Research highlights from the Faculty of Health Molecular and plant-based advanced drug delivery technologies to mitigate lung diseases
Using extracts from medicinal plants to treat respiratory disease has many benefits. But how can they be delivered mostly effectively? Dr Kamal Dua believes that he has the answer.
While COVID-19 has blighted the work of Dr Kamal Dua and his team by preventing access to the laboratory, there has been a significant silver lining.
For the past five years, Dr Dua has focused his research on inflammatory condition of all disease, with a special focus on respiratory diseases.
“It is estimated that by 2025 there will be an additional 165 million patients with chronic lung disease, all highly susceptible to infection,” says Dr Dua, Senior Lecturer in the UTS Graduate School of Health.
Without the development of more effective and efficient treatments, the social, environmental, and financial burden of influenza will be huge.
His research has attracted five grants in 2021 from a mix of industry and academic sources, both nationally and internationally.
Exploring the why and the how
Dr Dua, senior lecturer in the Graduate School of Health, is studying why a rise in microRNAs (relatively small biomolecules) makes the body more susceptible to infection and how to target these to develop an effective treatment.
He is also looking at the most effective way to administer drugs for patients.
My aim is to not only reduce the prevalence and severity of the influenza virus infection, but also provide a blueprint for further medical research into other respiratory diseases.
“I am interested in why respiratory issues are exacerbated for a patient with asthma, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," he said.
His research blends his experience in drug delivery technology, biomedical sciences, immunology and microbiology.
“I am a pharmaceutical and formulation scientist who recognised that there was limited information linking knowledge acquired from various biological - cellular and molecular - approaches to drug delivery,” Dr Dua said.
His commitment to the research led him to complete two doctorates – the first in pharmaceutical sciences and the second in immunology and microbiology.
“I realised after the first doctorate that I was missing the knowledge in cellular and molecular links,” he said.
Incorporating traditional medicine to improve asthma treatment
Dr Dua's team is designing nanoparticles that will deliver plant-based drugs or phytoceuticals derived from Aboriginal traditional medicine to diseased cells inside a human body.
They use a cutting edge polymeric nanoparticle drug delivery system - visualise drug filled tiny polymer balls that break down over a number of days in the human body.
The benefits of this slow-release method are many.
Dr Kamal Dua in the UTS lab. Photo: Barnaby Downes/UTS
“This method avoids a build up of resistance, which is a major issue in asthma medication where repeated use of inhalers and steroids can become progressively less effective,” he said.
“The most common treatment for asthma at present is through the use of inhalers such as bronchodilators and corticosteroid.
“While it helps to some extent, a prolonged use of inhalers and these chemicals induces a long term resistance thus reduce its effectiveness.
“Using polymers as a delivery mechanism also allows for a longer lasting release of drugs in the system, meaning a single weekly dose instead of multiple tablets per day.
“This improves adherence to the treatment plan by the patient.”
The focus on medicinal plants used by Aboriginal communities has resulted in testing five different active extracted ingredients including rutin, berberine, naringenin, quercetin, zerumbone.
“The best part of my research is that I am using a blend of holistic research – most people use synthetic and chemical drugs,” Dr Dua said.
These plant-based derivatives have negligible side effects, which makes them very effective inside the body.
Looking to the future
While the research is currently in vitro, in human ex vivo cells and in mice, Dr Dua is currently looking for an industry partner to take the research to stage one clinical trials and eventual commercialisation of the research.
He hopes to start treating patients within five years.
“I am really hoping that this research is going to be useful globally,” he said.
“Although I have a special focus on respiratory disease, inflammation is common to all diseases so the eventual contribution to medical science is virtually limitless.”
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Highlights
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Dr Dua’s five-strong team is testing the efficacy of plant-based drugs for asthma and cancer on mice
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Australian and international research institutes fund Dr Dua’s research on medicinal plants
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Human trials of plant-based medicines soon
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Seeking industry partner next year to bring the research to market
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Academic impact
Dr Dua’s research has resulted in more than 190 peer-reviewed publications in various recognised pharmacy and pharmacology journals, with citations exceeding 6110.
He has also presented his research at more than 100 national and international conferences, published more than 25 book chapters, and four books on issues ranging from drug delivery and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying respiratory diseases, to cancer.
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Senior lecturer, Graduate School of Health
