Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:20 Issue: 2, Sep 2014

Using of herbs as complementary medications for treatment of diseases has been prevailed in the world. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Anethum supplementation on insulin sensitivity, fasting blood glucose (FBS) and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. This randomized-double blind- placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 diabetic patients in Tabriz, Iran in from January to March 2012. Intervention group received 3.3 g/day powder of Anethum for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, Triglyceride (TG), Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were assessed by enzymatic colorimetric method at onset and at the end of study. Serum insulin level was determined by ELISA method and HOMA-IR as an index of insulin resistance calculated as fasting concentrations of blood glucose (mg/dL)×fasting insulin (μU/ml) / 405. A significant reduction in insulin level was observed in intervention group at the end of study (p=0.003). TC and LDL-C decreased significantly at the end of study (p=0.016, p=0.009, respectively). Changes in HDL-C, TG and HOMA-IR were not apparent. Surprisingly, FBS increased in the intervention group but it was not statistically significant (p=0.142). Supplementation of type 2 diabetic patients with Anethum had beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and some lipid profiles. Further scientific efforts with large sample size needed to confirm these results.

Increased heat shock protein (Hsp) expression is associated with atherogenesis. The statin group of cholesterol lowering drugs reduces cardiovascular events and this may be related to their pleiotropic effects that may include their anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 40 mg simvastatin on serum levels of Hsp-60 and -70 in dyslipidemic individuals. Patients (n=102) were treated with simvastatin (40mg/day), or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Lipid profile and serum Hsp-60 and -70 antigen levels were measured before and after each treatment period. Seventy-seven subjects completed the study. Data were analyzed using Independent-Samples t-test for parametric data and Mann–Whitney test for non-parametric data and chi-square test for categorical data. There was a reduction in the level of LDL-C (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.001), and triglycerides (p<0.05). However, simvastatin therapy did not significantly alter the serum level of HDL-C, Hsp-60 and -70 (p>0.05). We found that statin therapy did not significantly affect the serum level of HSP-60 and -70.

Swamala (SWA)® is an Ayurvedic proprietary product used in the treatment of general debility and in immune-compromised conditions. Despite its usefulness, there is no published data on toxicity profile of SWA®. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate safety of SWA® in a 90 day repeated oral dose toxicity test in Wistar rats. SWA® at the doses of 0, 3, 6, and 15 g/kg was administered for 90 consecutive days. Body weights and feed consumption were recorded and analyzed. At termination of the study rats were sacrificed and observed for gross pathological changes. All organ parts were collected, weighed and preserved for histopathological examination and blood was collected from retro-orbital sinus for clinical biochemical analysis. After 90 days of oral administration SWA® did not show any gross toxicological signs and histopathology also when compared with normal. All animals in Group IV showed significant increase in body weight as compared to that of control group animals. No mortality was observed throughout the period. Finally, it was concluded that SWA® having no toxico-pathological effects at a dose of 15 g/Kg which is equivalent to five times the therapeutic dose administered orally for 90 days.

Formaldehyde, a colorless aldehyde with pungent odor, has negative effects on central nervous system. But, there are a little data about protective substances against neuronal damage induced by formaldehyde. Therefore, the present study was to examine histological changes in the cerebellum of formaldehyde exposed mice and possible effects of N-acetyl cysteine on these changes at histopatological level. Forty eight adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into six groups: (I) control, (II) treated with 10 mg/kg formaldehyde, (III) treated with formaldehyde and 50 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, (IV) treated with formaldehyde and 100 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, (V) treated with formaldehyde and 200 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, (VI) treated with formaldehyde and 400 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine. At the end of 14 days, the cerebellums were processed histologically and morphometric study was carried out using Image J software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 and ANOVA test. The present study demonstrated a remarkable decrease in both the thickness and the number of the neurons of granular layer as well as the mean size and the mean number of Purkinje cells in formaldehyde-treated mice. Treatment with 50 mg/kg NAC increased the number of the neurons in molecular layer of the cerebellum as well as the thickness of the gray and white matter. Moreover, it increased the numbers of Purkinje cells (8.47±3.01 vs. 5.82±1.41). Our results suggest that administration with 50 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine prevents formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage in cerebellum of mice.

Medication errors (MEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are among the main causes of adverse events in hospitals, leading to disability and death in up to 6. 5% of hospital admissions. Application of appropriate measures for identifying medication errors and assessing potential adverse drug events are of clinical interest. This was an observational study performed in the infectious diseases ward of Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz during the July 2013 to March 2014. Medical files and drug charts of 200 patients were reviewed, and errors in physician and nursing levels were determined. For detecting medication errors, treatment regimens of patients were evaluated, and then compared with the standard practice guidelines and drug references. Presence of any incompatibilities were considered as MEs. During the study period, 126 MEs (0.63 errors per patient) were detected, occurring as incorrect time (38. 1%), incorrect dose (29. 37%), omission (11. 9%), administration error (9. 52%), incorrect dosage form (4. 76%), incorrect drug (2. 38%) and incorrect route (3. 97%). Physicians and nurses were responsible for 48 (38.1%) and 78 (61.9%) of medication errors, respectively. MEs occur in all steps of drug therapy, including prescription, dispensing, preparation, transcription and administration, causing a great concern for hospitalized patients. Strict controlling and training programs for medical students and nurses regarding rational use and prescription of drugs, and presence of clinical pharmacists in the medical wards are highly recommended for preventing these types of errors.

Varthemia persica DC. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic plant which is used as anti-spasmodic, anti-emetic and for some kidney conditions. In the present study the plant aerial parts from Ghamsar (GS) and Ghohrud (GR) regions (Kashan, Iran) were investigated for SDE (Simultaneous distillation and solvent extraction) prepared oil composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The oils were analyzed using GC and GC-MS. The plant oils and total methanol extracts were subjected to antioxidant evaluation in DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays and antibacterial screening using disk diffusion and micro-well dilution methods. A total of 46 compounds were identified, of which α-pinene was characterized as the main compound in both GS (37.6%) and GR (53.8%) oil samples. Total extracts demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (RC50; 79.2 ± 2.9 μg/ml for GS and 73.9 ± 3.4 μg/ml for GR samples) and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays (Inhibition percentage; 69.6 ± 2.4 % for GS and 70.2 ± 3.6 % for GR samples). Extracts and volatile oils exhibited considerable antibacterial activity especially against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The results of study report SDE-prepared oil of V. persica as a source of α-pinene. Favorable antioxidant and antibcterial activity of this plant also highlight it as an apropriate candidate to determination of its bioactive compounds.