An Integrated Approach to Teaching Laboratory Data and Pharmacology of Respiratory Diseases to Pharmacy Students

Laboratory data course has been designed in the Faculty of Pharmacy at Beirut Arab University to build and develop the basic skills needed in the analysis and interpretation of laboratory test results to ultimately ensure safety and effectiveness of the patient’s treatment regimen. The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary module integration, customized by pharmacology, laboratory data and pharmacotherapeutics disciplines, in teaching asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy on the third level Beirut Arab University pharmacy students’ knowledge acquisition and satisfaction. Following the completion of an integrated approach, third year pharmacy students (N= 92) were recruited to participate in filling close-ended questionnaire based on 5-point Likert scale. One-sample t-test was conducted in the statistical results of Likert scale. The strength of the relationship between the students\u27 performance (represented by grade point average, GPA) in laboratory data, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics was determined using Spearman\u27s Rho Correlation. Statistical analysis of students’ evaluation identified a positive feedback on the integrated module, which significantly contributed to their enhanced performance in the subsequent pharmacotherapeutics course. Spearman\u27s Rho coefficient analysis revealed a moderate positive and statistically significant correlation between laboratory data and pharmacotherapeutics GPAs (rs(86)=.38, pp\u3c.05). The integrated module was well-appreciated as an effective way of asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy learning by third year pharmacy students. Nevertheless, findings of the present study identified the insufficient allotted time for pharmacology I as a shortcoming of the multidisciplinary integrated module, underscoring an urgent need of fine-tuning of the curriculum.The integrated module was well-appreciated as an effective way of asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy learning by third year pharmacy students.The introduction of laboratory data as an integrative discipline greatly helped the students apply the integrated knowledge in the pharmacotherapeutics course

GENUS MICROMERIA: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Micromeria (Family Lamiaceae) is widespread across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, with a center of diversity in the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands. More than 78 species of Micromeria have been known, famous examples is: M. fruticose.Genus Micromeria comprises plants of different chemical nature. Based on previous studies, Micromeria species is considered as a rich source of essential oils, mainly; monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. About ten species of Micromeria have been identified to grow widely in Lebanon, of which Micromeria fruticosa is the most common and abundant. Several pharmacological activities were reported including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidepressant effect. This is a review article where we thoroughly discuss the chemical nature and classes of all isolated metabolites from Micomeria plant especially Micromeria fruticosa and their reported biological activities in an attempt to inspire the researchers to isolate and structural elucidate the compounds that could have valuable use in drug discovery and medical application

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE TOWARDS EXPIRED DRUG DISPOSAL AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN BEIRUT CITY, LEBANON

The global increase in pharmaceutical spending has led to enhanced international awareness of the unused and expired drug issues due to improper drug disposal\u27s harmful economic, environmental, and health effects. Consequently, the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward expired drug disposal among the community in Beirut City, Lebanon. A cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based study was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The fact that improper disposal of expired medicine affects the environment and health was acknowledged by 70.7% of the 450 participants. Even though 72.2% of the participants knew that the best method for drug disposal was medication disposal boxes, 50.4% did not know about the use of the drug take-back system. Expired drugs were present in 71.1% of the participants’ homes, and 78.9% of the participants discarded them in household garbage. In fact, 53.6% agreed that there is a lack of adequate information on the safe disposal of expired household medicines. This study revealed a lack of proper advice on the safe disposal of expired medicines. Consequently, the government should initiate feasible expired drug programs to educate the public. Improper disposal of expired drugs has a negative impact on the environment. The current study revealed that 78.9% of the participants discards expired drugs in an improper way. Accordingly, actions should be taken to save the planet

MEDICINAL PLANTS’ STRESS FACTORS: EFFECTS ON METABOLITES AND NOVEL PERSPECTIVES FOR TOLERANCE

Medicinal plants are rich in secondary metabolites representing different chemical classes and synthesized by various biochemical pathways. However, these compounds are susceptible to potential herbal predators and to environmental influences. Several factors induce different biotic and abiotic stresses (drought, cold, salinity, heat) that lead to fluctuations in the biogenesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites by which plants react to overcome the threatening stress conditions. This contribution aims to give an overview of the various medicinal plant defense mechanisms against imminent threats and their impact on secondary metabolites profiles in the most effective medicinal plant species such as the levels of vincristine in Catharanthus roseus which is affected by salinity and drought stress, sage (Salvia officinalis) that showed fluctuations in terpenes level under drought stress and mineral contents in the soil and Papaver somniferum that exhibited a decrease in alkaloids content under cold stress. From a wider perspective, the aim of this study is to present novel tools and strategies used for the preservation of some plant species from extinction by minimizing as much as possible the risk of exogenous influences on phytochemicals levels and on plant bio genome and manipulating the stress factors to ensure plants quality and safety. It also aims to raise awareness about the consumption of herbal medicines without respecting the herbal monographs information about the safe dose, the interactions with drugs, and the side effects, in addition to the necessity of performing toxicity studies by pharmaceutical industries, especially on herbal medicines raised under various stress factors because of the risk of SMs (secondary metabolites) accumulation in these plants at a critical level that may be toxic to consumers

GENUS MELALEUCA: PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGY AND EFFECT AGAINST COVID-19

Medicinal plants are used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases as they are rich in phytochemical constituents (like terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids) responsible for the pharmacological effects of these plants. Genus Melaleuca named the tea tree, belonging to the family Myrtaceae, is cultivated in Australia as well as in the Pacific and some regions of Asia. It has been employed in Australian traditional medicine for its broad antimicrobial activity because of its contents of phenolic compounds, monoterpenes, tannins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, and essential oils. Owing to the valuable uses of plants of genus Melaleuca, for different medical purposes, it was deemed interest to summarize the previous studies reported from 2004 to 2020 in the available literature about the phytochemistry and pharmacological potential of both volatile and non-volatile components of Melaleuca species. Accordingly, this article may help researchers work on plants of genus Melaleuca to promote clinical applications towards the development of novel drugs of diverse pharmacological activities, including inhibitory effects on COVID 19 obtained from Melaleuca species

COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS\u27 COMMITMENT TO PREVENTIVE MEASURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN LIGHT OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN BEIRUT, LEBANON: A SIMULATED CLIENT STUDY

The burden on community pharmacists has dramatically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, where the increased number of clients demands adhering to optimal infection protective measures. We aimed to investigate the level of adopted COVID-19 preventative measures by Lebanese community pharmacies and the influencing factors. One hundred community pharmacies in Beirut, were randomly selected and inspected by a simulated client. Signs of face-mask use, declaration of COVID-19 infection, and social distancing were observed in 62%, 48%, and 35% of pharmacies, respectively. Body temperature screening was absent. Only 20% of the pharmacies had limitations for the number of clients, and only 31% offered free disinfectants. Direct pharmacist-patient encounters were observed in 25% of pharmacies. Social distancing among pharmacists was practiced in only 8% of the pharmacies and 37% of pharmacists were not wearing facemasks. Female pharmacists, pharmacists \u3e 40 years, and large pharmacies were associated with a significantly higher score than male pharmacists, younger pharmacists, and smaller pharmacies (‎6.13 ± 1.73‎ vs. ‎4.21 ± 1.70‎, P = 0.004; ‎6.27 ± 1.55‎ vs. ‎4.40 ± 1.75‎, P = 0.03; and ‎6.73 ± 1.66‎ vs. ‎4.1 ± 1.74‎, P = 0.01; respectively). The adherence level of Lebanese community pharmacies to COVID-19 preventive measures is unsatisfactory. The economic crisis in addition to poor pharmacy education about infection control could be behind this level. The authorities are advised to wisely allocate the available resources, strengthen the monitoring process, and revise the pharmacy curriculum to include infection control

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Salvia fruticosa

Objectives. Salvia fruticosa Mill. (S. fruticosa) is widely used in folk medicine. Accordingly, the present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of S. fruticosa, and to determine the phenolic constituents of its extracts. Methods. The antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl assay. Total phenolic contents were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and high-performance liquid chromatography was performed to identify phenolic constituents. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema was determined plethysmographically. Key Findings. Different plant extracts demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity, where the ethyl acetate extract had the highest value in the roots and the lowest in the aerial parts. This antioxidant activity was correlated to the total phenolic content of different extracts, where rutin and luteolin were the most abundant constituents. Interestingly, both the roots and aerial parts revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to diclofenac. Conclusions. This study is the first to demonstrate pharmacologic evidence of the potential anti-inflammatory activity of S. fruticosa. This activity may partly be due to the radical scavenging effects of its polyphenolic contents. These findings warrant the popular use of the East Mediterranean sage and highlight the potential of its active constituents in the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs

REVIEW ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF GENUS RUMEX

Genus Rumex belongs to the family Polygonaceae that is distributed worldwide and used in the treatment of different illnesses. Different parts of this plant are employed in the treatment of a number of ailments such as diarrhea, jaundice, hypertension, dermatopathy and inflammation. It was reported that they possess anti-oxidative, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-cancer activities due to the presence of several phenolic constituents, anthraquinones and flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin and apigenin. Flavonoids play an important role against cardiovascular diseases by reducing oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. This article covers most of constituents of plants of genus Rumex reported from 2001 up to 2022. Furthermore, the biological activities of plants of genus Rumex are presented

Protective effects of Origanum majorana L. against Neurodegeneration: Fingerprinting, Isolation and In vivo Glycine Receptors Behavioral Model

Extracts from Origanum majorana L. are used in Asia and Africa as sedatives and neurotonics. Few studies done to explore the active chemical constituents responsible for this apparent contrast. The inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) are key mediators of synaptic signaling in spinal cord, brain stem, and higher central nervous system regions. Neurodegeneration may cause alteration of the GlyRs causing strychnine-like convulsions and stiffness. Here, modulation of GlyRs in-vivo was studied in a mouse model of strychnine toxicity. Total phenolics in Egyptian marjoram (Mj-eg) and Lebanese marjoram(Mj-lb) were calculated and fingerprinted. The Mj-eg and Mj-lb ethanolic extracts revealed to be potent modulators to GlyR; with potential anticonvulsant properties in low doses. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), p-coumaric acid (pCA) and p-hydroxy benzoic acid (pHBA) were detected in the active fractions via column chromatography and RP-HPLC fractionation. The active fraction phenolics at harmless low doses, showed anticonvulsant activity by reversing strychnine toxicity in mice. By applying Berenbaum isoblographic method, we confirmed that at low concentrations the protective effects of CGA and pCA on strychnine toxicity are synergistic. It could be concluded that both marjoram and active phenolics could be used as sedatives in low doses and as neurotonics in high doses. In order to fight against neurodegenerative diseases is to improve body antioxidant, marjoram provided to be good sources for antioxidant potential. In brief, the marjoram phenolics, especially CGA, pCA and pHBA, suggested to be novel GlyR modulators, good phytotherapy, pharmacological tool and a dose sensitive drug to treat convulsions, stiffness and neurodegenerative disorders