EFFECT OF ARTHROSPIRA PLATENSIS AS A FOOD SUPPLEMENT AGAINST SODIUM FLUORIDEINDUCED INTOXICATION ON SOFT TISSUES OF MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

  Objective: The objective of the present study was to explore the in vitro antioxidant and effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Arthrospira platensis (ASP) against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced toxic effects on soft tissues (heart, liver, and kidney).Methods: In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging, metal chelation, total antioxidant and reducing power assays, and total flavonoid and phenol content. In this study, 36 male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. Animals were served as Group I - normal control, Group II - toxic control, and Groups III, IV, and V - treatment groups, which received hydroalcoholic extract of ASP at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (p.o), respectively. Group VI served as plant control received hydroalcoholic extract of ASP at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight (p.o). All groups except Groups I and VI received NaF (100 ppm) through drinking water for 30 days.Results: Results showed that intoxication of NaF caused significant elevation of serum biomarkers of the heart, liver, and kidney and altered tissue oxidative stress markers' levels. Administration of hydroalcoholic extract of ASP significantly normalized elevated serum levels of heart (p<0.001), liver (p<0.001, p<0.05), and kidney biomarkers (p<0.001). Decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase in reduced glutathione and catalase enzyme levels in a dose-dependent manner were observed in soft tissues (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p<0.05).Conclusion: The study revealed that ASP has good antioxidant and mitigative action against NaF intoxication on soft tissues

PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF POSSIBLE DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS AMONG THE GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT AN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: The objective of this study was to study the prevalence and severity of possible drug-drug interactions (DDIs) among the geriatric patients.Methods: The present study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Case records of geriatric inpatients from the medical records department were included in the study and the case records of all the remaining age group inpatients were excluded from the study. All the collected cases were subjected to check for the DDIs using the software Micromedex 2.0 and were categorized into minor, moderate, and major based on the severity.Results: In this study, a total of 85 cases were screened for possible DDIs, and among them, 54 cases were found to be with 179 possible DDIs. The prevalence was observed to be 63.5%. Most of the possible DDIs were found to be with moderate severity (65.4%) followed by major (25.7%). Majority of the possible DDIs were observed in the Department of General Medicine (83.2%) followed by chest and tuberculosis (7.8%).Conclusion: Majorly, the severity of interactions was found to be moderate in this study. To reduce the DDIs, rationale prescriptions have to be prescribed by considering the risk-benefit ratio. Geriatrics should be prescribed very cautiously because the age-related pharmacokinetics plays a significant role. By taking all the above aspects into consideration, clinical pharmacist should play a crucial role in the prevention and management of DDIs, especially in geriatrics.Â

A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF POSSIBLE DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS IN PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT AT AN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: To study the prevalence and severity of possible drug-drug interactions in the department of pediatrics.Methods: Case records of the in-patients of the pediatrics department from the medical records department were included and the records of the ambulatory patients were excluded from the study. All the collected cases were subjected to check for the drug-drug interactions by using the software micromedex 2.0 and the interactions were categorized based on the severity into minor, moderate and major.Results: A total of 142 cases were screened for possible drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and among them 76 cases were observed to be with possible DDIs.  The prevalence was found to be 53.5% in this study. Majority of the cases with possible DDIs were observed to be in females. Results of the age wise categorization revealed that majority of the possible DDIS were observed in children (2-12 y) followed by the infants (1 mo–2 y). The drug combinations amikacin+ampicillin, paracetamol+phenytoin and ofloxacin+ondansetron were found to be the frequently observed possible DDIs of minor, moderate and major severities respectively.Conclusion: Majority of the possible DDIs were of moderate severity followed by major. Clinical pharmacists should take the responsibility in assisting the pediatricians for screening the possible DDIs in the prescriptions there by preventing them and providing a better pharmaceutical care for the pediatric population. Â

Alleviatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of <em>Brassica oleracea</em> var. <em>botrytis</em> leaves against sodium fluoride induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress on male Wistar rats

191-197Fluoride is one of the most common pollutants of potable water. Fluorosis is an endemic and global problem. Excessive intake of fluoride might accumulate and alter the functions of soft tissues including liver. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the alleviatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (BOB) leaves on sodium fluoride (NaF) induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of six animals in each. Group I served as the normal control. Group II served as toxic control. Group III, IV, and V served as treatment groups received extract at three doses 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively. Group VI served as plant control received a hydroalcoholic extract of BOB leaves 400 mg/kg. All groups except I, and VI, received NaF (100 ppm) through drinking water for 30 days. After the end of the study, serum profile and lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and catalase enzyme levels were measured in homogenates of the liver. The results of the present study suggested that BOB alleviates sodium fluoride-induced hepatotoxicity, probably via its antioxidant activity

A STUDY ON BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF METOPROLOL IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

BACKGROUND Metoprolol has beneficial effects in congestive heart failure, it binds with beta adrenergic receptors of brain, heart, kidney there by it will reduce sympathetic neurotransmitters release, decreases heart rate, force of contraction and cardiac output, decreases renin hormone release from the kidneys. By these three actions it will reduces pre load and after load on heart. It directly opens specific L-type of membrane calcium channels in heart and also glycogenolysis which leads to increase in pumping capacity of left ventricle, there by heart will meet various metabolic demands of the body. Aim- To provide Safe and effective management for congestive heart failure patients by adding metoprolol (selectiveβ1 blocker). MATERIALS AND METHODS 6 minutes walking test, chest X-Rays, ECG, 2 D-Echo and other required investigations are conducted for validation of beneficial effects of metoprolol in improving ejection fraction at base line and also at follow up by using various study materials in four months duration. Over 2.4 million patients who are hospitalized have HF as a primary or secondary diagnosis, and nearly 300,000 deaths per annum are directly attributable to HF. Statistical Analysis- Data was articulated in percentage. Design - A concurrent interventional cohort study. RESULTS A total of 70 patients were recruited; among that, 50 patients were test and 20 patients were standard. Exercise capacity and ejection fraction of test group patients and standard group patients was estimated and improvement in ejection fraction, exercise capacity was observed in test group compared to standard group at first (0.92%), (0.72 min) and final follow up (3.74%), (3.24 min) respectively. Statistically significant difference was observed in ejection fraction (< 0.05) and exercise capacity (< 0.05) test group, but not in standard group (E.F.- 0.067, E.C.- 0.079). Also found improvement in chest X-ray, ECG at base line Vs final follow up. CONCLUSION Metoprolol use in congestive heart failure- increases left ventricle ejection fraction, exercise capacity, anti-remodeling effect by decreasing myocardial apoptosis and also reduces cardiac disability frequencies, prevents long term complications, reduces morbidity and mortality. For providing better patient care to CHF patients there is a need to add metoprolol