Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Year:2016 | Volume:15 | Issue:1|Papers Count:36

The majority of the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of fruits are anthocyanins, a group of polyphenolics that are responsible for the color of many fruits, vegetables and flowers. The harvesting time, storage conditions, maturity, extraction steps etc. are very important for the biological activities based on the alteration of chemical composition. The free radical scavenging and antidiabetic activities of total anthocyanins from bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn. ) fruit (TAMC) were evaluated by considering four harvesting times. The free radical scavenging activities of the TAMC samples were assessed using DPPH• , DMPD• + and ABTS• + assays against BHA, rutin and trolox standards. September as a harvesting period (TAMC-S) had effective DPPH• (SC50 2. 55 ± 0. 08 μ g/mL), DMPD• + (SC50 2. 68 ± 0. 09μ g/mL) and ABTS• + (SC50 8. 19 ± 0. 09 μ g/mL) scavenging activities compared with other samples and standards. In addition, August (TAMC-A) as a harvesting period showed very influential inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC50 56. 86 ± 1. 12 μ g/mL) and moderate inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 88. 19 ± 0. 74 μ g/mL). In comparison, pharmaceutical active ingredients such as acarbose exhibited anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase activities with IC50 values of 93. 07 ± 1. 49 μ g/mL and 77. 25 ± 1. 20 μ g/mL respectively. These results suggest that the correct selection of harvest period can significantly increase anthocyanin quantity because of the pharmaceutic properties of TAMC. Consequently, TAMC may be interesting for incorporation in pharmaceutical preparations for human health, since it can suppress hyperglycaemia and it can be also used as food additives due to its antiradical activity.

Medicines are designed to cure or prevent distinct symptoms of diseases. However, medication almost is the last solution when prevention or treatments through miscellaneous ways are available. One of the most promising ways is via consumption of healthy food products. From the food technology point of view, foods are consumed for three main reasons: nourishment (providing basic nutritional requirements of body), hedonism (enjoyment during the consumption) and trade (economics of purchasing and sailing)...

In order to achieve prolong corneal contact time of norfloxacin (NFX) for treatment of extra ocular diseases, a pH triggered nanoparticulate in-situ gelling system was designed to explore dual advantage of nanoparticles and in-situ gelling system, for its ocular delivery. NFX loaded nanocarriers were developed by ionotropic gelation technique using chitosan as a matrix forming polymer, cross-linked by an anionic crosslinker sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Optimization of nanoformulations was done by 32 full factorial design using chitosan and TPP concentration(s) as the independent variables and particle size, % entrapment efficiency and % cumulative drug release as the responses. The experimental design was validated by extra design check point formulation (N10). The optimized formulation (N4) selected on the basis of highest desirability factor (0. 895) was developed as in-situ gelling system using carbapol934 and evaluated. The best in-situ gelling formulation (N4G5) was sufficiently mucoadhesive, corneal toxicity, antibacterial activity and free from ocular irritancy.

The present investigation was designed to formulate a natural tablet for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis in order to eliminate side effects that are caused by existing antifungal drugs. Curcumin has promising antifungal activity in comparison with the existing azole antifungal drugs. Bioadhesive curcumin vaginal tablets were prepared by direct compression with different ratios of biadhesive polymers like xanthan gum, guar gum and HPMC. Curcumin tablets were characterized by studies of friability, hardness, hydration, DSC, mucoadhesion, In-vitro release and antifungal activity. DSC and FT-IR data indicate there was no interaction between the drug and the excipients and also polymer concentration has some effects on melting point of curcumin. Formulation F3 showed the best results in terms of swelling and mucoadhesion together with prolonged drug release. The antifungal activity of the Curcumin tablet has demonstrated a significant effect against Candida albicans. Hence, the study indicates the possible and effective use of curcumin bioadhesive monolithic vaginal tablet for vaginal candidiasis as a promising natural antifungal treatment.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of nanoemulsion formulation for topical delivery of Clobetasol propionate (CP) using algal oil (containing omega-3 fatty acids) as the oil phase. CP has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative activities. However, its clinical use is restricted to some extent due to its poor permeability across the skin. Algal oil was used as the oil phase and was also exploited for its anti-infl ammatory effect along with CP in the treatment of infl ammation associated with dermatitis. Nanoemulsion formulations were prepared by aqueous phase titration method, using algal oil, tween 20, PEG 200 and water as the oil phase, surfactant, co-surfactant and aqueous phase respectively. Furthermore, different formulations were subjected to evaluate for ex-vivo permeation and in-vivo anti-inflammatory, irritation and contact dermatitis studies. The optimized nanoemulsion was converted into hydrogel-thickened nanoemulsion system (HTN) using carbopol 971 and had a viscosity of 97. 57 ± 0. 04 PaS. The optimized formulation had small average diameter (120 nm) with zeta potential of-37. 01 mV which indicated good long-term stability. In-vivo anti-infl ammatory activity indicated 84. 55% and 41. 04% inhibition of inflammation for drug loaded and placebo formulations respectively. The assessment of skin permeation was done by DSC and histopathology studies which indicated changes in the structure of epidermal membrane of skin. Contact dermatitis reveals that the higher NTPDase activity in the treatment with the CP-loaded nanoemulsion could be related to the higher anti-inflammatory effect in comparison with placebo nanoemulsion gel.

An oral sustained-release floating tablet formulation of metformin HCl was designed and developed. Effervescence and swelling properties were attributed on the developed tablets by sodium bicarbonate and HPMC-PEO polymer combination, respectively. Tablet composition was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Seventeen (17) trial formulations were analyzed according to Box-Behnken design of experiment where polymer content of HPMC and PEO at 1: 4 ratio (A), amount of sodium bi-carbonate (B), and amount of SSG (C) were adopted as independent variables. Floating lag time in sec (Y1), cumulative percent drug released at 1 h (Y2) and 12 h (Y3) were chosen as response variables. Tablets from the optimized formulation were also stored at accelerated stability condition (40° C and 75% RH) for 3 months to assess their stability profile. RSM could efficiently optimize the tablet composition with excellent prediction ability. In-vitro drug release until 12 h, floating lag time, and duration of floating were dependent on the amount of three selected independent variables. Optimized tablets remained floating for more than 24 h with a floating lag time of less than 4 min. Based on best fitting method, optimized formulation was found to follow Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetic. Accelerated stability study revealed that optimized formulation was stable for three months without any major changes in assay, dissolution profile, floating lag time and other physical properties.

Atorvastatin calcium, the lipid lowering agent, is taken as a model drug characterized by poor water solubility and bioavailability. In this study an attempt was made for preparation of nanocrystals using high pressure homogenization. A number of stabilizers were included as well as polymers at different concentrations, and the formulations were homogenized for ten cycles at a pressure of 1000 bars. The obtained nano crystals were evaluated by determining their size, zeta potential, saturated solubility and dissolution rate. Results revealed that Formulation 3, containing (10: 1) drug to sodium lauryl sulphate ratio, possessed the highest saturated solubility and dissolution rate, and hence was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourrier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. An in-vivo study was carried out on the successful formulation in comparison to drug powder using rats as experimental animals. A significant increase in the area under the concentration-time curve Cpmax and MRT for nanocrystals was observed in comparison to the untreated atorvastatin calcium.

The aim of the research work was to chemically modify guargum (GG) as a pH sensitive co-polymer and formulating intestinal targeting ESO nanoparticles (NPs) using the synthesized co-polymer. Poly acrylamide-grafted-guar gum (PAAm-g-GG) co-polymer was synthesized by free radical polymerization. Chemical modification of PAAm-g-GG by alkaline hydrolysis results in formation of a pH-sensitive co-polymer. The effect of GG and acryl amide (AAm) on grafting was studied. Esomeprazole magnesium (ESO) loaded pH sensitive NPs were prepared by nano-emulsification polymer crosslinking method and characterized. Sixteen formulations were prepared and the concentration of process variables wasvaried to obtain nanoparticles of 200-600 nm. The NPs were found to be homogenous in size distribution. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ranged from 33. 2% to 50. 1% and 12. 2% to 17. 2% respectively. Particle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading increasedalong with co-polymer concentration. In-vitro release studies at pH 1. 2 for 2 h, followed by pH 6. 8 showed that environment pH significantly affected the drug release. SEM has shown that NPsare spherical with smooth surface. The pH sensitive PAAm-g-GGNPs resisted the initial release of the drug from the drug loaded NPs in acidic pH and delayed the release process to a longer period in alkaline environment.

Nowadays, plants have been considered as powerful agents for treatment of disorders regarding to their traditional use. In Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM), plants have a special role in the treatment of various diseases. Burns with their devastating outcomes have been discussed in ITM as well. In the present study, a polyherbal ointment (PHO), retrieved from ITM, was formulated for burn healing and it’ s HPTLC fingerprint was prepared. Aqueous extracts of Malva sylvestris and Solanum nigrum leaves and oily extract of Rosa damascena petals (4. 85%, 4. 85% and 33%, respectively) were added to white beeswax, eucerin and white petrolatum as ointment base. In addition to the microbiological tests, physical stability and rheological behavior of the product were assessed. Fingerprinting of phytochemical constituents of PHO was performed by using silica gel plates and toluene: ethyl acetate: acetic acid (60: 40: 1) and ethyl acetate: formic acid: acetic acid: water (100: 11: 11: 10) as mobile phases. The results showed that PHO was stable towards physical changes and successfully passed microbiological tests. Moreover, PHO exhibited plastic behavior which is in favor of a topical burn product. In addition, HPTLC fingerprinting of PHO demonstrated the presence of several phenolic constituents corresponding to the plant extracts. Regarding to the role of phenolic compounds in wound healing process, PHO could be an appropriate candidate for burn healing with respect to its traditional use in ITM. Moreover, HPTLC fingerprinting could be utilized as an applicable method for quality control of the prepared formulation.

The electrocatalytic oxidation of captopril (CAP) was studied by modified carbon nanotubes paste electrode in the presence of isoproterenol (ISPT) using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Also, the values of catalytic rate constant (k), and electron transfer coefficient (α ) for CAP were calculated. The mechanism of CA electrochemical behavior at the modified electrode surface was analyzed by various electrochemical methods in the presence of mediator. The prepared modified electrode showed voltammetric responses with high sensitivity for CAP, making it very suitable for the detection of CAP at trace levels. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current was linear to CAP concentration over the concentration range of 0. 3 to 90 μ mol L− 1 using SWV. The detection limit was 0. 1 μ mol L− 1. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of CAP in the urine, tablet and patient urine samples.

The objective of the study was to develop a simple, specific and stability-indicating HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of creatine phosphate sodium (CPS) and its related substances in pharmaceutical formulation. Separation of creatine phosphate sodium from its major process impurities and degradation products was achieved on a Hypersil BDS C18 column (250 × 4. 6 mm, 5 μ m) with an aqueous mobile phase containing 0. 2% (w/v) tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TAH) and 0. 2% (w/v) monopotassium phosphate adjusted to pH 6. 6 with orthophosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1. 0 mL min-1. The analytes were detected at 210 nm. Different chromatographic parameters were carefully optimized. The relative response factors for creatine, creatinine and creatinine phosphate disodium salt relative to CPS were determined. The method has been validated with respect to solution stability, system suitability, LOD, LOQ, linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity and robustness. The validation criteria were met in all cases. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the purity of CPS in pharmaceutical formulation.

To develop a new more accurate spectrophotometric method for detecting monoamine oxidase inhibitors from plant extracts, a series of amine substrates were selected and their ability to be oxidized by monoamine oxidase was evaluated by the HPLC method and a new substrate was used to develop a peroxidase-linked spectrophotometric assay. 4-(Trifluoromethyl) benzylamine (11) was proved to be an excellent substrate for peroxidase-linked spectrophotometric assay. Therefore, a new peroxidase-linked spectrophotometric assay was set up. The principle of the method is that the MAO converts 11 into aldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. In the presence of peroxidase, the hydrogen peroxide will oxidize 4-aminoantipyrine into oxidised 4-aminoantipyrine which can condense with vanillic acid to give a red quinoneimine dye. The production of the quinoneimine dye was detected at 490 nm by a microplate reader. The ⊿ OD value between the blank group and blank negative control group in this new method is twice as much as that in Holt’ s method, which enables the procedure to be more accurate and avoids the produce of false positive results. The new method will be helpful for researchers to screening monoamine oxidase inhibitors from deep-color plant extracts.

Diosmin and hesperidin are natural flavonoid glycosides found in various plant materials, mainly in citrus fruits in different concentrations. Diosmin for pharmaceutical use is obtained mainly semi-synthetically from hesperidin. Hesperidin often accompanies diosmin as a natural impurity in different pharmaceutical formulations; therefore, a simple, fast and precise method for the simultaneous assay of diosmin and hesperidin in pharmaceutical formulations has been developed to control their contents. Chromatographic resolution was performed using a column with C-18 packing and the following mobile phase: methanol/water (45: 55, v/v) with 0. 025% added didecyldimethylammonium lactate, which significantly affects retention, shortening analysis time and having a positive impact on the symmetry of resulting chromatographic peaks. The method shows linearity between 2. 5 and 100 μ g/mL, high repeatability (0. 39 and 0. 42% for diosmin and hesperidin, respectively) and accuracy of 96 to 102% for both the assayed compounds. Intraday and interday precision of the new method were less than RSD% 1, 2. The limit of detection of the assayed compounds is 2. 5 and 1. 2 μ g/mL for diosmin and hesperidin, respectively. The method was tested on several pharmaceutical products available in Poland.

Clonidine hydrochloride is an antihypertensive agent used for migraine prophylaxis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, menopausal flushing and Tourette syndrome. The quantity of the active substance in pharmaceutical preparations must be within specific limits, in agreement with the respective label claim. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the conditions for two spectrophotometric methods for clonidine determination, based on the formation of the ion pair complex between clonidine hydrochloride and thymol blue/bromophenol blue. A Jasco UV-Vis 530 spectrophotometer was used for the analysis and the maxim absorbance was measured at 418 nm/448 nm against blank solution. After validation, the methods were used for quantification of clonidine hydrochloride in two commercial samples (tablets). The recovery of active substance varies between 98. 06 and 100. 13% without interferences from the excipients.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC– MS) was used for the extraction and determination of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mineral water samples. In this procedure, the suitable combination of extraction solvent (500 μ L chloroform) and disperser solvent (1000 μ L acetone) were quickly injected into the water sample (10. 00 mL) by Hamilton syringe. After centrifugation, 500 μ L of the lower organic phase was dried under a gentle stream of nitrogen, re-dissolved in chloroform and injected into GC-MS. Chloroform and acetone were found to be the best extraction and disperser solvent, respectively. Validation of the method was performed using spiked calibration curves. The enrichment factor ranged from 93 to 129 and the recovery ranged from 71 to 90%. The linear ranges for all the PAHs were 0. 10-2. 80 ngmL-1. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of PAHs in water by using anthracene-d10 as internal standard, were in the range of 4-11% for most of the analytes (n = 3). Limit of detection (LOD) for different PAHs were between 0. 03 and 0. 1 ngmL-1. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of PAHs in mineral water samples collected from Tehran.

A new group of 4-(Imidazolylmethyl)quinoline derivatives possessing a methylsulfonyl COX-2 pharmacophore at the para position of the C-2 phenyl ring were designed and synthesized as selective COX-2 inhibitors and in-vitroanti breast cancer agents. In-vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition studies showed that all the compounds were potent and selective inhibitors of the COX-2 isozyme with IC50 values in the potent range 0. 063-0. 090 μ M, and COX-2 selectivity indexes in the 179. 9 to 547. 6 range. Molecular modeling studies indicated that the methylsulfonyl substituent can be inserted into the secondary pocket of COX-2 active site for interactions with Arg513. Cytotoxicity of quinolines 9a-e against human breast cancer MCF-7 and T47D cell lines were also evaluated. All the compounds 9a-e were more cytotoxic against MCF-7 cells in comparison with those of T47D which express aromatase mRNA less than MCF-7 cells. The data showed that the increase of lipophilic properties of substituents on the C-7 and C-8 quinoline ring increased their cytotoxicity on MCF-7cells andCOX-2 inhibitory activity. Among the quinolines 9a-e, 4-((1H-Imidazol-1-yl)methyl) 7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydro-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-benzo[h]quinoline (9d)was identified as the most potent andselective COX-2inhibitor as well as the most cytotoxic agent against MCF-7 cells.

Different acid chlorides (2a-d) reacted with anthranilic acid to produce 2-substituted-3, 1-benzoxazin-4-one (3a-d) which was used as starting material to synthesize some condensed and non-condensed heterocyclic compounds by reaction with nitrogen nucleophiles e. g., hydrazine hydrate and formamide. Some of the newly synthesized analogues were chosen to evaluate their cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines (HePG2– MCF7– A549). The docking and the cytotoxic activity results revealed that nearly all of the compounds containing N-phenyl aniline showed significant inhibition for the three cell lines.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of tetramethlpyrazine on oxazolone-induced colitis mice. Spleen mononuclear cells (SMC), lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from oxazolone-induced colitis and normal mice. The colitis cells treated by oxazolone were randomly divided into model, low dose, middle dose and high dose groups treated with 0, 0. 5, 1. 0 and 2. 0 g/L tetramethlpyrazine, respectively. The apoptotic rate of SMC and LPMC in the oxazolone-induced group was lower than that in the normal group. Compared with model group, apoptotic rate of SMC was significantly increased in the high dose group, while the apoptotic rate of LPMC in the middle dose group was increased. Compared with SMC, LPMC and PBMC of normal group, the mRNA level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-k B), transcription factor-activated protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) were higher in model group. Tetramethylpyrazine inhibited the increase of NF-k B, AP-1 and NF-AT mRNA induced by oxazolone. For SMC, LPMC and PBMC there was significant difference in the mRNA level of AP-1 among the three different doses of tetramethylpyrazine treated groups. However, no significant difference was observed in the mRNA levels of NF-AT and NF-κ B between normal and middle groups. Tetramethylpyrazine promoted the apoptotic rate of SMC and LPMC in-vitro, and suppressed the expression of transcription factors in SMC, LPMC and PBMC isolated from oxazolone-induced colitis mice. The study provides a novel insight into the mechanism behind the effect of etramethylpyrazine on colitis.

Dorzolamide ophthalmic drop is one of the most common glaucoma medications but it has a short residence time in the eye. The aim of this study is to develop ocular dorzolamide HCl nanoliposomes (DRZ – nanoliposomes) and to evaluate their potential use for the treatment of ocular hypertension. Nanoliposomes were prepared using Reverse-phase evaporation vesicle (REV) and thin layer hydration (TLH) method with 7: 3 and 7: 4 molar ratios of phosphatidy lcholine: cholesterol. The physicochemical properties of the formulations were investigated. Formulations with 7: 4 lipid ratios were evaluated in terms of drug release, physical stability and ex-vivo permeation through the excised albino rabbit cornea. The rabbits in groups of 6 were treated with selected DRZ – nanoliposomes or dorzolamide solution or marketed dorzolamid preparation (Biosopt® ) and intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored. Formulations with 7: 4 molar ratio entrapped greater amount of drug compared to those with 7: 3 lipid components ratio. DRZ – nanoliposomes with 7: 4 lipid ratio showed more transcorneal permeation than Dorzolamide solution (p<0. 05); and the formulation prepared by TLH method exhibited higher permeability than that prepared by REV method (p<0. 05). The selected DRZ – nanoliposomes showed greater IOP lowering activity and a more prolonged effect compared to dorzolamide solution and Biosopt® . DRZ – nanoliposomes prepared by TLH method with 7: 4 ratios showed promising results as a candidate for the treatment of ocular hypertension.

Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has extensively been used for biological applications. Cisplatin is one the most useful antineoplastic chemotherapy drugs for a variety of different human cancers. One of the clinical problems in its application, which would consequently affect the therapeutic outcome of its application, is the occurrence of resistance to this agent. In this project three different pairs of sensitive and resistant cell lines of human ovarian A2780 and its resistant pair of A2780-CP, human ovarian OV2008 and its resistant pair of C13, and finally human lung carcinoma of HTB56 and its resistant pair of HTB56-CP were grown in the laboratory under the standard procedure. Saline was exposed to control cells, whereas 1, 5 and 10 μ g/mL of cisplatin was exposed to experimental cells, for 1 h. Cells were then collected and lyophilized from which spectra were taken. According to our results, we could not trigger a well-recognized cells biomolecular band at 1015 cm-1, being modified after exposure to cisplatin in all cell lines. On the other hand, there was a clear dose-dependent increase in protein β-sheet structure related peaks shift in resistant cell lines after exposure to cisplatin. This would probably indicate an easier protein interaction site for cisplatin in the resistant cell lines, which would probably inhibit cisplatin from binding to DNA, as the cytotoxic target. As a conclusion, FTIR biospectroscopy has proven its potency to identify the interactions, as well as the false engagement cellular sites for cisplatin in sensitive and resistant cell lines.

AbstractIn this study, a simple and reliable method by gas chromatograph– mass spectrometry (GC– MS) was developed for the fast and regular identification of 3, 4-MDMA impurities in ecstasy tablets. In so doing, 8 samples of impurities were extracted by diethyl ether under alkaline condition and then analyzed by GC– MS. The results revealed high MDMA levels ranging from 37. 6% to 57. 7%. The GC-MS method showed that unambiguous identification can be achieved for MDMA from 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), Amphetamine (AM), methamphetamine (MA) and ketamine (Keta) compounds, respectively. The experimental results indicated the acceptable time window without interfering peaks. It is found that GC-MS was provided a suitable and rapid identification approach for MDMA (Ecstacy) tablets, particularly in the Forensic labs. Consequently, the intense MDMA levels would support the police to develop a simple quantification of impurity in Ecstasy tablets.

Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in the world which appears by the effect of enviromental physico-chemical mutagen and carcinogen agents. The identification of new cytotoxic drug with low sid effects on immune system has developed as important area in new studies of immunopharmacology. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with anti-oxidative, antiinflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Its therapeutic potential is substantially hindered by the rather low water solubility and bioavailability, hence the need for suitable carriers. In this report we employed nanogel-based nanoparticle approach to improve upon its effectiveness. Myristic acid-chitosan (MA-chitosan) nanogels were prepared by the technique of selfassembly. Curcumin was loaded into the nanogels. The surface morphology of the prepared nanoparticles was determined using SEM and TEM. The other objective of this study was to examine the in vitro cytotoxic activity of cell death of curcumin and nanocurcumin on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB231). Cytotoxicity and viability of curcumin and nanocurcumin were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and dye exclusion assay. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the particle diameter was between 150 to 200 nm. Proliferation of MDA-MB231 cells was significantly inhibited by curcumin and nanocurcumin in a concentration-dependent manner in defined times. There were significant differences in IC50 curcumin and nanocurcumin. curcumin-loaded nanoparticles proved more effective compared to TQ solution. The high drug-targeting potential and efficiency demonstrates the significant role of the anticancer properties of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles.

Salvia genus is one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family. Its species have been used for a wide variety of disorders in the local traditional medicine systems. Therefore, the genus has been the subject of several phytochemical and biological studies. The aim of the study was to identify the major antioxidant compound(s) from the methanol extract of Salvia verticillata using activity-guided fractionation. The crude extract showed strong antioxidant activities in DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests. The ethyl acetate fraction also exhibited a potent free radical scavenging activity compared to the other fractions. Further fractionation and purification of the ethyl acetate fraction using chromatography methods yielded a compound with high antioxidant capacity. The isolated active compound was determined as chrysoeriol. It showed a dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 (DPPH scavenging) value of 93. 32 (80. 23-108. 57) mM.

Hepatic toxicity is the most serious adverse effect of anti tuberculosis drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin as a hepatoprotective herbal agent. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 70 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into two groups. The intervention group was assigned to receive silymarin and the control group received placebo. Tuberculosis was treated by classic regimen consisting isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the frequency of drug induced liver injury or mild elevation of liver enzymes. Silymarin was safe without any major side effect. Our results showed no significant hepatoprotective effect of silymarin among patients on tuberculosis treatment.

This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) and its main constituent crocin on neuropathic pain behavioral responses induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (200 to 250 g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups: Sham + saline, CCI + saline, CCI+ saffron (30 mg/kg), CCI + crocin (15 mg/ kg) and CCI + crocin (30 mg/kg). CCI was induced by applying 4 loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. Two weeks after nerve lesion, injections of saline, saffron or crocin were started and continued until 26th day post-surgery. Pain behavioral responses including mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament testing) and thermal hyperalgesia were measured in 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, and 40th days after CCI. CCI significantly increased pain behavioral responses. Saffron and crocin (30 mg/kg) decreased thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia on day 26, and this effect continued until the day 40. Crocin at lower dose (15 mg/kg) was ineffective. These findings indicate that treatment of saffron and crocin after CCI may have a therapeutic effect against neuropathic pain, suggesting that these substances may offer new strategies for the treatment of this highly debilitating condition.

The chemical components in the decoctions of Chinese herbal medicines are not always the same as those in the crude herbs because of the insolubility or instability of some compounds. In this work, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to explore dynamic variation patterns of aconitum alkaloids in Fuzi during the process of decocting aconite root. The fragmentation patterns of aconitum alkaloids using ESI and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques were reported. This assay method was validated with respect to linearity (r2 > 0. 9950), precision, repeatability, and accuracy (recovery rate between 94. 6 and 107. 9%). The result showed that the amounts of aconitum alkaloids in the decoction at different boiling time varied significantly. In the decoction process, the diester-type alkaloids in crude aconite roots have transformed into Benzoylaconines or aconines.

Parkinson’ s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. There are many documents about the effects of oxidative stress in Parkinson’ s disease etiology. Angiotensin II activates NADPH dependent oxidases and causes superoxides formation. Peganum harmala L. extract, which has angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect, is considered to evaluate oxidative stress inhibition and Parkinson’ s disease improvement. Male rats weighting 200-250 g were divided into 5 groups: Control, Neurotoxin (injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into left hemisphere substantia nigra), Peganum harmala’ s seeds aqueous extract (10 mg/kg) and captopril (5 mg/kg). Peganum harmala and captopril were injected intraperitonealy-144,-120,-96,-72,-48,-24,-2, 4 and 24 h relative to 6-hydroxydopamine injection time. Muscle stiffness, apomorphine induced unilateral rotation, amount of brain’ s protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, ACE activity and histology of substantia nigra were assayed in all groups. Peganum harmala improved Muscle stiffness and one-direction rotation behavior significantly. It also reduced brain’ s lipid and protein oxidation levels in neurotoxin-injected rats significantly. In Peganum harmala group compared to control group, brain’ s ACE activity was significantly inhibited. In histological study, Peganum harmala prevented degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, too. In conclusion, aqueous extract of Peganum harmala could prevent symptoms and reduced oxidative stress markers in rats with Parkinson’ s disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine.

Ilex spinigera (Aquifoliaceae) plant is an evergreen tree or shrub with thick glossy dark green leaves and red fruits. This plant has medicinal properties and has been used traditionally in northern Iran for malaria treatment. The aim of this work is to evaluate the antioxidative activities and the inhibitory effect of I. spinigera on the oxidation of DNA. We have found no reports about the popular use of I. spinigera in terms of its chemistry and biology. In this study we report the antioxidant activity of I. spinigera extracts for the first time. Water, ethanol and methanol were used as extraction solvents. Various experimental models including iron (III) reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, PAB assay and in-vitro inhibition of AAPH-induced oxidation of DNA were used for characterization of antioxidant activity of the extracts. The three extracts showed varying degrees of efficacy in each assay in a dose-dependent manner. The aqueous extract with the highest content of total phenolics, was the most potent antioxidant in all assays except in DPPH assay. The methanol extract with the highest amount of total flavonoids was the potent scavenger of DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 102. 22 ± 0. 001 μ g/mL. Aqueous extract of I. spinigera also showed the protective effect on DNA damage-induced by AAPH. According to our results, I. spinigera leaves extract have the potential for chemoprotective studies.

In this study, we investigated the sedative and hypnotic effects of the aqueous extract of Aloe vera on rats. In order to evaluate the overall hypnotic effects of the Aloe vera extract, open field and loss of righting reflex tests were primarily used. The sedative and hypnotic effects of the extract were then confirmed by detection of remarkable raise in the total sleeping time through analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings of animals. Analysis of the EEG recordings showed that there is concomitant change in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and None Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep in parallel with the prolonged total sleeping time. Results of the current research show that the extract has sedative-hypnotic effects on both functional and electrical activities of the brain.

Primula auriculata (Tootia) is one of the most important local medicinal plants in Hamedan district, Iran. To investigate cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction of crude methanolic extract and different fraction of it, we compared several methods on HT-29 human colon Adenocarcinoma cells. Cancer cell proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5‑ dimethylthiazolyl)‑ 2, 5‑ diphenyl‑ tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis induction was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy (acridin orange/ethidium bromide, annexin V/propidium iodide staining, TUNEL assay and Caspase-3 activity assay). Crude methanolic extract (CM) inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a dose-dependent manner. Among solvent fractions, the dichloromethane fraction (CF) was found to be the most toxic compared to other fractions. With double staining methods, high percentage of 40 μ g/mL of (CM) and (CF) treated cells exhibited typical characteristics of apoptotic cells. Apoptosis induction was also revealed by apoptotic fragmentation of nuclear DNA and activation of caspas-3 in treated cells. These findings indicate that crude methanolic extract and dichloromethan fraction of P. auriculata induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in colon cancer cells and could be used as a source for new lead structures in drug design to combat colon cancer.

Recently, extensive efforts have been made to understand the rate of energy expenditure and the weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic treatment, including identification of markers of obesity risk. In recent years, leptin, an adipocyte hormone, has gained significant interest in psychiatric disorders. S100B has been considered as a surrogate marker for astrocytespecific damage in neurologic disorders. Also, S100B has been detected in adipose with concentration as high as nervous tissue as a second release source. In this study we evaluated the relationship between S100B and leptin in schizophrenic patients under treatment with clozapine and risperidone. This study included 19 patients meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia, having body mass index (BMI) of 16-25 kg/m2 and suffering schizophrenia for more than 3 years and from this study. Twenty five healthy controls were group matched for age and gender whose BMI was 16-25 kg/m2. Serum S100B and leptin levels and positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) were assessed at admission and after six weeks. During the study, S100B showed a strong and negative correlation with leptin (r =-0. 5, P = 0. 01). Also, there were negative correlation between serum S100B level and PANSS negative subscale after 6 weeks of treatment (r =-0. 048, P = 0. 8). Positive correlation between leptin level and PANSS suggested a potential role for leptin which can mediate the link between antipsychotic induced weight gain and therapeutic response in schizophrenia.

Objectives: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a life threatening reaction in the stem cell transplantation process. Nowadays Cyclosporine is the most commonly utilized agent for GVHD prophylaxis and it has a major role in successful transplantation. Cyclosporine has been applied for many years in this field but it could be stated that currently no general consensus is available for its optimal method of administration. Conditions related to cyclosporine administration and possible related adverse reactions observed closely in our patients with the aim of constructing a comprehensive practice guideline in the future. Patients and Methods: Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients who have been taking cyclosporine were monitored during and after their hospitalization while recording all observations on predefined questionnaires on the basis of periodic clinical and laboratory examinations for a 16 month period. Results: Mean recorded duration of infusions was 1. 44 ± 0. 68 h and by twice daily administration, means intravenous and oral dose was 101. 85 ± 22. 03 mg and 219. 28 ± 63. 9 mg, respectively. A mean CsA trough level after about 12 h of specified unique doses was 223 ± 65 ng/mL. We found hypertension, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in about 14, 20, 48, and 94 percent of patients. Conclusions: This study proposed that permanent guidance of healthcare team according to a fixed and standard method of cyclosporine administration routine with using efficient facilities and protocols would be helpful considerably for an optimal pharmacotherapy.

Concerns about increasing bacterial resistance to vancomycin, have caused the adult treatment guidelines to recommend higher trough concentrations based on the type and location of infectious disease. Although these recommendations are not specific to children, the values can be extrapolated. This prospective study was designed to evaluate efficacy of current vancomycin dosing recommendations to achieve therapeutic trough serum concentration in pediatric patients. Laboratory data, vancomycin dosing and subsequent serum concentrations of children in a community teaching pediatrics hospital were collected and analyzed. Trough serum levels were determined at steady state and compared with Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) 2011 guidelines for the treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections. In a prospective observational, cross-sectional study in a university medical center in Tehran, Iran, 50 patients, who received vancomycin for more than 4 doses, were recruited and their trough vancomycin level was determined. The mean age and creatinine clearance of patients were 5. 47 ± 4. 24 and 87. 5 ± 31. 25, respectively. Eleven (22%) patients received vancomycin at 40 mg/kg/day (low dose) and 39 (78%) at 60 mg/kg/day (high dose). Considering trough goals of 10-14 and 15-20 mg/L in low and high dose groups, serum levels in 91% (73% subtherapeutics) and 85% (69% sub-therapeutics) of patients were not in recommended therapeutic range, respectively. This study has shown that current recommended vancomycin dosing regimens in pediatric patients (40-60 mg/kg/day), resulted in sub-therapeutic serum concentrations in our study population.

In this study demograph, clinical, paraclinical, microbiological, and therapeutic features of patients with community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis admitted to a referral center for infectious diseases in Iran, have been evaluated. Medical records of adult (> 18 years) individuals with confirmed diagnosis of communityacquired bacterial meningitis during a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. All required data were obtained from patients’ medical charts. Available findings about antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria from CSF and/or blood were also collected. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Details of medical management including antibiotic regimen, duration, patients’ outcome, and possible sequelae of meningitis were recorded. The most commonly isolated microorganism from CSF or blood of patients was Streptococcus pneumonia (33. 33%) followed by Neisseria meningitidis (27. 78%) and Haemophilus influenza (16. 67%). The most common antimicrobial regimen was ceftriaxone plus vancomycin (69. 44%) followed by ceftriaxone plus vancomycin plus ampicillin (11. 11%). Neurological sequelae of meningitis including cranial nerve palsy, deafness, and hemiparesis were identified in 4 (11. 11%), 2 (5. 56%), and 1 (2. 78%) subjects, respectively. Regarding mortality, only 3 (8. 33%) patients died from bacterial meningitis and the remaining 33 individuals discharged from the hospital. In conclusion, findings of the current study demonstrated that the mean incidence of acute bacterial meningitis in a referral infectious diseases ward in Iran was 9 episodes per year. The majority cases of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis admitted to our center had negative CSF culture and classic triad of meningitis was absent in them.

The rapid growing of information technology (IT) motivates and makes competitive advantages in health care industry. Nowadays, many hospitals try to build a successful customer relationship management (CRM) to recognize target and potential patients, increase patient loyalty and satisfaction and finally maximize their profitability. Many hospitals have large data warehouses containing customer demographic and transactions information. Data mining techniques can be used to analyze this data and discover hidden knowledge of customers. This research develops an extended RFM model, namely RFML (added parameter: Length) based on health care services for a public sector hospital in Iran with the idea that there is contrast between patient and customer loyalty, to estimate customer life time value (CLV) for each patient. We used Two-step and K-means algorithms as clustering methods and Decision tree (CHAID) as classification technique to segment the patients to find out target, potential and loyal customers in order to implement strengthen CRM. Two approaches are used for classification: first, the result of clustering is considered as Decision attribute in classification process and second, the result of segmentation based on CLV value of patients (estimated by RFML) is considered as Decision attribute. Finally the results of CHAID algorithm show the significant hidden rules and identify existing patterns of hospital consumers.

The purposes of our study were to identify a drug entry process, collect, and prioritize criteria for selecting drugs for the list of basic health insurance commitments to prepare an “ evidence based reimbursement eligibility plan” in Iran. The 128 noticeable criteria were found when studying the health insurance systems of developed countries. Four parts (involving criteria) formed the first questionnaire: evaluation of evidences quality, clinical evaluation, economic evaluation, and managerial appraisal. The 85 experts (purposed sampling) were asked to mark the importance of each criterion from 1 to 100 as 1 representing the least and 100 the most important criterion and 45 out of them replied completely. Then, in the next questionnaire, we evaluated the 48 remainder criteria by the same45 participants under four sub-criteria (Cost calculation simplicity, Interpretability, Precision, and Updating capability of a criterion). After collecting the replies, the remainder criteria were ranked by TOPSIS method. Softwares “ SPSS” 17 and Excel 2007 were used. The ranks of the five most important criteria which were found for drug approval based on TOPSIS are as follows: 1-domestic production (0. 556), 2-duration of using (0. 399), 3-independence of the assessment group (0. 363) 4-impact budgeting (0. 362) 5-decisions of other countries about the same drug (0. 358). The numbers in parenthesis are relative closeness alternatives in relation to the ideal solution. This model gave a scientific model for judging fairly on the acceptance of novelty medicines.