Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
35
Scopus Publications
1496
Scholar Citations
19
Scholar h-index
28
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Cucurbitacins Adil Ahamad, Javed Ahamad, Mohd Javed Naim, Foziyah Zakir Bioactive Cucurbitacins Therapeutic Benefits Toxicity and Analysis, 2026 Cucurbitacins have garnered significant attention due to their diverse biological activities in both plants and animals. The present chapter aims to compile the recent progress made in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacins are tetracyclic triterpenoids mainly distributed in the Cucurbitaceae family and some other plant species. It is the most abundant phytochemical of the cucurbitacin family and is known for its diverse biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antidiabetic benefits. This book chapter reviews recent research on the pharmacological properties and applications of cucurbitacins with special emphasis on their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It aims to deepen understanding of progress in this field while offering constructive recommendations for further investigation.
Bioactive Phytosterols in Fruits and Berries Adil Ahamad, Javed Ahamad, Mohd Javed Naim, Bushra Parveen, Foziyah Zakir Bioactive Compounds of Edible Fruits and Berries Health Benefits Nutritional Importance and Analysis, 2025 Consuming natural substances to regulate physiological functions is increasingly considered a promising approach to promoting health. Phytosterols, bioactive compounds found in plants, are among the dietary ingredients gaining attention for their potential health benefits. Although over 250 phytosterols have been identified, research has primarily focused on unsaturated ones like β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, and saturated phytosterols like sitostanol and campestanol. Fruits and berries are rich sources of phytosterols like avocados, bananas, tangerine, mango, orange, hawthorn, crisp pear, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, berries, etc. Besides phytosterols, these fruits also contain several other bioactive compounds like phenolics, carotenoids, biogenic amines, and phytosterols, valued in the diet for their health-promoting properties. Many of these compounds have antioxidant capabilities, helping to protect the body from oxidative stress.
The Role of Traditional Medicine in Sustainable Development Foziyah Zakir, Amrita Mishra, Geeta Aggarwal Biotechnological Innovation and Sustainable Developmental Goals Fostering Good Health and Wellbeing, 2025 Due to the rising environmental crisis, the United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Poor health is a significant setback particularly in developing countries, and most patients in these countries rely on allopathic medicines. However, due to the rising cost of treatment, lack of availability and emergence of resistance to drugs, people are shifting their focus to traditional medicines. Traditional medicine has been practiced around the world since ancient times. It uses drugs from plant, animal and metal and mineral sources and has the major advantages of availability and affordability. The authors of this chapter discuss the role of traditional medicine in a nation’s environmental sustainability, consumer health and economic development. They give a brief overview of Ayurveda as a sustainable medicine system that aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Menstrual Cup Awareness and Future Usage Possibilities of Consumers: A Cross-sectional Study Tanushree Jain, Tanya Katyal, Sri Shivani Thatavarti Bharatam, Manthan Kaushik, Mohammad Ali, Munfis Patel, Foziyah Zakir, Mohammed Zaafar Khan, Mohd. Aamir Mirza, Zeenat Iqbal Current Women S Health Reviews, 2025 Background:: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that menstrual health be recognized, defined, and addressed as a health and human rights issue rather than hygiene. The UN has acknowledged menstrual health as a worldwide public health and human rights concern. Poor menstrual health, inadequate sanitation facilities and inadequate education are defining characteristics of period poverty. Objective:: To assess and compare among different age groups of respondents regarding knowledge and awareness regarding menstrual cup and their future possibilities for usage among women of Delhi, India. Methods:: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between 1st April and 30th May 2022 among the females of Delhi NCR region, India. Results:: A total of 339 females participated in our study, which included 250 (73.7%) above the age of 20 years, whereas 89 (26.3%) were below that age. Most of the respondents were aware of menstrual health products such as menstrual pads -241 (96.40) above 20 years, 83 (93.26) below 20 years with [CI-1.03 (0.73, 1.46) p-value = 0.85], cotton pads-158 (63.20%), 50 (56.18%), [CI-1.12 (0.75, 1.67) p-value = 0.56], tampons-190 (76.00), 61 (68.54), CI- 1.10 (0.76, 1.61) pvalue = 0.59, and menstrual disc-34 (13.60%), 18 (20.22%), CI-0.67 (0.36, 1.25) p-value = 0.21. Among respondents above 20 years of age, 83.60% of respondents were aware of menstrual cups. When asked about the biodegradability of the menstrual health product, 158 (63.2%) respondents aged above 20 years and 54 (60.67%) respondents aged less than 20 years negated it [CI-1.04 (0.70, 1.54), p-value = 0.83]. Conclusion:: Our research can help organization policymakers understand that a menstrual cup is an effective alternative to disposable sanitary products.
Design and Development of a Topical Nanogel Formulation Comprising of a Unani Medicinal Agent for the Management of Pain Amit Sah, Geeta Aggarwal, Gaurav K. Jain, Syed Mohammad Abbas Zaidi, Punnoth Poonkuzhi Naseef, Mohamed S. Kuruniyan, Foziyah Zakir Gels, 2023 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.
Essential oils for the treatment of skin anomalies: Scope and potential Sunita Maddheshiya, Adil Ahmad, Wasim Ahmad, Foziyah Zakir, Geeta Aggarwal South African Journal of Botany, 2022 Skin diseases contribute significantly to worldwide morbidity and mortality. It is the most common of all human diseases which can affect people of any age group. Most importantly, it is seen that the COVID-19 pandemic have further detrimentally contributed to dermatological manifestations. Due to the enormous socioeconomic burden created by skin disorders, the dermatological treatments have been added in the WHO List of Essential Medicines. Some of the major predominant diseases are acne, psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections and skin carcinoma. As a matter of fact, focus on treatment of skin diseases should be arguably considered as a matter of global urgency. Although treatments are available, they face numerous challenges which limit patient acceptability. Essential oils have a long history of pharmacological use; however their role in the treatment of dermatological disorders is vague. Therefore, in this review, the potential and mechanism of different essential oils obtained from various sources in the treatment of major dermal disorders has been summarized. This will help the formulation scientists and the clinicians to develop suitable formulation strategies for the prevention and cure of skin diseases.
Introduction to metabolic disorders Foziyah Zakir, Sradhanjali Mohapatra, Uzma Farooq, Mohd. Aamir Mirza, Zeenat Iqbal Drug Delivery Systems for Metabolic Disorders, 2022
Nanocarriers as delivery tool for COVID-19 drugs Santwana Padhi, Mohammad Azharuddin, Anindita Behera, Foziyah Zakir, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Abdulrahman Ahmed Chyad, Zeenat Iqbal, Sheikh Mansoor Coronavirus Drug Discovery Volume 2 Antiviral Agents from Natural Products and Nanotechnological Applications, 2022
Nanoparticle System for Anticancer Drug Delivery: Targeting to Overcome Multidrug Resistance Mohammed M. Safhi, Sivagurunathan Moni Sivakumar, Aamena Jabeen, Foziyah Zakir, Farah Islam, Tarique Anwer, Uddhav S. Bagul, Mohamed E. Elmobark, Gyas Khan, Rahimullah Siddiqui, Abouelhag Hussien, Mohammad Firoz Alam Multifunctional Systems for Combined Delivery Biosensing and Diagnostics, 2017
Enhancement of anti-dermatitis potential of clobetasol propionate by DHA [docosahexaenoic acid] rich algal oil nanoemulsion gel Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2016
Therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles as antibiotic delivery system: Challenges to treat multiple drug resistance Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016
The Role of Traditional Medicine in Sustainable Development F Zakir, A Mishra, G Aggarwal Biotechnological Innovation and Sustainable Developmental Goals, 11-14 , 2025 2025
Herbal Immunity Boosters: Scientific Perspective M Jain, M Jha, S Tripathi, F Zakir Biopress Journal of Computational Life Sciences (BJCLS) 1 (04), 21-29 , 2025 2025
Lipid-based drug delivery for pulmonary microbial infections P Jain, F Zakir, M Singh, M Bishnoi, B Ahmad, Z Iqbal Lipids in Pulmonary Drug Delivery, 233-253 , 2025 2025
Nanotherapeutics and nanotheranostics in Trueperella pyogenes infections F Zakir, T Khuroo, B Ahmed Applications of Nanotherapeutics and Nanotheranostics in Managing Infectious … , 2025 2025
Menstrual Cup Awareness and Future Usage Possibilities of Consumers: A Cross-sectional Study T Jain, T Katyal, SST Bharatam, M Kaushik, MD Ali, M Patel, F Zakir, ... Current Womens Health Reviews 21 (1), E221123223718 , 2025 2025
Behavioral neuroscience in zebrafish: Unravelling the complexity of brain-behavior relationships SM Firdous, S Pal, S Khanam, F Zakir Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 397 (12), 9295-9313 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Design and development of a topical nanogel formulation comprising of a unani medicinal agent for the management of pain A Sah, G Aggarwal, GK Jain, SMA Zaidi, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, ... Gels 9 (10), 794 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Arabinogalactan-based drug delivery systems F Zakir, M Bishnoi, G Aggarwal Natural Polymeric Materials based Drug Delivery Systems in Lung Diseases … , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
Design and Development of a Topical Nanogel Formulation Comprising of a Unani Medicinal Agent for the Management of Pain. Gels 2023, 9, 794 A Sah, G Aggarwal, GK Jain, SMA Zaidi, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, ... 2023 Citations: 1
Natural polymeric materials based drug delivery systems in lung diseases H Dureja, TJA Pinto, K Dua Springer , 2023 2023 Citations: 19
Essential oils for the treatment of skin anomalies: Scope and potential S Maddheshiya, A Ahmad, W Ahmad, F Zakir, G Aggarwal South African Journal of Botany 151, 187-197 , 2022 2022 Citations: 24
The tumor microenvironment T Alex, DK Lang, F Zakir, A Mirza, Z Iqbal Polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of solid tumors, 1-49 , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
A pharmaco-technical investigation of thymoquinone and peat-sourced fulvic acid nanoemulgel: A combination therapy R Khan, MA Mirza, M Aqil, N Hassan, F Zakir, MJ Ansari, Z Iqbal Gels 8 (11), 733 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
A comprehensive study of therapeutic applications of chamomile A Sah, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, GK Jain, F Zakir, G Aggarwal Pharmaceuticals 15 (10), 1284 , 2022 2022 Citations: 212
Antifungal biofilm strategies: a less explored area in wound management S Bharti, F Zakir, MA Mirza, G Aggarwal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 23 (12), 1497-1513 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Drug delivery systems for metabolic disorders H Dureja, N Murthy, P Wich, K Dua Academic Press , 2022 2022 Citations: 25
Quality and in vivo assessment of a fulvic acid complex: a validation study R Khan, P Jain, F Zakir, M Aqil, S Alshehri, MA Mirza, Z Iqbal Scientia Pharmaceutica 90 (2), 33 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
Exploring the potential of natural product-based nanomedicine for maintaining oral health R Kumar, MA Mirza, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, F Zakir, G Aggarwal Molecules 27 (5), 1725 , 2022 2022 Citations: 51
Prospects of essential oil loaded nanosystems for skincare N Kashyap, A Kumari, N Raina, F Zakir, M Gupta Phytomedicine Plus 2 (1), 100198 , 2022 2022 Citations: 66
Clinical trials, future prospects and challenges of drug delivery in combating metabolic disorders F Zakir, S Mohapatra, B Aftab, Z Iqbal, G Aggarwal Drug Delivery Systems for Metabolic Disorders, 481-488 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
A comprehensive study of therapeutic applications of chamomile A Sah, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, GK Jain, F Zakir, G Aggarwal Pharmaceuticals 15 (10), 1284 , 2022 2022 Citations: 212
Development and characterization of an atorvastatin solid dispersion formulation using skimmed milk for improved oral bioavailability A Choudhary, AC Rana, G Aggarwal, V Kumar, F Zakir Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B , 2012 2012 Citations: 170
Development of Curcumin loaded chitosan polymer based nanoemulsion gel: In vitro, ex vivo evaluation and in vivo wound healing studies L Thomas, F Zakir, MA Mirza, MK Anwer, FJ Ahmad, Z Iqbal International journal of biological macromolecules 101, 569-579 , 2017 2017 Citations: 152
Development and characterization of oleic acid vesicles for the topical delivery of fluconazole F Zakir, B Vaidya, AK Goyal, B Malik, SP Vyas Drug delivery 17 (4), 238-248 , 2010 2010 Citations: 119
Biomedical application, patent repository, clinical trial and regulatory updates on hydrogel: An extensive review S Mohapatra, MA Mirza, AR Hilles, F Zakir, AC Gomes, MJ Ansari, Z Iqbal, ... Gels 7 (4), 207 , 2021 2021 Citations: 95
Microfold-cell targeted surface engineered polymeric nanoparticles for oral immunization B Malik, AK Goyal, TS Markandeywar, G Rath, F Zakir, SP Vyas Journal of drug targeting 20 (1), 76-84 , 2012 2012 Citations: 87
Prospects of essential oil loaded nanosystems for skincare N Kashyap, A Kumari, N Raina, F Zakir, M Gupta Phytomedicine Plus 2 (1), 100198 , 2022 2022 Citations: 66
Exploring the potential of natural product-based nanomedicine for maintaining oral health R Kumar, MA Mirza, PP Naseef, MS Kuruniyan, F Zakir, G Aggarwal Molecules 27 (5), 1725 , 2022 2022 Citations: 51
Design and Development of A Commercially Viable In Situ Nanoemulgel for The Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis F Zakir, A Ahmad, U Farooq, MA Mirza, A Tripathi, D Singh, F Shakeel, ... Nanomedicine 15 (12), 1167-1187 , 2020 2020 Citations: 47
Introduction to metabolic disorders F Zakir, S Mohapatra, U Farooq, MA Mirza, Z Iqbal Drug delivery systems for metabolic disorders, 1-20 , 2022 2022 Citations: 42
Buccal bioadhesive drug delivery—a novel technique V Kumar, G Aggarwal, F Zakir, A Choudhary International journal of Pharmacy and Biological sciences 1 (3), 89-102 , 2011 2011 Citations: 38
Exploration of nanoethosomal transgel of naproxen sodium for the treatment of arthritis F Anjum, F Zakir, D Verma, M Aqil, M Singh, P Jain, MA Mirza, MK Anwer, ... Current Drug Delivery 17 (10), 885-897 , 2020 2020 Citations: 36
Implication of gut immunology in the design of oral vaccines B Malik, AK Goyal, S Mangal, F Zakir, SP Vyas Current Molecular Medicine 10 (1), 47-70 , 2010 2010 Citations: 33
Enhancement of anti-dermatitis potential of clobetasol propionate by DHA [docosahexaenoic acid] rich algal oil nanoemulsion gel MS Alam, MS Ali, F Zakir, N Alam, MI Alam, F Ahmad, MR Siddiqui, MD Ali, ... Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research: IJPR 15 (1), 35 , 2016 2016 Citations: 32
A pharmaco-technical investigation of thymoquinone and peat-sourced fulvic acid nanoemulgel: A combination therapy R Khan, MA Mirza, M Aqil, N Hassan, F Zakir, MJ Ansari, Z Iqbal Gels 8 (11), 733 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
Formulation and evaluation of buccal patches of venlafaxine V Kumar, F Zakir, G Agarwal, A Choudhary International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences 1 (3), 170-182 , 2011 2011 Citations: 26
Drug delivery systems for metabolic disorders H Dureja, N Murthy, P Wich, K Dua Academic Press , 2022 2022 Citations: 25
Therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles as antibiotic delivery system: challenges to treat multiple drug resistance SM Sivakumar Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP) 10 (2) , 2016 2016 Citations: 25
Essential oils for the treatment of skin anomalies: Scope and potential S Maddheshiya, A Ahmad, W Ahmad, F Zakir, G Aggarwal South African Journal of Botany 151, 187-197 , 2022 2022 Citations: 24
Natural polymeric materials based drug delivery systems in lung diseases H Dureja, TJA Pinto, K Dua Springer , 2023 2023 Citations: 19