Pharmacy

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is chronic and appalling. Now-a-days it is the most prevalent disease affecting the world’s population. PUD is the main reason for morbidity and mortality in 50% of world’s working population. The pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease is best viewed as an imbalance between mucosal defense factors (bicarbonate, mucin, prostaglandin, nitric oxide, and other peptides and growth factors) and injurious factors (acid and pepsin)³. Review of Literature suggests that the presence of tannins, flavonoids, Alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and steroids is responsible for antiulcerogenic activity. Preliminary Phytochemical investigation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from bark powder of symplocos racemosa (SR) reveals the presence of tannins, carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids and steroids .Hence the present study aims at pharmacological evaluation of anti ulcer activity of  SR (symplocaceae) in experimentally induced (pylorus ligation and Aspirin-induced) ulcers in rat models. LD₅₀ was found to be 2000mg/kg body weight, so, the therapeutic doses 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg were selected for both the extracts (alcoholic and ethanolic). Considering the parameters like p^H , gastric volume, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index (percentage protection) we concluded that aqueous extract 500mg/body weight was equipotent to  the  standard (lansoprazole-8mg/kg body weight). The same results was reflected by statistical analysis (one way ANOVA  p<0.05) and histopathological study.

This study was designed to determine the compliance of patient to resupply date in using ‘short-messaging-system’ as medication collection reminder system.  Patient receiving Gutt Ciclosporin 0.5% was included in the study. Patient with collection date of Gutt. Ciclosporin 0.5% preparation from January 2015 to August 2015 was classified as pre-intervention data while collection date from September 2015 to April 2016 was classified as post-intervention data. The intervention consists of messaging patient 1 day before of the production day. Patient’s collection date was recorded. The difference in production date and collection date was weighted and categorised according to modified Morisky scale. There was significant improvement in patients adherence to collection of Gutt Ciclosporin ?2=6.19, P=0.012 on production date after implementation of the SMS. The compliance means score have increased by from 7.28±2.09 to 7.61±2.39. There was also increment by 47.8% to High adherence category and reduction by 47.8% in low adherence category post-implementation. Furthermore there was reduction of 80% in production wastage. This study has shown that the implementation of SMS will have significant improvement in adherence by patient to collection Day 0. Furthermore there was increase in patients Morisky adherence and cost saving in production.

The aim of the present study is to formulate and evaluate buccoadhesive compacts of Lacidipine. Compacts were prepared with different grades of polymers like HPMC, Carbopol and Ethyl cellulose by direct compression technique. Compacts were evaluated for weight uniformity, thickness, surface pH, mucoadhesive strength, in vitro residence time and in vitro release. Physicochemical properties and content uniformity were found well within limits. FTIR studies showed no evidence on interaction between drug, polymers and other excipients. Surface pH and swelling index was found in the range of 6.42 to 6.80 and 44.83 – 97.87 %. F2 formulation showed controlled drug release of 90.42% in 8h and selected as optimized formulation. Optimized compacts were not dislodged within 8h. In vivo mucoadhesion studies showed that compacts were retained for more than 8h. Mucoadhesive force was found in the range of 3.47 to 5.82 N. Stability studies has been be performed for 3 months on the optimized formulation concluded that there were no significant changes in drug content and in vitro dissolution characteristics than initial results. The results indicate that suitable compact of lacidipine HCl with in vivo residence time and control release could be formulated for commercial scale.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by intestinal inflammation and mucosal tissue damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a pathogenic role in UC. The aim was to examine the treatment effect of sildenafil, a cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in the experimental rat model of UC. Intrarectal instillation of acetic acid (1ml 5% v/v) was used to induce UC. Sildenafil was used at dose of 10 mg/kg. Rats received treatment for 5 consecutive days. On day 6, the rats were sacrificed, colon was removed, then the body weight, colon weight/length ratio, tissue glutathione (GSH) concentration, macroscopic, and histopathological evaluations, were performed. The levels of body weight, and colon weight/length ratio were decreased significantly (???? < 0.05). The glutathione (GSH) concentration was increased significantly (???? < 0.05). The macroscopic and histopathological parameters were decreased, but it didn’t reduce significantly in the Sildenafil treated groups, compared to acetic acid-treated group.The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Sildenafil in treating the UC are due to its potential to reduce the colon weight/length ratio, increased GSH, and improving the macroscopic, and histological markers.

The aim of this study was firstly to compare between different gelling agents for its drug release characteristics, and viscosity and Secondly, to investigate the effect of presence of PluronicF127 on drug release and viscosity of different gelling agents. Topical gel formulations of Ibuprofen were prepared by using Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, HPMC, Sepineo, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) polymer as a gel-forming material that is biocompatible and biodegradable. The skin permeation enhancer used was Menthol. Permeation studies were carried out in-vitro using Cellophane Membrane. In-vitro diffusion study showed that diffusion studies of formulation F6 and marketed gel was comparable. The in-vitro study also reveals that addition of Pluronic F127 results in increase in viscosity of gel which further sustains the drug release. Results shows that as concentration of gelling agent increases viscosity increases and drug release decreases.

Microencapsulation is a process by which solid, liquid or even gaseous particles are coated with a continuous film of polymeric material, having a diameter in range of 1 to 1000 ?m and are widely used as drug carriers. The purpose of writing this review on microencapsulation by solvent evaporation technique was to compile the recent literature with special focus on solvent evaporation technique for microencapsulation of pharmaceuticals that have recently become leading investigated technologies in the field of drug delivery development. In order to understand the microencapsulation by solvent evaporation technique, the basics was summarized. Afterwards, we have reviewed various solvent evaporation techniques designed and developed until now. Finally, various potential factors influencing microencapsulation by solvent evaporation technique were covered in detail.

Streptococcus pyogenes infections have increased significantly in the last few decades. This increase in the infection rate is primarily due to development of resistance against macrolides and tetracyclines. A total of 250 pharyngeal swab samples were collected during four months time period. Samples were divided in to four groups; age group 1-4 years, 5-12years, 13-18 years and ?18 years. Isolates obtained were run for the evaluation of antibiotic resistance against ten antibiotics by using Kirby-Bauer's method/disc diffusion method. Out of 250 samples, 71 were confirmed as S. pyogenes. The prevalence of GAS pharyngitis in different age groups was; 16.0% in age group 1-4 years, 48.8% in age group 5-12 years, 14.8% in age group 13-18 years and 20.4% in age group ?18 years. All the isolates were completely sensitive to penicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone and vancomycin whereas erythromycin, azithromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, cholarmphenicol and levofloxacin resistance was recorded as 42.42%, 39.43%, 54.92%, 4.22%, 14.08% and 1.40% respectively. Data suggested that GAS pharyngitis was most prevalent in the age group 5-12 years and S. pyogenes was completely sensitive to penicillins and other cell wall synthesis inhibitors. However, higher resistance rates against macrolides (erythromycin and azithromycin) present an alarming situation in Pakistani population.

The antidiabetic drug pioglitazone is hydrophobic and having dissolution rate limited bioavailability. Several attempts were made to enhance its dissolution rate. In this investigation the two well known techniques viz., microcapsules and compression coating originally designed for sustained drug delivery were used for enhancing the dissolution rate of Pioglitazone. The polymer eudragit E100 was reported as a taste masking material for bitter drugs. However this research work is aimed to exploit eudragit E100 as dissolution enhancer by virtue of its acid solubility. The polymer was incorporated as a carrier for preparation of solid dispersion, coating material in microcapsules and compression coated tablets. The prepared formulations were evaluated for various parameters including the compatibility studies with IR spectra and drug dissolution studies. The drug Pioglitazone was found to be compatible with eudragit and dissolution rate was also increased in presence of the polymer. The dissolution rate was increased in presence of the polymer and dependent on the technique employed. High dissolution rate of Pioglitazone was observed from the tablets coated with the polymer eudragit E100.

To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of delonix regia against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino rats by p.o of paracetamol (2gm/kg for 3 days). The aqueous extract of delonix regia was administered to the experimental animals at two selected doses for 14 days. The hepatoprotective activity of the extract was evaluated by the liver function marker enzymes in the serum (asparitate transaminases AST, alanine transaminase ALT, alkaline phosphatase ALK.P, total bilirubin TB, and histopathological studies of liver. Both the treatment groups showed hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity by significantly restoring the levels of serum enzymes to normal which was comparable to that of silymarin group. The oral administration of delonix regia significantly ameliorates paracetamol hepatotoxicity in rats.

Oral drug delivery systems being the most economy and leads the worldwide drug delivery market. The major drawback in oral drug formulations is low and varying bioavailability, which mainly results from poor aqueous solubility. It is estimated that 40% of active substances are poorly water soluble. Among the various available approaches to improve the oral bioavailability of these molecules, the use of self-emulsified drug delivery systems (SEDDS) has been shown to be reasonably successful in improving the oral bioavailability. However, traditional preparations of SEDDS are usually prepared in the liquid state which produces some disadvantages, such as high production costs, low drug incompatibility and stability, drugs leakage and precipitation. To overcome this problem solid SEDDS (S-SEDDS), prepared by solidification of liquid/semisolid selfemulsifying (SE) ingredients into powders, have gained popularity. The S-SEDDS not only increase the solubility of the drug, but also exhibits the advantages of solid dosage form. The present review explains the recent trends in Solid SEDDS (S-SEDDS) with regard to the selection of lipid systems for current formulations, solidification techniques and the development of solid SE (self-emulsifying) dosage forms and their related problems and possible future research directions.