Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

5

Authors: Nahla Labyad 1 , Safa Aljele 1 , Yousef A. Taher 2 *

Background: Henna adulteration is getting rise, over the world, as the cosmetic desire increased. Hence, health problems are induced due to its adulteration with synthetic substances. This study aimed to perform pharmacognostic and phytochemicals analysis of Royal henna to determine its anatomical features. Method: For this purpose, Royal (different colors) and Lawsonia inermis leaves, a natural henna herb, were purchased from local market, identified and extraction was performed by maceration of dried materials in methanol. Phytochemical screening, microscopic, thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) and florescence analyses were executed. Results: Microscopic studies showed presence of small parts related to senna plant within the Royal red henna extract. The Royal brown revealed presence of natural henna plant coupled with a strange plant carrying dyes unrelated to the flora of henna. While, unknown black particles and fibrous were seen in Royal black henna extract. TLC analysis revealed presence of synthetic materials. All Royal dye showed presence of foreign substances. Phytochemical screening showed presence of different primary and secondary metabolites. Whereas, the florescence evaluation revealed different colors both in visible and ultra violet (254nm and 366nm). So identification and quantification studies for foreign substances are important and needed to avoid consumer health risks.

7

Authors: Saman Shahab Farooqui*, Safila Naveed, Fatima Qamar

Naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which affect the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme. It worked by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins by decreasing the activity of the enzyme, cyclooxygenase, resulted in decrease formation of prostaglandin precursors. It had been indicated in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout and acute mucoskeletal disorders. The main objective of this study was to identify the best bioequivalent brands available in Karachi, by observing their results in order to make the treatment cost-effective. Three different brands of Naproxen (500mg) were taken in the study that were observed under six quality control parameters i.e. weight variation test, hardness test, thickness test, friability test, disintegration test, and dissolution test as per specified by British and US Pharmacopeia BP/USP. All the test requirements were compiled by all three brands of naproxen. Disintegration time for all three brands was within 15 minutes that follows BP/USP standards. All the brands showed more than 80% drug release within 30 minutes. The study showed that almost all the brands of Naproxen available in Karachi had met the specification for quality control analysis.

12

Authors: Hajra Qayyum*, Marriam Bakhtiar

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a type of endovascular infection caused by bacteria in the bloodstream which get adhered to the damaged heart valve. IE has extensively been associated with oral hygiene, as onset of bacteremia has been observed more often in dental patients. Furthermore, few members of oral microbiota including certain strains of Streptococcus sanguinis have also been isolated from IE colonies. Streptococcus sanguinis is a large group of infectious bacteria including human pathogenic strains. S. sanguinis SK36 is a member of microflora of human mouth and is an opportunistic pathogen of dental plaques. Various other strains of S. sanguinis also constitute human mouth microflora, and have the potential to cause dental plaques, therefore, a possibility is there that they too might have a role in the onset of IE. Objective: In this study, we aim to investigate the possible role of all known strains of S. sanguinis in the onset of IE and cluster them accordingly. Method: To achieve this, 31 strains of S. sanguinis were investigated and clustered into two groups i.e. Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic. We further divided the pathogenic cluster into two sub-clusters; moderate and severe pathogens, based on their distance from the reference strain and degree of significance of the virulence determinants they possess. 22 virulence determinants were enlisted by literature survey and revealed association with IE. Results: Based on our investigations, we clustered 16 out of 31 strains as pathogenic (4 severe and 12 moderate) and rest of 15 as non-pathogenic of IE. Conclusion: It is concluded that not only SK36 and VMC66 but 14 other strains of S. sanguinis also have the potential to cause IE and there is dire need to conduct a comprehensive study to find out their relationship with IE.