and control groups. Conclusions: The significant reduction in pain suggests that JOINS tablets may be an effective adjunct for pain relief, particularly in patients at high risk of adverse effects from long-term NSAID use. Full article

Naproxen (NPX), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is considered an emerging contaminant due to its persistence and potential environmental risks. In this study, NPX degradation was investigated through ozonation using nickel–iron foam (NiFeF) and NiO-modified NiFeF (NiO/NiFeF). The effect of the foam size was investigated using three configurations: S1 (1 cm × 2.5 cm), S2 (2 cm × 2.5 cm), and S3 (2 cm × 5 cm). Complete NPX removal was achieved in all systems, with degradation times of 4 min for ozonation alone, 2 min for NiFeF-S1, and 1 min for NiO/NiFeF-S2 and NiO/NiFeF-S3. The NiO/NiFeF catalyst was synthesized via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, resulting in a porous structure with abundant active sites. Compared with conventional ozonation, NiO/NiFeF-S1 improved the total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate by 6.2-fold and maintained 87.5% of its activity after five reuse cycles, demonstrating excellent stability. High-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that catalytic ozonation generated fewer by-products (22 vs. 27 for ozonation alone) and promoted more selective pathways, including demethylation, ring-opening oxidation, and partial mineralization to CO₂ and H₂O. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergy between NiO and NiFeF, which facilitates reactive oxygen species generation and electron transfer. These results demonstrate the potential of NiO/NiFeF as an efficient and stable catalyst for pharmaceutical removal from water. Full article

This study introduces an innovative microfluidic-based approach for extracting drugs from oral fluids using self-assembled tripeptide hydrogels as sorbents. Peptide microfiber derived from the heterochiral tripeptide ^DLeu-^LPhe-^LPhe was formed in situ within the 14 mm-long microchannel of a two-inlet microfluidic device. The methodology enables the laminar flow-driven mixing of buffer solutions, inducing hydrogel formation at their interface. The resulting fiber exhibited a well-defined morphology and β-sheet structure, confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and Thioflavin T fluorescence. The peptide fibers co-assembled successfully with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and naproxen (39.8 ± 1.4 nmol of 5-FU and 27.4 ± 6.6 nmol of naproxen per 112 nmol of peptide used to prepare the fiber), resulting in a molar ratio drug/peptide ratio of approximately 1:3 and 1:4, respectively, demonstrating versatility in drug entrapment. The use of the gel fiber as a sorbent phase was first assessed in buffer, and subsequently, the optimized method was applied to saliva. Adsorption studies under stopped-flow conditions showed a significant drug adsorption capability from buffered solutions by the pre-formed hydrogel (32.8 ± 0.9% of 5-FU and 36.4 ± 3.3% of naproxen per fiber preformed with 112 nmol of peptide), demonstrating their suitability as sorbent material. The extension of the methodology to simulated saliva samples allowed extraction of 36% of 5-FU by the fiber, as determined by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy on microcoils, which enabled us to work with the small volume of fluid extracted from the microfluidic device and provided clean spectra and quantitative results. These findings highlight the potential of this tripeptide hydrogel as a sorbent material for therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicological analysis via a simple, non-invasive and rapid approach for drug detection in oral fluids. Full article

Chitosan-based hydrogels are used in the adsorption of pharmaceutical compounds from water. The adsorption process of diclofenac and naproxen on chitosan hydrogels cross-linked with glutaraldehyde has been studied theoretically and experimentally. According to the thermodynamic properties, the adsorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic, due to the negative values of Gibbs free energy, and the enthalpies of formation were positive. Furthermore, the different systems were studied by electrostatic potential maps, where the functional groups (amino and hydroxyl) represented the active sites of the hydrogel. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained for diclofenac and naproxen was 108.85 and 97.22 mg/g, respectively, at a temperature of 308.15 K. On the other hand, the adsorbent was characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) before and after the adsorption of the drugs to confirm the binding of the adsorbates on the surface of the material. Full article

This study presents a pH-responsive drug delivery platform, created based on naproxen-loaded zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) and kaolin-ZIF (Kao@ZIF) nanocarriers embedded in a 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold coated with a gelatin hydrogel. The PLA discs were designed as structural tissue models to simulate localized drug release. Kaolin (Kao), a basic mineral in the kaolin group that includes halloysite, was selected as a chemically stable and biocompatible adsorbent to enhance ZIF integrity and system reliability. To address the concerns about the safety and reproducibility of nanoscale materials in biomedical applications, structurally stable ZIF and Kao@ZIF nanocarriers were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, SEM-EDS, and LC-M/MS, measuring drug loading efficiencies over 90% for ZIF and slightly higher for Kao@ZIF. In vitro release profiles showed strong pH sensitivity, with greater naproxen release at acidic pH (5.4) and more sustained release from Kao@ZIF. Cytotoxicity assays using L929 fibroblasts demonstrated improved biocompatibility, with cell viabilities of approximately 75% for ZIF–naproxen, 82% for Kao@ZIF–naproxen, and 90% for gelatin-coated PLA–Kao@ZIF scaffolds, for 24 h incubation. Incorporating kaolin-stabilized ZIF nanocarriers into 3D-printed biodegradable scaffolds offers a promising and safer approach for pH-sensitive, tissue-targeted drug delivery, while laying the groundwork for future studies involving halloysite-derived nanotubular systems. Full article

Nitric esters are among the compounds that can liberate nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the organism. Due to the vasodilatation caused by nitrogen monoxide, NO-donors have been shown to protect endothelial function, acting as vasodilators, promoting efficient oxygen supply to tissues, to lower blood pressure, and to inhibit platelet aggregation. Incorporation of a NO-liberating moiety in the structure of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs results in anti-inflammatory agents that are safer for the gastrointestinal system. In this research, ibuprofen and naproxen, two commonly applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), non-selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenases, were used to design novel anti-inflammatory agents able to release NO in the organism. Thus, the NSAIDs were amidated with beta-alanine and L-proline, which were able to incorporate the 2-nitro-oxyethyl moiety as the NO donor. The resulting compounds were anti-inflammatory agents, found to be more potent than the mother drugs, demonstrating remarkable inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 over cyclooxygenase-1 and the ability to release NO in vitro. Furthermore, two of the most active anti-inflammatory compounds proved to be effective hypolipidemic agents, decreasing plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats significantly. The most effective compound in all the above tests was the ibuprofen derivative 5, which inhibited COX-2 by 95%, decreased inflammation by 73%, and reduced all lipidemic indices by more than 50%. Furthermore, docking experiments of compound 5 on the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 showed that it interacts intensely with the binding site of COX-2, and the binding energy is equivalent to that of the relevant to celecoxib selective COX-2 inhibitor 4-[5-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide (SC-5580). In conclusion, the performed structural modifications resulted not only in the improvement of the anti-inflammatory activity, compared with the parent NSAID, but also acquired strong hypolipidemic activity. Thus, the combination of structural characteristics resulting in a decrease in lipidemia, with possible inhibition of atherosclerosis, due to their anti-inflammatory activity and vasodilatation ability, via the liberated NO, may constitute a useful rationale for new compounds. Full article

Degradation is a key natural attenuation mechanism governing the fate of PPCPs during anaerobic digestion (AD) and subsequent soil exposure. Nevertheless, the combined impact of this sequential treatment (AD followed by land application) remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the degradation characteristics of nine PPCPs during mesophilic AD in three distinct soil types. The concentration changes in the nine PPCPs were monitored after 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days of anaerobic incubation at 38 °C, as well as after 0, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, and 30 days of dark incubation at 25 °C with humidity at 75% in three soils. AD effectively removed sulfamethoxydiazine, ciprofloxacin, and oxytetracycline (>80%). The removal efficiencies for carbamazepine, progesterone, triclosan, naproxen, and megestrol acetate were relatively poor, with the removal rates ranging from 50% to 80%, while gemfibrozil exhibited minimal degradation (<50%). The degradation behavior of nine PPCPs fits well with first-order kinetic equations. Calculated half-lives (days) in the three soils were as follows: sulfamethoxydiazine (20.39 to 23.10), carbamazepine (36.48 to 77.02), megestrol acetate (11.18 to 20.39), progesterone (6.08 to 23.90), ciprofloxacin (11.75 to 63.01), oxytetracycline (13.08 to 30.14), naproxen (7.79 to 40.77), gemfibrozil (8.45 to 30.14), and triclosan (14.75 to 46.21). The corresponding R² values ranged from 0.8882 to 0.9320 for sulfamethoxydiazine, 0.8579 to 0.9248 for carbamazepine, 0.8745 to 0.9658 for megestrol acetate, 0.9026 to 0.9560 for progesterone, 0.8147 to 0.9571 for ciprofloxacin, 0.8136 to 0.9063 for oxytetracycline, 0.8961 to 0.9156 for naproxen, 0.8802 to 0.9497 for gemfibrozil, and 0.9099 to 0.9457 for triclosan. Soil physicochemical properties significantly influenced PPCP degradation rates. Gemfibrozil warrants immediate attention due to its poor degradation; the five PPCPs presenting moderate concern—namely carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, oxytetracycline, naproxen, and triclosan—require further risk assessment, while sulfamethoxydiazine, megestrol acetate, and progesterone pose low persistence risk according to current evidence. Full article

The activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes decreases in older adults, which can lead to toxic effects from polypharmacy. Cytochromes P450 are the most significant enzymes involved in the metabolism of foreign compounds, including pharmaceutical substances. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin (RF), is a potent antioxidant that is vital for the body and participates in numerous enzyme-catalyzed redox reactions. RF is phosphorylated intracellularly to form flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which is further metabolized into flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The active site of the NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), a redox partner of CYP enzymes, is necessary for the catalytic functions of cytochromes P450. The active site of reductase is a complex formed by two types of vitamin B2, such as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). In our study, we investigated the impact of the phosphorylated form of vitamin B2, FAD, and FMN on the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) towards non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications diclofenac and naproxen. It was shown that FAD significantly enhanced the catalytic efficiency of CYP2C9. The 4-hydroxylation of diclofenac was enhanced by 148 ± 10%. The O-demethylation of naproxen showed an increase of 120 ± 14%. Based on these data, we can assume that intake of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) improves catalytic efficiency of CYP2C9. This finding is essential for the modulation of catalytic activity of CYP2C9. The proposed electroanalytic approach is a sensitive and robust method for drug metabolism assay. Full article

Pharmaceutical formulations, in addition to the medicinal substance(s), contain added excipients that make it possible to create a pharmaceutical product that exhibits required properties in terms of mechanical, physical, chemical, and microbiological stability. Additionally, these substances can act as release modifiers or improve bioavailability parameters. Literature data indicate that excipients, especially polymeric ones, can also affect the polymorphism of the active substance, resulting in drug bioavailability enhancement or reduction. This influence can be evaluated using thermal and spectroscopic methods. In the study, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), vibrational spectroscopic studies (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) assay of ibuprofen, naproxen, and naproxen sodium standards and pharmaceutical preparations containing these medicinal substances in their compositions were carried out. DSC results indicated that a sharp melting peak was observed on the DSC curves of the standards, confirming their crystalline form. DSC results obtained for pharmaceutical formulations also indicated that the enthalpy of melting is sometimes lower than calculated from the percentage of active ingredients in the formulations. In addition, the melting peak is often broadened and shifted toward lower temperatures, suggesting the influence of excipients on the polymorphism of drug substances. The FTIR and Raman spectra of pharmaceutical formulations contained all characteristics of the active substances. XRD analysis was also performed. Therefore, possible chemical interactions between the components of the preparations have been excluded. At the same time, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy results as well as XRD assay showed a reduction in the height of signals corresponding to the crystalline API form, confirming the possibility of reducing API crystallinity in pharmaceutical formulations. Full article