Avicenna Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Dec 2022

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic human infections worldwide. It begins with bacterial adherence to the tooth surface and the formation of dental plaques. Among various microorganisms involved, mutans streptococci are the principal oral microorganisms involved in the initiation and development of dental caries. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a quaternary ammonium with a rapid bactericidal effect, is widely used as the active ingredient of antiseptic oral mouthrinses. Plants extracts are also extensively employed in oral hygiene products for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. The present study aimed to investigate the combined antibacterial activity of CPC in combination with two plant extracts that are extensively utilized in dental hygiene products.

The aerial parts of Matricaria chamomile and hydroalcoholic extracts of Quercus infectoria galls were prepared by maceration. Dried extracts were investigated for antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). A checkerboard method was applied to investigate the combined antibacterial activity of CPC in the presence of M. chamomile aerial parts and Q. infectoria gall extracts.

The results of this study indicated a synergistic effect between CPC and the hydroalcoholic extract of Q. infectoria galls. However, the presence of the extract of M. chamomile aerial parts had an antagonistic effect on the antibacterial activity of CPC against S. mutans.

Accordingly, despite several beneficial properties, plant extracts should be cautiously used in the formulation of antimicrobial products due to the probability of unwanted antagonistic interactions that destroy the product’s efficacy.

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia. Following colorectal cancer surgery, although systemic opioids are often first-line analgesia, they may be associated with various adverse effects. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been shown to provide good analgesia with a safe side effect profile. This study assessed whether ITM alongside patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) reduces the incidence of immediate postoperative adverse effects and post-discharge outcomes compared to PCA alone following colorectal cancer surgery.

In this retrospective cohort study, data from 260 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery during 2014-2018 at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre was extracted from a clinical database and medical records. Immediate postoperative outcomes included pruritus, postoperative ileus, and time to mobilisation. Post-discharge outcomes encompassed chronic postoperative pain and long-term opioid consumption. Cancer recurrence was an exploratory endpoint. Comparative analysis was undertaken for ITM with PCA (the ITM group) compared to PCA alone (the PCA group), overall and after stratification into laparoscopy versus laparotomy procedures.

In total, 260 patients were included in this study (160 in the ITM group and 100 in the PCA group). The ITM group trended toward a lower incidence of postoperative ileus, lower incidence of chronic pain, and opioid use at three and six months but not at twelve months.

Based on the findings, the ITM group trended toward reductions in postoperative ileus, chronic pain, and opioid use at three and six months.

The administration of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is increasing worldwide, due to the higher costs of oral and rectal administration; hence, appropriate prescription of IV acetaminophen is highly important. The aim of this study was to check the compliance of injectable acetaminophen prescription based on the patient’s conditions with health protocols in the neurology ward of hospitalized adults in Hamadan, Iran.

A total of 97 patients with the age range of 17-88 years hospitalized in the neurology ward of Shahid Beheshti hospital in Hamadan from April 2021 to September 2021, who received at least 1 dose of IV acetaminophen, were examined in this retrospective single-center cohort study. Demographic information and clinical parameters such as blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, the reason for administration, administration dose and intervals, and the number of administration doses with national guidelines underwent an investigation. The data of the study were extracted from the medical records of the patients and analyzed with SPSS software at a confidence level of 95%.

The results demonstrated that the indications for injecting acetaminophen were pain (62.9%), fever (32%), and simultaneous pain and fever (5.2%). The average dose of injectable acetaminophen, the duration of administration (minutes), and the administration intervals (hours) were 5.05 ± 0.66, 67.50 ± 6.62, and 12.34 ± 5.37, respectively. The frequency of compliance with the instructions was 21.6% and 72.2% of non-compliance due to the lack of a need for an injectable form while there was the possibility of using an oral or rectal form.

Based on the results of this study, the majority of IV acetaminophen in patients admitted to the neurology ward did not comply with national guidelines, and the most common cause of noncompliance was the use of the injectable form of acetaminophen. Moreover, improper administration of IV acetaminophen is not economically beneficial for the healthcare system.

In addition to current therapies, herbal medicine is still used as an effective method for the treatment of some diseases such as bleeding disorders. Thymus vulgaris has been employed as traditional remedy in the treatment of bleeding disorders, although its clinical effects have not been investigated yet. Accordingly, this study evaluated the effects of the T. vulgaris extract on coagulation parameters, including bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and the number of platelets (PLT).

Forty male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8). The treated groups were administered with 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg/daily of the hydroalcoholic extract, as well as negative and positive control groups. Blood samples were taken from animals on the 13th and 14th day after treatment, and then coagulation indices were determined finally.

The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the BT and CT tests while a significant increase in PT, aPTT, and platelet numbers. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the hydro-alcoholic extract of T. vulgaris are the most affecting compounds confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and phytochemical experiments.

In general, the results indicated the coagulation effect of the T. vulgaris extract through primary homeostasis and a common pathway of secondary hemostasis.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the main form of dementia, is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, and several hypotheses have been proposed for its pathogenesis. Among them, cholinergic hypofunction is the main reason and plays a significant role in cognitive impairment. According to this theory, ChE inhibitors improve the performance of the cholinergic system and increase memory function. Thus, this study investigated a novel series of 2-amino-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives bearing benzyloxy phenyl moiety as ChE enzyme inhibitors.

The synthesized compounds 6a-o are divided into three series based on benzyloxy phenyl moiety. The structure of all compounds was identified by the NMR (1H and 13C) and IR spectra. Then, their inhibitory activities against ChE enzymes were evaluated by Ellman’s spectrophotometrical method. The kinetic and molecular docking studies were performed for compound 6l as the most potent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitor.

The 2-amino-4-(4-((4-fluorobenzyl)oxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-c] quinoline-3-carbonitrile (6l) demonstrated the best anti-BChE activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration value of 1.00 ± 0.07. The kinetic and molecular docking studies confirmed that 6l is a mixed inhibitor and binds to both the anionic catalytic site and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BChE. In silico study approved that the methoxy group on the middle phenyl ring has a significant role in interacting with the PAS of the enzyme.

These findings indicated that 2-amino-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives bearing benzyloxy phenyl moiety have therapeutic potential as BChE inhibitors in the last stages of AD.

The widespread adoption of a sedentary lifestyle characterized by the consumption of a highenergy diet combined with a lack of physical activity has resulted in a rise in the prevalence of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes (T2D) globally. The data published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) every year catches the attention of the world. Insulin resistance results in the dysregulation of the control mechanism that leads to T2D. In addition to metformin as a globally prescribed drug, physical exercise is recommended for the treatment of T2D as an alternative therapy. In today’s systems biology era, sensitivity analysis plays a major role in providing deeper insights into the metabolic insulin signalling pathways (ISPs).

Here, the complex in silico dynamic model of the effect of alternative therapies on T2D was examined. In order to obtain more quantitative information about the signal transduction network of the ISPs and their interaction, a global sensitivity analysis of the in silico model was carried out using the MATLAB tool.

This study sheds light on the effect of parameter perturbation on the ISP via GLUT4 translocation in T2D patients performing physical exercise and using metformin. It also allows for the selection of a variety of parameters for in vivo or in vitro studies in the future on the basis of the impact of parameter variations on each component of the pathway.

The Sobol index for each condition was noted after introducing perturbations in the most sensitive parameters. These results can provide experimental guidance on how the variations in model inputs have affected the model outputs.

According to the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), more than three million poisonings with organophosphorus derivatives occur every year, and in the meantime, more than 250 000 deaths will occur in the future. Globally, 30% of suicide cases occur with the use of organophosphorus derivatives. Organophosphorus toxins are widely used due to their stability and low cumulative effects on the ecosystem. Diazinon, as one of the organophosphates, is widely utilized in agriculture and veterinary medicine. This poison is highly toxic to humans and animals. As stated by various studies, stores of unauthorized supply of poisons and lack of proper monitoring of the permissible limit of poisons, as well as the sale of poisons without a prescription, farmers’ ignorance, and indiscriminate planting of crops that are not based on traditional agriculture, can be caused by various factors related to improper use. In addition, the excessive use of pesticides and agricultural poisons can cause short- and long-term effects on health. Enhancing the antioxidant capacity is an effective solution to weaken the toxic effects of diazinon. Garlic and garlic supplements are used in many countries for their blood lipid-lowering, anti-platelet effects, and beneficial blood circulation. Some garlic products seem to have liver-protective, immune-systemenhancing, and anticancer, chemical-preventive, and antioxidant activities. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of garlic oil have been shown in different tissues. In today’s world, an effective solution/ decision-making for such problems based on evidence is recommended by compiling a policy brief. Therefore, to demonstrate evidence-based policy options, taking into account the existing obstacles and opportunities, it seems necessary to use intervention strategies and planning to reduce the consumption of pesticides and increase the level of protection for farmers.