Toxicololgy, Drug industry, Management and legislation

The main didactic objectives are represented by the study of toxicity and harmful elements induced by some industrial toxic compounds, classes of drugs, drugs, pesticides, mycotoxins, food additives, detergents, toxic fighting substances, radiation, as well as the deepening of the general principles of toxicology. At the end of the 5-year university studies, the future specialist in the field of medicine must have a broad vision of multiple toxicological risks in the contemporary world and an effective practical orientation in the relationship with patients.

The discipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Law offers a rich curriculum for study in the field of bachelor, residency, master, and doctoral programs.

The educational offer includes the following compulsory courses and practical works within the license program for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants:

• Medical terminology – year I Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• First aid and medical emergencies – year I Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Semiology – pharmaceutical applications – year II Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmacogenetics – year II Pharmacy series Romanian and French
• Public Health and Management – Year II Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Bioethics and deontology – year III Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Biological medicines – year III Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Toxicology – IV year Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Scientific research methodology – IV year Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmaceutical legislation – year IV Pharmacy series Romanian and French
• Homeopathic medicines and veterinary medicines – year IV Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Medicines industry and biotechnologies – year V Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Toxicology – year V Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Management and marketing – year V Pharmacy Romanian and French series
• Pharmacovigilance – year V Pharmacy Romanian and French series

For short-term undergraduate studies (Pharmacy Assistance) the educational offer includes the following compulsory courses and practical work:

• Elements of toxicology – year II ASF-L
• Bioethics and deontology – year II ASF-L
• Pharmaceutical biotechnologies – year II ASF-L
• Scientific research methodology – year II ASF-L
• Elements of pharmaceutical management and marketing – year III ASF-L
• Pharmaceutical legislation – year III ASF-L
• Elements of toxicology – year III ASF-L
• Elements of industrial pharmaceutical technology – year III ASF-L
• Pharmacovigilance notions – year III ASF-L

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

• Hygiene – year I CM
• Histology. Pathological anatomy – year I CM
• First aid measures and medical emergencies – year I CM
• Biological products – year II CM
• Notions of clinical dermatology – year II CM
• Equipment, products and techniques of dermato-cosmetics – year II CM
• Dermatovenerology – year II CM
• Bioethics and medical deontology – year II CM
• Scientific research methodology – year II CM
• Cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry – year III CM
• Cosmetovigilance – year III CM
• Dermato-cosmetic toxicology – year III CM
• Marketig and legislation – year III 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 – year II Pharmacy series Romanian and French, Pharmaceutical entrepreneurship – year III Pharmacy series Romanian and French, Nutrition and dietetic products, Drug addicts – year V Pharmacy series Romanian and French, Pharmacogenomics – year II ASF-L, etc. All optional courses have the role of expanding the area of theoretical knowledge and improving the individual professional perspective with new elements regarding possible pathologies secondary to the use of various types of drugs, chemicals, drugs, plants, as well as alternative remedies to situations that may be certain realities in the daily practice of the future pharmacist.

Prof. Univ. dr. Cristina Dehelean coordinates bachelor’s, dissertation, and doctoral papers. The members of the discipline annually coordinate a significant number of diploma papers of graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy – section Romanian and French section and graduates of short-term study programs – ASF-L and CM, as well as dissertation papers annually.

Starting with the academic year 2017/2018, Prof. Univ. Dr. Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iulia Andreea Pînzaru and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Coricovac Elena Dorina are coordinators of the volunteer program for students “Volunteering in academic development activity” (VADA), within 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, in the academic year 2022-2023 – 4 students; 2023-2024 – 6 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 with 2022, the 2-year master’s program entitled: “Cosmetology and dermopharmacy” was introduced.
For the master program “Formulation and evaluation of dermato-cosmetic product” the course and practical works of Cosmetovigilance are provided.
There are courses and internships with residents from the specialty of Clinical Pharmacy.

Prof. Univ. Dr. Cristina Adriana Dehelean, together with the members of the discipline, have organized over time various student scientific events, including:

• Summer School Dermo-cosmetic products based on medicinal plants, 17-19 July 2019 Timisoara
• 1st International Summer School of Medicinal Plant Pharmaco-Toxicology, July 2-13, 2018 Timisoara, Romania
• WORKSHOP – Dermo-cosmetic products as formulations. safety testing of cosmetic products, June 13-14, 2019, Timisoara, Romania
• WORKSHOP – Medicinal Plants at present – incidence, composition and use, October 16-17, 2018, Timisoara, Romania
• WORKSHOP – Safety of medicinal plants products, 22-23 November, 2018, Timisoara, Romania

Prof. Univ. Dr. Cristina Adriana Dehelean also participated in the Coordination of student scientific circles – Pharmacotoxicological evaluation of plant products with therapeutic action (2017 – www.umft.ro).

Currently, the discipline has research laboratories, which are part of the Research Center for Pharmacotoxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX), led and coordinated by Prof. Dr. Cristina Dehelean. The laboratories within the Research Centre for Pharmacotoxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX) are equipped and equipped for: (1) obtaining vegetal extracts, isolating biologically active compounds, deriving them and/or obtaining micro and nano formulations with extracts and biologically active compounds of interest, their physico-chemical characterization; (2) in vitro cell culture studies (healthy cells and tumours) and (3) in vivo non-invasive studies.

The scientific activity carried out within the Research Center for Pharmacotoxicological Evaluations (FARMTOX) by the members of the discipline is a rich one, materializing in a number of over 200 published ISI papers, visible on Web of Science and participation in national and international scientific events, including:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

The research activity carried out by the members of the discipline is a rich one, materialized in several research projects, financed from national and international funds. Among the funded and ongoing research projects, we list:

1. ERASMUS 2023-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000164767 Titlu: Partnership for innovation on the exchange of best practices and the design of joint collaborative initiatives at European level related to the awareness of the effects of contamination on human health
2. CNFIS-FDI-2023-F-0448 Titlu: Augmentarea multifuncționalității bazei de practică în domeniul produselor vegetale medicinale prin inovare interdisciplinară cu transpunere în sfera digital
3. CNFIS-FDI-2023-F-0450 Titlu: Dezvoltarea continuă a acțiunilor antreprenoriale studențești prin și pentru studenți și absolvenți în cadrul UMFVBT
4. 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
5. 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
6. CNFIS-FDI-2022-0474 Titlu: Consolidarea și dezvoltarea activităților antreprenoriale studențești prin studenți și doctoranzi în cadrul UMFVBT
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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, we obtain crude and standardized plant extracts, isolation of biologically active compounds, studies of obtaining/characterization (toxicological profile) formulations (especially nanoformulations) with therapeutic impact. All these fall within the research profile of the II department of pharmaceutical sciences to which the discipline belongs, in the research profile of the faculty, respectively of the university.

1. Pinzaru IA, Dehelean CA. Sodium sulfite. In: Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Fourth Edition), Philip Wexler (ED), Academic Press 2024, pp: 625-629. ISBN 9780323854344, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.01147-7.
2. Coricovac DE, Pinzaru IA, Dehelean CA. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine. In: Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Fourth Edition), Philip Wexler (ED), Academic Press 2024, pp: 601-609. ISBN 9780323854344, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.01155-6
3. Cîntă Pînzaru S, Fălămaș A, Dehelean CA. Chapter 6 – Raman Spectroscopy: A Key Analytical Tool for New Drugs Research and Development. Studies in Natural Products Chemistry Volume 61, 2018, Pages 211-250. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64183-0.00006-3, ISBN: 978-0-444-64183-0, ISSN: 1572-5995, Elsevier 2019
4. Soica C, Pinzaru I, Trandafirescu C, Andrica F, Danciu C, Mioc M, Coricovac D, Sitaru C, Dehelean C. 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
5. Moacă EA, Coricovac ED, Soica CM, Pinzaru IA, Păcurariu CS, Dehelean CA. 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
6. 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