Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Spring 2008

The practice and study of medicine in Persia has a long and prolific history. The ancient Iranian medicine was combined by different medical traditions from Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and Greece for more than 4000 years and merged to form what became the nucleus and foundation of medical practice in the European countries in the 13th century. The Iranian academic centers like Jundishapur University (3rd century AD) were a breeding ground for the union among great scientists from different civilizations. These centers successfully followed their predecessors’ theories and greatly extended their scientific research through history. Iranian physicians during the glorious Islamic civilization had a tremendous share in the progress of medical sciences. The excellent clinical observations and physical examinations and writings of Iranian scientists such as Rhazes (Al-Razi, 865-925 AD), Haly Abbas (Ali ibn-al Abbas-al Majusi, died 994 AD), Avicenna (Abou Ali Sina, 980-1037) and Jurjan (Osmail ibn al-Husayn al-Jurjani, 110 AD) influenced all fields of medicine The new era of medicine in Iran begins with establishment of Dar-ul-funoon in 1851, which was the only center for modern medical education before the establishment of Tehran University. Following the establishment of the Tehran university school of medicine in 1934 and the return of Iranian graduates from the medical schools in Europe, much progress was made in the development and availability of trained manpower and specialized faculties in medicine. After the Islamic revolution by the growing spirit of independence inspired by the Iranian government the number of medical schools and medical students increased more than 10 times. For the 1st time in recent modern history the Iranian medical universities started to offer post-graduate specialized degrees in basic, clinical and engineering sciences.

Extended-release matrix tablets of diltiazem hydrochloride (DTZ) were prepared using waxy materials alone or in combination with Kollidon SR. Matrix waxy materials were carnauba wax (CW), bees wax (BW), cetyl alcohol (CA) and glyceryl monostearate (GMS). Dissolution studies were carried out by using a six stations USP XXII type 1 apparatus. The in vitro drug release study was done in 1000 ml phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 for 12 h. Initial burst release was observed in case of waxy granules. Tablets prepared in combination of waxy granules and Kollidon SR sustained the drug release for more than 12 h. Addition of ludipress instead of Kollidon SR caused the drug release faster (for less than 12 h). Fitting the in vitro drug release data to Korsmeyer equation indicates that diffusion along with erosion could be the mechanism of drug release. Significant differences were found among the drug release profile from different polymeric matrices.

Long protocol of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-analougue (GnRH-a) can result in the formation of ovarian cyst by the transient initial stimulatory effect which increases the levels of both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These cysts require surgical drainage or result in poor ovarian response. Ovarian cyst formation can be prevented by taking oral contraceptives (OCs) which suppress LH and FSH after initiation of GnRH-a therapy. This study was designed to investigate ovarian cyst formation during therapy with depot formulation of GnRH-a and also the effect of taking (OCs) before starting the treatment with depot formulation of GnRH-a, on the formation of ovarian cyst, implantation and pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive tecnique (ART) cycles. Fifty four infertile women who were candidate for ART, underwent two treatment protocols in a prospective randomized trial: (a) OC+HMG+diphereline and (b) HMG+diphereline. In group (a) patients were pretreated with OC for 14 days starting from the first day of mensturation and on the day 14 received 3.75 mg IM depot diphereline. Patients in group (b) received 3.75 mg diphereline by intramuscular injection on the second day of menstruation. Sonography was performed on the first day of menstruation and also 7 and 14 days after diphereline injection. Ovarian cyst incidence, gonadotropin consumption, follicular growth, implantation rate and pregnancy in the two groups were studied. No ovarian cyst with diameter over 26 mm was developed with depot formulation of GnRH-a in any of the two groups (a and b). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the follicular growth (9.2±2.1 and 9.4±2.9), number of oocyte (5.0±2.8 and 5.4±5.7), implantation rate (0.02­±0.08 and 0.03±0.10) and pregnancy rate (0.09 and 0.11). We divided the patients into two groups based on their ages: (20-34) and (≥35). It showed no significant difference in the gonadotropin consumption, mean number of follicles and mean number of embryos in groups (a and b) based on their ages. No ovarian cyst developed with depot formulation of GnRH-a. So, in women with a history of ovarian cyst formation in previous cycles depot form of GnRH-a may be considered. Pretreatment with OCs during therapy with depot formulation of GnRH-a and gonadotropin didn’t increase the number of oocyte, implantation rate and pregnancy

Isolated rat hepatocytes in culture were incubated with different concentrations of iron-sorbitol (50, 100, 150, and 200 µM) to assess the changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation leading to apoptotic hepatocyte cell death. The viability of hepatocytes was declined depending on the iron concentration. One hour incubation of the cells with 100 µM iron resulted in decreased of the hepatocyte viability down to 50% (EC50 µM). Cellular glutathione (GSH) was depleted depending on the concentration of iron added to the hepatocytes in culture. Decline in cellular GSH was associated with elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as index of lipid peroxidation. TBARS concentration was elevated in hepatocytes exposed to >100 µM of iron for 40 min. A significant increase in ROS formation was also observed in cells incubated with 75 µM of iron for 60 and 120 min. The consequences of ROS-mediated damages to hepatocytes were observed by DNA fragmentation, nuclear staining by propidium iddide and finally with induction of apoptotic hepatocyte cell death. Terminal deoxynucleotie transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling i.e. TUNEL assay (In situ- cell death-detection kit) and nuclear staining were also used to confirm apoptosis. These data clearly show that iron overload can cause apoptotic cell death in isolated hepatocytes and generation of ROS precedes other changes related to oxidative stress.

The purpose of this report is to present the results of analysis of actual glucosamine and/or chondroitin contents of several such products in the market place and to determine if they significantly deviate from their label claim. A total of fourteen products containing glucosamine sulfate and nine products containing chondroitin sulfate were evaluated. The amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin were found to be significantly different from the label claim in one product, ranging from as low as 59.00% to over 112.14% of the lable claim for glucosamine and 77.69% to over 94.86 % for chondroitin. Retail price of the product did not appear to be related to the quantity of active ingredients. The overall results of this study show that famous brands are better candidates for counterfeiting than expensive ones.

Contact lens wearers are at great risk of developing microbial keratitis because of incorrect usages and unhygienic maintenance of contact lenses. Therefore, the present study was planned to provide data that will be helpful in selecting the anti-microbial to cure microbial keratitis. One hundred bacterial isolates from conjunctiva of contact lenses wearer were isolated, identified and subjected to in vitro antibiotic sensitivity. In vitro sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of forty-one isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated in this study, 82.9% and 75.6% isolates were sensitive to amoxycillin and cephradine respectively, where as isolates sensitive to neomycin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol were found to be 95%, 92.9% and 87.8%, respectively. Thirty-nine isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed sensitivity to amoxicillin (2.6%), cephradine (7.7%), neomycin (69.2%), ciprofloxacin (82%), imipenem (84.4%) and chloramphenicol (28.3%), respectively. Multi-resistant strains of pathogenic, as well as opportunistic microorganisms were isolated during the study. The results show a need for continuous monitoring of bacterial resistance trends.

Gamma tocopherol content of 7 Iranian sesame seeds (sesamum indicum L.) was determined by high performance liquid chromatography using C8 column and methanol, water and butanol as mobile phase. The gamma-tocopherol content varied from 563 to 1095 mg/kg in oil and 293 to 569 mg/kg in sesame seed and was in broad agreement with the Codex range. A large variation was found in the concentration of gamma-tocopherol in oils of different cultivars and the karaj cultivar had more gamma-tocopherol content than the Codex range with significant differences with the other cultivar. The gamma-tocopherol content was almost much more than the other literature values indicating the better nutritional value and oxidative stability in Iranian sesame seed. The present study showed that Iranian sesames are strong radical scavengers and can be considered as good sources of natural antioxidants for medicinal and commercial uses.

Previous studies have shown that the extract of Papaver rhoeas reduces morphine dependence, locomotor activity and reward. In present study, the effects of hydro-alcohol extract of Papaver Rhoeas on the tolerance to analgesic effects of morphine in mice have been investigated using tail flick method. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine (1, 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg) induced analgesia. However, intrapretoneal administration of the hydro-alcohol extract of Papaver rhoeas (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) had not an effects on analgesia. Reduction of analgesic in mice pretreated with morphine (50 mg/kg, twice daily; for 3 days), alone, indicated that tolerance has been developed. Hydro-alcohol extract of Papaver rhoeas (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) administration, 30 min before each of three daily doses of morphine, attenuated the morphine tolerance dose-independently,indicating that administration of the extract reduces morphine tolerance in mice.

Antioxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress. A variety of free radical scavenging antioxidants exist within the body which many of them are derived from dietary sources like fruits, vegetables and teas. In this study the antioxidant activity and radical scavenging activity of methanolic extracts of selected plant materials, traditionally used by Iranian population as folk remedies was evaluated against linoleic acid peroxidation and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The antioxidant activity expressed as IC50 ranged from1.28 ng/ml in Biebresteinia multifida to 63.48 ng/ml in Polypodium vulgare. Radical scavenging activities expressed as IC50 varied from 1.83 µg/ml in Salix sp. to 187.88 µg/ml in Allium hirtifolium.

Onion (Allium cepa) bulb from Liliaceae has antioxidant, spasmolytic and antihypertensive activities. The aim of present study was to investigate the antispasmodic effect of onion peel on rat ileum contractility. Onion peel powder was extracted by maceration in 70% alcohol for 72 h. A terminal portion of ileum from male Wistar rat was dissected and its contractions were recorded isotonically in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution (37°C) under 1 g tension. Extract cumulative concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml) reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl (60 mM) and carbachol (10 μM) dose-dependently (P<0.0001). The extract antispasmodic effect was not reduced by tissue incubation with propranolol (1 μM, 30 min), naloxone (1 μM, 30 min), L-NAME (100 μM, 20 min), glibenclamide (10 μM, 5 min) neither by tetraethylammonium (1 mM, 5 min). In Ca2+-free with high K+ (60 mM) Tyrode solution, extract reduced the ileum contractions induced by CaCl2 dose-dependently (P<0.05, P<0.01). Onion peel extract inhibits ileum contractions without involving β-adrenoceptor, opioid receptor, nitric oxide production, and potassium channels activation. It is suggested that quercetin in onion peel extract induces spasmolytic effect via calcium channels.