Comparative study of quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving two different chemotherapy regimens using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Questionnaire-Core 30 questionnaire module; for tolerability and safety

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent occurring cancers in women and burgeoning worldwide. It is the second most common malignancy in India after carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In clinical trials, quality of life (QOL) outcome measurements is an important as endpoints with improving subjects physical, emotional, and social well-being.Methods: In this study, we were evaluated the comparison of the QOL in breast cancer patients on anthracycline-based regimen (six cycles of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide [FAC] for a period of 18 weeks) and taxane-containing regimen (four cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide [AC] followed by four cycles of paclitaxel [PTX] for a period of 24 weeks) using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Questionnaire-Core 30.Results: During first 3 months of therapy, both treatment groups exhibited a reduction in health-related QOL (HRQOL) with no clinically significant difference between them. The effect on HRQOL was less evident 3 weeks after completing chemotherapy with HRQOL of both groups returning to near baseline scores.Conclusions: Both treatment regimens (FAC and AC → PTX [AC followed by PTX]) were equally tolerated in patients

A prospective open-label randomized comparative study in Alzheimer’s disease between two commonly used drugs in coastal Indian population

Background: Currently, therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is only symptomatic. Only two classes of drugs are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Our study aimed at comparing efficacy and safety of memantine and donepezil in moderate to severe AD patients.Methods: Totally, 22 patients with moderate to severe AD were randomized into the 2 arms of the study. The study was divided into an initial 4 weeks for determination of onset of efficacy and subsequent 28 weeks of the treatment phase. Onset of efficacy and response was defined as >20% and >50% reduction in the mean total score of functional dementia scale (FDS) and clinical global impression scale (CGIS) from baseline to the study end, respectively.Results: Onset of efficacy on FDS and CGIS was 16.7% (mean-time 61.25 days) and 80% (mean-time 36 days) with memantine and donepezil, respectively. Response was 89.3% and 40% with memantine and Donepezil, respectively. Total reduction in FDS and CGIS score of from baseline to the study end was 39.50, 40.00, and 25.60, 27.20 with memantine and donepezil, respectively. Tolerability was 86.33% and 20% with memantine and donepezil, respectively. Anorexia, muscle cramps, constipation, headache, and insomnia, were the common side-effects and self-limiting. Safety was 100% in both groups.Conclusions: Onset of efficacy was faster with donepezil seen at 2 weeks. Response, improvement in CGIS, FDS, and tolerability were better seen with memantine at 40 weeks. Thus, in similar clinical settings, memantine can be preferred

Oleander Stem and Root Standardized Extracts Mitigate Acute Hyperglycaemia by Limiting Systemic Oxidative Stress Response in Diabetic Mice

The extracts of different parts of Nerium oleander L. are used as antidiabetic remedy in the traditional medicinal systems of different parts of the world. Despite these uses in ethnomedicinal system, the antihyperglycemic potentials of oleander stem (NOSE) and root (NORE) extracts have not been pharmacologically evaluated. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic ethnomedicinal claims of NOSE and NORE, primarily focusing on glucose homeostasis and associated metabolic implications. Alloxan-treated mice with hyperglycaemia (blood glucose >200 mg/dL) were treated with oleander 70% hydromethanolic extracts (200 mg/kg) for 20 consecutive days, and the results were compared with positive control glibenclamide. Blood glucose level was 52–65% lowered (P0.05) changes in insulin sensitivity throughout the treatments. Improved serum insulin remained associated with lowered glucose level (rP = −0.847 and −0.772; P<0.01). Markers of hyperglycaemia-related hepatic glycogen, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), hyperlipidaemia, hepatic injury, and diabetic nephropathy were normalized as well. Improvement of systemic intrinsic antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) were correlated (rP = −0.952 to −0.773; P<0.01) with lower lipid peroxidation by-product malondialdehyde (MDA) in the circulation. Principal component analysis coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis represented shift in metabolic homeostasis in diabetic mice, which was further normalized by oleander and glibenclamide treatment. Additionally, molecular docking studies of the phenolic acids measured by HPLC with intracellular cytoprotective transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) revealed strong molecular interactions. The results collectively support the ethnomedicine antidiabetic claims of oleander stem and root and suggest that the oleander mediated elevation of systemic antioxidant status is likely responsible for the improved glycaemic control