Karnataka

Peptic ulcer and Depression are managed by co-administering number of drugs for long duration. Hence, drug-drug interactions which are important cause of antagonistic drug reaction and may lead to amplified risk of hospitalization and amplified care cost. The study was piloted to find the impact of pantoprazole which is generally used for primary peptic ulcer disease in humans on the pharmacokinetic and antidepressant activity of fluoxetine. The influence of pantoprazole on pharmacokinetic parameters of fluoxetine was studied in healthy male albino rabbits. The effect of pantoprazole on antidepressant activity was studied using four animal models. The serum concentration of fluoxetine was estimated by HPLC. And the antidepressant activity was studied using despair swim test, compulsive gnawing test, serotonin syndrome and tail suspension test. After treating with pantoprazole for 7 days the concentration of serum fluoxetine was significantly decreased at 2nd, 4th, 8th, 16th and 24th hour. Pantoprazole treatment for one week exhibited significantly changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters like AUC, AUMC, t1/2 and Cmax of fluoxetine in healthy albino rabbits. The immobility time significantly decreases after pantoprazole treatment for one week by despair swim and tail suspension test in rats and mice respectively. Compulsive gnawing test and serotonin syndrome also shows decrease in the effect after pantoprazole treatment. When both drugs are co-administered together dose of fluoxetine should be increased. Key words: Depression; Fluoxetine; Pantoprazole; Drug-drug interaction; Tail Suspension test; Despair Swim Test.

The purpose of the study was to prepare and evaluate liposomes containing Artemether, a lipophilic drug having short half life of 2-3hrs after oral administration. Thin film hydration method was used for the preparation of artemether-encapsulated conventional and PEGylated liposomal suspensions using various drug: lipid ratio and their characteristics, such as particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release were investigated. The drug encapsulation efficiency of PEGylated liposomes was high when compared to conventional liposomes. The average particle size of both conventional and PEGylated liposomes was obtained in nanometers with PDI ranging from 0-0.356. Zeta potential of conventional liposomes was found to be more negative when compared to PEGylated liposomes. In-vitro drug diffusion studies was carried for period of 16 hrs where PEGylated liposomal formulation showed more sustained release compared to conventional liposomes. The conventional and PEGylated liposomal formulations followed zero order and Higuchi kinetics respectively. The artemether containing liposomes were successfully formulated and evaluated.

Development of amphiphilic drug-lipid complexes is a potential approach for improving delivery of the drugs by increasing solubility, release profile and oral bioavailability. Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, shows several biological effects like capillary protectant, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, cardio-protective, anti-thrombotic and neuroprotective, but its use is limited due to its low aqueous solubility. To overcome this limitation, phospholipid complex of Rutin was developed to improve its aqueous solubility for better absorption through the gastrointestinal tract and this might result in improved bioavailability. The Rutin phytosomes prepared by solvent evaporation method using different ratios of Rutin and Soybean phosphatidylcholine (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) was evaluated for percentage yield, compatibility studies by infra-red spectroscopy, particle size, poly dispersity index, zeta potential, drug content and were found to be within the acceptable range. Surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy, solubility studies, in-vitro drug release and stability studies also were carried out. The phospholipid complex of Rutin was found to be fluffy and porous with rough surface. The water solubility of Rutin was improved from 0.058mg/ml to 0.475 mg/ml in the prepared Phytosomes. The in-vitro drug release studies showed that there is no drug release from pure drug and F1 formulation up to 120min in acidic buffer pH 1.2; while in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 showed releases about 49.3% and 92.85% respectively, which indicates the significant enhancement of dissolution of Rutin phytosomes compared to pure drug. Stability studies suggested that the formulations were stable. In this study, Phytosomes could be successfully tailored for Rutin with improved dissolution characteristics which is promising for lowering the influence of exogenous factors and increasing drug delivery.

Two series of substituted phenothiazine derivatives were synthesized in order to obtain better antimicrobial agents.  The titled compounds 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f and 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j were obtained by using o-chlorobenzoic acid and m-dichlorobenzene as starting material respectively. These compounds were synthesized according to Ullmann and Mannich base reaction. The structures of all these compounds were confirmed by spectral analysis. The titled compounds were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Except 3e all compounds have shown good antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. However, all these compounds have shown good antifungal activity against A. niger. The compound 3g has shown greater antifungal activity than the standard.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis should be appropriate to reduce the risk of postoperative surgical infections. Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are responsible for Increased Mortality and Morbidity rate during surgical operations which lead to major complications. The inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics effects the cost and efficacy of drugs which leads to the resistant bacteria. To assess the pattern of antibiotic usage in surgical in-patients and for Postoperative wound infections. The present study is a prospective observational study done for a period of six months in Basaweshwara Medical College and Research Centre, Chitradurga in surgical ward. A Total of 162 patients were enrolled into the study. Among them, Surgical Site Infection (SSIs) was found in 37 (22.8%) patients and patients without SSIs are 125 (77.2%). The patients with age group 25-60 years were 104 (64.2%) in which SSIs are more (23).According to the study male patients underwent more surgeries (107 (66%)) in which 21 (56.8%) are with SSIs. Infection rate were more in males when compare to females in the study. A total of 265 antibiotics were used among 162 patients in which third generation cephalosporins are more preferred. The study concludes that there is a proper need to control the use of antibiotics appropriately. The inappropriate use leads to economic burden and resistance. SSIs may decrease the quality of life of the patients. Hence minimization of SSI is also very important in the developing countries by maintaining infection control plans by suitable organizations which makes an impact on the infections

Nigella sativa (Black seed) is a plant which has been used for centuries for medicinal and culinary purposes and reported to possess a number of pharmacological properties that include anti-parasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Its oil is used as condiment, carminative, food preservative, analgesic and to treat many ailments in different parts of world. It has been extensively used in Unani system of medicine as a natural remedy for a number of diseases such as asthma, inflammation, cough, eczema, fever and gastrointestinal disturbances. It also has galactagogue, abortifacient, emmenagogue and uterotonic activity which makes it useful in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, puerperal sepsis and to improve lactation. Many active principles have been isolated from Nigella sativa seed including thymoquinone, nigellone, and fixed oils. This review is an attempt to highlight the therapeutic uses of Nigella sativain Unani medicine and pharmacological properties.

Training is the attainment of knowledge, skills, and competencies as an outcome of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. Training in a regulated environment is a continuous process that should be adaptable from a single business unit to an entire organization. Training entails providing, developing, and reconfirming knowledge, skills and core competencies to meet business requirements. This paper will create a framework by which specific requirements for setting up and maintaining an effective and complaint training program are explained by providing overview of vital training topics.

Geriatrics accounts for 7% of the total world population. As age advances apartfrom health, sleep quality also becomes compromised in geriatrics. In addition, an increased incidenceof insomnia has been noted in the elderly. As a result geriatric population constitutes the largestconsumers of hypnotics. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of hypnotics prescribedfor insomnia in the geriatric population. A prospective study for a period of ten months wascarried out in the geriatric population who consumed at least one hypnotic during their hospital stay. A total of 93 patients were included in the study. Data was collected from the patient's case report forms.The sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the patients were categorizedbased on their PSQI score. A total of 93 patients who met the inclusion criteria were includedin the study. Among them 49(53%) were female and 44(47%) were male. 59(63%) patients of thestudy population were experiencing trouble in falling asleep, 47(51%) were complaining of lessduration of sleep and 43(46.2%) were complaining early morning awakening as their major sleepcomplaint. The analysis of sleep quality by PSQI revealed that a total of 29% (27) patients had scoredless than 5 points (PSQI score) and had good quality sleep and the rest 71% (66) patients were foundto have poor quality of sleep. Zolpidem was found to be most effective for providing fast onset of sleep,diazepam for duration of sleep and clonazepam to reduce the early morning awakening. A statisticallysignificant improvement of sleep quality was observed in alprazolam 0.5mg and 0.25mg with a p-valueof 0.001 and 0.002 respectively.

To assess efficacy of different classes of drugs in therapy of low back pain. A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 12 months in which a total of 300 patients with low back pain were enrolled and divided equally into three groups – group 1 (NSAIDs), group 2 (muscle relaxant ±NSAIDs) and group 3 (muscle relaxant ± NSAIDs ± neurotropic drugs). Efficacy of drugs was assessed using oswestry low back disability questionnaire at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks, and the disability index was calculated. There was a male predominance in the study population with a mean age of 39.76 ± 9.40 years. Mean percentage reduction in disability index was maximum in group 2 (54.66±9.85), followed by group 3 (51.33 ± 6.95) and group 1 (46.78 ± 10.12). A significant inter-group difference (p

Terminalia pallida brandis and Boswellia ovalifoliolata most commonly found plants in the south India. Methanolic and nHexane extract of Terminalia pallida roots and Boswellia ovalifoliolata roots were analysed for antioxidant activity. The In-vitro methods for antioxidant activity are based on the principle of inhibition of free radicals.Present study provides focus on the reducing power assay and the free radical scavenging activity of both the plants in both the extracts. It was observed that Terminalia pallida roots and Boswellia ovalifoliolata roots have demonstrated dose dependent reducing property.