ABSTRACT

Psychopharmacology is the study of substances that influences behavior or mental state. It is the combination of psychology and pharmacology. There are various psychological reasons that can influence a person’s mind and can lead them to suicidal ideation. Suicide is a fatal, self- injurious act with few evidence of motive to die. It is the deliberate killing of oneself. Youth and adolescence are the time of development in which children hatch out from their protective shell and begin to fly in the world of reality and dreams. They are the future of the world. But there are various factors which affect these individuals which are known as the risk factors. It can be due to their high expectations towards life or other factors. Such situations inevitably lead to some level of helplessness, insecurity, stress and a sense of loss of control. These can have a negative impact in their lives and can lead to suicidal ideation. So, initiatives should be taken to identify these youngsters and provide the support they need for defeating all these negative factors and rise them high in their lives. It can be done only with the help of their parents, teachers, friends and the society along with suicide preventing resources.

Keywords: Psychopharmacology, suicide, risk factors, protective factors, prevention

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate, learning and memory enhancing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of whole plant of Sida veronicaefolia in rats using Elevated plus maze(EPM), Hebb William Maze(HWM), and Morris water maze(MWM) and to evaluate brain Acetylcholine esterase activity ,lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase and glutathione level. Rats were divided into 7 groups of 6 no each. Group 1(control) animals received vehicle , Group 2 animals received scopolamine (0.4mg/kg i.p.), on 19^th and 27^th day only, Groups 3 and 4 animals received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg p.o. of aqueous extraction of Sida veronicaefolia. Group 5 and 6 animals received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg p.o. of ethanolic extraction of Sida veronicaefolia and Group 7 animals received piracetam (400mg/kg i.p.) for 27 days, followed by scopolamine (0.4mg/kg i.p.) single dose on 19^th and 27^th day only. Assessment of transfer latency (TL), time taken to reach reward chamber (TRC) and assessment of swim latency (SL) was one on 19^th and 27^th day using elevated plus maze, Hebb William maze and Morris water maze. Animals were sacrificed on 27^th day, brain acetylcholine esterase activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity and glutathione level were estimated. The data was expressed as mean ± S.E.M. The statistical analysis was done by means of ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hock test. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sida veronicaefolia decreased Tranfer Latency, Time taken to reach Reward Chamber and Sim Latency in comparison to scopolamine treated rats, decreased acetylcholine esterase activity and lipid peroxidation and increased super oxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase activity in brain.

Keywords: Learning, Memory, EPM, HWM, MWM, Piracetam, Scopolamine

ABSTRACT

Digital radiography allows the user to replace film-screen systems without the need to replace other parts of the X-ray system. The aim of this work is to ensure that radiology facility produces consistently high-quality images with minimum radiation doses to the patients and workers. This is achieved by planning a systematic Quality Assurance (QA) program. A number of Quality Control (QC) tests were performed consisting of a series of standardized procedures developed to detect changes in X-ray equipment's functions from its original level of performance. Four QC tests were acquired and analyzed. The first one is tube voltage, exposure, exposure time reproducibility tests. The main objective of this multi test is to investigate the ability of radiographic unit to produce the same exposure even though in short intervals. Secondly, tube voltage accuracy and kVp accuracy is maintained to ensure that the desired technique is coming out of the tube. After that mAs linearity which is the ability of radiographic unit to produce a constant radiation output for various combinations of mA and exposure time. The forth test is Half Value Layer (HVL) which is the amount of absorbing material that will reduce the intensity of the primary beam to one-half its original value. Finally the image the image quality is also assessed. The digital X-ray machine namely (Siemens 4803404X1953) successfully pass all the QC tests. In other word the calibration establishment accuracy confirm that, the X-Ray machine result is pass. This comply with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (KSA-SFDA) that covered all medical regulatory aspects of ionizing radiation of diagnostic X-ray facilities for all practices requirements. The obtained results were performed according to the results and recommendations of the AAPM and ICRP103.

Keywords: QA, QC, X-ray, Equipment Assessment, Exposure Measurements.

ABSTRACT

Prodrugs are unique due to special features in contrast to drugs. The primary goal of prodrug design is to conceal harmful drug features, such as low solubility in water or lipid membranes, low target selectivity, chemical instability, undesirable taste, irritation or pain after local administration, presystemic metabolism and toxicity. The prodrug approach emphasizes on the improvements accomplished by developing the prodrug as compared to the free or parent drug. By determining market exclusivity, assessing viability and finding an optimum development pathway such as that offered by the 505(b)(2) process, developers may find that prodrugs present an ideal alternative to new drug development. There is no guidance on the acceptable development path for prodrugs. A clear understanding of what the classification means in terms of the studies required to support clinical development is needed.

Keywords: Prodrugs, regulatory perspective, patent, FDA Approval, regulatory pathways, challenges

ABSTRACT

Bilayer floating tablets of Drotaverine HCL were developed by direct compression method. Immediate release layer contains 20 mg of drug and super disintegrant sodium starch glycolate, serves the purpose of loading dose. Sustained release layer contained HPMC K100, natural polymers like xanthan gum, guar gum, karaya gum release the drug for 12 hours’ time. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are used to produce effervescence. Floating lag time of optimized tablet is 92 sec, whereas floating duration is more than 12 hours. FTIR results revealed that there was no interaction between drug and HPMC K100 / xanthan gum. The post compression parameters of developed tablets were found to be satisfactory. In this study, it was confirmed that the formulations containing HPMC K100, have shown better floating properties and finally the formulation containing a combination of HPMC K100 and xanthan gum in 3:1 ratio, has exhibited decent sustained drug release properties. The release kinetics of optimized formulation prepared with the combination of HPMC K100 and xanthan gum followed zero order kinetics.

Keywords: Floating Bilayer Tablet, Drotaverine HCL, HPMC K100, Xanthan Gum, FTIR.

ABSTRACT

Ethanol-induced memory impairment in rats is a consequence of changes within the central nervous system that are secondary to impaired oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants and cholinergic agonists are reported to produce beneficial effects in animal models. Rutin is reported to exhibit antioxidant effect and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor activity. However, no report is available on the influence of rutin on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in ethanol-induced rats using Morris water maze test and Novel object recognition test. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameter of oxidative stress and ChE activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Forty five days after ethanol treated rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with rutin (20-80 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for 45 days) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg, p.o.) improved cognitive performance, and lowered oxidative stress and ChE activity in ethanol treated rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with rutin prevents the changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and consequently memory impairment in ethanol treated rats.

Keywords: Rutin; Ethanol; Memory impairment; Oxidative stress; Morris water maze.

ABSTRACT

Melanin is the natural color in our skin is synthesized by melanocytes. The distribution pattern in the nearby keratinocytes and the nature of the formed melanin determine the actual color of our skin. Melanin form through the series of oxidative reaction involving the amino acid tyrosine in the presence of enzyme tyrosinase. Skin whitening agent after inhibit the activity of tyrosinase. The drawback of the quick effect was, the high cytotoxicity of hydroquinone and its huge irritation potential. So that’s why herbal medicines are currently in demand and their popularity is increasing day by day. The objective of this research is to formulate skin whitening formulation, which have ability to give whitening effect without any side effects using herbal products. Now a day’s hyperpigmentation is a major problem. As per previous literature survey it is reported that lycopene, Citric acid & Tocopherol shows significant result in skin whitening activity. It is reported that plants Tomato, Lemon & Cucumber (fruits) contain high amount of Lycopene, Citric acid & Tocopherol. So from above conclusion to hypothesize that this plants may have significant role in skin whitening. 

Keywords: Melanocyte, Epidermis, Skin, Melanin, Lycopene, Citric acid, Tocopherol

ABSTRACT

OTC medicines are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional. Which are legally allowed to be sold by pharmacists which is also known as non-prescription medicine. OTC medicines have Advantages and Disadvantages Healthy adults who utilize OTC prescriptions periodically and appropriately have an okay of unfavorable effects. However, certain individuals are at more serious risk, utilization of OTC drug might cause unsafe effects. In this condition we should know about OTC medication. Here examined about OTC meds in specific unhealthy circumstances and their viewpoints, for example, Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidaemia, and Hear failure. Use of non prescription drugs in this situation may leads to harmful effects there for every patient and pharmacist should be aware about it. Patient counselling plays important role in effective treatment. The safe and effective use of drugs depends on patients’ information about their medication .During counselling the pharmacist should assess the patient’s understanding about their illness and treatment and supply individualized advice and data which can assist the patients to require their medication. Patient counselling is an essential component of clinical pharmacy practice in hospital and in community pharmacy settings. Counseling enhances the patients understanding of their illness and its treatment and may improve adherence and therapeutic out come. It allows pharmacists to gain first hand knowledge of medication use from the patients perspectives.

Keywords: OTC medicines, Patient counseling,non prescription

ABSTRACT

Transition metal complexes of Ni (II) with schiff base ligand (HL) derived from condensation of 3-Bromo benzaldehyde and hydrazine monohydrate were successfully synthesized , characterized and isolated .The schiff base ligand and its Ni(II) complexes prepared were characterized by melting  point /decomposition temperature, solubility, conductivity/ Molar conductance, UV- visible, FT-IR, XRD, TGA and elemental analysis results. In the UV-Vis study, a bathochromic shift of approximately 60 nm indicating the formation of coordinated Ni(II) complexes by more than one coordinating sites . IR spectra of the free ligand  showed a band at 1660cm^-1 which is assigned to the (-C=N-) stretching vibration of the azomethine functional group. These bands were observed at lower frequencies in the spectra of Ni(II) complexes which indicates complexation process between schiff base ligand  and Ni²⁺ ion . Low conductance (7-9 ohm^-1 cm² Mol^-1) measurement indicated that the Ni (II) complexes are non electrolytic in nature whereas elemental analysis result revealed 1:1 Nickel-schiff base ratio. TGA analysis showed the presence of two coordinated water molecules on the basis of physico chemical measurements the following empirical formulas have been assigned to coordinated Ni(II) complex : [ Ni(HL)₂ ] 2Cl. 2H₂O, [ Ni(HL)₂ ] SO₄ .2H₂O. The antioxidant activities of schiff base ligand and Ni(II) complexes were evaluated by using DPPH reagent ie, 2_, 2^’- diphenyl -1-picrylhydrazyl free radical assay which showed that coordinated Ni(II) complexes have a higher antioxidant activities than that of Schiff base ligand. All compounds have been evaluated for invitro anti microbial activities against isolated bacterial strains of  E. coli (MTCC-1687), E. faecalis (MTCC-439), S. aureus (MTCC-737) and MR S. aureus (Indigenous) .All compounds showed mild to moderate antibacterial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 50 μ g/ml to 3.125 μ g/ml. All compounds displayed invitro anti bacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. It may be proved that the antibacterial activity of compounds is related to the cell wall structure of the tested bacterial stain. The synthesis of Ni(II) complexes via template method is a good method for obtaining very efficient bioactive agents as a good drug candidates for various biological applications in future for humans. As well as schiff base molecular adducts of Ni(II) complexes are also promising material in different cutting edge research areas like applications in preparation of solar cells, super capacitors, catalysts and electrode materials.

Keywords: Schiff base ligands, Ni(II) complexes, Spectroscopic analysis, antioxidant activities, Antimicrobial activities, DPPH, 3-Bromobenzaldelyde. 

ABSTRACT

Black pepper, also designated as ‘King of spices’ a characteristic familiar global spice related to the Piperaceae family and generally used in culinary and medicinal preparations. Its pungency is due to piperine, volatile elements and essential oil. Piperine is an amide alkaloid, effective bioactive present in piper species of black and long peppers; and reveals several potential therapeutic actions to intervene different disease conditions whereas functional group responses at active site liable to act as a xenobiotic bio-enhancer and an effective CNS stimulant. However, piperine is slightly soluble in water, limiting its pharmacological activities and biomedical services. It is solid crystalline nature, mild basic, initially tasteless while, a burning after taste. Therefore, this bioactive natural substance should be considered in the arenas of rational drug design and development of formulations. Recent developments in drug delivery system have to overcome its limitations, including poor bioavailability and blood–brain barrier permeability.  Chaperons like phytosomes are encouraging tools to alter oral absorption of piperine. The study highlights the prepared and correctly recognized piperine-phospholipid complex (PPC) in terms of FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), XRPD (X-ray powder diffractometry), and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The PPC was found to be fine and loose, airy, light, rough surface with improved water solubility and bioavailability.

Keywords: Piperine, Bioavailability, Characterization, Herbosomes.

ABSTRACT

Alike many allopathic lipophilic drug molecules, these natural phyto-constituents are potent, lipophilic, but pose problems like poor aqueous solubility, slower drug release profile, and, reduced bioavailability leading to inferior therapeutic efficacy. This creates scope as well as a challenge for researchers to overcome the above-mentioned problems while developing a formulation for poorly aqueous soluble phytoconstituents. Herbosome is one of the efficient techniques to improve these problems. Herbosome /Phytosome is nothing but the combination of liposome with phytoconstituents forming H-bond anchored amphiphilic drug-phospholipids complexes. Quercetin i.e. 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one is a polyphenolic flavonoid with potent and diverse biological effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-mutagenic. However, like many other potent drugs, its usage is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility. To overcome this problem, an ameliorated complex of phospholipids loaded with quercetin was developed to improve its aqueous solubility for better absorption. Thus quercetin encapsulated in herbosomes/phytosomes was assessed for the phospholipid complex formation, appearance, surface, and porosity evaluation using different physicochemical tests like FT­IR, DSC, XRPD, 1H-NMR, SEM, and solubility studies. Apart from this anti-oxidant activity of quercetin was evaluated in vitro. The surface characteristics of herbosomes appeared to be flocculent and permeable with a coarse surface in SEM studies whereas FTIR, DSC, 1H-NMR, and XRPD data, confirmed the formation of the phospholipids complex. There were 12 folds improvement in aqueous solubility of per se quercetin and quercetin encapsulated in herbosome (i.e. from 3.44 µg/ml to 36.81 µg/ ml). On the other hand, the results of in vitro anti­oxidant activity of phytosomic quercetin showed no significant statistical difference compared to per se quercetin thus indicating no adverse effects of complexation on quercetin’s availability for anti­oxidant activity. Further, we prepared tard-gelatin capsules containing phytosomic quercetin and evaluated them for drug release, drug content, and solubility studies like dissolution, disintegration, drug content, and stability studies. The results for the evaluation of the kinetics of drug release were in line with the Korsmeyer Peppas model. The drug stability studies did not affect the drug's organoleptic properties, disintegration time, drug content, and in-vitro drug release of the formulation.

Keywords:  Quercetin, Aqueous solubility, Herbosome, Drug release, and in vitro study.