Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular diseases, and premature death. The study aims to assess CKD knowledge and predictive variables among the general public. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general public in Al Medina Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia, utilizing a 21-item questionnaire-based approach over a 4-month period from January 2023 to April 2023. The developed questionnaire was validated for readability by experts and refined in light of the feedback received from the experts and the final version was prepared. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.71, which shows an acceptable level of internal consistency. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software (version 25). Results: A total of 777 complete surveys were received after applying the exclusion criteria. The study results revealed that the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge 505 (65%), 203 (26.1) had moderate knowledge, and 69 (8.9%) had good knowledge. Gender (p = 0.004), age (<0.001), education level (p = 0.039), marital status (p = 0.003), and occupation (p = 0.002) play significant roles in shaping participants’ knowledge levels regarding CKD. Lower odds of good knowledge were associated with females with an OR (95% CI) of 0.448 (0.263–0.764) and intermediate or higher secondary school level of education displayed an OR (95% CI) of 0.39 (0.18–0.89). Higher odds of good knowledge levels were associated with the age group of 18–27 with an OR (95% CI) of 5.077 (1.21–21.38) and being employed with an OR of 3.555 (1.04–12.21). Conclusions: A significant proportion of respondents had poor knowledge about CKD. Several demographic factors were associated with CKD knowledge. Further research is needed to explore these knowledge disparities and develop targeted interventions to improve CKD knowledge among the general public.

This research aimed to develop innovative self-nanoemulsifying chewable tablets (SNECT) to increase oral bioavailability of tadalafil (TDL), a nearly insoluble phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. Cinnamon essential oil, PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor^® RH 40), and polyethylene glycol 400 served as the oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant in the nanoemulsifying system, respectively. Primary liquid self-nanoemulsifying delivery systems (L-SNEDDS) were designed using phase diagrams and tested for dispersibility, droplet size, self-emulsifying capability, and thermodynamic stability. Adsorption on a carrier mix of silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose was exploited to solidify the optimum L-SNEDDS formulation as self-nanoemulsifying granules (SNEG). Lack of crystalline TDL within the granules was verified by DSC and XRPD. SNEG were able to create a nanoemulsion instantaneously (165 nm), a little larger than the original nanoemulsion (159 nm). SNECT were fabricated by compressing SNEG with appropriate excipients. The obtained SNECT retained their quick dispersibility dissolving 84% of TDL within 30 min compared to only 18% dissolution from tablets of unprocessed TDL. A pharmacokinetic study in Sprague–Dawley rats showed a significant increase in C_max (2.3-fold) and AUC_{0–24 h} (5.33-fold) of SNECT relative to the unprocessed TDL-tablet (p < 0.05). The stability of TDL-SNECT was checked against dilutions with simulated GI fluids. In addition, accelerated stability tests were performed for three months at 40 ± 2 °C and 75% relative humidity. Results revealed the absence of obvious changes in size, PDI, or other tablet parameters before and after testing. In conclusion, current findings illustrated effectiveness of SNECT to enhance TDL dissolution and bioavailability in addition to facilitating dose administration.

Tadalafil (TAD) is a poorly soluble, phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. The primary goal of this project was to prepare nano-emulsions using ultrasonic technology to address TAD bioavailability concerns. The Box–Behnken design was employed to find prominent correlations between factors impacting the sono-emulsification process. The emulsifier concentration, amplitude level, and ultrasonication time were the independent factors, whereas the average droplet size (ADS) and polydispersity index (PDI) were designated as the response variables. TAD-loaded nano-emulsions (93–289 nm) were generated and the emulsifier concentration showed a crucial role in directing emulsion droplet size. The model desirability function was utilized to optimize a nano-emulsion with a small ADS (99.67 ± 7.55 nm) and PDI (0.45 ± 0.04) by adjusting the emulsifiers concentration, amplitude level, and ultrasonication time at 9.85%, 33%, 49 s, respectively. The optimized nano-emulsions did not demonstrate any precipitation or phase separation after stability stress tests. TAD jellies were formulated based on the optimized nano-emulsion and subjected to in vitro evaluation for physical characteristics; TAD content, pH, spreadability, viscosity, syneresis, and taste-masking ability. An optimized nano-emulsion-based jelly (NEJ) formulation showed more than 96% drug dissolution in 30 min relative to 14% for the unprocessed TAD. In vivo assessment of NEJ in experimental rats demonstrated a significant enhancement (p < 0.05) of TAD bioavailability with an AUC_0–24h of 2045 ± 70.2 vs. 259.9 ± 17.7 ng·h·mL⁻¹ for the unprocessed TAD. Storage stability results revealed that NEJ remained stable with unremarkable changes in properties for 3 months. Overall, NEJ can be regarded as a successful therapeutic option for TAD administration with immediate-release properties and improved bioavailability.

Background and aim: Being a central organ in homeostasis and maintaining the health of the biological system, kidneys are exposed to variable toxicants. Long-term exposure to nephrotoxic molecules causes chronic renal damage that causes fibrosis and loss of function. Such damage can be initiated by oxidative stress which provokes inflammation. We aim at investigating the potential therapeutic effects of Boswellia serrata (BS) gum resin extract in managing CCl₄-induced renal toxicity. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were assigned to groups: healthy control; CCl₄-treated (CCl₄, twice/week, for 6 weeks); CCl₄ + BS-treated: CCl₄ for 6 weeks followed by BS (150 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks; and CCl₄ + Silymarin-treated: CCl₄ for 6 weeks followed by Silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Blood and kidney tissue were utilized to assess oxidative stress status, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological changes. Results: BS treatment ameliorated signs of renal damage and fibrosis as it improved renal antioxidant status and renal function markers and significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 along with the fibrogenic marker TGF-β. Kidney tissues showed improved histological features after BS treatment. Conclusions: BS gum resin extract has significant therapeutic potential against CCl₄-induced renal damage and fibrosis. These effects could be mediated via its previously reported antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory effects.