Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP)

Rifampicin-Loaded Nanoparticles for Targeted Tuberculosis Therapy: Enhancing Delivery and Efficacy

2026-01-10T14:21:27+00:00

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge, with limitations in the present drug regimens, including

poor bioavailability, systemic side effects, and the emergence of multidrug resistance. Rifampicin (RMP), a firstline anti-TB drug, suffers from rapid metabolism, limited tissue penetration, and poor targeting, necessitating

frequent dosing. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems offer a promising strategy to address these challenges

by enhancing targeted delivery, reducing toxicity, and improving therapeutic efficacy. A disruptive solution

to these challenges is presented by nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. In this review, we examine

various studies on RMP-loaded nanoparticles, including polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based nanocarriers (such

as liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles), metallic nanoparticles, dendrimers, and micelles. These carriers

enhance the stability of the drug, facilitate its controlled release, and target its delivery to TB-infected tissues and

macrophages. Nanocarriers loaded with RMP have a high potential for transforming TB treatment because they

are more effective, have fewer systemic adverse effects, and are part of combating TB drug resistance on a global

scale.

Fixed-Dose Combination Therapy in Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Adherence, and Cardiovascular Outcomes

2026-01-23T06:33:02+00:00

Hypertension remains a leading contributor to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the
availability of effective pharmacological treatments, optimal blood pressure (BP) control continues to be suboptimal
in many populations, mainly due to poor medication adherence. Fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapies, which
incorporate two or more antihypertensive agents into a single formulation, have been proposed as a strategy to
enhance adherence and improve clinical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness,
safety, compliance, and cost-effectiveness of FDC antihypertensive therapies in comparison to monotherapy or
free-pill combinations in adults diagnosed with primary hypertension. A comprehensive search of the PubMed,
Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was conducted for studies published between January 2020 and June
2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and observational studies that reported at least one
relevant clinical outcome, such as changes in BP, adherence levels, cardiovascular event incidence, safety profiles,
or economic impact. Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria, representing a range of populations and
healthcare settings. The findings consistently indicated that FDC therapies were associated with greater reductions
in both systolic and diastolic BP, improved treatment adherence, and comparable or superior safety outcomes
relative to conventional therapeutic regimens. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally
high, with most trials assessed as having low risk of bias and observational studies rated as moderate-to-high
quality. Moreover, several studies highlighted the potential economic benefits of FDCs, including reduced pill
burden and enhanced treatment efficiency. Collectively, the evidence supports the broader adoption of FDCs as
an effective, safe, and scalable approach for the management of hypertension, particularly in resource-constrained
settings and among high-risk patient groups.

Therapeutic Approaches in Adult Orthodontic-Restorative Patients with Dental Anomalies: A Narrative Review

2026-01-23T06:39:36+00:00

This narrative review (2023–2025) summarizes the treatment of adult orthodontic-restorative patients with different
dental anomalies, such as hypodontia, microdontia, or enamel anomaly. It is, therefore, extremely important to
have an interdisciplinary and digitally guided approach while managing adult dental anomalies. Digital dentistry,
supported by cone beam computed tomography, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing, and
Digital Smile Design, enables diagnosis, treatment planning, as well as the interdisciplinary approach to be more
effectively realized. Research comparing clear aligners and fixed appliances revealed that although the results
regarding alignment are similar between the two systems, clear aligners are more comfortable to wear, easier
to maintain, and cleaner, as well as esthetically pleasing. Fixed appliances are still critical for mainly severe
malocclusions that need to be treated. In restoring teeth using ceramic veneer bonding to crowns on enamel, the
survival rate is above 90%, whereas composite bonded crowns fail readily. The existing technique is thereby
shifted by present restorative techniques toward the preservation of enamel and minimally invasive techniques
using bioactive materials. Orthodontic alignment in combination with restorative excellence offers digital control
over the predicted function and esthetics of a case. It is, therefore, extremely important to have an interdisciplinary
and digitally guided approach while managing adult dental anomalies.