Removal of Mefenamic Acid from Aqueous Solution by Fenton Process: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology with Central Composite Design

In the present study, the three main process parameters in the Fenton process for the removal of pharmaceutical compound Mefenamic acid from an aqueous solution were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite design (CCD) was used for process optimization. The primary and secondary interaction effects of the selected parameters such as H2O2, Fe2+ and pH on the removal of mefenamic acid were examined. A mathematical model for the removal process based on the selected variables was developed. The interaction effect between the chosen parameters shows that the removal of mefenamic acid was enhanced in the acidic pH range at a high concentration of H2O2 and in a medium concentration level of the catalyst Fe2+. The removal efficiency of 81.24% was obtained for mefenamic acid at the optimized condition of variables such as 9.36 mM H2O2, 0.058 mM Fe2+and at a pH value of 2.1.

Study of analgesic activity and effects of new dipharmacophores – nebracetam and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors derivatives on the cognitive abilities of rats

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to research the analgesic activity and effect of new dipharmacophore compounds consisting of substances with proven therapeutic activity, namely nebracetam–ibuprofen (NRIP), nebracetam–dexibuprofen (NRDIP), nebracetam–niflumic acid (NRNFA), and nebracetam–mefenamic acid (NRMFA), on the cognitive abilities of rats. Materials and methods: The experimental study was performed in 110 Wistar rats (male/female ratio 50/50%), weighing 180–200 g, and 50 laboratory mice (male/female ratio 50/50%) weighing 18–22 g. The study of the analgesic activity was carried out using the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test. The effect on the cognitive abilities of rats was studied using the pattern recognition test in a model of neurotrauma caused by a drop-weight. Results and discussion: It has been shown that the administration of dipharmacophores nebracetam–ibuprofen (NRIP), nebracetam–dexibuprofen (NRDIP), nebracetam–niflumic acid (NRNFA) as well as nebracetam–mefenamic acid (NRMFA) in the tested dosages leads to a statistically significant (p<0.05) analgesic action in acetic acid writhing tests and hot plate tests. At the same time, the analgesic activity of the compounds has been shown to conjoin with a statistically significant influence on cognitive functions in the experimental animal groups after simulating a neurotrauma. Conclusion: The dipharmacophore compounds studied in the present research, having analgesic and nootropic effects, can be used as effective and safe analgesics and can also be used for the treatment and prevention of pain syndrome, enhancing the cognitive abilities of healthy people in complicated professional conditions.

COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY OF KUMARIKA VATI AND MEFENAMIC ACID IN UDAVARTINI YONIVYAPAD (SPASMODIC DYSMENORRHEA)

Menstruation is a normal physiological process when it is accompanied by pain is called Dysmenorrhea. It is one of the commonest gynaecological complaints. Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation, which is the pratyatma lax- ana of Udavartini yoni vyapad i.e., spasmodic dysmenorrhea. It is a common cause of distress in women. Here the main reason for pain is the vitiation of vata dosha (apana vata), viloma/pratiloma gati leading to vedna yukta artava munchan and to manage this pratiloma vata, one needs to use drugs that have anulomana properties and vedna samak. Kumarika vati is used as vedana shamaka aushadha to give symptomatic relief. Hence the topic was selected for the study. Objectives: To compare the effect of Kumarika Vati with Mefenamic Acid in the man- agement of Udavartini Yonivyapad (Spasmodic Dysmenorrhea). Materials & Methods: 20 patients of Group A were treated with Kumarika Vati, a dose of 250mg BD 5 days before menstruation & 5 days during menstruation. 20 patients of Group B were treated with a Mefenamic Acid dose of 250mg BD for 3 days during menstruation. Result: The data of both groups were collected according to the objective and subjective parameters and analyzed using the most appropriate statistical test (repeated measures of ANOVA test and Mann –Whitney U test). The efficacy is statically significant within the group at P<0.001 and statistically insignificant between the group at P>0.05 among all the parameters. Interpretation and Conclusion: On comparison of Kumarika Vati with Mefenamic acid both have equal effectiveness in relieving the pain intensity, pain duration, site of pain, nature of pain and associated complaints. Keywords: Udavartini Yoni Vyapad, Dysmenorrhea, Kumarika Vati, Mefenamic Acid.

Comparative Study on Vit. E & Mefenamic acid vs Mefenamic acid alone on mean reduction in pain in Primary Dysmenorrhea

Background: Pelvic pain around the time of mensturation without any identifiable pathologic lesion present from menarche is called primary dysmenorrhea. The pain is believed to be related to prostaglandin (PG). Women with dysmenorrhoea have a relatively high concentration of PGF 2 alpha in menstrual fluid and suppression of PG synthesis has become the main treatment. Aim: To compare mean reduction in pain in patients presenting with primary dysmenorrhea given vitamin E & Mefenamic acid versus Mefenamic acid alone. Results: It was a randomized controlled trial which was conducted in Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, THQ Raiwind Hospital, Lahore for 6 months duration w.e.f 01/02/2017 to 31/07/2017. In this study, 18(36%) in Vitamin-E group and 21(42%) in Mefenamic acid group were between 15-20 years while 32(64%) in Vitamin-E group and 29(58%) in Mefenamic acid group were between 21-25 years, mean±sd was calculated as 20.86±2.92 and 20.66±2.86 years respectively, mean dysmenorrheal pain at baseline was recorded as 50.06±10.27 in Vitamin-E group and 50.14±10.28 in Mefenamic acid group, p value < 0.754, showing that both groups are insignificant, mean dysmenorrheal pain after treatment was recorded as 20.50±10.04 in Vitamin-E group and 30.22±10.28 in Mefenamic acid group, p value was < 0.002 showing significant difference between the two group, comparison of mean reduction in dysmenorrheal pain after treatment was recorded as 20.56±0.91 in Vitamin-E group and 10.92±0.75 in Mefenamic acid group, p value was < 0.000, showing significant difference. Conclusion: We concluded that there is a significant mean reduction in dysmenorrhic pain in patients given Mefenamic Acid + Vitamen E as compared to patients given Mefenamic Acid alone. Keywords: Dysmenorrhic pain, Mefenamic Acid + Vitamen E, mean reduction in dysmenorrhic pain

Study of Dissolution Kinetics of Mefenamic Acid Solid Dispersion with Polyvinylpyrrolidone

The low solubility of a biologically active substance in an aqueous medium is often the main reason for the reduced therapeutic effect of drugs. The most common approach to solve this problem is to obtain a watersoluble salt of the active substance and an appropriate preparatory formulation based on it. In this case, the solubility of the obtained compound in hydrophobic systems decreases dramatically, which decreases the rate of transmembrane transport and changes the pharmacokinetic laws of the process. In practice, not only the dependence of the therapeutic effect on the salt compound properties, but also a complete loss of the drug active ingredient activity can be observed. The use of biologically active compound solid dispersions in watersoluble polymers is the most promising approach to increase the therapeutic effect of drugs while maintaining the hydrophobic nature of the active component, to reduce the dose load on the patient’s body and obtain prolonged action. In experiments we obtained solid dispersions of mefenamic acid in polyvinylpyrrolidone and studied kinetic regularities of solubility of this promising drug form in aqueous solution of phosphate buffer. By means of mathematical modelling it was found that the phenomenon under study is well described by Ritger --- Peppas model, which considers diffusion of biologically active component into solution according to Fick's law with possible influence on mass transfer at swelling and degradation of polymer matrix