Toxicololgy, Drug industry, Management and legislation

The main didactic objectives are represented by the study of the toxicity and elements of harmfulness induced by some industrial toxic compounds, classes of medicines, drugs, pesticides, mycotoxins, food additives, detergents, toxic combat substances, radiation, as well as a deeper understanding of toxicological principles. After completing five years of university studies, the future specialist in the field of health must have a comprehensive understanding of the multiple toxicological risks in the contemporary world as well as an effective practical orientation in interacting with patients.

As a discipline, Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation offers a wide range of study opportunities for undergraduate, residency, master’s, and doctoral students.

The educational offer includes the following mandatory courses and practical work within the license program for pharmacists:

• Medical terminology – I^st year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• First aid and medical emergencies – I^st year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Semiology – pharmaceutical applications – II^nd year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmacogenetics – II^nd year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Public health and management – II^nd year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Biological medicines –III^rd year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Toxicology – IV^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Scientific research methodology – IV^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmaceutical legislation – IV^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Homeopathic medicines and veterinary medicines – IV^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Medicine industry and biotechnologies – V^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Toxicology – V^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Management and marketing – V^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmacovigilance – V^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series

For short-term undergraduate studies (Pharmacy Assistant), the educational offer includes the following mandatory courses and practical work:

• Medical semiology – I^st year study ASF-L
• Pharmaceutical and medical terminology – I^st year study ASF-L
• First aid measures – I^st year study ASF-L
• Elements of toxicology – II^nd year study ASF-L
• Bioethics and pharmaceutical ethics – II^nd year study ASF-L
• Scientific research methodology – II^nd year study ASF-L
• Elements of pharmaceutical management and marketing – III^rd year study ASF-L
• Pharmaceutical legislation – III^rd year study ASF-L
• Elements of toxicology – III^rd year study ASF-L
• Elements of industrial pharmaceutical technology – III^rd year study ASF-L
• Notions of pharmacovigilance – III^rd year study ASF-L

For short-term undergraduate studies (Medical Cosmetology and Cosmetic Product Technology), the educational offer includes the following mandatory courses and practical work:

• Hygiene – I^st year study CM
• Histology and pathological anatomy – I^st year study CM
• First aid measures and medical emergencies – I^st year study CM
• Biological products – II^nd year study CM
• Notions of clinical dermatology – II^nd year study CM
• Dermato-cosmetic equipment, products and techniques – II^nd year study CM
• Scientific research methodology – II^nd year study CM

    Within the educational offer of our discipline, there are also various optional courses, which have the role of completing and improving the informational and practical baggage of future specialists. Among them are: Toxic plants – III^rd year study Pharmacy Romanian and French series, Pharmaceutical entrepreneurship – III^rd year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series, Nutrition and dietetic products, Drug addicts – V^th year study programs Pharmacy Romanian and French series, Pharmacogenomics – II^nd year study ASF-L, etc. All optional courses have the role of expanding the range of theoretical knowledge and improving the individual professional perspective with new elements regarding possible pathologies secondary to the use of various types of medicines, chemical substances, drugs, plants, as well as alternative remedies for situations that may constitute certain realities in the daily practice of the future pharmacist.

The coordinator of the discipline, University Professor PhD Cristina Dehelean coordinates bachelor’s, dissertation and doctoral theses. The members of the discipline coordinate a significant number of annual diploma theses of the graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy – the Romanian section and the French section and of the graduates of the short study program – Pharmacy Assistant, as well as annual dissertation works.

Starting with the academic year 2017/2018, University Professor PhD Cristina Adriana Dehelean and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iulia Andreea Pînzaru are the coordinators of the volunteering program for students “Volunteering in academic development activity” (VADA), in which 2 students worked in the first year; in the academic year 2018/2019 – 3 students; in the academic year 2019/2020 – 5 students, in the academic year 2020-2021 – 4 students, in the academic year 2021-2022 – 4 students.

• A. Dehelean, D. Gheorgheosu, D. Ionescu. Noţiuni de toxicologie general. Editura „Victor Babeş” Timişoara, 2013, ISBN 978-606-8456-14-0
• A. Dehelean, C. Danciu, G.M. Simu, C.M. Şoica. Elemente de metodologia cercetării ştiinţifice. Editura „Victor Babeş” Timişoara, 2013, ISBN 978-606-8456-13-3
• E. Coricovac, F.M. Andrica, S.A. Ciurlea, I. Pînzaru. Elemente de toxicologie industrială şi a mediului. Editura „Victor Babeş” Timişoara, 2014, ISBN 978-606-8456-30-0
• Coricovac, C. Dehelean, I. Pînzaru, A. Moacă, Noi aspecte în ceea ce privește utilizarea plantelor toxice, Editura “Victor Babeș” 2018, ISBN 978-606-786-107-5

Starting from 2022, the 2-year master’s program entitled: “Cosmetology and Dermopharmacy” was introduced.
For the master’s program “Formulation and evaluation of the dermato-cosmetic product” the course and practical works of Cosmetovigilance are provided.
Courses and internships are carried out with residents from the Clinical Pharmacy specialty.

Head of discipline University Professor PhD Cristina Adriana Dehelean, together with the members of the discipline, organized over time various student scientific events, among which:

• Summer School Dermo-cosmetic products based on medicinal plants, 17-19 July 2019 Timișoara
• 1^st International Summer School of Medicinal Plant Pharmaco-Toxicology, 2-13 July 2018 Timișoara, România
• WORKSHOP – Dermo-cosmetic products as formulations. safety testing of cosmetic products, 13-14 June, 2019, Timișoara, România
• WORKSHOP – Plantele medicinale în prezent – incidență, compoziție și utilizare (Medicinal Plants at present – incidence, composition and use), 16-17 Octomber, 2018, Timișoara, România
• WORKSHOP – Siguranța produselor pe bază de plante medicinale (Safety of medicinal plants products), 22-23 November 2018, Timișoara, România
  • University Professor PhD Cristina Adriana Dehelean also participated in the Coordination of student scientific circles – Pharmacotoxicological evaluation of some plant products with therapeutic action (2017 – umft.ro).
  • Also, University Professor PhD Cristina Adriana Dehelean is also the Coordinator of the FITOSCIENCE online platform – umft.ro

Currently, the discipline has research laboratories, which are part of the Research Center for Pharmaco-toxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX), led and coordinated by University Professor PhD Cristina Dehelean. The laboratories within the Research Center for Pharmaco-toxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX) are equipped: (1) obtaining plant extracts, isolating biologically active compounds, derivatization and/or obtaining micro and nano formulations with extracts and biological compounds active agents of interest, physico-chemical characterization; (2) in vitro studies on cell cultures (healthy and tumor cells) and (3) non-invasive in vivo studies.

The scientific activity carried out within the Research Center for Pharmaco-toxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX) by the members of the discipline is a rich one, materializing in more than 200 published ISI papers, visible on the Web of Science and participation in national scientific events and international, among which:

1. Dehelean CA, Coricovac D, Pinzaru I, et al. Rutin bioconjugates as potential nutraceutical prodrugs: An in vitro and in ovo toxicological screening. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 23;13:1000608. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022. IF = 5.988
2. Marcovici I, Coricovac D, Pinzaru I, et al. Melanin and Melanin-Functionalized Nanoparticles as Promising Tools in Cancer Research-A Review. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Apr 6;14(7):1838. IF 6.575
3. Dolghi A, Buzatu R, Dobrescu A, et al. Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity against Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells of Hippophae rhamnodies L., Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf, and Ocimum basilicum L. Essential Oils. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 14;10(12):2752. IF 4.658
4. Pinzaru I, Chioibas R, Marcovici I, et al. Rutin Exerts Cytotoxic and Senescence-Inducing Properties in Human Melanoma Cells. Toxics. 2021 Sep 19;9(9):226. IF 4.472
5. Moacă EA, Watz CG, Socoliuc V, et al. Biocompatible Magnetic Colloidal Suspension Used as a Tool for Localized Hyperthermia in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells: Physicochemical Analysis and Complex In Vitro Biological Profile. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021 Apr 30;11(5):1189. IF 5.719
6. Dehelean, CA; Lazureanu, V; Coricovac, D; et al. SARS-CoV-2: Repurposed Drugs and Novel Therapeutic Approaches-Insights into Chemical Structure-Biological Activity and Toxicological Screening, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2020, 9, 2084; doi:10.3390/jcm9072084. IF 4.241
7. Coricovac D, Dehelean CA, Pinzaru I, et al. Assessment of Betulinic Acid Cytotoxicity and Mitochondrial Metabolism Impairment in a Human Melanoma Cell Line. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 4;22(9):4870. doi: 10.3390/ijms22094870 IF 6.208
8. Pinzaru I, Tanase A, Enatescu V, et al. Proniosomal Gel for Topical Delivery of Rutin: Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Toxicological Profile Using 3D Reconstructed Human Epidermis Tissue and 2D Cells. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jan 10;10(1):85. doi: 10.3390/antiox10010085. IF 7.675
9. Pinzaru I, Sarau C, Coricovac D, et al. Silver Nanocolloids Loaded with Betulinic Acid with Enhanced Antitumor Potential: Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021 Jan 9;11(1):152. doi: 10.3390/nano11010152. IF 5.719
10. Macașoi I, Pavel IZ, Moacă AE, et al. Mechanistic investigations of antitumor activity of a Rhodamine B-oleanolic acid derivative bioconjugate. Oncol Rep. 2020 Sep;44(3):1169-1183. doi: 10.3892/or.2020.7666. IF 3.906
11. Farcas CG, Dehelean C, Pinzaru IA, et al. Thermosensitive Betulinic Acid-Loaded Magnetoliposomes: A Promising Antitumor Potential for Highly Aggressive Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells Under Hyperthermic Conditions. Int J Nanomedicine. 2020 Oct 23;15:8175-8200. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S269630. IF 6.4
12. Dehelean CA, Marcovici I, Soica C, et al. Plant-Derived Anticancer Compounds as New Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Alternative Therapy. Molecules. 2021 Feb 19;26(4):1109. doi: 10.3390/molecules26041109. IF = 4.927
13. Draghici, GA; Dehelean, C; Pinzaru, I; et al. Soil copper uptake by land snails: A semi-field experiment with juvenile Cantareus aspersus snails. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2019, 72: UNSP 103243, DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.103243 IF = 3.292
14. Coricovac, D; Dehelean, C; Moaca, EA; et al. Cutaneous MelanomaA Long Road from Experimental Models to Clinical Outcome: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 19(6), Article number 1566, Nov 2018. DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061566 IF = 4.183
15. Pinzaru, I; Coricovac, D; Dehelean, C; et al. Stable PEG-coated silver nanoparticles – A comprehensive toxicological profile. Food and Chemical Toxicology 111, 546-556, Jan 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.11.051 IF = 3.775
16. Coricovac, DE; Moaca, EA; Pinzaru, I; et al. Biocompatible Colloidal Suspensions Based on Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Toxicological Profile. Frontiers in Pharmacology 8, Article Number: UNSP 154, Mar 2017. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00154 IF = 3.831
17. Moaca, EA; Pavel, IZ; Danciu, C; et al. Romanian Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Screening. Molecules, 2019, 24(17):3087, DOI: 10.3390/molecules24173087 IF 3.267
18. Moacă EA, Farcaş C, Coricovac D, et al. Oleic Acid Double Coated Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles as Anti-Melanoma Compounds with a Complex Mechanism of Activity-In Vitro and In Ovo Assessment. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2019, 15(5):893-909. DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2019.2726 IF 4.483
19. Dehelean, CA; Soica, C; Pinzaru, I; et al. Sex differences and pathology status correlated to the toxicity of some common carcinogens in experimental skin carcinoma. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2016, 95:149-158, DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.07.007 IF = 3.778
20. Dehelean CA; Feflea S; Gheorgheosu D; et al. Anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer evaluation of betulin nanoemulsion in chicken chorioallantoic membrane and skin carcinoma in Balb/c mice. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2013, 9(4):577-589, ISSN 1550-7033, IF=7.578
21. Dehelean CA, Feflea S, Ganta S, Amiji M. Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Betulinic Acid Administered in Nanoemulsion Formulation using Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2011, 7(2):317-324, ISSN 1550-7033 IF= 4.216

1. Pinzaru, IA; Coricovac, DE; Dolghi, A.; Dehelean, CA. Effect of silver nanoformulatins functionalized with rutin on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY, 2021, Volume: 394 Issue: SUPPL 1 Pages: S32-S32 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P22 IF = 3.195
2. Dolghi, A.; Pinzaru, I; Coricovac, DE; Dehelean, CA. Lemongrass essential oil induces cytotoxic effects in HT-29 and Caco-2 colon carcinoma cell. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY, 2021, Volume: 394 Issue: SUPPL 1 Pages: S33-S33 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P25 IF = 3.195
3. Pinzaru, IA; Coricovac, DE; Watz, C; Liga, S; Dehelean, CA. Rutin and its fatty acid esters in a biocompatible nanoform toxicological safety and photoprotection/phototoxicity assessments on 2D skin cells and 3D reconstructed human tissue model. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY, 2020, Volume: 393 Issue: SUPPL 1 Pages: 56-57 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P118 IF = 3
4. Coricovac, D; Macasoi, I; Pinzaru, I; Dehelean, C. Betulinic acid exhibits a distinctive antimelanoma effect by interfering with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY Volume: 393 Issue: SUPPL 1 Pages: 29-29 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P6 IF = 3
5. Coricovac, D; Pavel, IZ; Draghici, GA; Pinzaru, I; Avram, S; Mioc, M; Ghiulai, R; Soica, C; Dehelean, CA. In vitro anti-proliferative and antimetastatic effects of lupan pentacyclic triterpenes. TOXICOLOGY LETTERS Volume: 280 Pages: S273-S273 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P-09-02-58, Oct 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.07.962 IF = 3.166
6. Pinzaru, IA; Rusu, L; Dehelean, CA; Coricovac, D; Borcan, F. Evaluation of eugenol polyurethane nanostructures toxicological statement. TOXICOLOGY LETTERS Volume: 280 Pages: S271-S271 Supplement: 1 Special Issue: SI Meeting Abstract: P-09-02-58, Oct 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.07.958 IF = 3.166
7. Pinzaru, IA; Coricovac, DE; Trandafirescu, CM; Soica, CM; Dehelean, CA. Assessment of betulin gold nanoparticles toxicological profile. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY Volume: 390 Pages: S87-S87 Supplement: 1 Meeting Abstract: P301 Published: MAR 2017. IF = 2.238

The research activity realized by the members of the discipline is a rich one, embodied in several research projects, financed by national and international funds. Among the funded research projects carried out and those currently underway, we list:

1. ERASMUS 2022-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000088958 Titlu: Cooperation to Implement Innovative Methods for the Assessment of Medicinal Plants with central Roles in Pharmaceutics, Agriculture and Nutrition
2. CNFIS-FDI-2022-0484 Titlu: Implementarea de tehnici moderne pentru dezvoltarea continuă a bazei de practică în domeniul produselor vegetale medicinale UMF „Victor Babes” din Timisoara
3. CNFIS-FDI-2022-0474 Titlu: Consolidarea și dezvoltarea activităților antreprenoriale studențești prin studenți și doctoranzi în cadrul UMFVBT
4. CNFIS-FDI-2021-0498 Titlu proiect: Dezvoltarea bazei de practică în domeniul plantelor medicinale a UMF Victor Babeș Timișoara / Development of the practice base in the field of medicinal plants of the “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara
5. PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-2134, (BAPRONIO) Titlu proiect: Redarea către piața dermocosmetica a unei formulari topice moderne cu acid betulinic încorporat in proniozomi / Delivery to the dermocosmetic market of a modern topical formulation with betulinic acid encapsulated in proniosomes
6. Grant Intern Doctoral – 4DOC/1276/30.01.2020, (TRITERPENS@MNP), Titlu proiect: Nanoparticule magnetice ca suport pentru principii active antitumorale de tip triterpenic / Magnetic nanoparticles as support for triterpenic antitumor active principles
7. PN-III-P1-1.1- PD-2019-1231, Titlu proiect: Noi perspective privind chemoprevenția cancerului cutanat: evaluarea acidului maslinic și al unui derivat de acid maslinic încorporați în nanoemulsii / New perspectives on skin cancer chemoprevention: evaluation of maslinic acid and a maslinic acid derivative incorporated in nanoemulsions
8. ERASMUS project 2019-1-RO01-KA203-063499, Titlu proiect: Cooperation on innovation and exchange of good practice in the hypoglycemia diet for people with diabetes
9. CNFIS-FDI-2019-0393, Titlu proiect: Centru de dezvoltare profesională în domeniul produselor dermato-cosmetice pe bază de plante medicinale / Center for professional development in the field of dermato-cosmetic products based on medicinal plants
10. CNFIS – FDI – 2018 – 0159, Titlu proiect: Centru de dezvoltare a abilităților practice în domeniul plantelor medicinale / Center for the development of practical skills in the field of medicinal plants
11. PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-1982, Proiecte de Cercetare Postdoctorală, competiția 2016, Titlu proiect: Noi perspective privind mecanismul de acțiune al acidului betulinic ca agent antimelanom / New insights into the antimelanoma mechanism of action of betulinic acid
12. Axa 1 a POC – ANCS/ POC-A1- A1.1.4 – E-2015 (NUTRIGEN), Titlu proiect: Utilizarea modelelor nutrigenomice pentru personalizarea tratamentelor dietetice in obezitate / The use of nutrigenomic models for personalization of dietetic treatments in obesity
13. P III-C1-PCFI-2014/2015-03, Titlu proiect: Noi abordări farmaceutice pentru modularea biodisponibilităţii unor flavonoide cu potenţial chemopreventiv pentru melanomul malign / New pharmaceutical options for some Flavonoids bioavailability modulation with chemopreventiv potential in malignant melanoma

Scientific research within the discipline is centered on experimental studies in vitro (cultures of normal and tumor cell lines) and in vivo (experimental models of skin and breast cancer using laboratory animals – mice). Also, the obtaining of crude and standardized extracts from plants, isolation of biologically active compounds, obtaining/characterization studies (toxicological profile) of some formulations (especially nanoformulations) with therapeutic impact is carried out. All this falls within the research profile of the II Department of pharmaceutical sciences of which the discipline is a part, in the research profile of the faculty, respectively the university.

1. Simona Cîntă Pînzaru, A. Fălămaș, C.A. Dehelean. Chapter 6 – Raman Spectroscopy: A Key Analytical Tool for New Drugs Research and Development (Edited by: Attaur Rahman) in: Studies in Natural Products Chemistry Volume 61, Pages 211-250. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64183-0.00006-3, ISBN: 978-0-444-64183-0, ISSN: 1572-5995, Elsevier 2018
2. Codruta Soica, Iulia Pinzaru, Cristina Trandafirescu, Florina Andrica, Corina Danciu, Marius Mioc, Dorina Coricovac, Cassian Sitaru, Cristina Dehelean. Chapter 5 – Silver-, gold-, and iron-based metallic nanoparticles: Biomedical applications as theranostic agents for cancer, Pages 161-242, in: Design of Nanostructures for Theranostics Applications. Edited by: Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu ISBN: 978-0-12-813669-0, Elsevier 2018
3. Elena Alina Moacă, Elena Dorina Coricovac, Codruta Marinela Soica, Iulia Andreea Pinzaru, Cornelia S Păcurariu, Cristina Adriana Chapter 12 – Preclinical aspects on magnetic iron oxides nanoparticles and their interventions as anticancer agents: enucleation, apoptosis and other mechanism, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.74176, in: Iron ores and iron oxide materials, Edited by: Dr. Volodymyr Shatokha, ISBN 978-1-78923-320-9, InTech 2018
4. Dorina E. Coricovac, Cristina A. Dehelean. Chapter 1 – Pathological Aspects with Global Impact Induced by Toxicants at Cellular Level, pages 3-21, DOI: 10.5772/59945, in: Toxicology Studies – Cells, Drugs and Environment, Edited by: Ana Cristina Andreazza and Gustavo Scola, ISBN 978-953-51-2140-4, InTech 2015