Pharmaceutical Lozenges: Recent Trends and Developments with an Update on Research and Patents

Pharmaceutical oral dosage forms are tremendously preferred by both consumers as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers owing to the plethora of benefits they offer. Lozenges (LZs) are one of the dosage forms that provide a palatable means of drug administration and have great importance with respect to their pharmaceutical applications. LZs offer additional benefits to pediatric and geriatric patients, along with people having associated problems with the gastro-intestinal tract. Dysphagia is a common problem faced by all age groups, which gives rise to the need for LZs. Moreover, the foremost merit presented by the medicated LZs includes its augmented retention time in the oral cavity that results in an enhanced bioavailability for buccal or upper gastro-intestinal disorders. Further, LZs can also be used to bypass the first-pass effect. The present review covers various aspects of LZs such as formulation, manufacturing techniques, evaluation parameters, marketed products, patents, and a compilation of research work that has been done on lozenges as a delivery system.

Incidental Meckel’s diverticula low grade neuroendocrine tumor coexisting with synchronous sigmoidian and perianal adenocarcinoma

Although rarely, due to the high variability of the possible tissues encountered in it’s wall, the Meckel’s diverticula can represent a site for tumor development in 0,5-3,2% cases. Data in the literature shows that the most common malignancy at this level is represented by neuroendocrine tumors (NET) the observed incidence of neurendocrine tumors and other primary neoplasia, varies between 12-55%. Moreover, the gastro-intestinal tract was the second primary tumor bearer encountered.

Gut Microbiota Reveals the Environmental Adaption in Gastro-intestinal Tract of Wild Boar in Karst Region of Southwest China

BackgroundGut microbes, has become one of the research hotspots in animal ecology, playing an important role in monitoring dietary adaptation and health status of host. However, there are few studies on the gut microbiota in the stomach, small intestine (ileum) and large intestine (cecum, colon and rectum) of wild boar. ResultsAlpha diversity and Beta diversity showed there were significant differences in the abundance and distribution of microbes in gastrointestinal tract of wild boar. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla in stomach, cecum, colon and rectum of wild boar, while Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant in ileum. At genus level, there were different leading genera in stomach (Prevotella and Lactobacillus), small intestine (Escherichia-Shigella and Lactobacillus) and large intestine (Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Escherichia-Shigella). PICRUSt function predictive analysis suggested that there were significant differences in microbial metabolic pathways among five locations of wild boar. ConclusionsThis study comprehensively revealed the differences in composition of microbial community in gastrointestinal trac of wild boar. Future work links microbes with the metabolites to accurately reveal the health of wild boar.

Gut Bacteria and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Bacteria in the gut microbiome plays an intrinsic part in immune activation, intestinal permeability, enteric reflex, and entero-endocrine signaling. Apart from physiological and structural changes brought about by gut bacteria on entero-epithelial cells and mucus layers, a vast number of signals generated in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) reaches the brain via the vagus nerve. Research on the gut–brain axis (GBA) has mostly been devoted to digestive functions and satiety. Less papers have been published on the role gut microbiota play in mood, cognitive behavior and neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, depression and schizophrenia. Whether we will be able to fully decipher the connection between gut microbiota and mental health is debatable, especially since the gut microbiome is diverse, everchanging and highly responsive to external stimuli. Nevertheless, the more we discover about the gut microbiome and the more we learn about the GBA, the greater the chance of developing novel therapeutics, probiotics and psychobiotics to treat gastro-intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also improve cognitive functions and prevent or treat mental disorders. In this review we focus on the influence gut bacteria and their metabolites have on neuropsychiatric disorders.

Management of Grahani roga in Ayurveda (irritable bowel syndrome)- A case report

Grahani Roga is a common Gastro-intestinal Tract disorder of present era. In Ayurveda, Grahani is considered as the main functional part of Mahasrota which is located in between amashaya & pakwashaya, also known as the 6th kala i.e., Pittadhara Kala where jatharagni resides and its main function is to hold the ahara upto the end of avasthapaka & after completion passes it into pakvasaya. Symptoms like alternate passing of hard & loose stool, abdominal pain, passing of foul-smelling stool, mucus in faecal matter are diagnostic of Grahani Roga. In modern science, above mentioned symptoms can be correlated with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In IBS, the wall of the intestine becomes sensitive to even mild stimulus which causes excess abdominal cramps & hence the bowel movement alters along with indigestion. In this case an effort has been made to treat 33 years male suffering from Grahani roga, at Ayurveda Teaching Hospital within 3 months by various ayurveda medicine and panchakarma procedures.

Fiber in Broiler Feed: Its Effect on Performance, Gastro-intestinal Tract, and Microbial Profile

<p>In AGP ban era, addition of a fiber source in broiler feed improves the performance and development of the gastrointestinal tract. This paper aims to describe the differences in fiber analysis methods and the effect of fiber source addition on growth, development of the gastrointestinal tract, and microbiota profile in the digestive tract of broilers. Oat hulls, sugar beet pulp, rice hulls, pea hulls, sunflower hulls, wheat bran, and wood have been tested as fiber source in broiler feed. The effectiveness of fiber in increasing growth performance and stimulating the development of the gastrointestinal tract were influenced by the physico-chemical properties, level of addition, particle size, and fraction composition of the fiber source. Exploration of local fiber sources from Indonesia, which can have ability to increase growth performance and gastrointestinal tract development of broilers is needed to support food security in the future.</p>

Correlation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with psycological factors: A viscous cycle?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder of the gastro-intestinal tract is often associated with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. Researchers across the globe are divided in their views about psychological factors being the cause or sequalae of GERD. While some researchers believe that psychiatric disorders contribute to GERD, others suggest that unresolved GERD leads to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Through this article we aim to highlight, that the brain-gut axis acts as a strong link between the central nervous system and Gastrointestinal tract and that there is a likelihood of a viscous cycle of psychological factors leading to symptoms of GERD, and unresolved GERD contributing to further worsening of psychological illnesses. In our opinion, while treating patients for either of the two disorders, history of the other one needs to be excluded and if GERD and psychological illnesses are found to co-exist, the two must be treated simultaneously as the treatment of one maybe incomplete without treatment of the other.

The Many Faces of Enterococcus spp.—Commensal, Probiotic and Opportunistic Pathogen

Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive, facultative, anaerobic cocci, which are found in the intestinal flora and, less frequently, in the vagina or mouth. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the most common species found in humans. As commensals, enterococci colonize the digestive system and participate in the modulation of the immune system in humans and animals. For many years reference enterococcal strains have been used as probiotic food additives or have been recommended as supplements for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis and other conditions. The use of Enterococcus strains as probiotics has recently become controversial due to the ease of acquiring different virulence factors and resistance to various classes of antibiotics. Enterococci are also seen as opportunistic pathogens. This problem is especially relevant in hospital environments, where enterococcal outbreaks often occur. Their ability to translocate from the gastro-intestinal tract to various tissues and organs as well as their virulence and antibiotic resistance are risk factors that hinder eradication. Due to numerous reports on the plasticity of the enterococcal genome and the acquisition of pathogenic microbial features, we ask ourselves, how far is this commensal genus from acquiring pathogenicity? This paper discusses both the beneficial properties of these microorganisms and the risk factors related to their evolution towards pathogenicity.

Water intake meets the Water from inside the human body – physiological, cultural, and health perspectives - Synthetic and Systematic literature review

Background. The average adult human body of 70 kilograms consists in about 67.85% water distributed evenly to an average of 70 % in all major organs of the body: skin, muscles, brain, spinal cord, liver, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, pancreas and gastro-intestinal tract. A smaller percentage is found in the bones (30%), teeth (5%) and fat tissue (50%). Objective. This review article attempts to present different perspectives on the physiological properties of water in the human body. We describe from the ancient Chinese medicine theory about water being one of the 5 elements of nature and its harmonious interrelation with the other elements in order to balance the human body, to the successful experiments of researchers which demonstrated waters’ capability to change its molecular structure based on feelings, intentions and energy it was exposed to. We briefly describe the role of water for the human body and what effects can the lack of it have, especially dehydration with all the phases of severity. Also, we present the health benefits of drinking water and which type of water is best to consume. We shorty review the different types of natural mineral waters in Romania and the importance of the Romanian researches for balneology and how the waters cand be administrated in crenotherapy for different types of pathologies. Methods. To elaborate our systematic review, we have searched for relevant open access articles and review articles in ISI Web of Science, published from January 2017 until August 2021. The terms used were water AND health in the title. Articles were excluded in the second phase if they did not reach the relevance citation criterion. The eligible articles were analyzed in detail regarding water importance for human health. Results. Our search identified, first, 548 articles. After applying a PEDro like selection filter and, we selected 93 articles with a minimum of 8 points on our PEDro like filtering scale (good, very good, and excellent articles with a minimum of 5 citations per year). Detailed analysis of the 93 selected articles has conducted us to the elimination of 33 of them as being on a different subject than that of our article. To the 60 full articles retained for this systematic and synthetic article, we have added 10 articles found through a separate Google search, as being considered of high relevance for our subject and necessary to be included. Conclusions. Water is essential for the entire planet and also indispensable for the survival of the human body. Keywords: water intake, water balance, body water, water molecular structure, dehydration, crenotherapy

Investigations and Concerns about the Fate of Transgenic DNA and Protein in Livestock

The fate of transgenic DNA (tDNA) and protein from feed derived from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) in animals has been a major issue since their commercialization in 1996. Several studies have investigated the risks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of tDNA and protein to bacteria or animal cells/tissues, but some of the reported data are controversial. Previous reports showed that tDNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants could not be detected in tissues, fluids, or edible products from livestock. Other researchers have shown that there is a possibility of small fragments entering animal tissues, fluids and organs. This motivated us to update our knowledge about these concerns. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the probable transfer and accumulation of tDNA/proteins from transgenic feeds in animal samples (ruminant and non-ruminant) by evaluating the available experimental studies published scientifically. This study found that the tDNA/protein is not completely degraded during feed processing and digestion in Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT). In large ruminants (cattle), tDNA fragments/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, rumen fluid, and faeces. In small ruminants (goats), traces of tDNA/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, blood, milk, liver, kidney, heart and muscle. In pigs, they were detected in blood, spleen, liver, kidney, and GIT digesta. In poultry, traces were detected in blood, liver and GIT digesta but not in meat and eggs. Notwithstanding some studies that have shown transfer of tDNA/protein fragments in animal samples, we cannot rely on these few studies to give general evidence for transfer into tissues/fluids and organs of farm animals. However, this study clearly shows that transfer is possible. Therefore, intensive and authentic research should be conducted on GM plants before they are approved for commercial use, investigating issues such as the fate of tDNA or proteins and the effects of feeding GM feed to livestock.