EFFECT OF LYOPHILIZED JUICE OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. IN ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND INFLAMMATORY PAIN

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the analgesic activity of lyophilized juice of Punica granatum L., obtained from Hidalgo, Mexico, in theformalin test.Methods: We extracted the juice manually, filtered it and then dried down in a lyophilizer machine. We evaluated the antinociceptive effect oflyophilized juice from pomegranate in the formalin test (2%) in male Wistar rats (180–200 g body weight). Thirty minutes before the test, a dose of316 mg/kg (lyophilized juice) and acetylsalicylic acid as reference drug (100 mg/kg) both were administered intragastrically (i.g.).Results: The oral administration of lyophilized juice of pomegranate showed a significant decrease in the number of flinches in the temporal courseand a significant antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain compared with the vehicle. In the same way, this effect appeared with thedrug of reference (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/kg i.g). Furthermore, it was shown that juice had a 34% of antinociception on overall effect versus vehicle.Conclusion: The results suggest that lyophilized juice of pomegranate has antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain. Therefore, thisstudy supports the possible use of this lyophilized juice of pomegranate in the treatment of pain

Community participation by health committees and mutual aid groups of Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico

Aim. to describe the characteristics and operation of the different groups of community participation that exist in the 16 health centers located in the city of Pachuca, during January-December 2015. Material and Methods. 61 surveys were applied to member of different health committees and 125 surveys were applied to member of self-help groups. Results: over 90% committee´s members are women; schooling was 41% high school. 88% of the committee´s members reported that health personnel decide when and how to meet them.47% members of self-help groups reported that operation depend on health personnel. Conclusions: only if the community is involved in decision making, there is community participation. This is a way to increase the power of communities (empowerment) where democratic decision making is strengthened; this inspires pride and facilitates a genuine participation in the development process. Otherwise the results in community participation will not be entirely positive

Appropriateness oAppropriateness of Valproic Acid-Level Monitoring at a Childrens’ Hospital in Mexicof Valproico Acid-Level Monitoring at a Childrens’ Hospital in Mexico

Introducción: en México, la cuantificación de fármacos en plasma se utiliza para comprobar la toxicidad, el cumplimiento y la titulación de dosis en el tratamiento con fármacos anticonvulsivos como el ácido valproico (AVP), pero sin considerar los principios de farmacocinética debido a la ausencia de farmacéuticos clínicos en el Sistema de Salud. Método: el presente estudio es un análisis retrospectivo que incluye los datos de concentración plasmática de ácido valproico en pacientes pediátricos de 1 a 15 años de edad, con diagnóstico confiable de epilepsia. Resultados: se revisaron los archivos de 260 pacientes, se encontró que solo el 56,5% de los pacientes tenían niveles séricos en estado estacionario. Los niveles plasmáticos de AVP se encontraron a nivel subterapéutico en el 22% de los pacientes y el 15% tenían niveles tóxicos. El análisis muestra que los niños menores de cinco años aparecen como un grupo heterogéneo para las variables estudiadas. Conclusiones: debido a la falta de reconocimiento de los farmacéuticos clínicos en México, recomendamos que el mejor resultado clínico se evalúe mediante el monitoreo de los parámetros farmacocinéticos y no solo mediante la dosificación de prueba y error.Introduction: in Mexico, plasma drug quantitation is used to check toxicity, compliance, and dose titration in treatment with antiepileptic drugs like valproic acid (AVP), but without considering the principles of pharmacokinetics due to the absence of clinical pharmacists into the Health System. Method: the present study is a retrospective analysis including the p Introduction: in Mexico, plasma drug quantitation is used to check toxicity, compliance, and dose titration in treatment with antiepileptic drugs like valproic acid (AVP), but without considering the principles of pharmacokinetics due to the absence of clinical pharmacists into the Health System. Method: the present study is a retrospective analysis including the plasmatic concentration data of AVP in pediatric patients of 1 to 15 years old, who had received a reliable diagnosis of epilepsy. Results: files of 260 patients were reviewed. It was found that only 56,5% of the patients had serum levels at steady state. The plasma AVP levels were found in sub-therapeutic level in 22% of patients and 15% had toxic levels. The analysis shows that children under five years of age appear as a heterogeneous group for the variables studied. Conclusions: due to the lack of recognition of clinical pharmacists in Mexico, we recommend that best clinical outcome can be evaluated only by monitoring pharmacokinetic parameters for variations appearing in individual patients, and not just through trial and error dosing. lasmatic concentration data of AVP in pediatric patients of 1 to 15 years old, who had received a reliable diagnosis of epilepsy. Results: files of 260 patients were reviewed. It was found that only 56,5% of the patients had serum levels at steady state. The plasma AVP levels were found in sub-therapeutic level in 22% of patients and 15% had toxic levels. The analysis shows that children under five years of age appear as a heterogeneous group for the variables studied. Conclusions: due to the lack of recognition of clinical pharmacists in Mexico, we recommend that best clinical outcome can be evaluated only by monitoring pharmacokinetic parameters for variations appearing in individual patients, and not just through trial and error dosing. &nbsp