MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Examining the Influence of Pharmaceutical Promotions on Physician Prescription Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan

Arslan Siddiqi, Shahzad Hussain*, Ghazala Parveen, Farnaz Malik, Fahadiya Yasin, Tipu Sultan Akram, Abdul Hameed, Humayun Riaz, Pervaiz Akhtar Shah and Tariq Saeed

Abstract: Worldwide drug expenditures have been one of the main concerns of health care managers, and its containment is one of the primary goals of health care authorities. The present study was conducted through a cross sectional survey in Pakistan during January to June, 2010 not only to find out the importance and influence of promotional tools used by pharmaceutical industry on prescribing behaviors of doctors/consultants, but to also establish comparison between doctors/consultants versus medical representatives and consultant versus doctors with an auxiliary of difference between local and multinational company’s representative. The study revealed that promotional tools are considered vital from doctors and medical representatives’ point of view. There exists significant difference in doctors and consultant’s perception for sponsorships and low value gifts, but no difference in scientific promotional tools. No significant difference exits in perception of medical representatives of multinational and local company representatives. The companies tried to come up as per expectations of doctors to build its reputation and good image by employing different promotional tools. The study also revealed that marketing managers, product managers, chief executive officers or any decision makers involved in budget allocations and making promotional strategy should not rely heavily on medical representative’s feedback as their perception is different from doctors/consultants about relevant importance of each promotional tool. The study will also help product managers and CEOs while allocating promotional budgets and developing promotional mix strategy, to gain maximum return out of investment. Detailed doctors’ demographics can further be researched as predictor for preferring any promotional tools.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Prescribing patterns, promotional tools, physicians, pharmaceutical industry.

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Alterations in Sexual Behavior of Male Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna Lesueur) Following Single and Repeated Methamphetamine Exposure

Amir Ghazilou* and Shabnam Ghazilou

Abstract: In order to evaluate the effects of methamphetamine on sexual behavior of fish, saltwater-acclimatized male sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna L. (Pisces) adults were exposed to 0.1, 0.5, 1 mg/L methamphetamine (MA) concentrations and were observed for alterations in sexual behavior at 2nd, 5th or 7th exposure days. The overall changes displayed by the subjected fish included different acute and chronic responses.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Methamphetamine (N, -dimethylphenethylamine), fish, sexual behavior, male.

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RP-HPLC Assay for Levofloxacin in Rat Plasma and Saliva: Development, Validation, and Pharmacokinetic Applications

Naheed W. Sheikh*, Alok S. Tripathi, V. Chitra, Avijit Choudhury and Anil P. Dewani

Abstract: A new, simple, specific, accurate and precise reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the determination of levofloxacin in rat plasma and saliva was developed. An HPLC system based on a Phenomenex Luna C18 Column (250 × 4.6 mm) and a UV detector ( = 296 nm) were used. A mixture of Acetonitrile: water (80:20 v/v) adjusted to pH 3.5 by orthophosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.4 ml/min was used as mobile phase. The proteins were precipitated with methanol. The average recovery was 94.79 and 92.66%, respectively in plasma and saliva. The detection limit for levofloxacin in plasma and saliva was 1 µg/ml. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 1 to 16 mg/ml for plasma and saliva. The inter-day and intra-day assay coefficients of variation were found to be less than 5%. The present validated method was successfully used for pharmacokinetic studies of levofloxacin in plasma and saliva.[...] Read More.

Keywords: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), levofloxacin, plasma, saliva, pharmacokinetics.

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Impact of Starch Gel on Granule and Tablet Characteristics of the Potent Herbal Extract AM-1

Philip F. Builders*, Patricia Ogwuche, Yetunde Isimi and Olobayo O. Kunle

Abstract: The ability to convert potent herbal medicines into robust tablet will require a good understanding of certain critical factors such as effect of binder concentration on granule particles and tablets properties. In this study, granules of AM-1, a prototype herbal extract has been produced by the wet granulation process of massing and screening using different concentrations of maize starch gel as binder. The effect of the binder concentrations and granule particles’ size on the granules’ flow and moisture uptake characteristics as well as, their effect on the friability and tensile strength of tablets produced with the granules were investigated. The AM-1 granules prepared with the different concentrations of maize starch gel as binder were of variable particulate dimensions. The particle size and size distribution of the granules showed a remarkable binder concentration sensitivity with a shift to larger particles with increasing binder concentrations. The flow of the granules as determined by evaluating their angle of repose and Carr compressibility indices showed enhanced flow relative to the unformulated AM-1. At simulated tropical humidity and temperature conditions, the AM-1 granules exhibited binder concentration sensitivity to moisture uptake. There was also a reduction in the moisture uptake ability of the granulated AM-1 relative to the ungranulated sample. The tensile strength and friability of the AM-1 tablets showed binder concentration and granule particle size sensitivity: the duo increased with increase in binder concentrations as swell as particle size. This study has shown the effects of granulation as well as starch gel concentration on some critical formulation properties of an herbal extract AM-1, obtained by freeze drying the aqueous decoction of a powdered root material. Keywords: Herbal extract AM-1, starch gel, binder concentration, granule properties, tablet properties. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Herbal extract AM-1, starch gel, binder concentration, granule properties, tablet properties.

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Comparative Analysis of Aggressive vs. Conventional Atorvastatin Doses on IL-6 and NO Levels in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients

Mustafa Kemal BASARALI, Sadık BUYUKBAS, Hayrullah YAZAR*, Aysel KIYICI, Mehmet KAYRAK and Sıddık ULGEN

Abstract: High dose statin medication in acute coronary syndrome cases is a therapy which lowers mortality and morbidity rates. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced in higher amounts in acute myocardial infarction (MI) and facilitates myocardial damage. However, secretion of nitric oxide (NO) is depleted. We aimed to compare the effects of conventional dose (10-40 mg/day) and aggressive dose (80 mg/day) atorvastatin medications on IL- 6 and NO levels in patients with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) intervention after acute MI. 50 patients (8 females, 42 males) with the diagnosis of acute MI with ST segment elevation enrolled to the study. Primary PTCA intervention was performed on these patients and consequently either conventional dose (10 to 40 mg/day) or aggressive dose (80 mg/day) atorvastatin medications were given to the patients. Three months later, plasma IL-6 and NO levels were determined and alterations in the groups were evaluated. IL-6 levels decreased from 24.34 ± 12.04 to 11.40 ± 5.79 pg/ ml and from 29.62 ± 17.38 to 12.51 ± 8.95 pg/ml in conventional dose and aggressive dose regimens respectively (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Atorvastatin, interleukin-6, nitric oxide, myocardial infarction.

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Utilizing Fluorine-19 NMR for Accurate Measurement of Efavirenz in Serum and Pharmaceuticals

Mojtaba Shamsipur*, Masoumeh Sarkouhi, Jalal Hassan and Soheila Haghgoo

Abstract: 19F NMR provided a highly specific tool for identification of efavirenz in human serum and pharmaceutical preparations as well as a suitable analytical technique for their absolute quantification. The method is based on the integration of appropriate signals of efavirenz and potassium fluoride, as an internal standard. The proposed method is simple and reliable, but when it is used without any sample pretreatment, there is a manipulation of large sample volumes and lengthy analysis time. The calibration curve for efavirenz in human serum was linear over the range of 0.8 to 1000 mg L−1, with detection limit of 0.3 mg L−1. The mean error on human serum samples ranged from about - 4 to -6%, with relative standard deviations of[...] Read More.

Keywords: Efavirenz, 19F NMR analyses, HIV, serum, pharmaceuticals.

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The Role of Glycyrrhizin in Modulating Secretory Component Expression in Caco-2 Cells

Jin-long Fu, Yu-rong Wang, Ying Zhou and Pei Liu*

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether glycyrrhizin, with steroid hormone-like effects, can upregulate expression of secretory component (SC) in human colonic epithelial Caco-2 and to explore its underlying mechanism. Cultures of Caco-2 were exposed to glycyrrhizin. Free SC in culture supernatants, SC protein, and SC mRNA expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, real-time PCR, respectively. Cultures of Caco- 2 were exposed to RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, combined with glycyrrhizin or dexamethasone (DEX), SC protein and SC mRNA expression were examined. Glycyrrhizin dose-dependently upregulated free SC in culture supernatants, SC mRNA and protein expression of SC (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Licorice, glucocorticoid, polymeric Ig receptor, glucocorticoid receptor.

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Factors Influencing Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Pulmonology Patients: Age, Hospital Stay, and Polypharmacy

Mohammad Ismail, Zafar Iqbal*, Muhammad Bilal Khattak, Arshad Javaid and Tahir Mehmood Khan

Abstract: The objective of the study was to identify prevalence, types and predictors of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in pulmonology ward and to report common interactions. Medical records of 400 randomly-selected patients were reviewed for pDDIs using Micromedex Drug-Reax software. Logistic-regression was applied to determine predictors of pDDIs. We identified 126 interacting-combinations that encountered in total 558 pDDIs with median number of 01 pDDI per patient. Overall 45% patients had at least one pDDI; 24.25% were having at least one major pDDI, and 36% patients had at least one moderate pDDI. Among 558 identified pDDIs, most were of moderate (53.6%) or major severity (34%); good (74.2%) or fair (16.3%) type of scientific-evidence; and delayed onset (70%). Top 15 common pDDIs included 6 major, 7 moderate and 2 minor interactions. There was significant association of the occurrence of pDDIs with patient with age of 60 years or more (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Drug-drug interactions, potential drug-drug interaction, prescriptions screening, drug related problems, clinical pharmacy.

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Understanding the Knowledge Gap in Antimalarial Treatments: A Study of Self-Medication Trends Among Women in Nigeria

Jombo G. T. A.*, Mbaawuaga E. M. , Denen Akaa P., Alao O. O., Peters E. J., Dauda M. A., Okwori E. E., Akosu T. J., Etukumana E. A. and Yaakugh J. B

Abstract: Correct knowledge of current antimalarial drugs available for malaria treatment by Nigerians has a significant impact on the overall success of the ongoing national malaria control programme. This is as a result of a large segment of the communities, who more often than not, rely on self medications or as care givers influence the choice drugs for malaria treatment for their wards. The study was therefore set up to ascertain the types of drugs used for self medication of malaria among adult women in Makurdi city. The study was cross-sectional in nature involving adult women who were selected from households using systematic sampling methods. Quantitative information such as age, educational level, marital status, occupation and knowledge of malaria were obtained using structured and semi structured questionnaires, while qualitative information was obtained using focussed and in-depth group discussions to complement quantitative data. Those aware of existence of malaria were 97% (2,013/2075) with no significant age difference (P > 0.05) while 3.0% (62/2,075) with no knowledge of malaria all had no education (P < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between low economic status, low educational level and unemployment, and self medications for malaria (RR = 1.4 - 1.55). Several drugs with no antimalarial properties were mentioned by the respondents with the factors earlier stated still playing significant roles; and little or no mention was made of the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) by the same group (P < 0.05). There should be a renewed sensitization and public awareness about the current trend in the control of malaria with special emphasis on the use of ACT; also introduction of home managers of malaria for commencement of intermittent preventive treatment should be considered a priority.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Drugs, self-medication, malaria, adult women.

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Chemical Composition and Antifungal Properties of Mentha piperita Essential Oil: Insights from Capillary Gas Chromatography Analysis

M. Moghtader

Abstract: The antifungal activity of Mentha piperita L. essential oil and its comparison with synthetic menthol on Aspergillus niger growth have been determined in vitro. The chemical compositions of essential oil of M. piperita provided from the aerial parts of plants grown in a village in Kerman Province in June 2012 were determined. The sample was cleaned and then dried in the shade. Essential oil was made by hydro-distillation method and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC) using flame ionization (FID) and capillary gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main oil content from the plants of M. piperita was 3.26% (v/w). Twenty three (23) compounds were identified in the essential oil of M. piperita, making 96.25% of the total oil. The major components were menthol (38.33%), menthone (21.45%) and menthyl acetate (12.49%). For study of antifungal activity, the essential oil was tested against A. niger (strain PTCC = 5223) by disc diffusion method via average inhibition zone. The results showed that essential oil from M. piperita at 1 and 1/2 oil dilutions exhibited a strong antifungal activity than gentamycin (8 mg/ml) antibiotic on A. niger and exhibited a strong synthetic menthol at 10% dilution. The relative high amount of menthol and menthone in the M. piperita essential oil showed that they could display antifungal activity.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Mentha piperita L., Aspergillus niger, menthol, antifungal activity.

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