JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
Year:2013 | Volume:1 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

As a continuation of our efforts in developing new antimycobacterial agents, a series of new 1, 3-thiazolidine-2-thione derivatives were synthesized. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and Mass spectra. The analysis of theoretical toxicity risks, drug-likeness and drug-score for these series using Osiris program showed acceptable results.

Nanosilver has recently been recognized as an antimicrobial agent. Although this nanoparticle can be used in medical applications but its dermal and systemic toxicity via dermal exposure has not been completely determined yet. The aim in this study was to investigate the potential dermal toxicity of Nanosilver in subchronic method. Before the colloidal silver nanoparticle toxicity evaluation, their size was subjected in sizes<100 nm by Transmission Electron Microscope and revealed that the nanoparticles contained nanosilver by X-Ray Diffraction. The selected animals were 24 male guinea pigs weighing 350-400 g. These animals were exposed to three concentrations of nanosilver (100, 1000 and 10000 mg/ml) by dermal exposure. Toxic responses were assessed based on histopathologic parameters. Significant dose-dependent histopathological changes were observed in the muscle of treated animals. It seems that colloidal silver nanoparticles have the ability to create dose-dependent toxic responses in this organ.

Traditional medicines by medicinal plants have always played a key role in world health including Iran but their safety profile is a major concern in this regard. In fact some factors such as the method of extraction, contamination with microorganisms, existence of heavy metals, and pesticides may reduce the safety of herbal based pharmaceutical products. The objective of this research was to determine the level of Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Hg as the major abundant heavy metals in some commonly used herbal medicines and herbal plants of Iran’s market. For this purpose, 10 samples from eight different commonly used medicinal plants were collected from 10 different traditional stores in Tehran. Standardized international protocols were followed for the preparation of material and analysis of heavy metals contents. An automated continuous flow hydride vapor generation system was used for mercury determination. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was also used for the determination of the concentration of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cu. Results show that Cuminum had the lowest Pb level and Syzigium cumin the highest. Cadmium concentration varied between 0.19-9.26 ppm.Syzigium cumin, showed the highest Cd levels and Cuminum Cyminm showed the lowest levels. The concentration of Cu varied from 8.15 to 73.28 ppm. Cordia myxa contained the highest levels of Cu and Plantago psyllium contained the lowest levels. The highest level of Ni was detected in Myristica fragrams and the lowest in Plantago psyllium. Although the Hg concentration was not detectable in Cuminum Cyminm and Cordia myxa, some samples showed 0.71 ppm. Out of all samples, Syzigium cumin showed the highest Hg concentration. Environmental contamination with heavy metals is one of the major concerns in developing countries therefore regular controls on these plants should be perfomed by the government. It seems that using cultivated plants under controlled conditions can the level of contamination.

The essential oil constituents of the peel and leaf of Citrus aurantiumL. (Rutaceae) grown in the north of Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Fourteen components representing 99.6% of the leafoil were identified. The major compounds were linalool (39.4%), linalyl acetate (38.8%) and a-terpineol (7.2%). Twenty constituents consisting 99.4% of the peeloil were identified. The main components were limonene (91.3%), b-myrcene (3.0%) and linalool (1.1%).

In this study, formulation of sustained-releasingmatrix tablet of bupropion 150 mg, usinghydroxypropylmethylcellu lose (HPMC) 4000cps was evaluatedwith the aim of reducing the frequency of daily dose. The level of HPMC4000, polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) and magnesium stearate (Mg St) was varied based on a 2level 3 factor factorial experimental designusing the release rate of the drug from the matrices as the response variable. Themechanism of drug release from hydrophilic matrix tablets is complicated but it is known to be related to dissolution of drug and its diffusion through the hydrated portion of matrix and erosion of the outer hydrated polymer on the matrix surface. Granules of the optimum formulations were compressed into tablets using EK-O lorsch single punch tablet machine. Evaluation of tablets including weight variation, crushing strength and friability demonstrated acceptable results. Based on dissolution data of the eight tablet formulations resulted from the experimental design, a polynomial regression equation was generated and used for obtaining the optimum formulations. Invitro dissolution tests also revealed sustained release of drug for an 8 hours period at the end of which almost complete release was achieved. According to release studies formulation A, AB and C has been selected for long term stability studies.

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging problem worldwide present in many bacteria, specially S. aureus, P. aeroginosa, and E. coli that are consider as the most common group of bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections. This problem would be more serious and divesting in developing countries where there is not regular surveillance program for periodic antibiotic resistance. In attempts to report the antibiotic pattern in Iranian cities, we collected clinical isolates and tested them against current antibiotics.653 Clinical isolates of S. aureus, P. aeroginosa, and E. coli were collected during 5 months. The isolates were then transported to research laboratory within glycerol containing medium. Standard antibiotic discs containing different concentrations of each agent were provided from MAST media. Standard disc diffusion method was carried out and the result was interpreted using NCCLS tables and data charts. Isolates were mostly cultured from respiratory, Urine, wounds, blood clinical samples. The clinical isolates were E. coli (45%) S. aureus (33%), and P. aeroginosa (22%).20% of E. coli, 9% of P. aeroginosa, and 12% of S. aureus isolates showed reduction of sensitivity to Amikacin (AK).27% of S. aureus had reduction of sensitivity to Vancomycin (VA). About 25% of P. aeroginosa showed reduced sensitivity to Gentamicin (GM).

Many biological effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) have been documented, but little work carried out on plants. A meiotic study was performed on Brassica napus L as C3 plant and Zea mays L as a C4 plant exposed to electromagnetic fields. Our investigations were focused on plants grown from wet pretreated seeds with 3 and 10 mT for a 4 h exposure time and compared with the control plants of maize. Also our investigation used plants grown from dry pretreated seeds with 10 mT for 4 h, wet pretreated seeds with 10 mT for 2 h, and a control line of canola. A significant difference was observed for meiotic characters studied among treatments. In canola the mean value of total, terminal, and intercalary chiasmata reduced significantly in plants grown from exposed seeds, indicating that EMFs caused reduction in the mean value of the genetic recombination. Other meiotic characteristics including ring bivalent and quadrivalent formation reduced significantly as well. In maize the mean value of total, terminal and intercalary chiasmata changed significantly in the plants grown from exposed seeds to 3 mT intensity, indicating increase in genetic recombination. Moreover, formation of ring bivalent and quadrivalent increased significantly.All results suggested these plants react differently in some aspects against EMFs as abiotic stress.

Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) such as Rett syndrome and Asperger syndrome are enigmatic and complex neurodevelopmental disorders, thought to have originated in particular interactions of genetic and environmental factors. Despite the extensive research, exact mechanism of pathogenesis is not still completely understood. ASDs are characterized by deficits and abnormalities in communication and social interactions, besides repetitive and stereotypic verbal/nonverbal behaviors. There are no effective drugs for the treatment of these conditions and as the frequency of ASDs in the children has risen over the last decade, further studies will be needed to better address the treatment. In this brief review we discuss the etiology of autism and possible novel approaches for its management in the near future.