Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Jun 2019

Probiotic foods are products comprising of sufficient quantities of live microorganisms. The most important class of probiotic bacteria are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, found in huge amount in dairy products, including kefir and yogurt. Probiotic microorganisms are most probable discovered in fermented fish foods as well. In this study, for the first time, we introduced a fermented fish food, which is customarily manufactured in southern Iran called Mahvah. This fermenting product prepared from a kind of fish named motto (in native language) or sardines. This work aimed to specify total content of mineral elements, fat and protein in this food stuff and identify the potential probiotic microorganisms. In this regard, various samples were gathered from various area of the southern Iran (Narman, Varavi, Lamard); each was independently analyzed and mineral elements such as nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and sulphur, as well as total lipid, fatty acids and protein content were established. The microorganisms in this seafood were isolated and identified by morphological and biochemical approaches along with probiotic features. The ultimate bacterial species were then isolated on the basis of these experiments and ultimately were recognized as normal microbial flora in this fermented seafood product. The findings of this research point out that the dominantly is belonged to the Lactobacillus genus in all samples, and the provided Mahvah can be considered as a nutritional fermented seafood containing good probiotic bacteria.

The goal of DUE is to improve patients’ care. Studying the administration and utilization pattern of IVIg is an important research topic due to its significant role in the treatment and control of many disorders, high prices, and limited availability. We aimed to evaluate the pattern of IVIg use in an educational hospital. In this descriptive-cross sectional and retrospective study, 250 patients’ records included medical orders, nursing notes and drug chart were studied. We used FDA and UK protocol to evaluate of IVIg indications in our study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Prescription of IVIg in our hospital adhered to FDA- approved indications and red indications of UK guideline with 64.1% and 67.6%, respectively. ITP was the most common cause of the correct prescriptions (52.7% based on FDA guideline and 50% based on UK guideline). Sepsis (15.5%), hyperbillirubinemia (10.4%), encephalitis (3.5%), and aplastic anemia (1.38%) were incorrect indications of IVIg in our study. ADRs was observed in 14.5% of patients. Consumption of IVIg in our hospital, was more consistent with international guidelines compared with other hospitals in IRAN, of course unnecessary prescriptions cannot be ignored. We suggest to develop own national guideline and educate our prescribers to minimize irrational prescription of expensive and important medicines such as IVIg.

A method of determination of concentration of solute depended to its chemical properties, degree of dilution and matrix that takes it. Formulation of liposomal hydroquinone, a drug delivery system, is developed to increase efficacy treatment. Challenge of determination of low concentrations of hydroquinone in liposomal complex matrix by simple method was done successfully. In this study, a colorimetric method—based on the method of diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) reduction—was used to measure the concentration of hydroquinone in the liposomal matrix. Hydroquinone is an ingredient with antioxidant activity that is able to reduce DPPH molecules. the samples were dissolved in methanol for testing and, after an hour of mixing with DPPH, the absorption intensity of each sample was measured at a wavelength of 516 nm then validation parameters such as linearity and range, precision, accuracy, specificity, LOQ and LOD were measured. This method can be used to determine the concentration of hydroquinone liposomal samples in the concentration range 0.5–2 µg/ml, with a regression rate of 0.999, precision 2.1% for intraday and 2.8% for inter-day, recovery 96.2% and 100.8% for 80% and 120% main concentration respectably, LOQ 0.149 µg/ml and LOD 0.04 µg/ml were obtained. This method is precision, accuracy, specificity and linear to determination hydroquinone in liposomal matrix.

Many chemotherapeutics used for cancer treatments show systemic toxicity to the normal tissues. Using nanoparticles (NPs) improves drug delivery efficiency and decreases the side effects. The aim of this study was to load doxorubicin (DOX) on TiO2 NPs for its potential role in enhancing the anticancer efficacy of DOX while reducing its side effects. At first, for improving the dispersibility of TiO2 NPs in water, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) with two MWs (1000 and 4000 kDa) was used for wrapping the surface of TiO2 NPs. DOX was loaded on the TiO2 NPs by forming complexes with titanium, to construct TiO2-PEG-DOX NPs. The effects of various weight ratios of DOX to TiO2 on the loading efficiencies of NPs were assessed. The stability of these NPs in 2 different pH values (7.4 and 5) was evaluated. At the end, the cytotoxicity of TiO2-PEG-DOX was compared with free DOX against MCF-7 cell line. The formation of a thin layer of PEG around the TiO2 NPs was confirmed through thermo gravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Fluorescence scanning results showed the complex formation between DOX and TiO2-PEG. The loading efficiency of DOX in TiO2-PEG1000 was 74% and in TiO2-PEG4000 was up to 85%. These complexes were stable at different pH values for long time (one month). The viability percent of cancerous cells expose to TiO2-PEG-DOX was lower than free DOX after 48 hours. The characteristics of TiO2-PEG-DOX show that this drug delivery system is a promising strategy for future clinical practice.

As a physiologic process, reflux commonly occurred following a daily meal with no sign. Heartburn in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) has been defined as “Harghat-e-me’adeh” or “Josha-e-hāmez”. Regarding the clinical importance of this complication, in current work a related traditional formulation containing True cardamom, Ginger, Black cumin and Mastic, selected from various related traditional formulations which have been extracted from three main Qarabadin textbooks of Persian medicine. Following content authentication and microscopic characterization, various tablet formulations were prepared using excipients. The final formulation was a tablet containing those ingredients in 28% for each, with avicel (9/8%) and Magnesium stearate (0.2%) as a binder, respectively. Chemical composition analysis was carried out using Gas Chromatography/ Mass spectrometry apparatus (GC/MS). α-terpinyl acetate (34.02%), 1,8- cineole (18.07), cumin-aldehyde (8.15), and γ-terpinene (11.74%) were identified as major constituents. The content determination of the tablet was performed via Gas Chromatography/ Flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The fingerprint obtained from IR Spectroscopy. Data on pharmaceutical assessment were included friability (less than 1%), weight variation (less than 1%), hardness (6.5±0.5 kg/cm2), disintegration time (less than 35 min) and thickness (3.02±.04 mm). The yield of essential oil extracted from the tablet was found 3%, and each tablet contained 1.33 mg γ-terpinene. This finished product can be introduced as medicine for clinical trial and pharmaceutical industry.

With respect to the importance and high consumption of this drink, assessment of various brands and populations are needed to reach to high quality samples. Low-quality or fake samples may cause many unwanted effects. Therefore, comparative study of various samples will be beneficial to select a high quality sample. This study aimed to assess evaluate the quality of fourteen green tea samples based on microscopic characterization and pharmacognostical properties. Fourteen green tea samples were purchased from markets (Iran), both internal and external brands. Also a sample was collected from Lahijan (North of Iran) as a control. The methanol extracts of all samples were subjected to microscopic characterization as well as determination of total phenol and flavonoid content using current related methods. In addition, thin layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprint was performed on all respected extracts using HPTLC technique. Microscopic characterization showed calcium oxalate crystal, trichomes, idioblasts, stroma in high quality samples. Total phenol content of Chinese teabag methanol extract was at highest (288.4±12.03 mg GAE/g extract) and the lowest phenol content was related to the Chinese bulk sample (144.76±4.32 mg GAE/g extract). On the other hand, highest and lowest flavonoid content was found in Pakistan (19.77±0.68 mg QE/ g extract) and Lahijan (4.5±0.02 mg QE/ g extract) bulk samples, respectively. TLC chromatogram fingerprint indicated the presence of phenolic compounds with related intensity. Current study represented that these assessments are well functional and beneficial to be consider for the screening and quality control evaluation of various tea samples from different origins.

Today, it’s become established that methotrexate (MTX) has good efficacy for the treatment of various disease such as leukemia or rheumatoid arthritis and so on. Although high-dose MTX is easily prescribed for most patients, it can cause severe toxicity including nephrotoxicity. Clearance of the drug from the body following this complication can be delayed. Therefore, it is more desirable to use controlled drug delivery systems for dose reduction and systemic toxicity and drug delivery for a long time. In addition to the above, the chemical instability of the active molecule can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of drug in physiologic conditions. Therefore, it is important to know the nature of the methotrexate reaction at physiological pH and temperature. Considering this, we use phosphate-buffered saline with physiologic pH for release of MTX. As our study showed, methotrexate molecules present instability during the physiological conditions for 48 hours. The present study helps in considering studies of methotrexate taking into account the critical factor of instability, considering the calculated rate constant.