15 research outputs found
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF PYRIMETHAMINE
No full textBackground: Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection. It is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects the eye, central nervous system and other body systems. It is common in paediatric, geriatric, and patients who are immune-compromised. It results from poor hygiene and improper handling of cats\u27 faeces. Objectives: The treatment of toxoplasmosis typically involves pyrimethamine with folinic acid and other supportive agents. In the current research project, ODT formulations of pyrimethamine have been formulated in three types, namely C1, C2, and C3. These three formulations differ from one another based on the kind of disintegrants used. Methodology: The direct compression method was used for formulating the ODT. Different parameters of the formulated product were studied in its three formulations, C1, C2, and C3. Pre-compression evaluation, including FTIR spectroscopy and other methods, was conducted. Post-compression evaluation, including content assay, dissolution, and stability profile under ambient conditions, was monitored. Results: All official tests complied with the orodispersible tablet specifications outlined by the British Pharmacopoeia (B.P.) and the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). However, notable differences were observed among the three formulations—C1, C2, and C3 in specific evaluated parameters, indicating variability in performance depending on the formulation components. Conclusion: The use of different disintegration agents resulted in slight variations in tablet behavior. Nevertheless, all formulations met key orodispersible criteria and demonstrated favorable characteristics for patient compliance, particularly for individuals with swallowing difficulties
Pharmacological evaluation of novel dimers of an arylpropionic acid class of non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors
No full textPurpose: To explore and identify cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors with optimal potency and efficacy using an arylpropionic acid class of drugs as lead molecules.Methods: The selected lead molecules were dimerised through chemical processes (reflux condensation) and characterised in terms of structural properties using infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, electron impact mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis techniques. The molecules were evaluated pharmacologically for acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory (carrageenaninduced paw oedema test), analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice), and antipyretic (Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia test in mice) activities against control (normal saline) and relevant reference standard drugs. Docking analyses were also performed to assess possible protein–ligand interactions.Results: The test compounds were non-toxic at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight, ip. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that the test compounds, TC-I through TC-IV, had significant antiinflammatory and peripheral analgesic activities (p < 0.001). An antipyretic test showed that TC-I, -II, and -III showed highly significant antipyretic activities at all doses tested. TC-IV at 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight exhibited significant antipyretic activities (p < 0.05), while at 50 mg/kg body weight, the activity was highly significant (p < 0.001). Molecular modelling revealed strong inhibitory interactions with docking scores of 116.2, 128.8, 144.2, and 136.0 kcal/mol, respectively, in comparison with the reference ligand, flurbiprofen (94.9 kcal/mol).Conclusion: The dimerised lead drug molecules showed significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities in animals and may further be explored as potential new drug candidates for inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Arylpropionic acid, COX-2 inhibitors, Molecular dockin
Pharmacological evaluation of novel dimers of an arylpropionic acid class of non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors
No full textGlyco-nanoparticles: New drug delivery systems in cancer therapy
No full textCancer is known as one of the most common diseases that are associated with high mobility and mortality in the world. Despite several efforts, current cancer treatment modalities often are highly toxic and lack efficacy and specificity. However, the application of nanotechnology has led to the development of effective nanosized drug delivery systems which are highly selective for tumors and allow a slow release of active anticancer agents. Different Nanoparticles (NPs) such as the silicon-based nano-materials, polymers, liposomes and metal NPs have been designed to deliver anti-cancer drugs to tumor sites. Among different drug delivery systems, carbohydratefunctionalized nanomaterials, specially based on their multi-valent binding capacities and desirable biocompatibility, have attracted considerable attention as an excellent candidate for controlled release of therapeutic agents. In addition, these carbohydrate functionalized nano-carriers are more compatible with construction of the intracellular delivery platforms like the carbohydrate-modified metal NPs, quantum dots, and magnetic nano-materials. In this review, we discuss recent research in the field of multifunctional glycolnanoparticles (GNPs) intended for cancer drug delivery applications
Career preferences and attitude of first year Doctor of Pharmacy students toward pharmacy profession
No full textObjectives: To evaluate first year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students′ career preferences, factors involved in this selection, and attitude toward pharmacy profession.
Materials and Methods: First year PharmD students enrolled at University of Peshawar were surveyed through administration of predesigned questionnaire. The anonymous questionnaire sought students′ opinions on the factors influencing their career preferences, attitude and knowledge of pharmacy profession, and importance of pharmacy profession in healthcare system.
Results: Overall response rate was 93.5%. Of the total 73 respondents, 38 (54.9%) were males and 35 (45.1%) were females. Only 12 (16.4%) students were aware of the scope of pharmacy before admission to the pharmacy program. A majority of the students (82%) believed that pharmacy education and practice affect the healthcare system. Very limited numbers of the students (16.4%) were interested in research, while the remaining students were either uninterested (69.8%) or unsure about their decision (13.6%). A significant number of students (61.6%) were unaware of different postgraduate prospects of pharmacy education. More than half of the students (58.9%) wished to undertake nonpharmacy career areas upon graduation. Drug regulation was opted as preferred career choice by 21 (28.7%) students, clinical pharmacy by 18 (24.6%), hospital pharmacy by 11 (15%), and teaching by 8 (10.5%). Factors involved in such selection were family influence (34.2%), anticipated income (24.6%), and personal interest (21.9%).
Conclusions: First year PharmD students showed keen interest to choose drug regulation, clinical pharmacy, and hospital pharmacy as a career upon graduation. Family influence was the most important factor involved in this selection. Few of them were interested in pharmacy-related research activities while most of the students believed that pharmacy education and practice affect the healthcare system
Evaluation of In-vitro Antimicrobial Potential of Daphne retusa Hemsl. Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi
No full text
Background:
Antimicrobial drug resistance is an emerging problem, which leads to a failure
in the control of infectious diseases thereby, adversely affecting patient care and reducing effective
management of infectious diseases globally. Thus, search for new and more effective alternatives is
needed. Daphne retusa Hemsl. (Daphne) has medicinal values and is reported to be widely used in curing
a variety of human ailments.
Objective:
Current study assesses in-vitro antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of D.retusa (whole
plant) and its derived fractions against clinically isolated human pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Materials and Methods:
Whole plant of D.retusa was powder dried and then extracted with methanol
(E1). The resultant was fractionated to give Chloroform fraction (E2), Butanol fraction (E3) and Ethyl
acetate fraction (E4). The crude extract and derived fractions were assessed for antimicrobial and antifungal
activity by using agar well diffusion method and their MICs were found following Clinical and
Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
Result:
Our study shows that D.retusa has very good inhibitory action against different bacterial and
fungal strains. All of the extracts were active against almost every microorganism used in the study.
E2 has the maximum percent of inhibition against bacterial growth while E1 has themaximum percent of
inhibition against fungal growth. Streptococcus pneumonia was the most susceptible bacteria while
among fungi, Gongronella butleri showed highest susceptibility.
Conclusion:
Results justify the use of D. retusa in the treatment of microbial infections. For the development
of a novel antibiotic, the crude extract and its derived fractions need further exploration; with
emphasis to isolate and identify the active constituents that are responsible for antibacterial and antifungal
activity.
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Assessing anticancer drug utilization patterns through WHO prescribing indicators at a specialized cancer hospital in Peshawar
No full textBackground: Efficient utilization of anticancer agents is crucial for effective malignancy treatment and cost management. WHO Prescribing Indicators provide a standardized measure for assessing drug usage. This study aimed to evaluate anticancer drug utilization patterns in a specialized oncology hospital using these indicators.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis involved reviewing medical records of anticancer drug prescriptions at a designated cancer treatment facility. Key WHO prescribing indicators, including drug per prescription average, proportions of anticancer drugs and generics usage, were assessed.
Results: Analysis of 900 prescriptions revealed an average of 8.36 drugs per prescription, with 2.27 being anticancer drugs and 4.93 adjuvants. Notably, 71% of medications were prescribed generically 85% were on the Essential Medicines List. Opportunities for enhancing efficiency, like promoting generic drugs and reducing injectable anticancer agents, were identified.
Conclusions: This study highlights the value of WHO Prescribing Indicators in analysing anticancer drug utilization trends. Addressing prescribing deficiencies can refine treatment protocols, promote judicious pharmaceutical use and elevate patient care standards. Future efforts should focus on targeted strategies to rectify these shortcomings, emphasizing ongoing research and quality improvement in oncologic pharmacotherapy
Diospyrin Modulates Inflammation in Poly I:C-Induced Macrophages via ER Stress-Induced Calcium-CHOP Pathway
No full textDiospyrin, plant-derived bisnaphthoquinonoid, is known to have anticancer activity. However, pharmacological activity of diospyrin on viral infection is not well known. We investigated effects of diospyrin on macrophages induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a mimic of double-stranded viral RNA. Various cytokines, intracellular calcium, nitric oxide (NO), phosphorylated p38 MAPK, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 as well as mRNA expressions of transcription factors were evaluated. Diospyrin significantly reduced NO production, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor production, and intracellular calcium release in poly I:C-induced RAW 264.7. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 was also significantly suppressed. Additionally, diospyrin inhibited mRNA levels of nitric oxide synthase 2, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II alpha, signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, STAT4, Janus kinase 2, first apoptosis signal receptor, c-Jun, and c-Fos in poly I:C-induced RAW 264.7. Taken together, this study represents that diospyrin might have the inhibitory activity against viral inflammation such as excessive production of inflammatory mediators in poly I:C-induced RAW 264.7 via ER stress-induced calcium-CHOP pathway
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Diospyrin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation Using RAW 264.7 Mouse Macrophages
No full textDiospyrin is a bisnaphthoquinonoid medicinal compound derived from Diospyros lotus, with known anti-cancer, anti-tubercular, and anti-leishmanial activities against Leishmania donovani. However, the effects of diospyrin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation and inflammation are not fully reported. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of diospyrin on LPS-induced macrophages were examined. Diospyrin showed no toxicity in RAW 264.7 at concentrations of up to 10 μM. Diospyrin moderated the production of nitric oxide (NO), monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, and RANTES/CCL5, as well as calcium release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7, at concentrations of up to 10 μM significantly (p < 0.05). Diospyrin also significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mRNA expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), as well as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas), in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of up to 10 μM (p < 0.05). Diospyrin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties mediated via inhibition of NO, and cytokines in LPS-induced mouse macrophages via the ER-stressed calcium-p38 MAPK/CHOP/Fas pathway
