Browsing Life sciences and Bio-engineering by Author "Swai, Hulda"
Now showing items 1-20 of 53
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Abrogating the nsp10–nsp16 switching mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 by phytochemicals from Withania somnifera: a molecular dynamics study
Vuai, Said; Onoka, Isaac; Sahini, Mtabazi; Swai, Hulda; Shadrack, Daniel (Taylor & Francis Online, 2021-09-14)The search for therapeutic small molecules and vaccines for Covid-19 treatment is an urgent but evolving topic. The virus has claimed over 3,782,490 lives (as of 12 June 2021), with the figure expected to rise due to the ... -
Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of chloroform extracts of cucumis metuliferus and lippia kituiensis in mice and rats model
Mzena, Theopista; Swai, Hulda; Chacha, Musa (World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2020)Objective: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Cucumis metuliferus and Lippia kituiensis leaf chloroform extracts in mice and rats model. Methods: Acute oral toxicity study of chloroform extracts of L. ... -
Antimalarial activity of Cucumis metuliferus and Lippia kituiensis against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice
Mzena, Theopista; Swai, Hulda; Chacha, Musa (Dovepress, 2018)Background: The search for new antimalarial drugs has become progressively urgent due to plasmodial resistance to most of the commercially available antimalarial drugs. As part of this effort, the study evaluated the ... -
Antimalarial potential and phytochemical composition of fractions of Lippia kituiensis Vatke (Verbenaceae) growing in Northern Tanzania
Ng’etich, Japheth; Swai, Hulda; Njokah, Joseph; Wachira, Sabina; Koech, Lilian; Gathirwa, Jeremiah (Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2020-08-31)Despite past decades of steady advances in the fight against Malaria, statistics show that the disease is still a threat to human health. Previous successes in the development of antimalarial drugs from medicinal plants ... -
Antimicrobial dependence of silver nanoparticles on surface plasmon resonance bands against Escherichia coli
Mlalila, Nichrous; Swai, Hulda; Hilonga, Askwar; Kadam, Dattatreya (Dove Press Journal, 2016-12-16)This study presents a simple and trouble-free method for determining the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands. AgNPs were prepared by chemical reduction ... -
Antimicrobial packaging based on starch, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(lactic-co-glycolide) materials and application challenges
Mlalila, Nichrous; Hilonga, Askwar; Swai, Hulda; Devlieghere, Frank; Ragaert, Peter (Elsevier Ltd., 2018-04)Background In recent years, food packaging has focused on two scientific pillars; adopting the biodegradable packaging materials and development of antimicrobial packaging for extended shelf life, quality and safety of ... -
Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of orange peels into biocrude: An optimization approach by central composite design
Kariim, Ishaq; Waidi, Yusuf; Swai, Hulda; Kivevele, Thomas (Elsevier B.V., 2023-08)Global instability, persistent increase in pump-price, inflation and depletion of fossil fuel resources amidst the continuous discharge of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels combustion call for urgent attention. The ... -
Comparative in vitro transportation of pentamidine across the blood-brain barrier using polycaprolactone nanoparticles and phosphatidylcholine liposomes
Omarch, Geofrey; Kippie, Yunus; Mentor, Shireen; Ebrahim, Naushaad; Fisher, David; Murilla, Grace; Swai, Hulda; Dube, Admire (Taylor & Francis Group., 2019-04-22)Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained importance in addressing drug delivery challenges across biological barriers. Here, we reformulated pentamidine, a drug used to treat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in polymer based ... -
Curdlan-Conjugated PLGA Nanoparticles Possess Macrophage Stimulant Activity and Drug Delivery Capabilities
Tukulula, Matshawandile; Hayeshi, Rose; Fonteh, Pascaline; Meyer, Debra; Ndamase, Abongile; Madziva, Michael T.; Khumalo, Vincent; Lubuschagne, Philip; Naicker, Brendon; Swai, Hulda; Dube, Admire (Springer, 2015-03-28)Purpose There is significant interest in the application of nanoparticles to deliver immunostimulatory signals to cells.We hypothesized that curdlan (immune stimulating polymer) could be conjugated to PLGA and nanoparticles ... -
Design and formulation of nano-sized spray dried efavirenz-part I: influence of formulation parameters
Katata, Lebogang; Tshweu, Lesego; Naidoo, Saloshnee; Kalombo, Lonji; Swai, Hulda (Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2012-10-25)Efavirenz (EFV) is one of the first-line antiretroviral drugs recommended by the World Health Organisation for treating HIV. It is a hydrophobic drug that suffers from low aqueous solubility (4 μg/mL), which leads to a ... -
Development of a Natural Product Rich in Bioavailable Omega-3 DHA from Locally Available Ingredients for Prevention of Nutrition Related Mental Illnesses
Charles, Christina; Swai, Hulda; Msagati, Titus; Chacha, Musa (Taylor & Francis Online, 2020-03-19)Objectives: Poor mental health remains a serious public concern worldwide. The most vulnerable individuals are children and adolescents in developing countries. Nutritional deficiency of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, ... -
Development of a Natural Product Rich in Bioavailable Omega-3 DHA from Locally Available Ingredients for Prevention of Nutrition Related Mental Illnesses.
Charles, Christina; Swai, Hulda; Msagati, Titus; Chacha, Musa (Taylor & Francis online, 2020-03-19)Poor mental health remains a serious public concern worldwide. The most vulnerable individuals are children and adolescents in developing countries. Nutritional deficiency of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly ... -
Development, characterization and antimalarial efficacy of dihydroartemisinin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles.
Omwoyo, Wesley; Melariri, Paula; Gathirwa, Jeremiah; Oloo, Florence; Mahanga, Geoffrey; Kalombo, Lonji; Ogutu, Bernhards; Swai, Hulda (Elsevier, 2016-04-01)Effective use of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is limited by poor water-solubility, poor pharmacokinetic profile and unsatisfactory clinical outcome especially in monotherapy. To reduce such limitations, we reformulated DHA ... -
Effects of protein binding on the biodistribution of PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles post oral administration
Semete, Boitumelo; Booysen, Laetitia; Kalombo, Lonji; Ramalapa, Bathabile; Hayeshi, Rose; Swai, Hulda (Elsevier B.V., 2012-03-15)The surface of nanoparticles is often functionalised with polymeric surfactants, in order to increase systemic circulation time. This has been investigated mainly for intravenously administered nanoparticles. This study ... -
Effects of spray-drying on w/o/w multiple emulsions prepared from a stearic acid matrix
Mlalila, Nichrous; Swai, Hulda; Kalombo, Lonji; Hilonga, Askwar (2014-01-01)The goal of this study was to explore the effects of spray-drying on w/o/w double emulsions of methyltestosterone (MT) loaded in a stearic acid matrix. MT-loaded nanoparticles were formulated by a water-in-oil-in-water ... -
Enhanced oral bioavailability of the antiretroviral efavirenz encapsulated in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles by a spray-drying method.
Tshweu, Lesego; Katata, Lebogang; Kalombo, Lonji; Chiappetta, Diego; Hocht, Christian; Sosnik, Alejandro; Swai, Hulda (NANOMEDICINE, 2014-10-17)Aim: To encapsulate efavirenz (EFV) within poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) and compare the oral pharmacokinetics with that of EFV-loaded micelles and pure EFV NPs. Materials & methods: EFV-loaded PCL ... -
Ensemble-based screening of natural products and FDA-approved drugs identified potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 that work with two distinct mechanisms
Shadrack, Daniel; Deogratias, Geradius; Kiruri, Lucy; Swai, Hulda; Vianney, John-Mary; Nyandoro, Stephen (Elsevier Ltd., 2021-06)The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rate across the globe. This requires an urgent identification of drugs and other interventions to overcome this pandemic. Computational ... -
Ensemble-based screening of natural products and FDA-approved drugs identified potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 that work with two distinct mechanisms
Shadrack, Daniel; Deogratias, Geradius; Kiruri, Lucy; Swai, Hulda; Vianney, John-Mary; Nyandoro, Stephen (Elsevier Inc., 2021-02-23)The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rate across the globe. This requires an urgent identification of drugs and other interventions to overcome this pandemic. Computational drug ... -
Formulation, Optimization, and Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Polyphenol-Loaded Phytosome Delivery System against Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Wanjiru, Jecinta; Gathirwa, Jeremiah; Sauli, Elingarami; Swai, Hulda (MDPI, 2022-07-11)Moringa oleifera leaf polyphenols (Mopp) were encapsulated with phytosomes to enhance their efficacy on 4T1 cancer cell lines. The Mopp were extracted via microwave-assisted extraction. Moringa oleifera polyphenol-loaded ... -
Human food safety and environmental hazards associated with the use of methyltestosterone and other steroids in production of all-male tilapia
Mlalila, Nichrous; Mahika, Charles; Kalombo, Lonji; Swai, Hulda; Hilonga, Askwar (Springer, 2015-04)In recent years, all-male cultures of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) have been the most preferred mode of production in aquaculture industry. All-male individuals achieve higher somatic growth rate and shut high ...