Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Mar 2022

Traditional medicine with a profound historical background is a rich source of clinical experiences for thousands of years. It has shown promising therapeutic effects on complex disorders with a holistic approach. However, the multi-component and multi-target pharmacology of traditional drugs are not clearly understood with the current reductionist approach. Modernization of traditional medicine (TM) by means of modern technology and academic thoughts as well as innovative methods and scientific experiments helps better perception of the ancient wisdom behind traditional mechanisms. Besides, modernization of TM via new ideas from the globally accepted scientific standards can result in a series of highly active, safe, and controllable modern TM products. In this approach, advanced technology and innovative methodology play a key role in TM development. On the other hand, personalized medicine paradigm which is recommended in TM theories aims to achieve the proper diagnosis and treatment for each patient. It particularly focuses on the maintenance of health and enhancing the resistance of body to diseases. The present work was conducted to emphasis the pivotal role of utilizing modern innovations in TM systems

Oral sildenafil has proven efficacy in pulmonary hypertension in current clinical practice. However, there is a research gap in sildenafil prescribing among patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the appropriateness of sildenafil prescribing and rehospitalization rate in patients with corrected VHD and PH. This is a retrospective descriptive study using universal sampling with a calculated sampling size of 123. Patients who were diagnosed with VHD and PH in Hospital Serdang were recruited from 2014 - 2018. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from Electronic Hospital Information System (eHIS) and recorded using a pre-designed data collection form. Appropriateness prescribing of sildenafil included appropriate dose(20mg to 80mg three times daily) and duration(total of eight weeks of sildenafil treatment that started before and continued after surgery). Rehospitalization is defined as any hospitalization within six months after surgery. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From 123 patients (44.7% male, 55.3% female), 41% (n=51) and 61.8%(n=76) received appropriate dose and duration of Sildenafil respectively. Rehospitalization rate within six months after valve surgery was 55.3%(n=68). Univariate analysis showed that patients more than 65 years old (p=0.039), atrial fibrillation (AF) (p=0.04) and female (p=0.002) received appropriate prescribing of sildenafil. Only female patients and patients with AF were the predictors of appropriate prescribing of sildenafil. The role of sildenafil in VHD and PH remains unclear and needs further research in different perspectives such as short term and long-term duration with different doses.

Gastric erosion is a multifactorial etiological disorder. The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of trifluoperazine (TFP ) on gastric lesioninduced by cold-water stress and ethanol in rats. TFP 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg as well as pantoprazole (20 mg/kg), as the standard treatment, was administered via oral gavage, 1 h before gastric lesion-induced by 50% ethanol (5 ml/kg per oral) or immersion in cold water (20-22 °C) in rats. Animals were anesthetized 1 h after ethanol gavage or 4 h after immersion in cold water. The stomach tissue was removed and allocated for histopathological and biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA )level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity assay. Both models were induced significant increase in MDA level and decrease in SOD and CAT activity. Pre-treatment with TFP at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly increased the activity of SOD and CAT enzymes and decreased the concentration of MDA in both models. Also, pre-treatment with TFP ameliorated ethanol and cold-water stress-induced damage. TFP demonstrated gastric mucosal protection against oxidative injuries caused by ethanol and cold-water stress because of its antioxidant properties and inhibition of toxic oxidant in the stomach tissues.

Peptic ulcer is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems diagnosed all over the world. The aim of the present study is to develop floating microballoons of Rhynchosia densiflora (Roth) DC leaf extract and to evaluate its peptic ulcer activity. An ethanolic extract of R. densiflora (Roth) DC leaves was prepared by Soxhlet extraction and subjected to phytochemical analysis. Microballoons loaded with ethanolic extract of R. densiflora leaf were developed by solvent evaporation method and characterized by optical microscopy, floating time, and release characteristics. Acute oral toxicity study of microballons was carried out following OECD guidelines 423 and antiulcer activity was performed by pylorus ligation, indomethacin and cystamine induced duodenal ulcer methods. R. densiflora extract was found to contain glycosides, proteins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins and saponins. The particle size of microballoons of R. densiflora extract was found to be in the range of 300 μm. Acute toxicity studies of microballoons did not produce any toxic symptoms and mortality in animals, hence 100 and 200 mg/kg concentrations were selected to screen antiulcer activity. Both the doses showed significant gastric ulcer healing effect and gastric antisecretory effect in pylorus ligated rats, gastric cytoprotective effect in indomethacin induced gastric ulcer and also produced a significant reduction in duodenal ulcers. Dose of 200 mg/kg showed highly significant antiulcer activity than 100 mg/kg. Thus, it is concluded that floating microballoons loaded with R. densiflora extract significantly reduced gastric acid secretion, increased healing of gastric ulcers and also prevent the duodenal ulcers in rats.

Targeted drug delivery systems into the colon to cure different local diseases like ulcerative colitis, cancer, and irritable bowel diseases have gained attention. These drug delivery systems are more effective for local inflammation and have limited side effects. The purpose of the present study is to formulate a controlled-release system of mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory agent by fluidized bed coating. The formulation was prepared using hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose as sustained delivery and cellulose acetate phthalate for enteric-coated behavior. The prepared granules were evaluated for particles size, moisture content, friability, dissolution test. The granules made with wet granulation had a suitable size and free flowability with carr's index lower than 20. It was concluded that the prepared granules could be successfully formulated with the use of release retarding polymers. The formulation showed appropriate release retardation of the drug, indicating the potential of a delivery system. A further investigation like capsule preparation and microbial count examination is needed for better evaluation of the formulation.

Using a blend of herbal and synthetic polymers, the authors aim to extend the release of Sirolimus from the tablets. Sirolimus was used as a model drug, Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose was used as a synthetic polymer, and mucilage from Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves was used as a natural polymer in this study. In addition to treating Lymphangioleiomyomatosis damage and suppressing body rejection toward transplanted organs, sirolimus is also an orphan drug. The Sirolimus matrix tablets are made with a combination of H. rosa sinensis leaf mucilage and Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. We assessed the flow properties of the blend and classified the designed tablets for official and non-official tests, including Sirolimus discharge. Sirolimus matrix tablets have passable pre- and post-formulation parameters with good Sirolimus content. A chemical interaction between Sirolimus and the polymers used in the study was not observed. Researchers also discovered that H. rosa sinensis leaf mucilage can be a good polymer in combination with other polymers for prolonged drug release.

Exotoxin A (exoA) is a major pathogenic factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This non-fermenting gram-negative bacillus causes a wide range of infections. P. aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. With this view, this study was aimed to identify P. aeruginosa strains carrying the exoA gene isolated from burn wounds. As part of the cross-sectional study, 110 samples of burns were collected in several hospitals. After identification of bacterial strains by biochemical and microbiological tests, genomic DNA was extracted. PCR reaction was performed for screening for exoA gene. After examining DNA extracted using quantitative (Nano drop with OD260/280=1.8-2nm) and qualitative (electrophoresis on the 0.7% gel agarose) methods, 75.4% (n; 83 of 110) isolates carried the exoA gene. The high prevalence of the exoA gene in P. aeruginosa strains indicate the important role of this exoenzyme in the spread of infection in burn patients. Therefore, it is recommended that people with burn infections be screened for the exoA gene.

The burden of cancer is alarmingly great on humans. However, the relevance of plants in combating cancer cannot be undermine. We joined the global search for anticancer agents from plants by screening nineteen (19) medicinal plant extracts on human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines using the 3- [4, 5-dimethylthiazol–2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Vincristine was used as the positive reference. Results were presented as mean IC50±standard error of the mean using GraphPad Prism (6.0). One-way ANOVA was used to establish the level of statistical significance. The results showed that twelve of the extracts were moderately cytotoxic on MCF-7 while seven were moderately active on RD (IC50, 30-100 µg/mL). Two of the extracts, Afzelia africana stem and Anogeissus leiocarpus root, showed significant activity on MCF-7 while seven had significant activity on RD (IC50.