MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Salivary nicotine and cotinine concentrations in unstimulated and stimulated saliva

N. Robson*, A. J Bond and K. Wolff

Abstract: Salivary nicotine and salivary cotinine is widely used in clinical and epidemiological studies to validate smoking cessation. However, the reported collection for salivary nicotine and salivary cotinine vary by technique and duration. This study investigated the influence of salivary collection by unstimulation and stimulation technique of the concentration of salivary nicotine and salivary cotinine. It was found that unstimulated technique produced the highest salivary nicotine concentration, whereas stimulated technique produced the highest salivary cotinine concentration. The results of this study suggest that it is important to standardise salivary nicotine and cotinine collection technique.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Saliva, smoker, nicotine, cotinine, technique, biological marker, oral, verify, passive, tobacco, smoke.

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A comparative study for interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) of chitosan-amino acid beads for controlled drug release

Manjusha Rani, Anuja Agarwal, Tungabidya Maharana and Yuvraj Singh Negi*

Abstract: The paper addresses development of novel pH sensitive interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) beads composed of chitosan-glycine-glutamic acid cross linked with glutaraldehyde and their use for controlled drug release. A comparative study has been carried out on these IPN beads with the beads that of chitosan, chitosan-glycine and chitosan-glutamic acid cross linked with glutaraldehyde. The beads were characterized by FTIR to confirm the cross linking reaction and drug interaction with cross linked polymer in beads, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the surface morphology and internal structure and DSC to find out the thermal stability of beads. The swelling behavior of the beads at different time intervals was monitored in solutions of pH 2.0 and pH 7.4. The release experiments were performed in solutions of pH 2.0 and pH 7.4 at 37°C using chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) as a model drug. The swelling behavior and release of drug were observed to be dependent on pH, degree of cross linking and their composition. The results indicate that the newly constructed cross linked IPN beads of chitosan-glycine-glutamic acid might be useful as a vehicle for controlled release of drug. The kinetics of drug release from beads was best fitted by Higuchi’s model in which release rate is largely governed by rate of diffusion through the matrix.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Cross-linked beads, chitosan, chlorpheniramine maleate, glycine, glutamic acid, controlled drug release.

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Introducing pharmacoeconomics (PE) in medical undergraduate curriculum

Ujjwala Kulkarni*, Y. A. Deshmukh, V. V. Moghe, Nima Rege and Madhuri Kate

Abstract: Increasing health care cost is a major concern in developing world. Patients are affected by the high pricing of drugs and though the symptoms improve the poor patient compliance sets in if the regimen is heavy on the pocket of the patient. Therefore, concept of Pharmacoeconomics are essential for physicians to prescribe individualized drug therapy based on essential drug concept, STEP as well as rational utilization of drug( R.U.D.) criteria, with minimal costs to improve the cost-effectiveness of the drug therapy. Sensitizing medical undergraduates on pharmacoeconomics during second year training will inculcate the habit of prescribing cost effective medicine and cost consideration throughout their medical career and will decrease the monitory burden on the patient and the society. A module on PE was prepared and implemented in tertiary medical hospital for second year medical undergraduates. Information on essential drug concept and on PE was given to the second year medical undergraduates by organizing didactic lectures. In practical session individual cost, total cost of prescription was discussed by giving exercise on simulated case history with drug therapy. Students performance on the pharmacoeconomics was assessed by pre and post project questionnaire. Statistical analysis shows significant differences between pre and post project questionnaire. This show that second year MBBS students sensitized for Pharmacoeconomics can consider the cost of a drugs while prescription writing in future. Exercise shows successful sensitization of students on PE. Thus PE can be introduced in second year pharmacology curriculum for cost consideration of drugs and total cost of prescription while prescription writing for the patient.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Medical curriculum, suitability, tolerance, efficacy and price of the drug (STEP), rational utilization of drug (RUD), pharmacoeconomics.

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Protective effect of quercetin against necrosis and apoptosis induced by experimental ischemia and reperfusion in rat liver

khaki Arash

Abstract: Quercetin is a well-known flavonoid and a strong antioxidant. Quercetin an important flavonoid possesses beneficial effects on health due to its antioxidant function. One mechanism of the antioxidant action of quercetin was involved in scavenging free radicals, such as superoxide radicals generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. To study the effect of quercetin on apoptosis and necrosis induced by 1 h ischemia followed by 1.5 h reperfusion. Adult Wistar rats underwent 1 h of partial liver ischemia followed by 1.5 h reperfusion. Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated control group (I) (n = 10), ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) group (0.9 % saline (5 ml/kg, orally) for 14 days) (II) (n = 10), and quercetin group (15 mg/kg body weight daily orally for 14 days before inducing ischemia-reperfusion maneuver) (III)(n=10). Apoptotic and necrotic hepatocytes, nitric oxide levels in hepatocytes. Liver injury was assessed by plasma alanine transaminases (ALT), aspartate transaminases (AST), liver histopathology. An ischemic and reperfusion hepatocellular injury occurred as was indicated by increased serum ALT, AST, histopathology. Pretreatment with quercetin significantly decreased serum ALT and AST level and apoptotic and necrotic cells after 1 h ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Nitric oxide production in hepatocytes was increased twofold by quercetin treatment when compared with I/R group. Histopathology studies showed markedly diminished hepatocellular injury in quercetin -pretreated rats during the hepatic I/R. Thus, it may be concluded that quercetin can significant protection from necrosis and apoptosis in I/R injury with nitric oxide and plasma alanine transaminases (ALT) production and it has anti-ROS effect in ischemic reperfusion.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Apoptosis, ischemia, reperfusion, quercetin.

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Cytotoxicity of extracts from fruit plants against leukemic cell lines

Chadarat Ampasavate, Siriporn Okonogi and Songyot Anuchapreeda*

Abstract: This study examined the antileukemic activity of non edible parts of 13 common Thai tropical fruits. Their ethanolic extracts were tested for cytotoxic effects on U937, K562, HL60, Molt 4 and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Three of 20 crude plant extracts (kaffir lime leaves, mangosteen peels, and wampee leaves) had strong cytotoxic effects on K562, U937, and Molt4 cells. The IC50 values of kaffir lime leaves on those cells were 26.1, 9.0 and 11.9 µg/ml respectively, whereas those of mangosteen peel were 23.6, 4.5 and 10.1 µg/ml, and those of wampee leaves were 71.9, 13 and 70.4 µg/ml. Furthermore, pomegranate peel extract had a potent cytotoxic effect on HL60 cells (IC50 of 8.0 µg/ml), but was non-toxic to normal PBMCs, indicating that as a potential source of antileukemic agents.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Fruit plants, cytotoxicity, leukemic cell line.

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Ethno medicinal information on collation and identification of some medicinal plants in Research Institutes of South-west Nigeria

I. O. Lawal*, N. E. Uzokwe, A. B. I. Igboanugo, A. F. Adio, E. A. Awosan, J. O. Nwogwugwu, B. Faloye, B. P. Olatunji and A. A. Adesoga

Abstract: An arboretum is a collection of trees. Related collections include a fruticetum (from the Latin frutex, meaning shrub), and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study. Distribution of medicinal plants information were investigated in International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) arboretum and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) arboretum to collate and identify different medicinal plants used in the traditional pharmacopoeia for the treatment of diseases affecting human body. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and the native plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during field trips. A total of 120 informants aged 35 and above comprising 64% males and 36% females were interviewed. The investigation revealed that a total of 129 species of medicinal plants (Trees (78%), Shrubs (18%), Herbs (3%) and Climbers (1%)) belonging to 39 families 94 genera were identified and documented. Much of the plant families have been endangered as they were not easily found during the field work. Plants are documented for further research on their secondary metabolites, biological attributes in the various plant parts.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Ethnomedicinal, identification, collation, research institutes, arboretum.

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The water decoction of Aristolochia debilis Sieb.et Zucc induces renal toxic effects in rats

Li-Qun Song, Xiao-Peng Ma, Li-Zhe Wang, Yu Qiao, Ye-Xu Song and Yan-Chun Ma

Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate toxic effects of different concentration of the Aristolochia debilis Sieb.et Zucc. on renal functions in rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into low dosage group (treated with A. debilis Sieb.et Zucc at a dose of 0.81 g.kg-1.d-1 for three months), moderate dosage group (at a dose of 4.05 g.kg-1.d-1), high dosage group (at a dose of 8.1 g.kg-1.d-1) and control group. The renal function and urine nacety- -D- amino- glucosidase (NAG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) was measured in 1, 2 and 3 months. The histopathological changes were examined by light and electron microscopy. The urine NAG level was elevated in High dosage group and Moderate dosage group, but there were no significant differences of BUN and serum creatinine among four groups. The renal histopathological examination showed that slight tubular-interstitial injury was detected in moderate dosage group and obvious renal injury was observed in High dosage group. Nevertheless, there were no renal abnormalities in Low dosage group. In summary, low dosage of A. debilis Sieb.et Zucc was rather safety and did not cause the renal toxicity. Nevertheless, moderate and high dosage of A. debilis Sieb.et Zucc may impair renal function and induce renal tubular-interstitial injury.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Aristolochia debilis Sieb.et Zucc., aristolochic acid, renal injury, NAG, BUN.

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Treatment-resistant depression amongst older adults: Risk factors and treatment options

Esther G. Ebenezer

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Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous root extract of Cassia sieberiana D. C. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Guata Yoro Sy*, Alioune Dior Fall, William Diatta, Malick Gueye, Khady Badji, Emmanuel Bassène and Babacar Faye

Abstract: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia sieberiana roots were investigated. Analgesic activity had been investigated using acetic acid induced contortions in mice. The aqueous root extract of C. sieberiana at 300 mg/kg per os showed similar analgesic activity than 100 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid (20 ± 1.14 vs 26 ± 1.79 contortions) (ns, p < 0.05). In rat paw oedema model, C. sieberiana aqueous root extract significantly decreased carrageenan-induced oedema. These results showed that aqueous root extract of C. sieberiana possessed both analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, which have justified their use in Senegal traditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Cassia sieberiana, pain, inflammation, phytotherapy.

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Stability- indicating HPLC method for the determination of efavirenz in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage form

B. Udaykumar Rao and Anna Pratima Nikalje*

Abstract: A rapid and accurate isocratic HPLC method was developed and validated for the assay of Efavirenz (EFA) in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The chromatographic conditions comprise of a Novapak phenyl column. A mixture of phosphate buffer and Acetonitrile was used as mobile phase. Quantitation was achieved by UV detection at 247 nm. A linear response (r2 0.999) was observed in the range of 0.05 - 0.15 mg/mL. The method was validated for accuracy and precision. The proposed method can be used for quality control assay of EFA in bulk and in finished dosage form and for the stability studies as the method separates EFA from its degradation products and excipients.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Efavirenz, stability indicating HPLC, dosage form, UV detection.

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