Hasil untuk "Pharmacy and materia medica"

Mehdi Mohammadi, Artin Torshizi, Mohammadreza Heidari et al.

This study investigated the practices of community pharmacists regarding two minor ailments, headache and insomnia, using a simulated patient (SP) method in Karaj, Iran. A trained pharmacy student, acting as an SP, visited pharmacies presenting with complaints of either headache or insomnia. Each simulation consisted of three steps: in Step 1, the SP explained the symptoms and waited for the pharmacist's recommendations; in Step 2, the SP requested medications; and in Step 3, the SP insisted on obtaining prescription-only drugs. A total of 200 pharmacies were surveyed; 100 were assigned to the headache scenario and 100 to the insomnia scenario. In the headache scenario, which required a referral to a physician, the pharmacists asked 26.4% of the patient history questions and addressed 9.4% of the physician referral criteria. Only 29 pharmacists (29.0%) referred the SP to a physician/imaging. Male pharmacists dispensed more prescription-only medications than female pharmacists (p = 0.03), whereas females were more likely to refer the SP to a physician (p = 0.02). In the insomnia scenario, which could be treated with nonprescription medications, the pharmacists asked 11.6% of the patient history questions and addressed 11.0% of the referral criteria. The most common recommendations in the first step were melatonin (52.0%), nonpharmacological interventions (18.0%), and herbal medicines (10.0%). Most pharmacists failed to obtain an adequate patient history, including physician referral criteria. In addition, the dosage, duration of therapy, and potential adverse drug reactions were not communicated to patients in most cases. The community pharmacists in this study demonstrated substantial deficiencies in history taking, contraindication screening, and patient counseling. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational, regulatory, and practice-based interventions to enhance the quality and safety of over-the-counter care in Iran.

Andreea Crețeanu, Grațiela‑Eliza Popa, Mădălina Vieriu

Daniel Ageze, Renee Dell’Acqua, Thomas D. Marcotte et al.

Abstract Background Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016, reshaped cannabis use in California. This study explores the use patterns of people who use cannabis for medicinal-only and combined medicinal and recreational use after implementation of Proposition 64. Methods A quantitative, population-based online questionnaire included 4,020 current cannabis users, 523 former users, and 635 non-users. This analysis focuses on participants who self-identified as using cannabis for medicinal-only (n = 711) or both medicinal and recreational (M + R, n = 1719) purposes. Results Sixty one percent of current cannabis users report medicinal use. Medicinal-only users were more likely to be female (OR 1.6, p < 0.001), have kids in household (OR 1.5, p < 0.001), and began cannabis use later (mean age 34 vs. 23, p < 0.001). Pain relief was the predominant reason for use, followed by sleep, anxiety, and stress relief. While both groups reported positive effects, M + R users experienced more negative side effects. Fewer medicinal-only users cited a desire to “feel the high,” (42% vs. 75% M + R, p < 0.001). Medicinal-only users felt less comfortable discussing cannabis with primary care providers than M + R users (75% vs 83%, p < 0.01). All users were more likely to seek information online (44–57%) or from friends/family (47–52%) than health professionals (26–27%). Dispensaries were the main cannabis source for both medicinal groups (72% M vs. 84% M + R, p < 0.01), with licensure being very or extremely important (72% M, 66% M + R, p < 0.01). Monthly spending for medicinal-only users was lower ($127 vs. $186 for M + R, p < 0.001), and they were more likely than M + R users to wait before feeling safe to drive after using cannabis. Conclusion People who use medicinal cannabis alone vary in key areas from people who use cannabis for both medicinal and recreational reasons. The need for better patient-provider relationships and clinically informed guidance is evident to support medicinal cannabis users.

Jitka Mucksová, Gabriela Borošová, Miloš Blazsek et al.

IMUNOR is an oral biotherapeutic drug that had been developed, registered, and approved in 1997 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. IMUNOR is a dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) prepared from swine leukocytes. It is characterized as a mixture of small peptides with molecular weights smaller than 12 kDa and a specific portion of nucleotides. The medical uses of IMUNOR include therapeutic applications within its registered range of indications, primarily for the treatment of immunodeficiencies, allergies, and certain acute or relapsing bacterial infections in adults and children. Despite the long-term clinical application of DLE, with strong evidence of positive therapeutic effects and no serious side effects, a detailed physicochemical specification of this mixture was lacking. We developed several methods for more in-depth physicochemical characterization of IMUNOR, including a spectrophotometric method for quantification of the total protein concentration and total DNA concentration in a mixture, several chromatographic methods for identification of individual components present in significant concentrations in IMUNOR, such as HPLC methods and the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis method, and characterization of amino acid composition of this mixture. For the investigation of the variability among different batches of IMUNOR, five to nine representative batches from a standard manufacturing process on an industrial scale were utilized. Using the analytical methods, we verified and confirmed the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the biological product IMUNOR.

Soumya Prabhu Kori, Karthiyanee Kutty

Background: Young Indians face a higher risk of myocardial infarction compared to Caucasians of the same age, with sedentary lifestyle being a key risk factor. Regular physical activity can modify this risk, improving aerobic capacity and cardio-respiratory fitness. Oxygen uptake (VO2) estimates from treadmill tests, used for exercise prescriptions, assume no handrail support, yet patients often use them, affecting energy expenditure and estimate accuracy. Aim: This study investigates the impact of handrail support on treadmill time and VO2 estimates in our population. Methods: The study involved 100 healthy male subjects aged 18-40 years from Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Kolar. Basal heart rate and blood pressure were recorded, and ECG chest electrodes were connected. Each subject performed two submaximal treadmill tests using the Bruce protocol, one with handrail support and one without, two weeks apart. Blood pressure was recorded at each stage and during recovery. Treadmill time, maximum heart rate, and VO2max were calculated using the Bruce formula. All pertinent data was meticulously recorded in a Microsoft Excel Sheet and subsequently subjected to analysis through the utilization of SPSS-Software. Results: A significant difference was observed between the two conditions (with and without handrail support) for treadmill time (TT) and VO2max, with a p-value of less than 0.001. Both TT and VO2max exhibited a strong positive correlation, with r values of 0.843 and 0.821, respectively, and a highly significant p-value of less than 0.001. TT predicted VO2max at 71.1% in the handrail support condition and 67.3% in the no handrail support condition, indicating an additional 4% effect on VO2max due to handrail support. Conclusion: Introducing handrail support significantly increases treadmill time (TT) and VO2max. VO2max without handrail support can be accurately predicted independently of the protocol using a regression formula. [Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2024; 14(12.000): 2665-2668]

Fouziyeh Siahpour, Hosein Sadeghi, Esmaeel Panahi kokhdan et al.

Paraquat, specifically concentrated in lung tissue, leads to lung damage through oxidative and inflammatory processes. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs due to inflammation and an imbalance in the antioxidant system. Drugs like sildenafil, which inhibits phosphodiesterase enzymes, are used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Antioxidants such as vitamin E can restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sildenafil and vitamin E on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were used in animal studies. Paraquat was administered orally (R1-1) at a single dose of 40 mg/kg to induce lung fibrosis. Three groups were studied: Sildenafil administered orally (10 mg/kg) for 14 days. Vitamin E administered orally (500 mg/kg) for 14 days. Simultaneous administration of vitamin E (500 mg/kg) and sildenafil (10 mg/kg) for 14 days. Biochemical and histopathological tests were performed and compared with a control group. Paraquat administration caused fibrosis and an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in lung tissue. Treatment with sildenafil and vitamin E increased glutathione (total GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (HYP) levels compared to the paraquat group. Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) showed no significant changes in the study group compared to the control group. Treatment with sildenafil and vitamin E improved the oxidant-antioxidant balance in lung tissue exposed to paraquat. Additionally, this study demonstrated significant antioxidant effects of sildenafil and vitamin E against paraquat-induced oxidative damage.

María I. Quiñones-Vico, Ana Fernández-González, Ana Ubago-Rodríguez et al.

<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is one of the most common microorganisms causing infections of severe skin wounds. Antibiotic or antiseptic treatments are crucial to prevent and curb these infections. Antiseptics have been reported to be cytotoxic to skin cells and few studies evaluate the impact of commonly used antibiotics. This study evaluates how clinical antibiotics affect skin cells’ viability, proliferation, migration, and cytokine secretion and defines the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations that maintain antibacterial activity. Cell proliferation, viability, and migration were evaluated on cell monolayers. Cytokines related to the wound healing process were determined. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and the impact on bacterial biofilm were assessed. Results showed that 0.02 mg/mL ciprofloxacin and 1 mg/mL meropenem are the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations for fibroblasts and keratinocytes while 1.25 mg/mL amikacin and 0.034 mg/mL colistin do not affect fibroblasts’ viability and cytokine secretion but have an impact on keratinocytes. These concentrations are above the minimum inhibitory concentration but only amikacin could eradicate the biofilm. For the other antibiotics, cytotoxic concentrations are needed to eradicate the biofilm. Combinations with colistin at non-cytotoxic concentrations effectively eliminate the biofilm. These results provide information about the concentrations required when administering topical antibiotic treatments on skin lesions, and how these antibiotics affect wound management therapies. This study set the basis for the development of novel antibacterial wound healing strategies such as antibiotic artificial skin substitutes.

Daiane M. S. Brito, Odnan G. Lima, Felipe P. Mesquita et al.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly heterogeneous, complex disease and the fifth most common cancer worldwide (about 1 million cases and 784,000 deaths worldwide in 2018). GC has a poor prognosis (the 5-year survival rate is less than 20%), but there is an effort to find genes highly expressed during tumor establishment and use the related proteins as targets to find new anticancer molecules. Data were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) bank to obtain three dataset matrices analyzing gastric tumor tissue versus normal gastric tissue and involving microarray analysis performed using the GPL570 platform and different sources. The data were analyzed using the GEPIA tool for differential expression and KMPlot for survival analysis. For more robustness, GC data from the TCGA database were used to corroborate the analysis of data from GEO. The genes found in in silico analysis in both GEO and TCGA were confirmed in several lines of GC cells by RT-qPCR. The AlphaFold Protein Structure Database was used to find the corresponding proteins. Then, a structure-based virtual screening was performed to find molecules, and docking analysis was performed using the DockThor server. Our in silico and RT-qPCR analysis results confirmed the high expression of the <i>AJUBA</i>, <i>CD80</i> and <i>NOLC1</i> genes in GC lines. Thus, the corresponding proteins were used in SBVS analysis. There were three molecules, one molecule for each target, MCULE-2386589557-0-6, MCULE-9178344200-0-1 and MCULE-5881513100-0-29. All molecules had favorable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicological properties. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the molecules interact with proteins in critical sites for their activity. Using a virtual screening approach, a molecular docking study was performed for proteins encoded by genes that play important roles in cellular functions for carcinogenesis. Combining a systematic collection of public microarray data with a comparative meta-profiling, RT-qPCR, SBVS and molecular docking analysis provided a suitable approach for finding genes involved in GC and working with the corresponding proteins to search for new molecules with anticancer properties.

Luana Kellen SILVA, Amanda Fonseca MEDEIROS, Ana Flávia FIGUEIRÓ-SOUZA et al.

Objective: To evaluate the variation in consumption of antibacterials (ATB), listed by the National Health Surveillance Agency, components of the reserve group according to the Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification of the World Health Organization (WHO), in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a public hospital. Method: This is a quantitative drug utilization study, with retrospective data collection from November/2018 to October/2022. As recommended by the WHO Study Group on Drug Utilization, the Daily Defined Dose (DDD) per 1000 patient-days was used to evaluate the consumption of daptomycin, parenteral linezolid, polymyxin B and E, tigecycline and ceftazidime-avibactam. The DDD were calculated using the WHO standard DDD formula. The analysis period was divided into three phases: pre-pandemic of the COVID-19, acute phase and post-acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sum of monthly DDD was compared between the three phases. Results: In the ICU of the study hospital, there was an increased consumption of daptomycin and tigecycline during the acute phase, and of all the six ATB during the post-acute phase in comparison to the pre-pandemic period. During the postacute phase, the consumption of daptomycin, linezolid and polymyxin B was higher than the acute phase. The consumption of polymyxin B, polymyxin E and tigecycline was influenced by market instability. The institutional formulary was changed from the acute phase of the pandemic with incorporation of polymyxin E and ceftazidime-avibactam. Conclusion: This study identified variations in the consumption of ATB in the reserve group, which may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. These data can promote the basis for improvements in local ASP to preserve the effectiveness of these drugs, which should be used as the last therapeutic alternative.

Anjali Oak, Ajith A Chandy, Sabari Murugesan et al.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to see the incidence of cracks in root dentin after coronal flaring using various rotary instruments such as Gates Glidden (GG) drills, ProTaper Universal SX, OneFlare, and HyFlex EDM. Materials and Methods: Seventy freshly extracted premolar teeth with single canal were collected. All the teeth were randomly divided into five groups of fourteen each (n = 14), of which one group served as the control and the rest of the four groups were instrumented with GG drills, ProTaper Universal SX, OneFlare, and HyFlex EDM, respectively. Results: The GG drills resulted in a higher rate of crack formation in root dentin (P < 0.05) than the ProTaper Universal SX, OneFlare, and HyFlex EDM instruments (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of GG drills resulted in more crack formation. However, the results for the ProTaper Universal SX, OneFlare, and HyFlex EDM flaring instruments were less in terms of crack formation.

Afaf Bajjig, Florence Cayetanot, J. Andrew Taylor et al.

Spinal cord injury is associated with damage in descending and ascending pathways between brainstem/cortex and spinal neurons, leading to loss in sensory-motor functions. This leads not only to locomotor reduction but also to important respiratory impairments, both reducing cardiorespiratory engagement, and increasing cardiovascular risk and mortality. Moreover, individuals with high-level injuries suffer from sleep-disordered breathing in a greater proportion than the general population. Although no current treatments exist to restore motor function in spinal cord injury (SCI), serotoninergic (5-HT) 1A receptor agonists appear as pharmacologic neuromodulators that could be important players in inducing functional improvements by increasing the activation of spared motoneurons. Indeed, single therapies of serotoninergic 1A (5-HT_1A) agonists allow for acute and temporary recovery of locomotor function. Moreover, the 5-HT_1A agonist could be even more promising when combined with other pharmacotherapies, exercise training, and/or spinal stimulation, rather than administered alone. In this review, we discuss previous and emerging evidence showing the value of the 5HT_1A receptor agonist therapies for motor and respiratory limitations in SCI. Moreover, we provide mechanistic hypotheses and clinical impact for the potential benefit of 5-HT_1A agonist pharmacology in inducing neuroplasticity and improving locomotor and respiratory functions in SCI.

Lídia Cunha, Sílvia Castro Coelho, Maria do Carmo Pereira et al.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are inorganic and biocompatible nanovehicles capable of conjugating biomolecules to enhance their efficacy in cancer treatment. The high and reactive surface area provides good advantages for conjugating active compounds. Two approaches were developed in this work to improve the Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) antioxidant efficacy. AuNPs were synthesized by reducing gold salt with chitosan. One other nanosystem was developed by functionalizing AuNPs with cysteamine using the Turkevitch method. The physico-chemical characterization of EGCG conjugated in the two nanosystems-based gold nanoparticles was achieved. The in vitro toxic effect induced by the nanoconjugates was evaluated in pancreatic cancer cells, showing that encapsulated EGCG keeps its antioxidant activity and decreasing the BxPC3 cell growth. A significant cell growth inhibition was observed in 50% with EGCG concentrations in the range of 2.2 and 3.7 μM in EGCG-ChAuNPs and EGCG-Cyst-AuNPs nanoconjugates, respectively. The EGCG alone had to be present at 23 μM to induce the same cytotoxicity response. Caspase-3 activity assay demonstrated that the conjugation of EGCG induces an enhancement of BxPC3 apoptosis compared with EGCG alone. In conclusion, AuNPs complexes can be used as delivery carriers to increase EGCG antioxidant activity in cancer tissues.

Amanda Cano, Elena Fonseca, Miren Ettcheto et al.

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system characterized by an electrical imbalance in neurons. It is the second most prevalent neurological disease, with 50 million people affected around the world, and 30% of all epilepsies do not respond to available treatments. Currently, the main hypothesis about the molecular processes that trigger epileptic seizures and promote the neurotoxic effects that lead to cell death focuses on the exacerbation of the glutamate pathway and the massive influx of Ca²⁺ into neurons by different factors. However, other mechanisms have been proposed, and most of them have also been described in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Interestingly, and mainly because of these common molecular links and the lack of effective treatments for these diseases, some antiseizure drugs have been investigated to evaluate their therapeutic potential in these pathologies. Therefore, in this review, we thoroughly investigate the common molecular pathways between epilepsy and the major neurodegenerative diseases, examine the incidence of epilepsy in these populations, and explore the use of current and innovative antiseizure drugs in the treatment of refractory epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Daniel Malone, Kirsten Galbraith, Paul J. White et al.

Whilst curriculum revision is commonplace, whole degree transformation is less so. In this paper we discuss the rationale, design and implementation of a unique pharmacy program by a research-intensive faculty. The new Monash pharmacy curriculum, which had its first intake in 2017, was built using a range of key innovations that aimed to produce graduates that demonstrate key conceptual understanding and all the skills required to deliver world-best patient outcomes. The key elements of the re-design are outlined and include the process and principles developed, as well as key features such as a student-centred individualised program of development arranged around specific, authentic tasks for each skill and earlier enhanced experiential placements where students become proficient in entrustable professional activities. It is hoped the dissemination of this process, as well as the lessons learnt in the process, will be useful to others looking to transform a health curriculum.

Grady K. Mukubwa, Christian I. Nkanga, Aristote B. Buya et al.

Context: Garcinia kola seeds are widely used in Congolese traditional medicine to treat uncomplicated malaria. While the ethanolic extract of these seeds (GK) is reputed for oral antimalarial activity, some of its constituents have shown poor water solubility, which might compromise further phytopharmaceutical developments. Aims: To develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for oral delivery of GK, since SNEDDS are promising vehicles for enhancing drug product solubility. Methods: GK was loaded into liquid SNEDDS (solution and suspension) and solid SNEDDS (S-SNEDDS), and the resultant formulations were characterized using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. The antimalarial activity of SNEDDS (200 mg/kg × 4 days, oral) was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using a conventional four-day suppressive test. Results: The characterization of SNEDDS formulations revealed the presence of nanosized structures of spherical morphology and negative surface charge. Data from in vivo study showed reduced parasite growth by 77.9, 73.8 and 74.2% for GK-SNEDDS solution, GK-SNEDDS suspension and GK-S-SNEDDS, respectively. The activity of GK-SNEDDS was found to be greater than that of a licensed GK-based syrup (N’sansiphos®) used at the same dose (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the potential of SNEDDS formulations as a promising alternative for enhancing the antimalarial efficacy of GK following oral administration. The SNEDDS technology holds the promise of improving the oral delivery of herbal-based products for malaria therapy.

Pratibha Verma, Jitendra Mahour

Background: This study is concerned with the changes of electroencephalographic (EEG) from immature neonatal to the development of mature normal EEG pattern with special attention given to the infant’s age (0–12 months), growth, and developmental level. Aims and Objectives: The objective is to study serially development of specific EEG patterns in infants, i.e., from birth to 12 months of age. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal follow-up study conducted on 50 (27 female and 23 male) healthy, normal, full-term infants delivered vaginally in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, starting from the birth to 12 months of age in normal environment in the Department of Physiology EEG-unit for 60 min in 5 different visits, i.e., at birth/0–2 week, 3-month, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Result: This study provides clearly established strong changes in EEG wave pattern and their appearances with increased speed of response, which are most clearly visible from the time of birth, 3–6 months, and at 12 months of age. These marked changes of EEG may be associated with language and other motor milestone development. Conclusion: Sleep characteristics during this period may have predictive value in the assessment of future neurodevelopmental conditions. The study also concluded that the percent of time that infants spend in sleep decreased sharply from 3 to 6 months, but the sleep cycle becomes more defined. The duration of infant’s sleep did not change significantly across the 1st year, but the percent of time spent in active sleep is markedly decreased, i.e., &#8804;25%, and the sleep progresses toward maturity which is confirmed by the establishment of continuity, symmetrical synchronous EEG pattern, and the disappearance of neonatal trace alternant, along with the focusing on measurement of weight and head circumference. [Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018; 8(4.000): 488-492]

G. FRAUSIN, R. B. S. LIMA, A. F. HIDALGO et al.

ABSTRACTIn the current work we performed a review of the Araceae family species traditionally used to treat malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species used worldwide and their great unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms treatment were found. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for the use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the most used parts and decoction was the most common preparation method. The extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite, the Plasmodium falciparum Welch, and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial and cytotoxicity potential of the extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report about the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin presented strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodiumfalciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No live study about antimalarial activity in animal models has been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies about the in vitro and also thein vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed in order to enhance the knowledge about the antimalarial potential of this family.

J. Jablan, S. Inić

Yi Chen, Jingfeng Lu, J. Tao