Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

6

Authors: Alveena Sadiq

Background: As we know that allergies all over the world is the utmost medical problem and in Karachi, Pakistan, every 2nd person is complaining of allergy due to pollution. Antihistamines are considered as one the most widely used and abused medications after analgesics. Antihistamines are generally used in the palliative treatment in allergic condition like hay fever urticaria. Some of pruritus, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, mild asthma etc. Methodology: The study conducts among the population of Karachi to check awareness regarding antihistamine and its complication i.e. sedation affect daily routine or not. This may help to estimate the level of awareness among the population of Karachi towards the usage of these drugs and accordingly enable us to make efforts to improve the same. Results: Total no of participantsis 470 that responded to the survey, and the finding indicated that the main antihistamine used is cetirizine and loratadine. A proportion of 91.5% of total number of respondent have used antihistamine for allergic disease and have information about antihistamine medications and 8.5% had used antihistamine for allergic diseases while 53.2% used antihistamine as a OTC drug and 45.8% used as a prescription drug.31.9% have experienced sedation after using antihistamine while 44.7% have not experienced any sedative effect. Nearly 23.4% not aware of the sedative effect of antihistamine. Conclusion: The most used antihistamine is cetirizine and loratadine and the most participants have an information regarding the complications and the side effects of antihistamine in general.

7

Authors: Rashid Raza

Aflatoxins are strong toxic and cancer producing substance which can be excreted in lactating humans in the form of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), exposed to food contaminated with mycotoxins. In the current study, breast milk samples of 62 lactating mothers collected from two well renowned hospitals at Karachi ,were evaluated for AFM1 by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). AFM1 was detected in 10 out of 27 samples collected through Civil Hospital (CH) and 11 out of 35 from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). In human breast milk sample collected from Civil Hospital, AFM1 was detected in a range of 28pgmL-1 to 71pgmL-1, and in human breast sample from JPMC level of AFM1 was ranging from 27pgmL-1to 970pgmL-1.The levels of AFM1 in human breast milk detected in the period of studies was found to be frequent (Correlation coefficient (r2= 0.99)), but were limited to a lower level. The levels were found to be lesser than that of FDA limit of 0.05mgkg-1. Development and improvement of the newborn child is quick and hence it is conceivable that exposure of AFM1 through human breast milk contains a noteworthy health impacts. Current study helps to carry out further study to determine the possible sources of exposure of aflatoxin in the women in future.

10

Authors: Rashid Raza

To study the effects of monsoon on the quality of drinking water, supplied by Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) to the city of Karachi, quality parameters of drinking water were analyzed before monsoon and after monsoon. A total of 13domestic water connections were selected as sampling points in Gulshan, North Karachi, Nazimabad, Gulberg, Liaquatabad, Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal, Jamshed, Saddar, Orangi, Baldia, Lyari and Keamari towns of Karachi. Samples were collected before monsoon (three times during June2020) and after monsoon (three times during Aug-Sept 2020) from each of the sampling point. Various quality parameters of the drinking water samples collected from selected locations such as pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO42- and NO3- were determined using standard methods. Detection of total possible microbial count was carried out for Total Coliform Count (TCC) and Total Fecal Coliform (TFC). The analysis shows that the physicochemical parameters for all the samples were found within the limits prescribed by WHO, except the values of EC, were found to be higher than the acceptable limit in the samples before monsoon. Whereas the entire drinking water samples tested after monsoon were found to contain TCC and TFC, making them not suitable for drinking. The major reasons of bacteriological contamination may be entering of waste water and the rain water through leakage of pipes during no flow situations. It is suggested to carry out strict monitoring of chlorination process of drinking water supply. To avoid microbial contamination, the underground pipelines of drinking water and sewer water should be distant. Overhead tanks in each town will help to maintain pressure in the drinking water pipelines.