Spectrophotometric Determination of Certain Antiepileptic's in Tablets Using Vanillin Reagent

A selective and new spectrophotometric method is described for determination of three antiepileptic drugs; namely lamotrigine (LAM), gabapentin (GAB), and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in drug substances and in drug products using vanillin reagent as the chromogenic agent. The method is based on a coupling reaction between the cited drugs and vanillin reagent in acidic condition. Under optimized conditions, the yellow colored products were measured at 405, 396, and 400 nm respectively. Beer’s law was obeyed at (0.4 – 10), (0.1-10), and (0.5-11) μg/mL, and  the calculated molar absorptivity values are 2.52 x 104, 1.74 x 104, and 2.54 x 104 L/mol/cm for LAM, GAB, and OXC respectively. Sandell sensitivity, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated. No interference was observed from common additives found in drug products. The presented method was validated according to ICH guidelines. Statistical comparison of the results was performed using Student's t-test and F-ratio at 95% confidence level, and there was no significant difference between the reference and proposed method with regard to accuracy and precision. The method offers the advantages of rapidity, simplicity and sensitivity and low cost and can be easily applied to resource poor settings without the need for expensive instrumentation and reagents

Fighting cytokine storm and immunomodulatory deficiency: By using natural products therapy up to now

A novel coronavirus strain (COVID-19) caused severe illness and mortality worldwide from 31 December 2019 to 21 March 2023. As of this writing, 761,071,826 million cases have been diagnosed worldwide, with 6,879,677 million deaths accorded by WHO organization and has spread to 228 countries. The number of deaths is closely connected to the growth of innate immune cells in the lungs, mainly macrophages, which generate inflammatory cytokines (especially IL-6 and IL-1β) that induce “cytokine storm syndrome” (CSS), multi-organ failure, and death. We focus on promising natural products and their biologically active chemical constituents as potential phytopharmaceuticals that target virus-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Successful therapy for this condition is currently rare, and the introduction of an effective vaccine might take months. Blocking viral entrance and replication and regulating humoral and cellular immunity in the uninfected population are the most often employed treatment approaches for viral infections. Unfortunately, no presently FDA-approved medicine can prevent or reduce SARS-CoV-2 access and reproduction. Until now, the most important element in disease severity has been the host’s immune response activation or suppression. Several medicines have been adapted for COVID-19 patients, including arbidol, favipiravir, ribavirin, lopinavir, ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, dexamethasone, and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs, such as tocilizumab, glucocorticoids, anakinra (IL-1β cytokine inhibition), and siltuximab (IL-6 cytokine inhibition). However, these synthetic medications and therapies have several side effects, including heart failure, permanent retinal damage in the case of hydroxyl-chloroquine, and liver destruction in the case of remdesivir. This review summarizes four strategies for fighting cytokine storms and immunomodulatory deficiency induced by COVID-19 using natural product therapy as a potential therapeutic measure to control cytokine storms

CT patterns among Covid-19 patients during the second wave: A single institute study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a worldwide dramatic loss of human life. The second wave of coronavirus showed a very rapid spread. Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the laboratory findings and chest computed tomography (CT) features in patients with suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia during the second wave. Patients and methods: From November 2020 to February 2021, a total of 295 patients were admitted to our hospital with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia. They underwent multiple laboratory tests including (s. ferritin, CBC) as well as non–contrast CT. Only 144 patients had PCR results available. The CT findings were reported as regards the presence of ground glassing, consolidation and pleural effusion. Results: 198 (67.1%) showed ground glassing and 36.9% (109 cases) had consolidation in their CT. These lesions were bilateral in 181 cases about 63.3% being single in in 71 cases (25.3 %). Pleural effusion was found in 202 cases (68.7%). Significant correlation was found between CRP, s. ferritin and d-dimer with presence of consolidation. Significant decreased neutrophil count and decreased DD among positive in comparison with negative ground glassing. PCR results were available in only 144 out of 295 patients (48.8%). It was positive in 100 out of 144 patients (69.4%) and negative in 44 patients (30.6%). Highly significant relation between COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) categories & PCR among all studied cases. Conclusion: During the second wave, the CT findings were similar to wave one with PCR proved COVID-19 cases more frequent with higher CO-RADS and RSNA categories

Recent advances in the Biosynthesis of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles and their Biological Applications

أثار أكسيد الزركونيوم  ZrO2  اهتمام الباحثين في جميع أنحاء العالم، لا سيما منذ تطوير طرق لتصنيع جزيئات بحجم النانو. تم تحفيز الدراسة المكثفة في تكوين الجسيمات النانوية باستخدام تقنيات تركيبية مختلفة، بالإضافة إلى استخداماتها المحتملة، من خلال كفاءتها الضوئية العالية، وفجوة النطاق العريض، وطاقة ربط الأكسيتون العالية. في تغليف المواد الغذائية، يمكن استخدام الجسيمات النانوية لثاني أكسيد الزركونيوم كعوامل مضادة للميكروبات ومضادة للسرطان. استجابةً للاهتمام المتزايد بـ nano ZrO2 ، ابتكر الباحثون وطوروا طرقًا لتركيب الجسيمات النانوية. تم مؤخرًا إنشاء مركبات ZrO2 النانوية ذات الأشكال المختلفة باستخدام طرق بيولوجية ("الكيمياء الخضراء"). تساهم كل من الميكروبات والنباتات في إنتاج الزركونيا في المختبر. يتم توفير عوامل التثبيت بواسطة الجزيئات الحيوية الموجودة في المستخلصات النباتية، بينما يتم توفير الإنزيمات بواسطة الكائنات الحية الدقيقة كعوامل للتغطية والتثبيت (داخل الخلايا أو خارج الخلية). من الممكن تحليل الجسيمات النانوية المنتجة باستخدام مجموعة متنوعة من الأساليب التحليلية، بما في ذلك التحليل الطيفي للأشعة فوق البنفسجية المرئية، وحيود الأشعة السينية (XRD) ، والمجهر الإلكتروني للإرسال (TEM) ، والتحليل الطيفي للأشعة تحت الحمراء (FT-IR). عند تطبيقها على البكتيريا (موجبة الجرام وسالبة الجرام) والفطريات، تظهر ZrO2NPs قدرات واعدة مضادة للجراثيم. تعتبر الخلايا الطبيعية والخبيثة حساسة للجسيمات النانوية ZrO2 ، والتي يمكن تفسيرها من خلال توليد الأكسجين التفاعلي (ROS). يناقش هذا العمل ويصف الطرق العديدة لإنتاج جسيمات ZrO2 النانوية، بالإضافة إلى خصائصها وإمكانيات التطبيق المختلفة.A critical milestone in nano-biotechnology is establishing reliable and ecological friendly methods for fabricating metal oxide NPs. Because of their great biodegradable, electrical, mechanical, and optical qualities, zirconia NPs (ZrO2NPs) attract much interest among all zirconia NPs (ZrO2NPs). Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) has piqued the interest of researchers throughout the world, particularly since the development of methods for the manufacture of nano-sized particles. An extensive study into the creation of nanoparticles utilizing various synthetic techniques and their potential uses has been stimulated by their high luminous efficiency, wide bandgap, and high exciton binding energy. Zirconium dioxide nanoparticles may be used as antimicrobial and anticancer agents in food packaging. In response to the growing interest in nano ZrO2, researchers invented and developed methods for synthesizing nanoparticles. ZrO2 nanocomposites with various morphologies have recently been created using biological (green chemistry) methods. Microbes and plants both contribute to the production of zirconia in the laboratory. Capping and stabilizing agents are provided by the biomolecules found in plant extracts, whereas microorganisms provide enzymes as capping and stabilizing agents (intracellular or extracellular). It is possible to analyze the nanoparticles produced using a variety of analytical approaches, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). When applied to bacteria (both Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and fungi, ZrO2NPs show promising antibacterial capabilities. Normal and malignant cells are sensitive to ZrO2 nanoparticles, which can be explained by the generation of reactive oxygen (ROS). This work discusses and describes many ways of producing ZrO2 nanoparticles, their properties, and various application possibilities

Prophylactic use of carvedilol to prevent ventricular dysfunction in patients with cancer treated with doxorubicin

Objective: Deterioration in ventricular function is often observed in patients treated with anthracyclines for cancer. There is a paucity of evidence on interventions that might provide cardio-protection. We investigated whether prophylactic use of carvedilol can prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and whether any observed effect is dose related. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study in patients treated with doxorubicin, comparing placebo (n = 38) with different doses of carvedilol [6.25 mg/day (n = 41), 12.5 mg/day (n = 38) or 25 mg/day (n = 37)]. The primary endpoint was the measured change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from baseline to 6 months. Results: LVEF decreased from 62 ± 5% at baseline to 58 ± 7% at 6-months (p = 0.002) in patients assigned to placebo but no statistically significant changes were observed in any of the 3 carvedilol groups. At 6 months, only one of 116 patients (1%) assigned to carvedilol had an LVEF < 50% compared to four of the 38 assigned to placebo (11%), (p = 0.013). No significant differences were noted between carvedilol and placebo in terms of the development of diastolic dysfunction, clinically overt heart failure or death. Conclusions: Carvedilol might prevent deterioration in LVEF in cancer patients treated with doxorubicin. This effect may not be dose related within the studied range

Markers characterizing corneal damage during aging of rat

Aging is a biological phenomenon that involves an increase of oxidative stress associated with gradual degradation of the structure and function of the cornea. Gender differences and subsequent deterioration of cornea is an interesting topic, especially yet few data are available concerning the impact of age, especially on the corneal. One hundred male and female Wistar albino rats ages 3, 6, 18, 24, and 30 months (n=10 equal for male and female) were used. At the time interval, cornea were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry of caspase 3 (casp3), glial fibrillar acidic protein(GFAP) and CD45 and  flow cytometry of DNA, bcl-2-like protein 4 (BAX), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and Cd45 (lymphocyte common antigen). Light and TEM investigation  revealed apparent deterioration of atrophy of corneal epithelium with vesicular vacuolar degeneration, hyalinization of stromal collagen fibrils and swelling and degeneration of the endothelial lining the descemet's membrane. There was apparent loss of keratocytes within corneal stroma. Immunohistochemistry of casp 3 and CD45 were markedly increased manifesting cell damage. GFAP showed apparent reduction of innervation of corneal stroma and endothelium layer. Flow cytometry of DNA, Bax and TGF revealed increased apoptic cell death of cornea of 30M-old rats. We concluded that aging contributed to an apparent increase of cellular damage of different corneal region associated with alterations of cell markers

Dietary Supplementation of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) With Panax ginseng Essential Oil: Positive Impact on Animal Health and Productive Performance, and Mitigating Effects on Atrazine-Induced Toxicity

The present study assessed the impact of Panax ginseng essential oil (GEO) supplementation on physiological parameters related to productive performance and health status in Nile tilapia reared under standard conditions and exposed to a sub-lethal atrazine (ATZ) concentration. Fish were allocated into 6 groups: the control group was reared in clean water and fed with a commercial basal diet (CNT), two groups were fed with the basal diet supplemented with two different levels of GEO (GEO1 and GEO2, respectively), one group was intoxicated with 1/5 of ATZ 96-h lethal concentration 50 (1.39 mg/L) (ATZ group), and the remaining two groups were fed with the GEO-supplemented diets and concurrently exposed to 1.39 mg ATZ/L (GEO1+ATZ and GEO2+ATZ, respectively). The experiment lasted for 60 days. GEO supplementation exerted a significantly positive influence on fish growth, feed utilization, and hepatic antioxidant defense systems at both levels of supplementation. ATZ exposure significantly reduced fish survival rates and impaired fish growth and feed utilization, with the lowest final weights, weight gain, total feed intake, and the highest feed conversion ratio being recorded in the ATZ-intoxicated group. ATZ exposure caused significant changes in intestinal digestive enzyme activity (decreased lipase activity), hematological indices (decreased hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, and leukocytes), blood biochemical variables (decreased total proteins, albumin, globulins, and immunoglobulin M; increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and cortisol), and hepatic oxidative/antioxidant indices (decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity and mRNA expression levels, and increased malondialdehyde content). Moreover, in the hepatic tissue of ATZ-intoxicated Nile tilapia, histopathological alterations and upregulated mRNA expression levels of stress- and apoptosis-related genes (Hsp70, caspase 3, and p53) were observed. GEO supplementation in ATZ-treated groups significantly attenuated the aforementioned negative effects, though some parameters did not reach the CNT values. These findings provide further and partly new evidence that sub-lethal ATZ toxicity induces reduced survivability, growth retardation, impaired digestive function, anemia, immunosuppression, hepatic oxidative stress damage, and overall increased stress level in Nile tilapia, and suggest that GEO supplementation may be useful for mitigating this toxicity and provide more general support to the productive performance and health status of this fish species

Pharmaceutical Equivalence of Some Conventional Carbamazepine Tablets Marketed in Sudan

Background: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is commonly used in the treatment and control of epilepsy, seizures, and neuropathic pain. Due to its limited water solubility, CBZ have slow and variable absorption following oral administration. Effective CBZ plasma levels are achieved through multiple-dose administration of conventional CBZ tablets  which may result in serious side effects because of its narrow therapeutic index and toxicity levels. Objectives: This work aimed at comparing four commercial brands of CBZ tablets (A, B, C and D) manufactured by multinational and national companies including the originator (A) through evaluation of their pharmaceutical equivalence using pharmacoepial and nonpharmacoepial standard tests. Methods: Model-independent approach was used for determination of dissolution efficiency (% D.E) and fit factors.  Difference between brands was demonstrated through analysis of difference (f1) and similarity (f2) data. In addition various quality tests including weight variation, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability and disintegration time were carried out. Results: The study revealed that all brands complied with the USP specifications regarding weight variation, friability disintegration and drug content. The amount of drug released within 45 minutes were found satisfactory and ranged from 83.44% to 94.5%. Although clear differences in release profiles exist, all brands released about 90% of the labeled CBZ within 30 minutes which can satisfy the patient need. Only brand B failed to pass the nonpharmacoepial hardness test. Conclusion: Selected brands of CBZ tablets complied with all required pharmacoepial quality specifications