Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

7

Authors: Muhammad Fawad Rasool, Gul-e-Nokhaze, Muhammad Nasir Kalam, Syed Nisar Hussain Shah, Abdul Majeed*

Background: Thalassemia is a group of genetically inherited blood disorders due to defective haemoglobin chains. Patients require continuous blood transfusions throughout the life which results in iron overload and toxic injury to various organs. So, there is always a need for chelation therapy which further increase the cost of therapy and affect the quality of life of patients. Aim of the Study: This study was conducted to analyze and compare the cost of treatment for Hydroxyurea and Chelating agents with blood transfusions in thalassemia, their clinical outcomes and success of therapy. Methodology: It was a retrospective cohort study conducted on pediatric thalassemia patients in tertiary care hospitals of Multan and Khanewal, Pakistan for six months. Results: The average cost of treatment in terms of direct medical cost in HU and BT treatments were Rs:1105.25 ± 392.62 and Rs:14219.27 ± 4124.22 respectively. Hydroxyurea treatment has relatively less (4.16%) adverse reaction than chelating agents (36.44%). Although it is not a blood group related disease, in this study, 54% of the sample have O +ive blood group. Conclusion: Hydroxyurea is better, both in terms of safety and cost of treatment than chelating agents to address iron overload with blood transfusion therapy in thalassemia.

7

Authors: Faizan Muhammad, Saniya Mustafa, Muhammad Muzzamil*, Hina Batool

Background: Mental illness is related with the condition that not only affects the mental condition of person but show its affects on feelings and thoughts of general public. These situation impact deeply on the daily life of people and makes them unable to deal with even normal situation. There are various forms of mental illness such as anxiety disorder, depression and schizophrenia. The chances of disease are higher in developed countries as compared to developing countries people of developed countries have to deal with more problems and complex situations. Objective: The study was conducted to find cause and prevalence of various types of mental illness with respect to gender, society, age, profession and qualification. Methodology: A cross observation study was conducted for the people which were dealing with mental health concern. The data was collected of almost 100 patients including men and women of different age groups. Moreover, it was also accessed in the study that how awareness about mental illness leads to better health of person. Results: The results showed that 46 out of 100 patients were professional while most of the patients were non-professional which determined that when people remained free and does not do any work than there are more chances of development of mental diseases. Furthermore, most of the people as 47 out of 100 were graduated, thus it is clear from study that young people are highly affected with mental related disorders. The most associated problem of mental illness is that people remain unaware of treatment methods such as results confirmed that 35 out of 100 patients were unaware of both counselling method and other medication treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence of mental diseases especially depression and anxiety disorders are increasing day by day. Due to innovation in all products of regular use, the ease for human is increased but also leads to development of various new disease especially mental health problems. The cause of mental diseases is different for different people but the most common is change in culture, family problems and status issues.

13

Authors: Yousef A. Taher1*, Awatef M. Samud2, Hana I. Kinder1, Hana M. Algrew1, Hana M. Al-Shawish1, Abdulbasit Al-Shebly3, MuftahA. Shushni3, Mabrouka El-Ashheb4

Salvia fruticosa L. (Labiatae) is a well-known plant for its medicinal values in several medical disorders. In the present study, S. fruticosa, at the i.p. doses 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significant antidepressant effect against both forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) induced immobility behave in mice, with a maximum protective values, respectively, of (FST; 51.9% and 72.3% decrease; P<0.001; TST; 36.8% and 45.4% decrease, P<0.05). In addition, in FST, S. fruticosa significantly increased active swimming by 75.1% (P<0.001) compared with fluoxetine value of 66.7%, but produced no significant changes in climbing tries against a cylinder walls. The extract also showed insignificant effect on locomotor activity of mice. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of S. fruticosa, in TST, was significantly abrogated in mice pretreated with cyproheptadine (3mg/kg, i.p), indicating a role for 5HT2 receptors in this protective effect. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of saponin, steroids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. These findings demonstrate that S. fruticosa ethanol extract has a potential antidepressant-like effect that seems to be mediated by serotonergic system, via stimulation of 5HT2 receptors, as well as providing a scientific evidence for its use in folk medicine.

5

Authors: Syed Nisar Hussain1 Shah, Zohaib Muzaffar1, Mueen Mohsin2 and Huma butt2*

The study was aimed to compare in-vitro release behavior of four commercially available brands of diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets. Most commonly used brands of tablets were taken randomly that contained same quantity of active ingredients but differ in type or amount of excipients used. USP references standard Diclofenac Sodium was used to obtain standard curve. In-vitro dissolution was performed by USP Paddle apparatus employing two different dissolution medium one acidic (pH 1.2) and other buffer medium (pH 6.8). Weight variation of these formulations was found to be 1.4%, 2.1%, 2.6% and 0.9%. In-vitro dissolution rate of these commercially available brands of diclofenac sodium were 97.867%, 90.979%, 95.639% and 99.494% respectively. The result showed variability in release profile. Sustained quality control and constant market monitoring on these products and its formulation factors can lead to improvement in quality of medicine.

6

Authors: Nabeela Ameer* and Muhammad Hanif

The chemical composition of camel milk in various aspects is quite different from other animal milk and is abundant source of vitamins, minerals, most significantly vitamin B and vitamin C and iron. It is easily digested by lactose-intolerant individuals. Camel milk protein has high amount of lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins, IgA, IgG which are effective against most bacteria and virus. It is rich source of ash content possessing strong antioxidant property. Medicinal properties reported in previous literature are hepatoprotective, antidiabetic,antibacterial and antiviral. Review will focused on protective effect of camel milk in acetaminophen induced toxicity. Acetaminophen cause marked increase in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphate (ALP) and cholesterol. While use of camel milk significantly reduces SGOT, SGPT, ALP, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and improved the liver enzymes.

11

Authors: Siddra Khalid1, Muhammad Hanif1*, Aisha Anam1, Sbair Ali2, Mubashar Aziz3

Targeted drug delivery remains a challenge for the pharmaceutical scientists due to less solubility of API and less compatibility and contact time of excipients with mucous membrane. Modification in the composition of excipients by addition of different functional groups can be used to overcome the problems. Addition of thiol group by different methods can increase the mucoadhesion, solubility, stability in acidic medium and contact time of dosage forms. Resulting thiol containing polymers make a disulfide bonds with the mucous membrane. Review contains a brief account on introduction to thiomers, polymers used in thiolation, S-protected preactivated thiomers, dosage forms including micro and nanoparticles, microgels and transdermal patches comprising thiolated polymers and description of different preparatory methods of thiolated polymers. Additionally, the review also focused In-vivo studies performed on mucosal membrane of animals to ensure the improved permeation, efflux pump inhibition and controlled release effect of thiomers.