Gestational thrombocytopenia among pregnant Ghanaian women

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a common problem during pregnancy that is not frequently detected and as a result is often inappropriately managed. The obvious concern with thrombocytopenia during pregnancy is the risk of significant bleeding at the time of delivery. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of gestational thrombocytopenia in pregnant women reporting for ante-natal care at a Ghanaian primary health care centre. Methods: Platelet count was evaluated in 300 blood samples from pregnant women and 100 non pregnant female blood donors. The platelet counts were performed using Sysmex KX-21N automated hematology analyzer. The study design was cross sectional. Proportions were analyzed for statistical significance with the Chi square, Odds ratio was also calculated Results: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in pregnant women in this study was 15.3% compared with 4% in controls. This was statistically significant with a P value of 0.003. Odds ratio was 4.31 (95% CI : 1.52 - 12.04). Most cases of thrombocytopenia were mild (76%), only 4% of the women with thrombocytopenia had severe thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: The frequency of thrombocytopenia in this study was higher than that reported from more developed parts of the world. This may be due to undetected malaria infection in our patients. Pregnant women should be routinely screened for thrombocytopenia. Those found to be thrombocytopenic should have both thick and thin blood films done to exclude the presence of malaria parasites.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:3

The Consumption of Energy Drink and Its Potential Effect on Sleep Patterns: A Case Study in the Kumasi Metropolis

Background: The availability of energy drinks on the global market result from intensive marketing campaigns in the media. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consumption of energy drink and its potential effect on sleep patterns of consumers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design with self-administered questionnaire was used for this survey. An online survey using google forms was created for the validated questionnaires after pre-testing and the link shared on different social media platforms. Period of data collection lasted between January and September, 2020. Results: A total of 384 participants were involved in this study. From the study, prevalence of energy drink consumption in the metropolis is 61.5% (n=236). A percentage of 69.1 % (n=163) of the consumers are males relative to 30.9% (n=73) who are females. Results from the study indicate that most patronized energy drink in the metropolis has energy value per 100 ml of 158 kJ with no proteins and fats but an 8.9 g of carbohydrate. The caffeine content of this energy drink is 0.012% and 13% glucose syrup. A total of 29.6% (n=70) of energy drink consumers indicated it to be their preference. Least consumed energy drink (0.85%) has 30-35 mg/100 ml of caffeine with about 192 kJ energy value. Furthermore, results point out that 70.8% (n=167) of the consumers experienced change in sleep pattern. Although other factors may have caused this change in sleep pattern, Pearson Chi-Square result (x2 = 83.277, p≤0.01) reveals that indeed there is association between energy drink consumption and change in sleep pattern as majority of energy drink consumers indicated that they usually experience changes in wake-up time and/or bedtime. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that majority of the youth in the Kumasi Metropolis consume energy drinks which ultimately causes change in their sleep pattern. This change can alter their daily activities and health status.

Evaluation of Okra Pectin from Different Genotypes as Effective Suspending Agents in Pharmaceutical Formulations

Introduction:  Natural suspending agents are increasingly being investigated because of their relative non-toxicity, lesser cost, availability and biocompatibility compared to the currently utilised synthetic and semi-synthetic suspending agents. Pectin, a biopolymer found naturally in plants is gaining increased application in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry following its successful functional application as gelling agents, emulsifying agents and fat substitutes in the food industry. This study aimed at evaluating the suspending properties of pectin obtained from five okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes; PL1 (Penkrumah), PL2 (Agbagoma), PL3 (Asha), PL4 (Sengavi) and PL5 (Balabi). Materials and methods: The pectin was extracted using standard protocols and characterised by investigating properties such as degree of esterification. A 5% w/v paracetamol suspension was formulated utilising okra pectin as a suspending agent at concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 2%w/v and compared to Tragacanth gum suspensions at the same concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%w/v). Results: All the extracted pectins had low degrees of esterification (?50 %). The pH, redispersibility, apparent viscosity, sedimentation rate and sedimentation volume of the formulated suspensions were investigated over a 4-week period. The suspensions were stable as evidenced by no significant (p?0.05) fluctuations in pH during the period of study. Compared to when tragacanth was used as a suspending agent, the sedimentation rates, the flow rates of suspensions and redispersibility of the paracetamol suspensions utilising okra pectin were lower while the sedimentation volumes were higher at all the concentrations utilized and met standard requirements. Conclusion: The evidence suggests that all five okra genotypes exhibit better suspending properties when compared to tragacanth gum and thus may be used as an alternative suspending agent

The Impact of the Extraction Method on Allanblackia floribunda Butter’s Physicochemical Properties as a Possible Pharmaceutical Excipient

The extraction method of edible Allanblackia floribunda seed butter is crucial for preserving its constituents. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects the extraction methods have on the physicochemical properties of A. floribunda butter regarding its potential use as a pharmaceutical excipient. Butter obtained from different extraction methods (including solvent/hexane, cold press, and traditional/hot water) was analyzed for its physicochemical properties such as yield, melting point, relative density, refractive index, moisture content, pH, acid value, saponification value, percentage of free fatty acids, and iodine value as well as beneficial elements and pathogenic microorganisms. All physicochemical parameters were within the standard limits for edible and industrial oils/butter (Codex Stan 210-1999) and were free from pathogenic microorganisms. However, the pH value of all extracts was higher than that of olive oil. The moisture content was higher in the water and hexane extracts compared to the cold-pressed ones. The hexane extract had higher mineral content (calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and iron) than the cold press and hot water extracts. Extraction with hexane gave the highest yield. The identified fatty acids in all extracts are palmitic and stearic (saturated fatty acids), oleic, linoleic, and linolenic (polyunsaturated fatty acids) acids. Based on the physicochemical analysis, A. floribunda seed butter is edible and has the potential as a pharmaceutical excipient in drug delivery

Comparative Quality Evaluation of Selected Brands of Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets Marketed in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The ever-growing commercialization of poor-quality and substandard medicines, especially anti-infectives characterized by inadequate postmarket surveillance by stakeholders remains a major global health challenge, particularly in developing countries, where antibiotic drug resistance and its repercussions on human health remain dominant. This research sought to evaluate the pharmaceutical quality of six randomly selected brands of cefuroxime axetil tablets (250 mg) marketed in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The selected brands were coded and subjected to both compendial and noncompendial tests. Statistical analysis and model-independent parameter (similarity factor, f2) were employed in analyzing the dissolution profiles of all the brands. All brands including the reference brand conformed to the pharmacopeial specifications for both compendial and noncompendial tests, indicating that they were of good quality. However, there were significant variations (p 50 indicating similarity of their drug release profiles with the innovator. Hence, all the sampled cefuroxime axetil brands can be considered as pharmaceutical equivalents to the innovator drug. These brands can, therefore, be used as a substitute for the innovator drug by physicians to patients in cases of unaffordability or unavailability of the innovator brand

Pectin from Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Has Potential as a Drug Release Modifier in Matrix Tablets

Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipients because of the advantages they possess relative to their semisynthetic and synthetic counterparts. Although pectin from some natural sources has been investigated for use in the pharmaceutical industry as excipients, pectin from okra, which is readily available and used as food in many parts of the world, has not been extensively investigated as a potential control-releasing agent in tablets. This study thus seeks to determine the drug release modifying properties of okra pectin from 6 different genotypes of okra cultivated and available in Ghana. Pectin was extracted from different genotypes of okra, physicochemical properties were characterized, and control release matrix tablets of metformin (F1–F6) were formulated using the wet granulation method with the okra pectin as the drug release modifier, respectively. The drug content, in vitro drug release, and mathematical kinetic modeling of drug release from the matrix tablets were studied. Drug release profiles of formulated matrix tablets were compared to an existing (innovator) brand of metformin sustained-release tablet on the market using the similarity and difference factors, respectively. The extracted pectin had percentage yields ranging from 6 to 20% w/w with swelling indexes and water-holding capacities between 300–500% and 9-10 mL/g, respectively, and pH within 6.20–6.90. All the formulated batches passed the drug content test (90–105%) and produced the optimal release of metformin (>80%) after 24 hours. Different batches of formulated tablets exhibited different mechanisms of drug release with batches F1, F2, F5, and F6 being similar (ƒ2 values being >50 and ƒ1 values <15) to the innovator brand. Pectin from the 6 different genotypes of okra studied has the potential for use as drug release modifiers in pharmaceutical manufacturing of control release matrix tablets and production of more affordable medicines

C41 - Investigation of the binding properties of purified Pentadesma butyracea gum: Anatural alternative to a synthetic polymer

Abstract: The focus of most pharmaceutical research in recent times has been the use of natural products like gums as pharmaceutical excipients because they are safer, economical and readily available. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of gum extracted from the exudates from the stem bark of Pentadesma butyracea as a binder in conventional release tablets using acacia gum as a reference polymer. The purified Pentadesma butyracea gum (PBG) was precipitated from the crude gum mucilage using 96% ethanol. Conventional-release paracetamol tablets were formulated using seven (7) different concentrations of the PBG mucilage (0.5 – 6 %w/w) as a binder via wet granulation (PB1 – PB7). The same approach was used for the reference conventional release paracetamol tablets (AC1- AC7). The drug-excipients and excipients-gum compatibility studies were evaluated using the FTIR. The formulated tablets were evaluated using both pharmacopoeia and non-pharmacopoeia tests. Appropriate mathematical models were used to determine the similarity (f2) and the difference (f1) factors of the dissolution profiles of the test and reference formulations. Granules for batches PB1, AC1, PB2, AC2 and AC3 had fair flow properties, whereas the rest had good flow properties. The FTIR studies showed no interactions between the drug and excipients. All formulations passed the pharmacopoeia and non- pharmacopoeia tests except for formulations PB1, PB2, PB3 and AC1 which failed the friability test, PB1 and AC1 which failed the hardness test, and AC7 which also failed the disintegration test. An increase in gum concentration led to a corresponding increase in the mechanical properties of the tablets. A comparative study showed no significant difference in the hardness and tensile strength of the test and reference tablets. All formulations except PB6 were similar to their reference formulations since f1 > 50 and f2 < 15. In conclusion, the PBG exhibited a good binding property comparable to acacia gum