COLOROMETRIC DETERMINATION OF RANTIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

A simple, precise and cost effective colorometric method have been developed for the estimation of Rantidine hydrochloride in its pharmaceutical formulations. RNH shows λmax at 520.0 nm. The drug follows the Beer-Lambert’s law. The method validated by following the analytical performance parameters suggested by the International Conference on Harmonization. All validation parameters were within the acceptable range. The developed methods were successfully applied to estimate the amount of RNH in pharmaceutical dosage form

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of pioglitazone in hyperlipidemic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disorder characterized by abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism along with specific long-term complications which are associated with hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Hence, it is important to find hypoglycemic drug that improves lipid profile and reduces oxidative stress in diabetic patient. This study, therefore, was performed to investigate hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of Pioglitazone (PIO) in hyperlipidemic rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in normal rats by including 0.75 gm% cholesterol and 1.5 gm% bile salt in normal diet and these rats were used for the experiments. PIO hydrochloride was administered as 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels to the hyperlipidemic rats. Hypolipidemic activity was estimated by plasma lipid profile parameters while antioxidant potential was estimated by ascorbic acid, catalase activity, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test.Results:  Treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride resulted in a significant decrease in serum TG and VLDL only in 30 mg/kg PIO treated group and significant increase in serum HDL in both groups, but no significant decrease in cholesterol and LDL in both PIO treated groups. PIO increased activities of catalase enzyme and concentration of malondialdehyde significantly in only 30 mg/kg PIO treated group. But there were no significant changes in the superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid concentration in both PIO treated groups.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride improves the plasma lipid profile and also reduces oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic animals

Lipid lowering and antioxidant potential of Asparagus racemosus in hyperlipidemic rats

Background: Atherosclerosis is associated with hyperlipidemia which is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Therefore, treatment of hyperlipidemia is one of the major approaches to decrease the atherogenic process. Many studies revealed that Asparagus racemosus (AR) possesses hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential, but results were not consistent. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate lipid lowering and antioxidant potential of AR root powder in hyperlipidemic rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in normal rats by including 0.75 gm% cholesterol and 1.5 gm% bile salt in normal diet and these rats were used for the experiments. Dried root powder of Asparagus racemosus was administered as feed supplement at 5 gm% and 10 gm% dose levels to the hyperlipidemic rats. Plasma lipid profile, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, catalase and superoxide dismutase were estimated using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Feed supplementation with 5 gm% and 10 gm% Asparagus racemosus resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol, LDL and significant increase in HDL. But there were no significant decrease in triglycerides and VLDL. The feed supplementation increased activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid content increased significantly in both the experimental groups (5 and 10 gm% supplemented groups). But there was no significant change in the concentration of malondialdehyde in these groups.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that addition of Asparagus racemosus root powder at 5 gm% and 10 gm% level as feed supplement reduces the plasma lipid levels and also acts as an antioxidant

Effect of tylophora asthmatica on hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs in albino rats

Background: The burden of metabolism and exposure to dangerous chemicals make liver vulnerable to variety of disorders like acute or chronic inflammation, toxin/ drug related hepatitis or cirrhosis. Tuberculosis is a common problem in India and worldwide. Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is a problem of increasing significance, but has been a long standing concern in treatment of tuberculous (TB) infection. Several studies have revealed that, tylophora asthmatica (Burnf.) Merill. (Family: asclepidaceae) commonly known as antmul possess hepatoprotective property. There is less scientific work regarding the effect of Tylophora asthmatica on hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs, hence the present study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effect of tylophora asthmatica on antitubercular drug induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: Total 24 Albino rats weighing about 150-200 grams were divided in four groups, 6 animals in each group. In the study, antitubercular drugs: INH (50 mg/kg) and rifampicin (50 mg/kg), test drug: aqueous extract of tylophora asthmatica doses (200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) were used. Drugs were given by oral route for 14 days. Biochemical tests for Sr. ALT, AST, bilirubin (total and direct) and histopathological examination of liver was done.Results: Tylophora asthmatica treated group had no significant rise in values of Sr.ALT, AST, bilirubin (total and direct) and also there were no significant histopathological changes in this group, indicating hepatoprotective effect of tylophora asthmatica.Conclusions: It was concluded that tylophora asthmatica has hepatoprotective activity in antitubercular drug induced hepatotoxicity

Study of drug prescription pattern among COPD patients admitted to medicine in-patient department of tertiary care hospital

Background: Drug utilization studies can provide insights into a pattern, quality, determinants and outcomes of drug use. COPD is one of the leading causes of death among Indian population and there is a lack of drug utilization studies in this field.Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted among the patients admitted in inpatient department of medicine ward of Tertiary care hospital. Data has collected from COPD patients admission records. Parameters like demographic profile, common associated diseases, WHO core drug indicators and commonly prescribed drugs were assessed from the prescriptions.Results: A total 284 inpatient records were scrutinized. Out of 284 patients, 66.19% were male and 33.80% were female. Average numbers of drugs per prescription were 7. Mean age was 66.9 years. Antimicrobials (88.7%) were most commonly prescribed drugs followed by inhaled bronchodilators (84.5%).Conclusions: Study data highlights that average numbers of drugs prescribed were higher than WHO norms, antibiotics were commonly used, and drugs prescribed with brand names were higher than the generic names

Drug utilization pattern in geriatric out patient in tertiary care hospital

Background: Inappropriate drug prescribing is a global problem affecting the healthcare system. Aim and objective of the study was to study the drug utilization pattern in geriatric patient at rural tertiary care hospital.Methods: This was a cross- sectional observational study involving 600 geriatric outpatient. This study was carried out from Nov 2015 to May 2016. The data were collected using predesigned proforma specially designed for this purpose. Relevant information was obtained by analyzing prescription for World Health Organization (WHO) core drug indicators.Results: Total number 600 prescriptions analyzed at the end of six months were from general medicine department. The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years in which male (61.33%) outnumber the female. Total number 2598 drugs were prescribed to 600 patients for different diseases. The mean number of drugs per prescription were 4.33, drugs were prescribed by generic name 26.42%. drugs were prescribed from WHO essential drug list86.33. The type of formulations used were tablets and capsules in 88.5%, syrups in 5%, injections 3.5 % and inhalers 2%. Drug for Cardiovascular diseases were the most common (29.66) followed gastrointestinal (16.67), vitamins and minerals (14.66). Analgesic and NSAIDS (14.13) also prescribed commonly. Antimicrobial drugs prescribed in (7.46%) and common antibiotic prescribed were Amoxicillin ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.Conclusions: This study also effectively provides very useful baseline data also demonstrates the prescribing patterns of drugs in the geriatric patients

Newer drugs in the management of diabetes mellitus

Modern life style with present days technological advances have made human life sedentary. This is causing increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity amongst population. The number of cases of diabetes worldwide in the year 2000 among adults 20 years of age is estimated to be 171 million in recent reports   and is said to rise to more than 300 million by 2025. The raised plasma glucose levels give rise to complications in the form of microvascular and macrovascular complications diminished quality of life with reduced life expectancy. The currently available drugs used in the management of type II DM are not completely satisfactory in regard of controlling blood glucose level, many of the times they are associated with undesirable side effects. Hence there is continuous ongoing work in development of newer drugs, which are safe, efficacious and potent as well as free of undesirable effects such as sustained hypoglycaemia. Fortunately there are newer drug, few of them approved while other still knocking the door from the classes of drug such as GLP-1Mimetic, DPP-4 Inhibitors and others. Here we have tried to cover them in brief

Drug utilization review of anticancer drugs in cancer outpatient department of the Government Medical College, Aurangabad

Background: To study drug utilization of anticancer drugs in cancer outpatient department (OPD) of Government Medical College, Aurangabad.Methods: Five hundred and twelve prescription records were screened and analyzed as per the study parameters from cancer OPD of Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad. Commonly used anticancer drugs were recorded; furthermore, different types of carcinomas were noted.Results: Age group of patients was in between 30 and 70, 267 were females and 245 were male patients. The most common type of carcinoma was carcinoma of the breast (17.9%). Carboplatin was the most commonly used anticancer drug (26.56%). The average number of anticancer drugs received per patient was three.Conclusion: WHO suggested drug utilization studies are needed in every health care setting. For a developing country like India, National Drug Policy and Drugs and Therapeutic Committee are a must

Study of prescribing practices of injections in outpatients of a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Injections are probably the most common of all medical procedures. The combination of injection overuse and unsafe practices creates a major route of transmission of blood borne pathogenic infections. Unnecessary use of injections can also lead to unnecessary burden on the institution in terms of efficiency, infrastructure, staff requirement and poor utilization of resources. Monitoring and analysis of prescribing practices can help to achieve rational use of injections. The present study was carried out to study the injection prescription patterns in outpatients of a rural tertiary care teaching hospital, Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted for duration of two months and 744 prescriptions were randomly collected and analyzed.Results: The total number of injections prescribed in 744 prescriptions was 205. Most (71.70%) of the patients receiving them were above 35 years of age. The most common complaint for which the injections were prescribed was musculoskeletal pain (45.36%) followed by fever. About 155 (75.60%) prescriptions contained injection diclofenac which was the most commonly used drug followed by injection paracetamol (11.21%). There was a high tendency of using brand names in prescriptions (89.30%). Conclusion: The study revealed high proportion of use of injectable drugs. There was overuse of analgesic injections like diclofenac, most of which were unnecessary and irrational. This leads to unnecessary burden on the institution in terms of efficiency, infrastructure, staff requirement and poor utilization of resources. There is a need to develop local guidelines for injection usage along with educational sessions for prescribing doctors

Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of angiotensin receptor antagonists in an animal model

Background: Epilepsy is common chronic disorder in clinical practice and there was some studies which shows brain renin angiotensin system may be involved in upregulation of seizures hence present study was planned to investigate whether angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists possess anticonvulsant activity in experimental animals.Methods: The anticonvulsant activity of angiotensin receptor antagonists, losartan (50 mg/kg), telmisartan (30 mg/kg) and candesartan (20 mg/kg), were administered intraperitoneally to the mice and evaluated by using maximum electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol induced seizures (PTZ) seizure methods. The standard was taken as phenytoin for MES and diazepam for PTZ method. Motor impairment of performance was assessed by the inverted screen test and spontaneous motor activity with digital actophotometer.Results: Losartan demonstrated the anticonvulsant efficacy in MES and PTZ models. Telmisartan and candesartan have anticonvulsant activity in MES induced seizures, but did not show protection against pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. Losartan at dose 50 mg/kg prolonged the mean latency to convulsion (p<0.01) and mean number of convulsions also significantly reduced (p<0.05) convulsions in the mice. Telmisartan and candesartan at dose 30 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively showed significant prolongation in mean latency to convulsion (p<0.05). None of the test drugs i.e. angiotensin receptor antagonists showed significant motor impairment.Conclusions: Angiotensin receptor antagonists: losartan, telmisartan and candesartan had showed anticonvulsant activity in PTZ and MES seizure methods. The exact mechanism of action of their anticonvulsant action not precisely known and hence there is more studies need to test it in various other animal anticonvulsant models