DARU, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:12 Issue: 3, Autumn 2004

Abstract: The essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Nepeta depauperata Benth., an endemic Iranian plant, obtained by steam distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats’ indices. Thirty-three compounds consisting 82.52% of the total components were identified from the oil obtained with a yield of 0.3%v/w. Among them, spathulenol (31.84%), beta caryophyllene (12.93%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.27%) were the major components of the oil.

Abstract: The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Salvia limbata C.A. Mey. (Lamiaceae) was analyzed by GC/MS. Among the forty-two constituent, forty components were characterized representing 98.6% of the total component which were detected. Bicyclogermacrene (21.1%), α-pinene (15.5%), 1,8-cineole (11.0%), sabinene (10.6%), β-pinene (9.2%), spathulenol (8.2%), β-caryophyllene (5.3%) and δ-elemene (5.1%) were found to be the major constituents.

Abstract: The essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Nepeta depauperata Benth., an endemic Iranian plant, obtained by steam distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats’ indices. Thirty-three compounds consisting 82.52% of the total components were identified from the oil obtained with a yield of 0.3%v/w. Among them, spathulenol (31.84%), beta caryophyllene (12.93%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.27%) were the major components of the oil

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ketamine and midazolam on prevention of the development of morphine tolerance and dependence in mice. Different groups of mice received morphine (50 mg/kg, sc), morphine (50 mg/kg, sc) + ketamine (25,50,75 mg/kg, ip), morphine (50 mg/kg, sc) + midazolam (0.5,1,2 mg/kg, ip), morphine (50 mg/kg, sc) + ketamine (50 mg/kg, ip) + midazolam (1 mg/kg, ip) once a day for four days. Tolerance was assessed by administration of morphine (9 mg/kg, ip) on fifth day. Withdrawal symptoms were assessed by administration of naloxane (4 mg/kg, ip) two hours after co-administration of morphine with either ketamine or midazolam. It was found that pretreatment with ketamine or midazolam decreased the degree of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally co-administration of ketamine and midazolam before morphine therapy decreased the tolerance and dependence significantly. From these results it may concluded that administration of ketamine and midazolam alone or in combination could prevent the development of tolerance and dependence to morphine. These effects can be related to the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist behavior of ketamine and GABA-receptor agonist behavior of midazolam.

Abstract: In vitro tests could be a valuable tool for the evaluation of medicinal plants’ cytotoxicity. One of the most frequently used Iranian traditional plants is Mentha Pulegium from Labiatae family. In the present study, essential oil and the methanolic extract of Mentha pulegium, were analyzed for cytotoxicity on human ovary adenocarcinoma SK-OV-3, human malignant cervix carcinoma Hela, and human lung carcinoma A549 cell lines. Two different assays of clonogenic and neutral red (NR) were used for evaluation of cytotoxicity. Although the methanolic extract of Mentha pulegium did not show any cytotoxic effects, the essential oil of this plant proved to be a potent cytotoxic agent on the above three cell lines. According to the clonogenic assay, LD50s of the essential oil on SK-OV-3, Hela and A549 cell lines are 14.10, 59.10 and 18.76 µg/ml, respectively. Our findings suggest that Mentha pulegium essential oil might be considered as a potentially toxic agent on human cancer cell lines, and a possible candidate for human cancer chemotherapy. However, further biological tests on the efficacy and side effects of this plant are necessary before its use in human

Abstract: The optimization of pain management following surgery with minimal side effects, is one the major goals of surgical and medical teams. In this randomized double blind study, sixty ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) class I or II patients, undergoing urological surgery, were assessed to receive either pethidine or tramadol using a standard method for general anesthesia. Pain intensity was assessed by verbal rating, through a 4-step scaling system. Results of this investigation have revealed that the mean total drug administered in tramadol group were 244.53 + 56.95 mg and in pethidine group 176.78+42.99 mg respectively. There were no significant differences in analgesic effect, observed in either group during early hours following surgery, but after 8,12 and 16 hours significant differences were observed. Analgesic properties of tramadol were almost comparable with pethidine nevertheless; pethidine was superior in some extent. No significant differences in patient’s PaO2 were found, but PaCO2 at 1 and 4 hours after surgery had a greater retention in pethidine group. (P<0.001). There was a significant reduction in respiratory rate in pethidine group at 4,8,12 and 16 hours following surgery, compared with tramadol group (P<0.001). Incidence of dizziness was greater in patients who received pethidine (P<0.001), and sweating was higher in tramadol group (P<0.01). Also there was a greater need for metoclopramide to overcome nausea in tramadol group (P<0.05). Results of this study may suggest that tramadol could be considered as a safe and effective analgesic, following urological surgery as compared with pethidine

Abstract: Bleomycin (BLM) has been labeled with various radioisotopes and widely used in therapy and diagnosis. In this study BLM was labeled with [65Zn] zinc chloride and its distribution and stability in normal and tumor bearing mice was determined. The complex was obtained at the pH=2 in normal saline at 90 °C in 60 minutes. Radio-TLC showed an overall radiochemical yield of 95-97% (radiochemical purity >97%). The in vitro stability of the complex was determined in mice and human plasma. Preliminary studies were performed to determine distribution of [65Zn]BLM in normal and tumor bearing mice on the basis of these results. [65Zn]BLM may be used in therapeutic studies due to its suitable physico-chemical properties.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) have attained considerable attention due to their propellant-free formulations and the patient’s inherent coordination with actuation. Generally, DPI formulations consist of a micronized drug alone or mixed with carrier particles. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of carrier particle size and weight fraction on aerosolisation behaviour of cromolyn sodium (CS). Pharmatose® 450M and Pharmatose® 325M, two commercial α-lactose monohydrate with different particle sizes, were blended in two different fractions (30 and 50% w/w) with CS. A low resistance device (Spinhaler®) and a medium resistance device (Cyclohaler®), were used to evaluate the effect of inhaler design on the deposition profiles of CS. The in vitro deposition of the formulations was determined using a twin stage impinger (TSI). Fine particle dose, fine particle fraction and emitted dose of the drug were depended to both formulation and inhalation devices. Fine particle fractions of the drug aerosolised from the formulations ranged from 9.35 up to 36.45%. The highest fine particle fraction was produced by formulation containing 50% Pharmatose® 450M as carrier. Cyclohaler® showed higher efficiency in aerosolisation of CS compared to Spinhaler®.