Auburn Research Day 2022

Kruthi Gopal 1 *; Jack Deruiter 1 ; Sindhu Ramesh 1 ; Suhrud Pathak 1 ; Timothy Moore 1 ; Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran 1 Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University 26 Educa t i ona l Resea rch | Gr adua te/Undergr adua te St udent Centella Asiatica: Various Uses

While modern medicine primarily uses synthetic drugs, however, the bioactive components are derivatives of natural botanicals. For thousands of years, these botanicals, also called herbal medicine, have been used to treat many chronic and acute conditions. One particularly powerful botanical is Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola in Sinhala, mandukaparni in Sanskrit, Kodokan in Malayalam, pegaga in Malaysia, tsubokusa in Japan, tungchia or luei gong gen in China. Both odorless and tasteless, C. asiatica has been shown curative properties that significantly affect the central and peripheral nervous system. This scientific study has combed through the current literature around C. asiatica to create a significant overview of its prophylactic and pharmacodynamic effects. Our research suggests that regarding its prophylactic effects, C. asiatica can be considered a strong antioxidant agent that enhances the Nrf2

response pathway. In regard to its pharmacodynamic attributes, C. asiatica can carry neurological, ocular, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immunological, muscular, renal, and reproductive effects. For example, antidepressant effects, cardioprotective, and fertility are some of the few areas of concern that C. asiatica can address. Western medicine has often been seen as the gold standard of medical care, with Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine being cast off as folk treatments. It is our hope that through this study, C. asiatica can be brought into the light as an effective and alternative treatment strategy for healthcare providers with patients wanting more natural options.

Cl i n i ca l Resea rch | Gr adua te/Undergr adua te St udent An Imminent Need of Novel Treatments and Drug Delivery Systems for Niemann-Pick Disorders

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Joseph Lawson; Erin Harrell; Jack Deruiter; Suhrud Pathak; Sindhu Ramesh; Timothy Moore; Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran 1 Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy

Many diseases result from mutation or alteration in the structure and function of genes. Niemann-Pick disease is a very rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. This disorder causes alterations in lipid metabolism, leading to increased levels of lipids and cholesterol accumulating in the lysosomes of cells. This accumulation causes damage to various organ systems resulting primarily in neurodegenerative manifestations, eventually leading to death. There are three types of Niemann-Pick disease designated as Type A, Type B, and Type C. Currently, there are no cures for any type of Niemann-Pick disease. And there are no disease-modifying therapies for the treatment

of Niemann-Pick disease Types A or B. Current strategies for these diseases include only supportive therapy. There is only one disease- modifying therapy for Niemann-Pick disease Type C, which is miglustat. In recent years, however, there has been more research on novel drug delivery systems to increase efficacy in treating Niemann-Pick disease. This study investigates the potential novel drug delivery systems for the effective healthcare.

Cl i n i ca l Case Repor t | Med i ca l St udent Linear Darier’s Disease Following Covid-19 Infection 28

Aaron Burch, BS 1 ; Craig Garofola, DO 2 ; Tyler Long, DO 3 1 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn; 2 River Ridge Dermatology, Blacksburg; 3 Department of Dermatology, LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, Blacksburg

Darier’s Disease is a rare inherited skin disease characterized by intermittent flares consisting of scaly, greasy papules predominantly in the seborrheic areas of the body. Approximately 10% of patients present with a localized, linear unilateral variant. It commonly presents in children but can less frequently develop in adults. Management is primarily supportive with lifestyle modifications. Here, we report a rare case of Linear Darier’s disease in an elderly male who presented with a five-month history of an itchy, linear truncal rash after hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. Patient reported no prior personal or family history of Darier’s Disease and stated the rash developed subsequently to COVID-19 diagnosis. Biopsy demonstrated histological findings

of acantholytic dyskeratosis consistent with Linear Darier’s disease. Treatment was supportive. Patient’s rash and pruritis resolved on subsequent visit and patient was advised on lifestyle modifications to prevent subsequent flares. This case demonstrates a previously unknown association between COVID-19 and Linear Darier’s disease. It further adds to our understanding that COVID-19 can not only incite flares of Darier’s disease and its variants but can precede the initial onset of disease. Dermatologists must be aware of this potential trigger for the development of disease and its variable presentation to ensure a timely diagnosis for the patient.

19 2022 Via Research Recognit ion Day