International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pilot study comparing technologies to test for substandard drugs in field settings

Roger Bate^{1, 2}*, Richard Tren^2,3, Kimberly Hess², Lorraine Mooney⁴ and Karen Porter¹

¹American Enterprise Institute, 1150 Seventeenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA.

²Africa Fighting Malaria, 1050 Seventeenth Street, NW, Suite 590, Washington, DC 20036, USA.

³Africa Fighting Malaria, P. O. Box 17156 Congella, 4013, South Africa.

⁴Africa Fighting Malaria, 4 Church Lane, Barton, Cambridge, CB3 7BE, UK.

Accepted 13 March, 2011

Abstract

Researchers procured a range of antimalarial, antibiotic and antimycobacterial drugs from cities in six countries: Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Semi-quantitative thin-layer chromato-graphy (TLC) and disintegration tests, Raman spectrometry, and near-infrared (NIR) spectrometry were used to measure the concentration of active ingredients and excipients (spectrometry only) to deter-mine whether the tested samples were of good quality. Overall, 15% of tested samples failed TLC, 13% of tested samples failed disintegration tests, 41% of tested samples failed NIR spectrometry, and 47% of tested samples failed Raman spectrometry. The drug testing technologies were qualitatively compared in terms of time, cost, and reliability for identifying substandard drugs in the field. NIR and Raman spectrometry compared favorably to TLC in most respects except cost. If the indirect costs of TLC— including requirements for a climate controlled location and trained laboratory staff—are considered, the cost advantage of TLC may disappear in developing countries.

Key words: Raman and near-infrared spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, counterfeit and substandard drug production, regulation of drug quality.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The modulatory effect of Cochlospermum tinctorium a rich aqueous root extract on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

E. U. Etuk¹*, B. M. Agaie², M. J. Ladan³ and I. Garba¹

¹Department of Pharmacology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 March, 2011

Abstract

The aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium (CTR) was investigated for its phytochemical composition; acute oral toxicity and hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced liver damage in rats. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenes, cyanogenic glycosides and volatile oils while steroids and anthraquinones were absent. Administration of 5000 mg/kg (body weight) of the extract orally did not produce any death in the rats within the observable period. The extract at 100 – 300 mg/kg (body weight) significantly and dose dependently reduced the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes levels in the CCl₄ -treated rats. The values of serum albumin, serum total protein and reduced glutathione in the extract treated groups of rats remained comparatively higher than its values in the CCl_{4 -} treated group. The pretreatment of the rats with the extract produced a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in blood clotting time. The histopathological findings were in support of the biochemical changes recorded during the study. These results suggest that aqueous root extract of CTR possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl_4- induced liver damage in rats and the extract at 5000 mg/kg body weight appeared to be safe when administered orally.

Key words: Cochlospermum tinctorium, carbon tetrachloride, transaminases, hepatoprotective.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (10), pp. 001-005, October, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antisickling properties of the fermented mixture of Carica papaya Linn and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Cyril-Olutayo Christianah Mojisola¹*, Elujoba Adebolu Anthony² and Durosinmi Muheez Alani³

¹Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun-State, Nigeria.

³Department of Heamatology and Immunology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 July, 2011

Abstract

The antisickling properties of fermented mixture of dried unripe fruit pulp of Carica papaya and dried Sorghum bicolor leaves, mixed in equal proportions in distilled water, was carried out using sodium metabisulphite sickled red blood cells and the result presented. Equal weight of dried C. papaya fruit pulp and S. bicolor leaves were fermented together in distilled water at room temperature and the aque-ous extract obtained and used for antisickling assays. The extract gotten from the materials incubated for 5 days indicated as SP5, was found to have the highest antisickling properties with 93% inhibitory and 84% reversal activities. The concentration of the day 5 extract was further varied. 0.2 ml was found to be the optimum volume of the test extracts.

Key words: Antisickling, reversal, inhibitory, Carica papaya, Sorghum bicolor, sickle cell anaemia.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production of phenolic compounds from Spirulina maxima microalgae and its protective effects in vitro toward hepatotoxicity model

Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky^1*, Farouk K. El Baz¹ and Gamal S. El-Baroty²

¹Plant Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt.

Accepted 20 March, 2011

Abstract

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulina maxima grown in Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) and or phenylalanine (L-PA), attaining highest production obtained in medium containing 3.77 g.L^-1 NaNO₃ and 100 mgL ^-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate, cinnamate, pinostrobate and p-OH- benzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds ( SPC) against CCl₄-induced in vitro hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC₅₀ values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 mgmL^-1 and inhibit CCl₄ induced lipid peroxidation in hepato- microsoms model, in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT, BHA and – tocopherol (IC₅₀ values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62 mgmL^-1).

Key words: Spirulina maxima, antioxidant activity, carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective effects.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pre-hospital and prescription use of antibacterial drugs at a secondary health centre in Ibadan, Nigeria

F. A. Fehintola

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail:

[email protected] or [email protected]. Tel: 234 2 751 3874, 234 241 0088, 234-805 520 2959.

Accepted 13 March, 2011

Abstract

The overall goal of this study is to reduce morbidity and mortality ascribable to bacterial infections by encouraging rational use of antibiotics. Antibiotics use prior to and prescriptions of antibiotics by the attending physicians were evaluated in a group of patients attending a secondary health facility. A quasi-exit interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The major presenting symptoms were sought from patients and/or parents and/or guardians; drug history was taken and doctors’ prescriptions were copied onto an already prepared format. All data were entered into EPI-INFO version 6 for analyses. The mean age of patients who were enrolled was 14 ± 16.96 [range: 0.08-78 years] but males patients were statistically younger than females: respectively 9.94 ± 15.48 years (0.08-78 years) and 18.43 ±17.10 years (range: 0.08 – 70 years); F: 122 P< 0.00. Pre-hospital use of antibiotics was documented in about a third of all the patients and cotrimoxazole was the most commonly used antibiotics accounting for 68.5% of antibiotics use in this group patients. Antibiotics were contained in more than half of all the prescriptions and erythromycin and cephalosporin were antibiotics of choice. This is contrary to the previous findings in the same area of study but different health facility. There is need for formulation of appropriate drug policy and establishment of continuing medical education for doctors as well as public enlightenment programmes on rational use of antibiotics.

Key words: Antibiotics Nigeria prescription cotrimoxazole use pre-hospital.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-010, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Clinical evaluation of ^99mTc -2IT-INH in normal subjects and patients with tubercular lesions

Namrata Singh^1,2* and Aseem Bhatnagar¹

¹Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi - 110054, India.

²Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007, India.

Accepted 11 March, 2011

Abstract

^99mTc-INH of high labeling efficiency and stability has been developed using indirect method. In vitro studies and animal experiments indicated its advantages as a specific tuberculosis imaging agent. The objective of this study was to establish the efficacy of ^99mTc-INH in humans with sensitive as well as resistant tuberculosis by conducting a phase I clinical trial. The biodistribution studies were done in normal subjects and phase I clinical trial was conducted in 20 patients. Whole body scan and spots were acquired at 1 and 4 h. Angiography, blood pool and 24 h spot images of the lesion bearing areas were also acquired. The biodistribution suggested absence of in vivo breakdown of radiotracer, with main excretory pathways being hepatobiliary and renal. The biodistribution of ^99mTc-INH was similar to the unlabeled INH reported earlier. Out of 20 patients, 13 patients with sensitive tubercular lesions in the lungs or bone and 2 patients with resistant tubercular lesion in lungs concentrated the ^99mTc-INH while in the other 5 cases with old healed lesions no concentration of ^99mTc-INH was observed in scintigraphy. An unsuspected bony lesion was discovered in a patient with known pulmonary disease. Bone lesions were visualized within 1 h while pulmonary lesions accumulated ^99mTc-INH very slowly with time and 24 h acquisition appeared essential for the diagnostic interpretation. No adverse reaction was observed in the patients post injection. ^99mTc-INH developed is safe for human use and has potential to qualify as a specific tuberculosis imaging radiopharmaceutical.

Key words: Isoniazid (INH), ^99mTc, scintigraphy, clinical trials, radiopharmaceutical.