Comparison of efficacy of azithromycin plus levamisole versus azithromycin alone in the treatment of moderate to severe acne

Objective To compare the efficacy of azithromycin plus levamisole versus azithromycin alone in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. Patients and methods Ninety patients with moderate to severe acne were divided into two groups. Group A was given oral azithromycin 500mg/day, three days a week, plus oral levamisole 150mg/day, two days a week and group B was given oral azithromycin 500mg/day, three days a week. Patients were followed up at 4th and 8th week for efficacy and tolerability. Results Efficacy of treatment in Group A (given azithromycin plus levamisole) was seen in 36 (80%) patients while in Group B (oral azithromycin alone) efficacy was seen in 27 (60%) patients (p-value = 0.048). Conclusion Combination therapy with oral azithromycin plus levamisole is more efficacious as compared to oral azithromycin alone in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. Key words Acne, azithromycin, levamisole. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/58-05 Publication date: August 31st 201

Green Synthesis of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Different Plants’ Parts for Antimicrobial Activity and Anticancer Activity: A Review Article

Nanotechnology emerged as a scientific innovation in the 21st century. Metallic nanoparticles (metal or metal oxide nanoparticles) have attained remarkable popularity due to their interesting biological, physical, chemical, magnetic, and optical properties. Metal-based nanoparticles can be prepared by utilizing different biological, physical, and chemical methods. The biological method is preferred as it provides a green, simple, facile, ecofriendly, rapid, and cost-effective route for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Plants have complex phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and proteins, which can behave as reducing and stabilizing agents. However, the mechanism of green synthesis by using plants is still highly debatable. In this report, we summarized basic principles or mechanisms of green synthesis especially for metal or metal oxide (i.e., ZnO, Au, Ag, and TiO2, Fe, Fe2O3, Cu, CuO, Co) nanoparticles. Finally, we explored the medical applications of plant-based nanoparticles in terms of antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activity