Foziyah Zakir
@dpsru.edu.in
Assistant Professor, B.Pharm (Ayurveda)
Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences ad Research University
EDUCATION
M.Pharm, Ph.D.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Amit Sah, Geeta Aggarwal, Gaurav K. Jain, Syed Mohammad Abbas Zaidi, Punnoth Poonkuzhi Naseef, Mohamed S. Kuruniyan, and Foziyah Zakir
MDPI AG
The oil of the Unani medicinal herb Baboona (Matricaria chamomilla) has shown potential in the management of pain. However, predicaments such as poor skin penetration, skin sensitization, liable to degradation, and volatile nature restrict its use. Therefore, our group for the first time has developed a carrier-based delivery system to facilitate the direct application of chamomile oil to the forehead. The developed nanogel was characterized for physical parameters such as compatibility, TEM, and stability studies. Further, it was also evaluated for pH, viscosity, spread ability, and extrudability, as well as through texture analyses, in vitro studies, and skin irritation tests. The formulation was successfully developed with all the necessary attributes. The in vitro studies revealed the enhanced skin penetration of chamomile oil nanogel. The in vivo studies were also performed in chemically induced pain models, mimicking migraine. The studies show significant improvement of the pain threshold for chamomile nanogel when compared to the positive control group and the results were comparable to marketed diclofenac formulations. Finally, the encapsulation into nanogel reduced the skin irritation property. The nanogel formulation showed promising effects in the pain management of migraine.
Foziyah Zakir, Mamta Bishnoi, and Geeta Aggarwal
Springer Nature Singapore
Sunita Maddheshiya, Adil Ahmad, Wasim Ahmad, Foziyah Zakir, and Geeta Aggarwal
Elsevier BV
Rahmuddin Khan, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Mohd Aqil, Nazia Hassan, Foziyah Zakir, Mohammad Javed Ansari, and Zeenat Iqbal
MDPI AG
Thymoquinone has a multitude of pharmacological effects and has been researched for a wide variety of indications, but with limited clinical success. It is associated with pharmaco-technical caveats such as hydrophobicity, high degradation, and a low oral bioavailability. A prudent approach warrants its usage through an alternative dermal route in combination with functional excipients to harness its potential for treating dermal afflictions, such as psoriasis. Henceforth, the present study explores a nanoformulation approach for designing a fulvic acid (peat-sourced)-based thymoquinone nanoemulsion gel (FTQ-NEG) for an enhanced solubility and improved absorption. The excipients, surfactant/co-surfactant, and oil selected for the o/w nanoemulsion (FTQ-NE) are Tween 80/Transcutol-P and kalonji oil. The formulation methodology includes high-energy ultrasonication complemented with a three-dimensional/factorial Box–Behnken design for guided optimization. The surface morphology assessment through scanning/transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy revealed a 100 nm spherical, globule-like structure of the prepared nanoemulsion. Furthermore, the optimized FTQ-NE had a zeta potential of −2.83 ± 0.14 Mv, refractive index of 1.415 ± 0.036, viscosity of 138.5 ± 3.08 mp, and pH of 5.8 ± 0.16, respectively. The optimized FTQ-NE was then formulated as a gel using Carbopol 971® (1%). The in vitro release analysis of the optimized FTQ-NEG showed a diffusion-dominant drug release (Higuchi model) for 48 h. The drug permeation flux observed for FTQ-NEG (3.64 μg/cm2/h) was much higher compared to that of the pure drug (1.77 mg/cm2/h). The results were further confirmed by confocal microscopy studies, which proved the improved penetration of thymoquinone through mice skin. Long-term stability studies of the purported formulation were also conducted and yielded satisfactory results.
Amit Sah, Punnoth Poonkuzhi Naseef, Mohammed S. Kuruniyan, Gaurav K. Jain, Foziyah Zakir, and Geeta Aggarwal
MDPI AG
Chamomile has a long history of traditional medicinal uses. The two commonly used varieties with therapeutic applications are German chamomile known as Matricaria chamomilla L. and Roman chamomile or Chamaemelum nobile L. The plant contains many components, namely, flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins, which are responsible for its medicinal properties. The review discusses recent developments that help in establishing its role as a therapeutic agent in various areas as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anticancer, and anti-hypertensive agent. Not much is known about its role in the treatment of CNS disorders and metabolic syndromes, which are also discussed. The chemical components responsible for the therapeutic activity and the respective mechanism of action are also elaborated.
Mohd Aamir Mirza, Geeta Aggarwal, Shilpa Bharti, and Foziyah Zakir
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Background: The treatment of wound-associated infections has always remained a challenge for clinicians, with the major deterring factor being microbial biofilms, majorly bacterial or fungal. Biofilm infections are becoming a global concern owing to resistance to antimicrobials. Various fungal pathogens form fungal biofilms, namely Candida sp., Aspergillus fumigates, Trichosporon sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cryptococcus neoformans, among others. The rising cases of fungal biofilm resistance add to the burden of wound care. Additionally, with an increase in the number of surgical procedures, transplantation, and the exponential use of medical devices, the fungal bioburden is rising. Objectives: The review discusses the methods of biofilm formation and the resistance mechanisms against conventional treatments. The potential of novel delivery strategies and the mechanisms involved therein are also highlighted. Further, the prospects of nanotechnology-based medical devices to combat fungal biofilm resistance have been explored. Some clinical trials and up-to-date patent technologies to eradicate biofilms are also mentioned. Conclusion: Due to the many challenges faced in preventing/eradicating biofilms, only a handful of approaches have made it to the market. Eradication of fungal biofilms are a fragmentary area that needs further exploration.
Rahmuddin Khan, Pooja Jain, Foziyah Zakir, Mohd Aqil, Sameer Alshehri, Mohd Aamir Mirza, and Zeenat Iqbal
MDPI AG
The present work aimed to re-assess the bioavailability enhancement potential of fulvic acid (FA). Carbamazepine (CBZ) and peat were used as a model drug and FA source, respectively. Our group has already evaluated the bioavailability enhancement potential of a less commercially viable source of FA, i.e., shilajit. In the present work, the phase solubility of CBZ was analyzed with varying concentrations of peat-sourced FA (2–12% w/v). The prepared complex (CBZ-FA) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dissolution, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies were also carried out. The results showed the presence of an interaction between the drug and FA within the complex, which led to 98.99 ± 2.0% enhancement in drug solubility. The results also showed 79.23 ± 2.1% dissolution of the complexed drug over 60 min and 69.32 ± 2.2% permeation from the intestinal gut sac over 90 min, which led to a significant enhancement of bioavailability and a reduction in the duration of epileptic seizures. Thus, this study re-authenticates our earlier results and suggests switching the FA source (shilajit to peat) for commercial product development.
Rajeev Kumar, Mohd A. Mirza, Punnoth Poonkuzhi Naseef, Mohamed Saheer Kuruniyan, Foziyah Zakir, and Geeta Aggarwal
MDPI AG
Oral diseases pose a major threat to public health across the globe. Diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, halitosis, and oral cancer affect people of all age groups. Moreover, unhealthy diet practices and the presence of comorbidities aggravate the problem even further. Traditional practices such as the use of miswak for oral hygiene and cloves for toothache have been used for a long time. The present review exhaustively explains the potential of natural products obtained from different sources for the prevention and treatment of dental diseases. Additionally, natural medicine has shown activity in preventing bacterial biofilm resistance and can be one of the major forerunners in the treatment of oral infections. However, in spite of the enormous potential, it is a less explored area due to many setbacks, such as unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Nanotechnology has led to many advances in the dental industry, with various applications ranging from maintenance to restoration. However, can nanotechnology help in enhancing the safety and efficacy of natural products? The present review discusses these issues in detail.
Neha Kashyap, Amrita Kumari, Neha Raina, Foziyah Zakir, and Madhu Gupta
Elsevier BV
Santwana Padhi, Mohammad Azharuddin, Anindita Behera, Foziyah Zakir, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Abdulrahman Ahmed Chyad, Zeenat Iqbal, and Sheikh Mansoor
Elsevier
Foziyah Zakir, Sradhanjali Mohapatra, Bushra Aftab, Zeenat Iqbal, and Geeta Aggarwal
Elsevier
Foziyah Zakir, Sradhanjali Mohapatra, Uzma Farooq, Mohd. Aamir Mirza, and Zeenat Iqbal
Elsevier
Sradhanjali Mohapatra, Mohd. Aamir Mirza, Ayah Rebhi Hilles, Foziyah Zakir, Andreia Castro Gomes, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Zeenat Iqbal, and Syed Mahmood
MDPI AG
Hydrogels are known for their leading role in biomaterial systems involving pharmaceuticals that fascinate material scientists to work on the wide variety of biomedical applications. The physical and mechanical properties of hydrogels, along with their biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics, have made them an attractive and flexible tool with various applications such as imaging, diagnosis and treatment. The water-cherishing nature of hydrogels and their capacity to swell—contingent upon a few ecological signals or the simple presence of water—is alluring for drug conveyance applications. Currently, there are several problems relating to drug delivery, to which hydrogel may provide a possible solution. Hence, it is pertinent to collate updates on hydrogels pertaining to biomedical applications. The primary objective of this review article is to garner information regarding classification, properties, methods of preparations, and of the polymers used with particular emphasis on injectable hydrogels. This review also covers the regulatory and other commerce specific information. Further, it enlists several patents and clinical trials of hydrogels with related indications and offers a consolidated resource for all facets associated with the biomedical hydrogels.
Foziyah Zakir, Adil Ahmad, Mohd Amir Mirza, Kanchan Kohli, and Farhan J. Ahmad
Elsevier BV
Foziyah Zakir, Harshita Mishra, Mohammad Azharuddin, M. Aamir Mirza, Geeta Aggarwal, and Zeenat Iqbal
Elsevier
Foziyah Zakir, Adil Ahmad, Uzma Farooq, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Alok Tripathi, Divya Singh, Faiyaz Shakeel, Sradhanjali Mohapatra, Farhan J Ahmad, and Kanchan Kohli
Future Medicine Ltd
Aim: To investigate the potential of a thermosensitive intranasal formulation of raloxifene hydrochloride (RH) for systemic delivery with the possibility of enhanced bioavailability and anti-osteoporotic efficacy. Methods: In this work, a commercially scalable nanoemulsion in thermosensitive gel, aligned with better clinical acceptability, has been developed and evaluated. Results: A significant 7.4-fold improvement in bioavailability of RH was recorded when compared with marketed tablets. Likewise, in vivo pharmacodynamics studies suggested 162% enhanced bone density and significantly improved biochemical markers compared with per-oral marketed tablet. Conclusion: The formulation, being safe and patient compliant, successfully tuned anti-osteoporotic effects with improved therapeutic performance. Further, the work provided an exceptional lead to carry out the study in clinical settings.
Foziyah Zakir, Kanchan Kohli, Farhan J. Ahmad, Zeenat Iqbal, and Adil Ahmad
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that remains unnoticed until a fracture occurs. It is more predominant in the older age population, particularly in females due to reduced estrogen levels and ultimately limited calcium absorption. The cost burden of treating osteoporotic fractures is too high, therefore, primary focus should be treatment at an early stage. Most of the marketed drugs are available as oral delivery dosage forms. The complications, as well as patient non-compliance, limit the use of oral therapy for prolonged drug delivery. Transdermal delivery systems seem to be a promising approach for the delivery of anti-osteoporotic active moieties. One of the confronting barriers is the passage of drugs through the SC layers followed by penetration to deeper dermal layers. The review focuses on how anti-osteoporotic drugs can be molded through different approaches so that they can be exploited for the skin to systemic delivery. Insights into the various challenges in transdermal delivery and how the novel delivery system can be used to overcome these have also been detailed.
Farzana Anjum, Foziyah Zakir, Devina Verma, Mohd Aqil, Manvi Singh, Pooja Jain, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Md. Khalid Anwer, and Zeenat Iqbal
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Background: The present work aimed to develop an ethosomal gel of naproxen sodium for the amelioration of rheumatoid arthritis. Objective: In the present work, we have explored the potential of ethosomes to deliver naproxen into deeper skin strata. Further, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of naproxen ethosomal formulation was assessed using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Methods: Naproxen sodium nanoethosomes were prepared using different proportions of lipoid S100 (50mg-200mg), ethanol (20-50%) and water, and were further characterized on the basis of vesicle morphology, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo permeation studies. Results: The optimized ethosomal formulation was found to have 129 ± 0.01 nm particle size, 0.295 Polydispersity Index (PDI), -3.29 mV zeta potential, 88% entrapment efficiency and 96.573% drug release in 24 hours. TEM and SEM analysis of the optimized formulation showed slightly smooth spherical structures. The Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that ethosomes could easily infiltrate into deeper dermal layers (upto 104.9μm) whereas the hydroalcoholic solution of the drug could penetrate up to 74.9μm. Further, the optimized ethosomal formulation was incorporated into 1% carbopol 934 gel base and optimized wherein the transdermal flux was found to be approximately 10 times more than the hydroethanolic solution. Also, the in-vivo pharmacodynamic study of the optimized ethosomal gel exhibited a higher percentage inhibition of swelling paw edema than marketed diclofenac gel. Conclusion: The ethosomal gel was successfully developed and has shown the potential to be a good option for the replacement of conventional therapies of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lydia Thomas, Foziyah Zakir, Mohd. Aamir Mirza, Md. Khalid Anwer, Farhan Jalees Ahmad, and Zeenat Iqbal
Elsevier BV
Mohammed M. Safhi, Sivagurunathan Moni Sivakumar, Aamena Jabeen, Foziyah Zakir, Farah Islam, Tarique Anwer, Uddhav S. Bagul, Mohamed E. Elmobark, Gyas Khan, Rahimullah Siddiqui,et al.
Elsevier
Basant Malik, Amit K. Goyal, T.S. Markandeywar, Goutam Rath, Foziyah Zakir, and Suresh P. Vyas
Informa UK Limited
Present work was envisaged to develop novel M-cell targeted polymeric particles that are capable of protecting the antigen from harsh gastric conditions. Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-1) lectin was anchored for selective delivery of antigen to gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). In the present investigation, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation followed by antigen (bovine serum albumin, BSA) adsorption. Developed nanoparticles were further coated by UEA-1 lectin conjugated alginate and characterized for size, shape, zeta-potential, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release. The immunological response of the developed system were performed in Balb/c mice and compared with aluminium hydroxide gel-based conventional vaccine. Results indicated that immunization with UEA-1 lectin conjugated alginate-coated particles induces efficient systemic as well as mucosal immune responses against BSA compared to other formulations. Aluminium-based vaccine dominated throughout the study, while failed in case of mucosal antibody. Additionally, IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes were determined to confirm the TH1/TH2 mixed immune response. The developed formulation exhibited superior systemic response along with dominating mucosal immunity. These data demonstrate the potential of UEA-alginate-coated nanoparticles as effective delivery system via oral route.
Foziyah Zakir, Himanshu Sharma, Karandeep Kaur, Basant Malik, Bhuvaneshwer Vaidya, AmitK. Goyal, and S. P. Vyas
American Scientific Publishers
Approximately 50% active substances discovered by combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening show poor solubility in water. Out of various available approaches "Nanoedege technology" (Combination of Precipitation and Homogenization) was selected. Amphotericin B (Amp B) was used as a model drug. Three different preparations of Amp B were produced by using three different surfactants Tween80, Pluronic F68, Soya Lecithin and assessed for their efficacy and stability. In this study the Amp B nanosuspension formulation, with the smaller particle size, can be effectively produced with the Nanoedge Method. The pharmacokinetic profiles of Amp B when given in the nanosuspension formulation were different compared to the corresponding raw drug.
Basant Malik, AmitK. Goyal, Foziyah Zakir, and S. P. Vyas
American Scientific Publishers
A rationally designed oral vaccine should be successfully delivered to the intestinal mucosal immune cells, and induce both humoral and cellular counterparts of immunity along with the mucosal immune response. The aim of this study is to mimic these natural infections and excel the utility of a specific ligand for beta1 integrin (RGD peptide) to target M cells which seems to be the only portal for any particulate matter in GIT. The in vivo studies have shown higher antibody titre for alginate coated chitosan nanoparticles compared to plain chitosan nanoparticles. RGD peptide conjugated alginate coated chitosan nanoparticles proved to be the suitable carrier system for antigen delivery to gut associated lymphoid tissue. Based upon the release kinetics and strong systemic as well as mucosal immune response we can conclude that this cost effective carrier construct can be utilized for oral vaccination.