Two Research Teams from the Faculty of Pharmacy Recognized for Best Publications of 2024

Two research teams from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, have received top awards from the Czech Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Czech Medical Association J. E. Purkyně for the best scientific publication of 2024.

Category: TOXICOLOGY

First place was awarded to the Placenta in Health and Disease research team for their study entitled „Cannabidiol disrupts tryptophan metabolism in the human term placenta“ published in Toxicology (2024; 505:153813).

The paper addresses the rising use of cannabis-derived compounds, including among pregnant women, and investigates the effects of cannabidiol (CBD)—a widely used, non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis—on placental function. Using biologically relevant models of human placenta (villous explants and isolated microvillous membrane vesicles), the authors demonstrate that CBD disrupts the delicate balance of serotonin and kynurenine pathways of tryptophan metabolism, which are critical for fetal development and immune regulation. Even at low concentrations, CBD impaired serotonin uptake and redirected tryptophan metabolism toward neurotoxic byproducts. These findings raise important safety concerns about the unregulated use of CBD during pregnancy.

Category: EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY

In this category, the award was granted to the Clinical and Molecular Pharmacotherapy group for their publication „Rifampicin and its derivatives: stability, disposition, and affinity towards pregnane X receptor employing 2D and 3D primary human hepatocytes“ published in Biochemical Pharmacology (2024; 229:116500).

This work, conducted in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Analysis group, explores the pharmacological characteristics of rifampicin and its derivatives using advanced in vitro models of primary human hepatocytes. The study provides a comparative analysis of the compound's stability and interaction with the pregnane X receptor (PXR)—a key transcription factor involved in xenobiotic metabolism—in both 2D and 3D cell cultures. The authors elucidate the mechanisms underlying rifampicin’s autoinduction and characterize its transport across hepatic membranes, offering new insights relevant to clinical pharmacokinetics.

We extend our sincere congratulations to all authors involved and wish them continued success in their scientific endeavors.

Text: Prof. PharmDr. František Štaud, Ph.D.
Photo: Archive of research groups