Mycobacterium indicus pranii Supernatant Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages In Vitro

Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), also known as Mw, is a saprophytic, non-pathogenic strain of Mycobacterium and is commercially available as a heat-killed vaccine for leprosy and recently tuberculosis (TB) as part of MDT. In this study we provide evidence that cell-free supernatant collected from original MIP suspension induces rapid and enhanced apoptosis in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. It is demonstrated that the MIP cell-free supernatant induced apoptosis is mitochondria-mediated and caspase independent and involves mitochondrial translocation of Bax and subsequent release of AIF and cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Experiments with pharmacological inhibitors suggest a possible role of PKC in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of macrophages

Case Report - Type I lepra reaction presenting as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an unusual inflammatory reaction due to infectious and non-infectious causes occurring in human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. IRIS occurs after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. There are no reports of type I lepra reaction due to IRIS in published literature from India. We report two cases of HIV-infected males who presented with borderline tuberculoid leprosy in type 1 reaction after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Case 1 presented with multiple, tender, erythematous and hypoesthetic plaques on the trunk and extremities after 3 months of antiretroviral therapy. In case 2, type I lepra reaction was observed 2 months after the initiation of HAART

Determination of Mesalamine Related Impurities from Drug Product by Reversed Phase Validated UPLC Method

Abstract: In the present study gradient reversed-phase UPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination and separation of impurities and degradation products from drug product. The chromatographic separation was performed on acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) using gradient elution. Other UPLC parameters which were optimised are flow rate, 0.7 mL/min; detection wavelength, 220 nm; column oven temperature, 40 °C; and injection volume 7 µL. Stability indicating capability was established by forced degradation experiments and separation of known degradation products. The method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline. For all impurities and mesalamine, LOQ (limit of quantification) value was found precise with RSD (related standard daviation) of less than 2.0%. In essence, the present study provides an improved low detection limit and lower run time for evaluation of pharmaceutical quality of mesalamine delayed-release formulation. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied for quantification of impurities and degradation products in mesalamine delayed-release formulation. The same method can also be used for determination of related substances from mesalamine drug substance

EVALUATION OF TOPICAL ANTI-WRINKLE AND FIRMING (AWF) FOR WOMEN, ANTI-WRINKLE AND FIRMING (AFM) FOR MEN AND DEEP WRINKLES FOR WRINKLES ON FACE AND NECK

Abstract Wrinkles are the clinical manifestation of ‘cutaneous aging'. ‘Anti-Wrinkle and Firming (AWF) for Women', ‘Anti-Wrinkle and Firming (AWF) for Men' is an Integral Correction Serum specifically for woman and man for the treatment of fine wrinkles. Deep Wrinkles' is an Integral Correction Serum that significantly reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles. An open labelled, prospective, multi-centric clinical study was conducted to determine the efficacy, safety &quality of life parameters with ‘AWF for Women', ‘AWF for Men' and ‘Deep Wrinkles' in the treatment of fine to deep wrinkles on face and neck in 30 patients (10 patients in each group) for 12 weeks. The patients were assessed for Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale (MFWS), improvement in ‘Quality of Life', ‘Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire', Physician's and Patient Global Assessment Grade for improvement in wrinkles and Photographic assessment at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The average MFWS at baseline was 1.8, 2.1, and 2.7 which was reduced to 1.1, 1.6, and 2.1 after 12 weeks of treatment with AWFW, AWFM and Deep Wrinkles respectively. Average grade for Physician's global assessment improved from 1, 1, and 1 at baseline to 2.1, 2.6, and 2.7 at the end of 12 weeks treatment. Patient's global assessment also showed similar grades of improved from 1, 1, and 1 at baseline to 2, 2.7, and 2.2 at the end of treatment with AWFW, AWFM and Deep Wrinkles respectively. There was an overall improvement in ‘Quality of Life' in terms of improvement in the wrinkles at the end of 6 weeks (Grade 2.6, 2.5, 2.3) and 12 weeks (Grade 2.9, 2.9, 2.7) at the end of treatment with AWFW, AWFM and Deep Wrinkles respectively. The overall ‘Patient Satisfaction' was found to be good at the end of 12 weeks of treatment (Grade 2.5, 2.5, 2.5) with AWFW, AWFM and Deep Wrinkles respectively. Of the thirty patients, 1 patient for AWFW, 1 patient for AWFW and 2 Patients on ‘Deep Wrinkle' complained of the adverse events like burning sensation. The results of this study show that AWF for Women, AFM for Men and Deep Wrinkles (DW) have a good potential for the treatment of wrinkles. Key words: Anti-Wrinkle and Firming (AWF) for Women, Anti-Wrinkle and Firming (AWF) for Men, Deep Wrinkles, Wrinkles, Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale (MFWS

EVALUATION OF IMAGE BLANC COMPLEXION LIGHTNER AND IMAGE BLANC SPOT LIGHTNER FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION IN FACE AND NECK

Facial hyperpigmentation is a common, but challenging cosmetic condition to treat in skin of color. Image Blanc is a serum containing a core anti-ageing technology (Regen 16) that address all known major mechanisms involved in skin pigmentation. ‘Image Blanc Complexion Lightner', is a corrective anti-ageing serum with complexion lightner actives & ‘Image Blanc Spot Lightner', is an anti-spots concentrate for targeted application. An open labelled, prospective, multi-centric clinical study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of Image Blanc ‘Complexion Lightner' and ‘Spot Lightner' in the treatment of hyperpigmentation on face and neck twice daily for 12 weeks with 12 patients in each arm. The patients were assessed for Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score for darkness, Physicians and Patient Global Assessment Grade for improvement in complexion or dark spots, improvement in ‘Quality of Life', Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and photographic assessment of the affected facial region at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of treatment by Image Blanc Complexion Lightner, the average MASI score at baseline was reduced to 1.4 from 2.4 at baseline, average grade for Physician's global assessment improved from 1 at baseline to 2.4  and  with treatment of Image Blanc Spot Lightner it was reduced to 1.4 from 2.6 at baseline, average grade for Physician's global assessment improved from 1 at baseline to 2.8. Patient's global assessment also showed similar grades of improvement with Image Blanc Complexion Lightner and Image Blanc Spot Lightner. An overall improvement in ‘Quality of Life' in terms of improvement in the complexion and luminance at the end of 12 weeks (Grade 3.3, 3.2) was noted by Image Blanc Complexion Lightner and Image Blanc Spot Lightner respectively. The overall ‘Patient Satisfaction' was found to be good at the end of 12 weeks of treatment (Grade 2.6, 2.4) at the end of treatment with Image Blanc Complexion Lightner and Image Blanc Spot Lightner respectively. One patient on Image Blanc ‘Spot Lightner showed acneform eruptions and darkening. The results of this study show that Image Blanc Complexion Lightner and Image Blanc Spot Lightner have a good potential for the management of hyperpigmentation disorders.   Key Words: Hyperpigmentation, Image Blanc Complexion Lightner, Image Blanc Spot Lightner, Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scor