Pharmacology articles list

Prescribing drugs for elderly patients is not an easy task since elderly patients are frequently with comorbid conditions. In Libya, there are no guidelines for the management of medications used in elderly patients and no specialized geriatric health institutions. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of medication use among hospitalized elderly patients in Sebha Medical Centre and the drug-related problems associated with these patterns. This report is descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study that is conducted at Sebha Medical Center during 2021. Potential drug-related problems were assessed based on the classification of Hepler and Strand. In this study, out of 195 participants, most of the patients have been given antibiotics (92%). The majority of patients have been prescribed anti-gastric agents, vitamins and anti-thrombotic agents which accounted for 75%, 62% and 55%, respectively. To less extent, anti-hypertensive agents, analgesics and anti-hyperlipidemics were reported by 45%, 43% and 38%, correspondently. Almost all the patients have at least one event of drug-related problem and more than three-quarters of the patients had more than one event of drug-related problems. The highest rate was untreated indications which were reported for 77% then followed by drug use without indication nearly a half of the events 48%. To fewer extent rates were reported: “in improper drug selection”, “drug interaction” and “adverse effects” which were reported for 25%, 23% and 18% of the total events, respectively. Almost all elderly patients have been prescribed antibiotics, analgesics and vitamins. Drug-related problems are predominant prevalent in the clinical practice at the center. This study highlights the importance of activation of clinical pharmacist interventions at hospitals which can contribute to reducing the chance of risk of drug-related problems events among hospitalized elderly patients and ensuring rational drug prescribing in the geriatric clinical settings.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Although, antibiotics play a fundamental role in control of infectious diseases still the injudicious prescription of antibacterial agents and antibiotic resistance are a global problem. This study aims to assess prescribing pattern of antibiotics and to provide a baseline data about behaviors of physicians prescribing antibiotics during pediatric consultations. In this study, a total of 316 pediatric patients of both genders were receiving different antimicrobial therapy were evaluated during 2021 in pediatric health care services in Bayda, Libya. Data revealed that the average of drugs prescribed was 4.10 per patient while the average of antimicrobials was 2.30 per prescription. Most of the antibiotics were prescribed for the respiratory tract infections (34.0%) and followed by the urinary tract infections (29.0%). Cephalosporins and penicillins were the most common antibiotics prescribed in this study. In conclusion, these findings show the presence of polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing pattern. To improve and minimize the unnecessary prescribing of antimicrobial agents, a continuous training program for physicians, as well as engaged pharmacists in health care services are needed.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Community pharmacist plays an essential role in educating the epileptic patients about their disease and medications. Improving the patient’s awareness may lead to improve their compliance and decrease drug-drug interaction and ultimately improve their quality of life. Pharmacist can detect the emergence of health problems and can help prevent progression of comorbidities. Considering the complexity of treating epilepsy and the lack of information about pharmacists’ contributions to epilepsy management, pharmacist performed pharmaceutical counselling, pharmaco-therapeutic follow-up and systematic measurement and evaluation of findings and increase medication adherence of patient with epilepsy. This study was aimed to assess the community pharmacist's knowledge about epilepsy and their treatment by antiepileptic drugs in Libya. The design of the study is a cross sectional study. The knowledge was collected through a questionnaire which included 35 questions divided into three sections: demographic data, general information about epilepsy and information about epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs. The questionnaire was prepared and validated by consultant training in Ali Omer Asker Hospital in Tripoli for two months. The findings indicate that over 200 patients are altered viewed, of whom, only epileptic patients were observed. The majority of the participants were female, qualification degree BSc and years of experience from one to five years. Unfortunately, some of the participants (40.0%) had poor knowledge and about 60.0% of them had good knowledge. This study indicates that the importance of community pharmacist in Libya requires more improvement to achieve the existing function and that the impact of continuous study of everything related to diseases and medicines is important to obtain a qualified pharmacist who can become an effective agent for a change.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Consumption of energy drinks was significantly associated with sleep problems, which are progressively used regardless of negative health effects particularly among adolescents and young adults. The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between energy drinks and sleep patterns on college students by more than one parameter. Target number of students was taken to be 1 000 participants and the study reached 434 participants were invited via self-administered questionnaire at Libyan International Medical University students during 2020 and 2021 in all levels which consisted of 20 questions and the main measurements are dependency, negative effect of energy drink and effect of energy drink on sleep. The results showed that the consumption prevalence rate of energy drinks amongst participants is 59.4%. The majority of participants enrolled in this study are male (52.5%) and 47.5% were female students. In conclusion: energy drinks consumption is a risk factor of poor sleep quality between Libyan International Medical University students. An awareness must be increased about energy drinks consumption to confirm the relation to sleep quality and general health.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Aim: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the chloroform extract of the selected Glinus lotodies linn plant by using Paracetamol induced hepatic injury in albino rats. Methods: The chloroform extract of Glinus lotodies linn was allowed for screening hepatoprotective activity on Paracetamol induced Albino rats and they were compared with standard and negative control. Results: The drug treatment Chloroform Extract of Glinus lotodies linn [CEGL] was carried out at two low dose levels 200mg and 400mg/ kg, both of which along the standard Silymarin 100mg/kg treated group showed a significant reduction in the elevated enzyme levels (P < 0.01). Liver section shows normal cells compared to control. Conclusion: These data suggests a dose dependent hepatoprotective activity of CEGL. At the end of this study, a strong conclusion can be drawn that the Chloroform Extract of Glinus lotoides linn possess hepatoprotective activities induced by Paracetamol in Albino rats.

Sudha Rameshwari.K Assistant Professor

The present study deals with the phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antibacterial activity of hydroalcohol, acetone, and hexane extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the agar well diffusion method. Gastric volume, pH, total and free acidity and the ulcerative index was also measured in hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava on gastric ulcer pyloric ligation in rat. Glycosides, terpenoids, and tannins are only present in the hydro alcohol extract. The extracts are tested against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains. The zone of inhibition against microorganisms is direct proportional to the concentration of extract. Maximum zone of inhibition (24mm) against Staphylococcus aureus except hexane extract was seen. Psidium guajava leaves show maximum phytochemicals compounds and inhibition of microorganisms in hydroalcoholic extract. So the hydroalcoholic extraction was used for anti-ulcer activity. The present study was performed in pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model in albino rats in which the ability of hydroalcoholic extracts of Psidium guajava was tested at a dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight orally and compared with Ranitidine (10 mg/kg) as standard. From the results it is concluded hydro alcohol leaf extracts of Psidium guajava 400 mg/kg dose level showed significant anti-ulcer activity when compared to that of standard drug.

Sudha Rameshwari.K Assistant Professor

In some countries, a high percentage of the population relies on traditional plants for treating certain diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of G. alypum extract (GAE) and Alhagj marorum extract (AME) on lipid profiles in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats and on the blood pressure of experimentally induced hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 200 - 300 g were divided into five groups: group 1 received a normal diet (negative control), group 2 received a high lipid diet containing coconut oil (10 g/kg/day), cholesterol (4 g/kg/day) and cholic acid (0.20 g/kg/day) (positive control), group 3 received a high lipid diet together with clofibrate (50 mg/kg/day), group 4 received a high lipid diet together with AME (200 mg/kg/day) and group 5 received GAE (200 mg/kg/day). The experiment continued for two weeks, then the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. To induce hypertension, rats were divided into two groups (n = 8 in each group). Group 1 received normal saline (control) and Group 2 received dexamethasone (0.40 mg/kg, i.p.) for seven consecutive days. Later, the rats were anesthetized using thiopental and the carotid artery was cannulated for recording blood pressure. AME (40 mg/kg) or GAE (40 mg/kg) were injected through a cannula placed into the internal jugular vein at a dose volume of 0.1 ml. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after plant extract administration. The results showed that clofibrate GAE extract and ANE extract significantly decreased cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein as compared to high-lipid diet-treated rats. Data also indicated that administration of GAE or AME extract significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in experimentally induced hypertensive rats. In conclusion, GAE and AME have antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive activities and further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanism of these effects.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Hepatitis B virus infection is a major health problem worldwide. More than 400 million people are suffering from this infectious disease. Alhagi Maurorum (camel thorn, CTE) is used in Libyan folk medicine for hepatitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the camel thorn on the hepatitis B virus. After a pharmacological and toxicological screening of camel thorns on experimental animals in our laboratories, in an open-label study, 15 patients of either gender were chosen at random with their consent (consent form signed). The patients had no liver cirrhosis and were not alcoholics. Following clinical testing, the patients were given a low, safe dose of camel thorn powder (2.6 g soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes) three times per day for six months. The viral load was measured before treatment and three and six months after the beginning of the experiment by polymerase chain reaction. The complete blood picture, the level of transaminases, bilirubin, creatinine, blood glucose, lipid profile, thyroid function, and prothrombin were assessed before and after three months after the beginning of the experiment. Our data showed no significant changes in the complete blood picture, creatinine, blood urea, glucose level, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile, prothrombin, and thyroid function. The levels of viral load before, three months after, and six months after the beginning of our study were 1689 ± 289, 558 ± 160, and 271 ± 026 IU per mL, respectively. From this study, we may conclude that the camel thorn is safe and showed activity against viral hepatitis B, however, further investigations are needed by increasing the number of patients and using higher doses of plant extract to explore its mechanism of action. Finally, the mechanism of camel thorn may be related either to its antiviral effect or to the stimulation of either endogenous interferon or the immune system.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Obesity is a complex and challenging global public health concern. It is a major disease involving excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is dangerous and has been related to a range of long-term health issues that can impact adults and children. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide are obese as of March 2022. In the Libyan situation, the prevalence of obesity has increased among the public over the last decade. This cross-sectional survey-based study is conducted by using self-structured designed questionnaire to evaluate the use of anti-obesity drugs and herbal products among Libyan people. Additionally, considered as an indirect method, pharmacist performance in obesity management was also evaluated. The investigators collected interview data from three different cities in the Northwest of Libya over a period of five months, 2019. A total of 170 participants who use weight loss products were randomly selected to participate in the study after obtaining their verbal consent. The participants' experience with weight reduction agents revealed that more than half of the participants (52.3%) used herbal products while 32.0% of the participants have used drugs of chemical origin and 15.6% have used both (herbal and drugs). The majority of the participants (91.4%) used these products without medical consultation which in turn led to failure to lose and maintain weight with 74.2% gaining weight after stopping using these products. In conclusion, poor pharmacist intervention in obesity management was revealed where the majority of the participants reported that Libyan community pharmacists had not been offering weight management services, monitoring weight loss progress, or explaining the risks of being overweight or obese.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Drug-drug interaction is an important issue for the development of safe pharmaceutical drugs. Propranolol is a non-selective, competitive antagonist at beta-adrenergic receptors. Propranolol is used to control hypertension, pheochromocytoma, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Also, it is used to control symptoms of sympathetic overactivity in management of hyperthyroidism, anxiety disorders and tremor. Phenytoin is a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, it is a major anti-convulsant drug that is very effective in controlling a wide variety of seizure disorders. In this study, elevated plus maze test was applied using five groups of male Albino mice, where each group consists of six mice. The first group is control and given 01.0% tween 80 with a dose of 5.0 ml/kg, the second group received propranolol 10 mg/kg, the third group received phenytoin 20 mg/kg, the fourth group received a combination of propranolol and phenytoin and the fifth group received diazepam (1.0 mg/kg) as a standard. It was found that propranolol alone produces anti-anxiety effect which is abolished when administered with phenytoin. Thus, the combined treatment of propranolol and phenytoin showed no significant difference compared to phenytoin alone or propranolol alone. It can be concluded that propranolol has anti-anxiety like effect an phenytoin antagonizes the propranolol anxiolytic effect when administered together. Propranolol, phenytoin and the combination of both decrease the spontaneous motor activity of mice. Propranolol and phenytoin partially antagonize each other on the spontaneous motor activity.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Worldwide, the threat created by antibiotic resistance to public health calls for immediate action. Antibiotic resistance is one of the main causes of the emergence and spread of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription. This study aims to investigate the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription and the reason behind that in the community pharmacy in Libya. The study was randomized analytical conducted between March and April 2023 among pharmacists and assistant pharmacists employed by community pharmacies in various Libyan areas Tripoli, Zawia, and Sabratha. The data were analyzed by Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests to predict the determinations of dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions. In this study, a total of 293 participants were included, 63 had been excluded because they did not meet the inclusion of the study. The remaining 230 were enrolled for final analysis, most of them were female subjects (70.7%). Findings showed that 78.7% of the participants consulted with patients about the reason for requesting a specific type of antibiotic, while 68.7% dispensed antibiotics with probiotics. Study participants with 2 - 4 years' work experience were 76.6% higher toward dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription (P=0.683). The major reason for dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions were pharmacists knowledgeable enough to give a patient antibiotics without a prescription (68.3%). In Libya, misuse of antibiotics by the public is widespread. People can purchase antibiotics without prescription. Thus, dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription in community pharmacies is an alarming issue in Libya which can increase antibiotics resistance. Pharmacists' knowledgeable is high in dispensing patients antibiotics without a prescription, but patient pressure and financial issues are the major reasons behind dispensing antibiotics without a prescription. It can be recommended that the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the need for ongoing education support for community pharmacy professionals is of importance.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are actions or events that occur when two or more drugs administered together, may cause a clinical significance or not. There are certain factors that may affect the severity of DDIs such as age, gender, number of drugs prescribed, and physician specialists. This study aims to answer: Is there DDI in Libyan community pharmacies? In addition, to explore the factors that might be affecting DDI. Drug Interactions Checkers are used. 200 prescriptions were collected randomly from two different areas ( high and low income),100 from each one and were used to investigate the DDIs by using two different sources (Drugs.com and BNF platforms), bearing in mind, age, gender, prescribers’ specialty, and drug number (prescription size). A personal interview questionnaire with pharmacists for investigate a source of DDI knowledge was considered. The correlation test was used to analysis the findings. The randomly selected sample has 316 drug combinations. The study has revealed a minimum of three drugs (46.0%). In general, Drugs.com was the richer source of DDI than BNF (66.5% and 34.5%, respectively). It is found that 66.5% (67.0% of this is moderate DDI) of these combinations have DDI by Drugs.com. A significant correlation between DDI and gender (male > female, p = 0.035) was found. In a state of residential areas, the results are similar in both selected pharmacies. Most moderate DDIs (21.0% and 15.0%) are prescribed by orthopedics and psychiatrists, respectively. The observational interview questionnaire indicated that 100% of the participating pharmacists had no source of knowledge regarding DDI, 100% of 200 prescriptions had no chick it regarding DDI and 100% of found DDI is released to use by community pharmacies to patients. More than half of the prescribed drug combinations have DDIs (classified as moderate DDIs), and all of them are released for use by pharmacists.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Hybanthus enneaspermus, traditionally used as an aphrodisiac was investigated for its potential to reverse antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in female rats. The aqueous extract was evaluated for secondary metabolite, amino acid and mineral constituents. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, terpenoids, phenolics, calcium, potassium, sodium, glutamine and leucine are some of its notable constituents. 60 healthy, sexually responsive female albino rats (144.7±5.9 gm) were divided into six groups (A-F) of 10 rats each; of which 50 were induced into sexual dysfunction. Rats in group A were administered distilled water throughout the experimental period and served as a control group, while rats induced into sexual dysfunction (Groups B-F) by fluoxetine were given water, the reference medication (Tadalafil) and oral doses of the extract (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) once daily for seven days, respectively. When administered to sexually active rats, fluoxetine significantly decreased the frequency of darting, hopping, lordosis, genital grooming, and licking behavior by 57.4%, 42.5%, 43.9%, 64.0%, and 41.8%, respectively. However, the latency of darting, hopping and lordosis were significantly increased by 50.6%, 47.7%, and 54.9%, respectively. Hybanthus enneaspermus aqueous extract administered at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg significantly reversed fluoxetine-mediated changes in all sexual behavior parameters. The extract's ability to reverse the characteristics of sexual behavior at 1000 mg/kg was comparable to those of tadalafil-treated rats. Additionally, all the extract dosages reversed the levels of blood luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone, prolactin and estrogen after it has significantly been altered by fluoxetine. The results indicated that the aqueous extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus improved the proceptive, receptive and orientational behavior of rats. The extract also enhanced reproductive hormone concentration by restoring sexual competence in sexually-impaired female rats. The findings of this study provide further evidence in favor of Hybanthus enneaspermus widespread usage in the management of female sexual dysfunction.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Datura arborea Linn is a sacred plant known for over 3000 years to have been used for magical and curative purposes. It was shown to have a central nervous system depressant effect. The active substances identified were tropane alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine, and hyosine. Therefore, we aimed to find out whether the ethanol extract of Datura arborea Linn has sedative and hypnotic activity. The extract was subjected to a thiopental sodium-induced sleep test and diazepam was used as a standard drug. The plant possesses sedative-hypnotic qualities, the findings indicate that doses of 35 mg/kg (2.70.24 min), 70 mg/kg (3.80.19 min), and 140 mg/kg (4.30.20 min) decreased the control's (9.2 min) latency to fall asleep. In comparison to the control, the length of sleep was increased by 23.46 minutes for 35 mg/kg (99.002.99 min), 70 mg/kg (132.605.53 min), and 140 mg/kg (118.606.04 min), respectively. The present study established the acute toxicity of Datura arborea Linn to be less than 600 mg/kg in mice. This study indicated that the ethanol extract of Datura arborea Linn has a sedative-hypnotic activity in the diazepam-induced sleep test. It is safe to suggest that the extract acts via either β-receptor by causing hyperpolarization or a decrease in spike activity in the cell, leading to relaxation, but these effects were not blocked by β-antagonist or α2-receptor to decrease acetylcholine release, leading to relaxation of the smooth muscle.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Paracetamol is one of the most found over the counter drugs worldwide. It is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic drug. Many commercial types of paracetamol tablets are available under different brand names in the Libyan drug market. The present study was conducted to evaluate post-marketing quality parameters for three brands of paracetamol tablets marketed in Libya. All three brands were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time and uniformity of content following British pharmacopeia guidelines. The outcomes of this study showed all tested brands complied with the British pharmacopeia specifications for the weight variation test, friability test (0.05%-0.17%), and hardness test (171.3N-197.6 N). In addition, two brands passed the British pharmacopeia requirements for the disintegration time test, whereas one brand exceeded the allowed disintegration time by about five minutes. Furthermore, high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine paracetamol content. Although the average amount of paracetamol drug available in these brands is not very close to 100%, where one brand achieved the lowest value (438.1 mg), the loaded dose of paracetamol in selected tablets in the three brands was within the British pharmacopeia standard specifications for the uniformity content test. Therefore, it can be concluded that almost all the three tested brands of paracetamol tablets that are available in the Libyan drug market meet the British pharmacopeia specification for quality control analysis.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacists are expected to play major roles as members of diverse perioperative care teams besides implementing medication safety standards, pharmacist’s roles include optimizing drug therapy and other clinical interventions. Yet, developing general perioperative management as another crucial role operation room, pharmacists play and incorporating it into pharmaceutical education would be important. Enriching perioperative care provided by pharmacists can contribute toward improving the clinical competence of these professionals. Presently, there are no pharmacists in Zawia who participate in perioperative care. The objective of this study was to assess the pharmacist's knowledge of general anesthesia and drugs used to anesthetize patients who suffer from hypertension. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zawia City, Tripoli in 2023. A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to 100 pharmacists. The study found that more than half of the pharmacists have humble knowledge about the drugs used in anesthesia, the findings indicated weakness in their information about drugs used to manage hypertension in surgery, and 36.0% know that sodium nitroprusside is used to control blood pressure during the operation. In conclusion, this study reported that some of the study's pharmacist participants had weak points that contributed to a high percentage of incorrect knowledge. These weak points may be attributable to poor educational preparation or a lack of training before the pharmacists began working in hospitals.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The need for natural medicine and nutrients from natural product sources cannot be overstressed. Plant parts like leaves, stem, root, seed, nut and flowers supply enormous minerals, phytochemicals and other bioactive constituents apart from the primary metabolites. Terminalia Catappa (T. catappa) is a combretaceous plant often found in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant has many uses as an ingredient of various drugs such as anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrheal. Thus, the main objective of this study was to determine the proximate, mineral and physicochemical analysis of T. catappa seed nuts. The proximate composition was determined according to the previous standard methods and elemental analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Flame Photometer. Proximate composition revealed a moisture content of 02.34%, ash 03.89%, fibre content 08.50%, crude protein 29.66%, fat 21.98% and carbohydrate 33.63%. Elemental analysis of the plant have indicated the presence of iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper and chromium in the aqueous extract. Physicochemical parameters of the plant revealed a specific gravity of 0.9182, viscosity 33.62 mm2/s, refractive index 1.4642, acid value of 0.102 mg KOH/g, saponification value of 151.28 mg KOH/g, iodine value 47.19 g I2/100 g and peroxide value 8.93 meq/kg. In conclusion, the findings from this study confirmed that almond nut oil has a long shelf life which may explain its applications in pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical and personal care industries.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Crinum jagus, family- Amaryllidaceae, commonly called river lily is an important medicinal plant used in the treatment of cough. It is an anti-venom agent used among the rural people in south-western Nigeria. The research is aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and analgesic activity of Cinium jagus bulb in BALB/c mice. The bulb was extracted with methanol in a soxhlet extractor apparatus. Phytochemical screening was performed according to standard methods. Alkaloid fraction was obtained using separation by extraction and characterized by infra-red (I.R) analysis. Acute toxicity test was done before analgesic activity was determined in BALB/c albino mice using the hot plate model. The result indicated the presence of some bioactive constituents like alkaloids, terpenoids and saponin. I.R bands were observed at 1064.74 cm 1 (C-O) stretch of alcohol; 1415.80 cm-1 (C-H) bend of alkyl groups and 1639.55 cm-1 (N-H) stretch of amine among others. The extract significantly increased the mean latency time of mice on the hot plate when compared with control with 100 mg/kg at 120 minutes. This study indicates that the Crinum Jagus bulb possesses analgesic potential.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Environmental factors are known to influence carcinogenesis. Pollutants, such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are examples of environmental borne procarcinogens. Procarcinogens are not active carcinogens although, they require bio-activation, via enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) to transform to active product. CYP1A1 isoform, regulated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a significant role in the bio-activation of PAHs and HAs. AhR has multiple co-activators and co-repressors for AhR that have been identified S remarkably. Silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) was designated as a major co-repressor for AhR. In the present study, it is examined the effect of SMRT over expression on the cyp1a1 mRNA levels in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cell line. Hepa 1c1c7 cells were maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and competent cells have successfully been produced using calcium chloride method. Cells were transformed using plasmid DNA and Lipofectamine. TCDD (2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was employed as an inducing agent for CYP1A1. The total cellular RNA was isolated and real-time PCR of Cyp1a1 was conducted. A statistical analysis was conducted by using one-way analysis of variance followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. The results showed that cells transfected with the co-repressor SMRT has lower TCDD-mediated induction of cyp1a1 mRNA without affecting constitutive Cyp1a1 mRNA levels, i.e., SMRT was able to significantly decrease inducible Cyp1a1 mRNA levels in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. The present findings also demonstrated that calcium chloride is a convenient method for routine transformation. Thus, this study opens a new avenue for the management of carcinogenesis involving CYP1A1 inducing carcinogens.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Diabetes mellitus is a common and chronic metabolic disorder. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus leads to body organ damage if not treated properly. Educational intervention is necessary from health-care providers such as pharmacists to prevent or reduce organ damage and complications among the diabetic patients. Several studies have demonstrated the contribution of pharmacists in achieving a better control of diabetes mellitus. Thus, this study intended to assess the knowledge and practice regarding foot care among Libyan diabetic patients in Al-Bayda city. In addition, to determine the association between knowledge and practice regarding diabetic foot care with selected demographic variables. This is a cross sectional study conducted at Diabetes Center Aljabal Al akhdar in Al-Bayda between April and August, 2022. A total of 400 participants with diabetes were enrolled and interviewed by using a self-design questionnaire for knowledge and practice of foot care after taking verbal agreement. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 26.0. In this study, 191 subjects were male (47.8%) and 209 subjects (52.3%) were female. On the topic of foot care, 51.8% of the participants stated they did know how to perform correct foot hygiene and 33.5% stated that drying should consist of passing a towel between their toes. Female subjects statistically had more knowledge than male subjects on the right footwear and correct way of nail cutting (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). In relation to practice, the frequency of patients with a good practice was 126 (31.5%) and with poor practice was 274 (68.5%). Evaluating the parameters dry, moisturize and nail cutting, women showed a significant difference in relation to men, with a high significance level in the three parameters. In conclusion, the knowledge and practice of foot care in Libyan patients with diabetes were poor. So, an educational program is recommended to improve the awareness of foot care. Diabetic patients should be provided information about self-care of their feet by health care providers such as pharmacists to prevent and delay onset of foot complications and improve the quality of life.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences