Pharmaceutical Sciences articles list

The kidney contains mineral deposits in various phases of calcium salts, such as calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4.2H2O) / brushite is a stable form of calcium phosphate, which exists in the form of kidney and bladder stones. The study aimed to explore the possible morphological features of brushite crystals. The study was carried out on a glass slide under a microscope to observe the growth patterns of these crystals. For this purpose, a drop of gel medium (sodium meta silicate solution + 1M orthophosphoric acid solution) at pH 4.99-5.09 was placed in the middle of a glass slide and converted into a gel. A 1M calcium chloride drop was added to form the gel adequately. The glass slide was observed under a microscope till it was completely dried. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate was formed as elementary needles, needle clusters, an assemblage of needles with platy crystals, plates with spatial branches, radiating assemblage of platy crystals, star shape crystals and tetragonal bipyramidal. The Current study provides brushite crystallisation phases on glass slides for the first time. It may also be used as a model to evaluate prophylactic management against renal stones through in vitro assessment of crystal growth and aggregation inhibition and modulation of developing or developed crystals by using different natural products. However, it was a preliminary study with no quantitative or statistical analysis.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Ethnopharmacology is an information exchange and understanding about people's use of plants, fungi, animals, microorganisms and minerals to discover a a wealth of helpful therapeutic agents and explore their toxic potential passed On by oral tradition or in written documented form Materia medica. This study area provides a scientific backbone for developing active therapeutics based on the traditional medicine of various ethnic groups. It is the interdisciplinary scientific exploration of biologically active agents traditionally employed or observed by man. The broad spectrum Of this domain covers social (anthropology), chemical (chemistry), biological (botany, biochemistry, microbiology) and pharmaceutical sciences (pharmacognosy, pharmacology and clinical therapeutics). Many valuable drugs of today (e.g., atropine, ephedrine, tubocurarine, digoxin and reserpine) have been used by studying indigenous remedies. Chemists continue to use plant-derived drugs (e.g., morphine, taxol, physostigmine. quinidine and emetine) as prototypes in their attempts to develop more effective and less toxic medicines. Currently, USP and BP contain many active ingredients/excipients from natural sources. Its objectives include the preservation of indigenous medical knowledge to understand the pharmacological basis Of herbal medicine; scientific study of indigenous drugs to contribute in the long run to promote or improve primary health care in regions of study; search for pharmacologically unique principles from existing indigenous remedies; finding a valid reason to guard the rainforests or to engage in conservation; establish gene banks and libraries of plant extracts for future biological evaluation: well-established germplasm banks for essential crops. Ethnopharmacology can be an innovative and powerful discovery engine for newer, safer, and more affordable medicines from the treasure house (traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples) of ancient wisdom.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Plant secondary metabolites refer to various chemical compounds that plants produce. Still, they are not directly involved in essential growth processes like primary metabolites (such as sugars, amino acids, and lipids). The term "secondary metabolite" has generated controversy, as it implies these compounds are of minor importance to plants. "Special metabolites" may be a more suitable term. These metabolites protect plants from both abiotic and biotic stress. The vast diversity of plant secondary metabolites showcases plants' incredible adaptability and versatility, providing an arsenal of chemical tools to defend against herbivores, protect from pathogens, attract pollinators and seed dispersers, adaptability and thrive in environmental interactions. Plants can, therefore, survive under less-than-ideal conditions. The profound impact of plant secondary metabolites highlights the intricate relationship between plants and humanity, opening doors to innovative applications with far-reaching implications.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

This work was focused on identification and evaluation of process parameters of modified nanoprecipitation method, for fabrication of lomustine nanoparticles, with the aim of reducing cancer cell viability at low concentration of lomustine. The parameters controlling particle size, mostly in nanosize, were solvent/nonsolvent composition and emulsification speed of homogenizer along with aqueous phase volume. This controlled particle size is below 250 nm. The stabilizer concentration controlled particle size is within 68 nm ± 0.89 to 137 ± 0.94 nm with PDI 0.06 ± 0.008 to 0.25 ± 0.001. But, the stabilizer addition mode showed more uniform size distribution with PDI 0.085 ± 0.004. Entrapment efficiency was maintained well above 47 ± 0.23%. The drug release pattern was monophasic with controlled release over 24 hrs. In the method used, drug content was affected by ratio of polymer to drug to organic solvent, as well as homogenization speed and time. Percentage viable cells of L132 human lung cancer cell line remained, were only 5% at 100 μg/ml lomustine equivalent PLA nanoparticles.

Archana Mehrotra

This study was aimed to develop lomustine loaded chitosan nanoparticles using a homogenization and spray drying technique. Effect of crosslinking agents (sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), and sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP)) were studied on the leaching of drug, water uptake of hydrogels, drug release from matrix and its mechanism. Nanoparticles were obtained in the average size range of 111±16.2 to 942±11.7 nm with polydispersity index (PDI) from 0.116±0.039 to 0.517±0.037. Zeta potential of nanoparticles was ranged from 29.0±1.1 to 56.0±1.1 mV. The % encapsulation effi ciency of nanoparticles ranged between 58±0.88% and 96±0.51%.nanoparticles were coated with PEG 6000 to modulate drug release. Swelling index of chitosan-TPP and chitosan-TPP-PEG nanoparticles was about 428% and 350% over the 4 h and it was more (about 465% and 395%) for chitosan-HMP and chitosan-HMP-PEG nanoparticles. Drug release was sustained and diffusion controlled. Optimized formulation was tested for anticancer activity and drug retention study. Cytotoxicity on human lung cancer cell line L132 was studied by trypan blue dye exclusion test. Drug loaded nanoparticles killed L132 cells more effi ciently than the corresponding drug alone (p< 0.05). Due to the increased surface area lomustine loaded TPP and HMP crosslinked chitosan nanoparticles showed better anticancer activity.

Archana Mehrotra

The present study describes the use of an aqueous solution containing a blend of hydrotropic solubilizing agents (mixed hydrotropic substance’s solution) as a successful solvent system utilizing the concept of mixed hydrotropy for spectrophotometric analytical estimation of various conventional formulations as well as novel drug delivery systems. Frusemide, a poorly water-soluble drug, was estimated by application of mixed hydrotropic solubilization method. There was more than 15-fold enhancement in aqueous solubility of frusemide in a solution of blend of hydrotropic agents which consisted of 30% urea, 13.6% sodium acetate and 11.8% sodium citrate. This solvent mixture was employed to solubilize the drug from the fine powder of tablet formulations as well as the niosomes of frusemide. The selected λmax for spectrophotometric estimation was 333 nm. The hydrotropic agents used in the analysis and additives used in the manufacture of tablets and preparation of niosomes did not interfere in the analysis. Statistical data proved the accuracy, reproducibility and precision of the proposed method. The results suggested that proposed method is new, rapid, simple, accurate, and reproducible as well as employed aqueous solvent instead of organic solvents in estimation of drug from the dosage forms.

Archana Mehrotra

In the present study nanoparticles of lomustine were fabricated using chitosan polymer crosslinked with different crosslinking agents like sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate. Different formulations of nanoparticles were prepared using different concentrations of crosslinking agents and polyethylene glycol 6000. The average particle size ranged between 112 nm to 942 nm. Zeta potential of nanoparticles ranged between 29.0 mV up to 56.0 mV. Encapsulation efficiency was variable from 58%-96%. The nanoparticles were solid spherical. In vitro drug release study was carried out in phosphate buffered saline solution pH 7.4 for 10 h. The analysis of regression values of Higuchi plot suggested diffusional mechanism and follows Fick's law of diffusion. Drug polymer interaction was absent as evidenced by FT-IR spectra and DSC thermograms. With polyethylene glycol inclusion shows interaction between lomustine and PEG. Cell viability assay (MTT Assay) showed that the lomustine nanoparticles were able to reduce the tumour cell proliferation and increased cell viability significantly (p< 0.05) as compared to pure drug in L 132 human lung cancer cell line

Archana Mehrotra

Anemia is a common health problem among Libyan women. Age, heavy menstruation, and pregnancy are vital risk factors for this problem. In this study, we prospectively examined 60 Libyan women all of which were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, their hemoglobin levels were less than 10.0 g/dl. The level of hemoglobin is also analyzed for vegetarian and charcoal-eating women. We found that during pregnancy charcoal-eating women exhibit lower hemoglobin levels than non-eating women. Pregnant young women in the age of 17-27 years have the lowest hemoglobin levels than the other age groups. In addition, vegetarians, heavy coffee and tea drinking, and heavy menstruation in non-pregnant women, as well as breastfeeding, strongly lower hemoglobin levels as measured by their complete blood count.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin; it is present in the highest concentration in the brain. Ascorbic acid in high doses acts as a potential treatment for various neuropathological and psychiatric conditions. Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist; it competitively inhibits the activity of benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine substances that interact with benzodiazepine receptors site on the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex. This study aims to investigate the effect of flumazenil on the anxiolytic action of ascorbic acid using an elevated plus maze model of anxiety in rats. Male Albino Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 320 grams were used. Rats were divided into four equal groups of seven rats each and treated as follows: Group I, the control group received a single dose of 1.0% tween 80; Group II treated with a single dose of 125 mg/kg ascorbic acid; Group III was injected by a single dose of 1.0 mg/kg flumazenil; Group IV received a combination treatment of 125 mg/kg ascorbic acid and 1.0 mg/kg flumazenil. Behavioural measurements using a plus maze were scored 30 min after the administration. The parameters scored are the time spent on the open and closed arms, the lines and number of entries into open and closed arms, and the anxiety measure. Ascorbic acid decreased anxiety measure and increased the total lines and total number of entries; this effect was abolished by the administration of flumazenil with ascorbic acid. Thus, ascorbic acid produces an anxiolytic-like effect in rats; this effect was abolished by flumazenil administration with ascorbic acid. This may indicate that the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex has to be stimulated to produce the anxiolytic effect.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences