MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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A meta analysis of prevalence rate of hypertension in Nigerian populations

Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife and Cletus Nze Aguwa

Abstract: This study aimed at synthesizing population-based studies on prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria from 1990 to 2009. General databases and subject-specific databases were searched for primary studies. Manuscripts of appropriate studies were retrieved. Based on some criteria, only eligible studies were included in the study. A total of 9 studies all from South-West region of Nigeria that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were retrieved. Prevalence of hypertension ranged from a minimum of 12.4% to a maximum of 34.8%. Combined prevalence rate of hypertension was 22% and with 95% confidence interval of 17 to 27%. There was also gender difference with respect to prevalence of hypertension as males had higher prevalence of hypertension compared to females. This study showed that prevalence of hypertension is high in Nigeria. There is a need to develop strategies to prevent, treat, and control hypertension effectively in Nigeria.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, epidemiology, meta analysis.

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Effect of camel milk on collagen abnormalities in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Khalid S. Al-Numair, Govindasamy Chandramohan* and Mohammed A. Alsaif

Abstract: Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, leading to chemical modification and cross-linking are of importance in the pathology of diabetic complications. In our early reported we showed that, camel milk possesses antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and exhibit beneficial role on membrane-bound ATPases in streptozotocin-diabetic rats after 45 days of treatment of camel milk at the optimum dose of 250 ml/day. In the present study, the effect of camel milk on the glycation and cross-linking of collagen from tail tendon of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult male albino rats of the Wistar strain, weighing 180 to 200 g, by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The animals were randomly divided into five groups of six animals each. Rats of groups II and IV were fed 250 ml of raw camel milk daily through watering bottle instead of water. Whereas animals in groups I, III and V were given tap water, and rats of group V were given 600 µg/kg body weight of glibenclamide orally, once in a day in the morning for 45 days. The levels of hydroxylproline and total collagen content elevated in the tail tendon of the diabetic control. The levels of extent of glycation and fluorescence of collagen increased while decreased levels of acid, neutral and pepsin soluble collagens were observed in the tail tendon of diabetic rats. These changes were alleviated by the simultaneous ingestion of camel milk. Our results demonstrate that intake of camel milk has a positive influence on tail tendon collagen glycation and other variables in STZ-diabetic rats and its effect was comparable with glibenclamide.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Camel milk, glycation, collagen, streptozotocin, diabetes.

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Rapid and simultaneous determination of aspirin and dipyridamole in pharmaceutical formulations by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method

K. Prakash, Rama Rao Kalakuntla,* and Jayapal Reddy Sama

Abstract: The combination of Dipyridamole and Aspirin and is widely used to reduce thrombosis in patients with thrombotic diseases. A rapid, simple, precise and cost effective and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Aspirin and Dipyridamole in pharmaceutical formulations. Separation of both Aspirin and Dipyridamole was achieved within 5 min with required resolution, accuracy and precision thus enabling the utility of the method for routine analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a waters symmetry C18 3.5 µm, 50 x 4.6 mm using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% ortho phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in the ratio of 75:25 at a flow rate of 1.0 ml per minute. The detection was made at 227 nm and the retention time of Aspirin and Dipyridamole were1.5 and 2.8 minutes respectively. The method was found linear over the range of 4 to 80 µg/ml for Dipyridamole and 0.5 to 10 µg/ml for Aspirin.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Aspirin, Dipyridamole, high performance liquid chromatography.

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Andrographolide induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells

Hui Chyn Wong, Sreenivasa Rao Sagineedu, Nordin Haji Lajis, Seng Cheong Loke and Johnson Stanslas,*

Abstract: Andrographolide (AGP), the major phytoconstituent isolated from Andrographis paniculata was found to exhibit growth inhibition and cytotoxicity against the hormone-independent (PC-3 and DU-145) and hormone-dependent (LNCaP) prostate cancer cell lines via the microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Due to its greater cytotoxic potency and selectivity towards PC-3 cells, flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution of control and treated PC-3 cells whereas Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry analysis was carried out to confirm apoptosis induced by AGP in PC-3 cells. Cell cycle and apoptotic regulatory proteins were determined by western blot analysis. AGP was found to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest which led to predominantly apoptotic mode of cell death. Mechanistically, AGP was found to downregulate CDK1 without affecting the levels of CDK4 and cyclin D1. Induction of apoptosis was associated with an increase in activation and expression of caspase 8 which then is believed to have induced cleavage of Bid into tBid. In addition, activation and enhancement of executioner caspase 9 and Bax proteins without affecting Bcl-2 protein levels were observed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Andrographolide, prostate cancer, cell cycle, cyclin-dependent kinases, apoptosis, caspase 8, caspase 9, Bcl-2 family.

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L-Arginine abolishes the anxiolytic-like effect of withaferin A in the elevated plus-maze test in rats

Zaved Ahmed Khan* and Asit Ranjan Ghosh

Abstract: The involvement of nitrergic mechanisms in the behavioural effects of withaferin A in rats was studied in the elevated plus-maze, open-field and rotarod tests. Administration of the nitric oxide (NO) precursor L-arginine (100 mg/kg, i.p.), assumed to increase the synthesis of NO, abolished the anxiolytic-like effect of withaferin A (40 mg/kg, i.p.) in the elevated plus-maze, whereas the inactive enantiomer D-arginine (100 mg/kg) did not. Neither withaferin A alone nor in combination with L- or D-arginine affected the exploratory activity of animals in the open field. Pretreatment with L-arginine (100 and 200 mg/kg) did not modify the motor impairment of rats after withaferin A (40 mg/kg) in the rotarod test. Withaferin A (40 mg/kg i.p.) did inhibit the brain NO synthase activity measured EX VIVO by NOx assay. We conclude that a suppression of NO synthase activity may be important in the anxiolytic-like effect of withaferin A.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Withaferin A, nitric oxide (NO) synthase, L-Arginine, anxiety, elevated plus maze test.

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A survey of problem-based learning and traditional methods of teaching anatomy to 200 level pharmacy students of the University of Lagos, Nigeria

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: The introduction of the problem-based learning (PBL) may be a very uncomfortable problem for the students originally exposed to the didactic methods of teaching and learning. Our medical and pharmaceutical curriculum is yet to adopt this new method of learning and as such this study looks forward to exposing some aspects of the traditional style as well as introducing to the students the new method using PBL. It is envisaged that in the five-year Pharmacy program, the students would be exposed to and monitored and their academic performance vis-à-vis their professional competencies adjudged using this two styles of teaching anatomy. A total of one hundred and fifty 200 level Pharmacy students were randomly divided into fifteen groups of ten per group during their 2 semester course in Anatomy in the academic year 2007/2008 session. The students were exposed to both the PBL and traditional methods of teaching anatomy alternately. At the end of the period, 150 structured questionnaires were administered to the students and analyzed statistically. Results from this preliminary study does show that the PBL method of teaching Anatomy to Pharmacy students has strong positive impact in the general perception and knowledge build of the students in their 200 level studies despite the obvious challenges of the environment.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Pharmacy students, traditional method.

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Effect of roasting, boiling and microwaving cooking methods on Enrofloxacin residues in edible tissues of broiler

A. Javadi*, H. Mirzaie and S. A. Khatibi

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different cooking processes like boiling, roasting and microwaving on Enrofloxacin residues in chicken muscle, liver and gizzard tissues of broiler chickens. Each of the chicks was fed by water and food with 0.05% of Enrofloxacin in their drinking water for 5 consecutive days. Then, three locations were sampled aseptically from each carcasses: breast muscle; liver and gizzard. Enrofloxacin residue was analyzed using microbial inhibition method by plates seeded with ESCHERICHIA COLI. After doing different phases of the test on raw samples, the positive raw samples were cooked by various cooking procedures and the cooked samples were surveyed with similar method again for the presence of residue. The results showed the reduction in concentration of Enrofloxacin residue after different cooking processes. The most reduced residue in cooked meat and gizzard samples related to boiling process and the cooked liver samples was the roasting process. The highest detectable amount of residue belonged to microwaving process in all cooked samples. Regarding to the results of this study, it was concluded that, cooking processes cannot annihilate total amounts of this drug and it can only decrease its amounts. Also, most of the residue in boiling process was excreted from tissue into cooking fluid.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Cooking, Enrofloxacin, residue, poultry, edible, tissue.

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A novel validated rp-hplc method development for the estimation of rimonabant hydrochloride in bulk and tablet dosage forms

Sreekanth Nama*, Bahlul Z.Awen, Babu Rao Chandu, Mukkanti Kagga

Abstract: A novel, simple and economic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method has been developed for the estimation of rimonabant hydrochloride in bulk and tablet dosage forms with greater precision and accuracy. Separation was achieved on C18 column (250X4.6mm i.d., 5µm) in isocratic mode using methanol and water in the ratio 90:10 (v/v) as mobile phase, pumped in to the column at flow rate of 1 ml/min and the detection of eluent from the column was carried out using variable wavelength detector at 280 nm. The total run time was 10 min and the column was maintained at ambient temperature. The retention times of rimonabant hydrochloride and saquinavir mesylate were 5.760 min and 4.657 min, respectively. The standard curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.2-10 µg/ml and the LOD and LOQ values for rimonabant hydrochloride were 0.0113µg/ml and 0.0345µg/ml, respectively. The percentage recovery was found to be 100 to 100.22 and the % RSD of intraday and inter day precision was found to be 0.572 and 0.549, respectively. The percentage amount of two different marketed tablet formulation of rimonabant hydrochloride was found to be 100.4 and 100.5%. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines. Validation studies demonstrated that the proposed RP-HPLC method is simple, specific, rapid, reliable and reproducible. The high recovery and low relative standard deviation confirm the suitability of the proposed method for the routine quality control analysis of rimonabant hydrochloride in bulk and tablet dosage forms. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Rimonabant hydrochloride, RP-HPLC, saquinavir mesylate, validation, isocratic, ICH guidelines

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Evaluation of various functional skin parameters using a topical cream of Calendula officinalis extract

Naveed Akhtar, Shahiq-uz-zaman, Barkat Ali Khan*, Haji M, Shoaib Khan, Mahmood Ahmad, Fatima Rasool, Tariq Mahmood and Akhtar Rasul

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of newly formulated W/O emulsion (cream) of Calendula versus its vehicle (base) as control on skin pH, skin melanin, skin erythema, skin moisture content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).Hydroalcoholic extract of Calendula plant was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of the W/O emulsion. Base without active and formulation having 3% extarct of calendula in the aqueous phase were prepared. Samples were stored at different storage conditions that is, 8, 25, 40, 40°C+75% RH for four weeks to predict their stability. The newly formulated base and formulation were applied to the cheeks of 21 healthy human volunteers for a period of 8 weeks. The base showed insignificant (p>0.05) effects while the formulation decreased TEWL however this decrease was statistically insignificant (p> 0.05). Skin moisture content was significantly (p≤0.05) increased by the formulation. The base showed insignificant (p>0.05) effects while the formulation showed statistically significant (p≤0.05) decrease in skın melanın content. Skın erythema was significantly reduced by the formulation. Skin sebum was significantly (p≤0.05) incresaed by both creams (base and formulation). Both creams were aesthetic with respect to sensory evaluation. The topical non-invasive application of Calendula officinalis cream showed a positive rejuvenating effect on human skin. This study will encourage more attention towards research and more conviction towards utilization of herbal medicines.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Calendula extract, melanin, erythema, skin sebum, TEWL.

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Analgesic activity of angiotensin antagonists

Sekar Indumathy* and Subramanian Kavimani

Abstract: Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists (ARAs) are widely used compounds in various cardiovascular disorders like Hypertension, Stroke prophylaxis, Heart failure. In addition, they are approved for the treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy. It is reported to produce analgesia on intracerebro-ventricular administration that could be blocked by naloxone. Angiotensin II has been reported for its pro-nociceptive activity. Angiotensin receptor antagonists block the action of angiotensin II by inhibiting its binding with its receptor hence, they exerts analgesic activity. The analgesic activity of angiotensin antagonists Losartan, Irbesartan and Valsartan evaluated by tail immersion, tail flick and tail clip methods have shown significant increase in basal reaction time. Pentazocine, a kappa receptor agonist exerted a significant analgesic effect (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Angiotensin antagonist, Losartan, Irbesartan and Valsartan.

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