Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Sep 2020

Despite several available topical and systemic antifungal drugs for the treatment of fungal infections, Amphotericin B (AmB) is still one of the most common first-line choices in treating systemic fungal infection for more than seven decades after its discovery. 

Amphotericin B which belongs to the polyene group has a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity. Its mechanism of antifungal action is characterized by creating a pore in the fungal plasma membrane leading to cell death.

In addition to the old formula of deoxycholate-Amphotericin B (D-AmB), three lipid formulas have been developed to reduce the adverse effects of conventional AmB (D-AmB) in the human body and increase its therapeutic efficacy. All of the known available formulas of AmB are administrated via intravenous injection to treat severe systemic fungal infections, while the development of the topical formula of AmB is still under preliminary research. Numerous pharmaceutical formulas of systemic and topical applications with clinical uses of AmB in just humans, not in vitro or animals model, against various fungal infections are discussed in this review. Topical AmB formulas are a promising way to develop effective management and to reduce the adverse effects of intravenous formulas of AmB without laboratory monitoring.

The wonderful pharmacological properties of AmB with its prolonged use for about seven decades may help researchers to apply its unique features on other various antimicrobial agents by more understanding about the AmB mechanisms of actions.

Amphotericin B is widely used intravenously for the treatment of systemic fungal infection, while the topical formula of AmB is still under experimental study.

Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aß) plaques, primarily in the hippocampus, leads to neuronal death and Alzheimer disease. Exercise and medications can prevent and treat neuronal diseases. This study aimed to determine the effects of aerobic training and donepezil, a medication used in Alzheimer disease, on the improvement of learning and memory deficits in Aß-injected male rats.

This study aimed to determine the effects of aerobic training and donepezil, a medication used in Alzheimer disease, on the improvement of learning and memory deficits in Aß-injected male rats.

Male Rats were injected with an Aβ solution into their CA1 hippocampal region. After 20 days, the rats were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at doses of 2 mg/kg/d by gavage and following treadmill exercise for 4 weeks. Then, after 24 h, they performed the Morris water maze test for five days. Additionally, we studied the molecular factors involved in neuronal plasticity, such as Ca2+/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on day 33. The animals were also evaluated histologically to determine the deposition of Aβ in the brain tissue.

Behavioral analysis showed that in the probe test, the latency to the platform zone significantly increased in the training group (F1,20=6.815; P<0.05) and in the drug group (F1,20=6.369; P<0.05). But there were no significant changes in the combined group compared with the control group (F1,20=3.909; P>0.05). Molecular analysis showed that CREB gene expression improved in the training group (F1,8=9893.539; P<0.01) and in the drug group (F1,8=631.958; P<0.01). But in the combined group, there were no significant changes compared with the Aβ group (F1,8=2.556; P>0.05). BDNF gene expression improved in the training group (F1,8=25.077; P<0.001), and in the drug group (F1,8=45.296; P<0.001). Also, in the combined group, this change was significant compared with the control group (F1,8=64.342; P<0.001). Histomorphometric analysis showed that the density of survived neurons was considerably increased in the combined group (P<0.01), and the drug group (P<0.05) compared to the control group

In the present study, behavioral and biochemical analysis demonstrated that aerobic training and donepezil hydrochloride treatment for 4 weeks protect Aβ-injected male rats against memory impairment.

Medical errors are one of the most common threats to patient safety. Medication errors have several consequences, including the increase in patients’ mortality, length of stay, and healthcare costs.

This study was conducted in Food and Drug Deputy of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (MAZUMS) to evaluate medication errors.

This study was conducted by the Food and Drug Deputy of Mazandaran University on medication errors reported and received from affiliated hospitals during 2015-2018.
The analysis was performed based on the cause of the error, the frequency of the drugs, routs of administration, and the type.

Out of 3033 reported cases, the results of data analysis indicated that the highest percentage of these errors was related to antibiotics (22.84%).
According to the results, the most common type of error belonged to the incorrect drug (44.18%), incorrect dose (25.65%), and drug omission (16.68%). The most common cause of the errors was related to neglect and insufficient care by the medical team (38.24%) and no or incorrect mention of the details of prescribed medications (in Kardex, HIS, etc.) by nurses (14.96%).

Regular in-hospital training for medical staff focused on teaching the standards required for the administration and use of various medications, and identification of common medication errors can prepare guidelines to reduce these errors in hospitals. Besides, providing measures such as electronic prescription and medication systems based on a unit-dose drug distribution system can also help reduce medication errors.

The hepatotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can deprive cancer patients of its maximum therapeutic benefits. Selenium (Se) is a trace element with potential benefits in some animal models of diseases.

This study assessed the ability of Se to nullify the hepatotoxic effect of 5-FU in albino rats. 

In this study, 40 adult male albino rats were grouped into A to D (each 5 rats). Rats in group A (control) were treated intraperitoneally (IP) with normal saline (0.2 mL) daily for 5 days. Rats in groups B1 to B3 were treated IP with Se (0.125, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/kg) daily for 5 days, respectively. Rats in group C were treated IP with 5-FU (20 mg/kg) daily for 5 days. Rats in groups D1to D3 were treated IP with Se with 0.125, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/kg before treatment with 5-FU (20 mg/kg) daily for 5 days, respectively. After treatment, the rats were euthanized, and their blood samples were collected and evaluated for serum liver function. Liver samples were evaluated for biochemical and histological parameters.

Liver and serum aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly (P<0.001) high in 5-FU-treated rats in comparison to the control group. Liver glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione levels were significantly (P<0.001) low whereas the malondialdehyde level was significantly (P<0.001) high in 5-FU-treated rats compared with the control group. Moreover, hepatocyte necrosis was observed in 5-FU-treated rats. 

Nonetheless, 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity was significantly nullified in rats supplemented with Se (0.125 mg/kg, P<0.05; 0.25 mg/kg, P<0.01, and 0.5 mg/kg, P<0.001) in a dose-dependent fashion in comparison to 5-FU-treated rats. Thus, Se may have a clinical benefit in 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity

Diverse studies suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce antinociception through the inhibition of cyclooxygenases.

This study evaluated the effect of NSAIDs in inducing antinociception either alone or in combination in mice formalin orofacial pain.

Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with dexibuprofen, dexketoprofen, diclofenac meloxicam, metamizole and piroxicam. Then from a dose-response curve the ED50 (dose that produce 50% of maximum effect) was obtained from each drug.

The administration of NSAIDs produced a dose-dependent antinociception in both phases of the assay with different potency. Then, combinations of the cited NSAIDs were tested and analyzed by isobolographic analysis. The results demonstrate that the nocifensive response induced when dexketoprofen (DEX), the dextrorotatory enantiomer of the S (+) configuration of ketoprofen, was combined with piroxicam, diclofenac, dexibuprofen, metamizole, and meloxicam, was synergistic, either in Phase I or Phase II of the formalin orofacial mice assay.

The data demonstrated that the NSAIDs administered alone or in combination produce antinociception. These effects need to be explained by other mechanisms of action of NSAIDs other than the simple inhibition of COXs. The findings may be relevant for the relief of acute or chronic pain such as migraine, post‐herpetic neuralgia and tooth pain.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of arachis oil and liquid paraffin on metoclopramide release from transdermal films.

Batches of metoclopramide films were prepared with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), arachis oil or liquid paraffin and Tween 80 as plasticizer. The films were evaluated for their physiochemical properties, in vitro and ex vivo drug release and drug release kinetics. Drug-excipient interactions were investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

The transdermal films had a weight range of 0.22-0.24 g, folding endurance of 300-306, percentage moisture content and uptake of 2%-10% and 19%-110%, respectively and drug content of 98%-104%. There was similar condition in vitro release profile for the films but their ex vivo profiles exhibited variable drug release with the P3 (30% arachis oil) giving the highest drug (almost 100%) release. 

The release kinetics of metoclopramide followed the first order and Korsemeyer-Peppas models more closely as seen in their correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.9832 and 0.9560, respectively. Drug-excipient compatibility studies showed no interactions between excipients and metoclopramide.

The formulated transdermal films showed controlled drug release over a period of 12 h. Arachis oil and liquid paraffin showed similar permeation enhancing ability. These enhanced permeation properties of the films could be helpful in the development of alternative route for metoclopramide administration in the management of emesis with improved patient acceptance.

Globally, permethrin is used as an insecticide for pest control in indoor environments and in agriculture to enhance food production by eradicating undesirable insects and controlling disease vectors. 

The present study investigated the protective effects of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) on permethrin-induced liver injury in mice. 

Adult mice were divided into four groups. The first group was the negative control group, whereas the second group was the positive control group that received dandelion through the diet at 2% (corresponding to a dose of 5 g/kg bw). The third group received permethrin (96 mg/kg bw) by gavage, whereas the fourth group received permethrin and a diet enriched with dandelion (cotreatment). All mice were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment.

Biomarkers of liver toxicity (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH activities and bilirubin level) increased following permethrin treatment. Permethrin induced oxidative stress, which was indicated by an increase in MDA and GSH levels as well as GPx activity and a decrease in SOD activity. Permethrin treatment caused histological alterations in the liver, whereas co-treatment with dandelion reduced liver injury. Our results revealed that alterations of biochemical parameters and liver histological profile in mice following permethrin exposure were reversed towards normalization by the treatment with dandelion roots extract. 

The protective effect of this plant might be due to its antioxidant capacity.

Approximately 43906 human lives were lost to COVID-19 by July 2, 2020, in the United Kingdom (UK). This study estimated the total present value of human lives lost due to COVID-19 in the UK as of July 2, 2020.

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted external trade and negatively impacted on all the socioeconomic sectors in the UK.

The objective of this study was to estimate the total present value of human lives lost due to COVID-19 n the UK as of July 2, 2020.

The human capital approach was employed to value human lives lost into money, assuming a 3% discount rate and an average life expectancy of 81.8 years in the UK. The economic model was re-estimated using (a) 5% and 10% discount rates, and (b) the average world life expectancy of 72 years, and (c) the world’s highest life expectancy of 88.1 years to test the robustness of the total present value of human lives lost. 

The human lives lost had a total present value of the international dollar (Int$) of 9883426226 and an average present value per human life of Int$ 225104. Approximately 76.2% of the total present value was sustained by those aged 30 and 79 years. Re-estimation of the model with discount rates of 5% and 10% instead of 3% reduced the total present value by Int$ 1158424570 (11.7%), and Int$ 3058724257 (31.0%), respectively.

The average present value per human life was almost five-fold the UK’s GDP per person in 2020. The presented evidence could be used to advocate for increased investments into the British National Health Service and other health-related systems to optimize Universal Health Coverage, International Health Regulations capacities, and secondary education coverage to better mitigate economic and human suffering during future pandemics.