A Review on Chemistry of Anti-malarials

Malaria remains an important public health concern in countries where transmission occurs regularly, as well as in temperate areas and it is a major global health problem, with an estimated 500 million clinical cases occurring annually. Malaria is a complex disease that varies widely in epidemiology and clinical manifestation in different parts of the world. The most prevalent and dangerous type of malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. P. vivax is a common cause of malaria in Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, but not Africa. P. malaria and P. ovale are much less common. Antimalarials are used in three different ways: prophylaxis, treatment of falciparum malaria, and treatment of non-falciparum malaria. Prophylactic antimalarials are used almost exclusively by travelers from developed countries who are visiting malaria-endemic countries. Keywords: Malaria, antimalarial drugs, plasmodium.

A Review on Nanocarriers Third Generation As Targeted Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Currently available therapies are inadequate and spur demand for improved technologies. Nanomaterials are at the cutting edge of the rapidly developing area of nanotechnology. The potential for nanoparticles in cancer drug delivery is infinite with novel new applications constantly being explored. Targeted nanoparticles play a very significant role in cancer drug delivery. The promising implications of these platforms for advances in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics form the basis of this review. Targeted delivery systems of nano biomaterials are necessary to be developed for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Nano-based pharmaceuticals, or nanomedicines,” are engineered to either function as a drug or carry a drug while addressing these scientific challenges due to their nano-size. Keywords: Nanomaterials, nanomedicines, Targeted delivery

Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Floating Pellets of Amlodipine Besylate

The aim of the present study is to design and develop sustained release pellets formulations for Amlodipine besylate. Amlodipine is an oral antihypertensive agent, commonly used as calcium channel blocker for treating high blood pressure. It is frequently used to treat heart diseases like angina pectoris. The dose of Amlodipine in case of hypertension or angina initially 5 mg daily later adjusted to 10 mg daily by oral route. Amlodipine has a maximum solubility in acidic pH. Amlodipine has a high bioavailability ranging from 60 to 80 % and slow rate of elimination. Amlodipine besylate at different drug to polymer ratios were prepared by extrusion and spheronization technique. The influence of the proportion of the polymer on the release rate of the drug from the pellets was studied. The in-vitro release studies of pellets were carried out in 0.1N HCl for 12 hours. The studies indicated that the drug release can be modulated by varying the concentration of the polymer. Pellets were prepared and evaluated for loose bulk density, tapped bulk density, compressibility index and angle of repose, shows satisfactory results. Formulation was optimized on the basis of acceptable pellet properties and in-vitro drug release. The resulting formulation produced robust pellets with acceptable drug content and low friability. The release data was fitted to various mathematical models such as, Higuchi, Korsmeyer- Peppas, First-order and Zero-order to evaluate the kinetics and mechanism of the drug release. Keywords: Sustained release, Ethyl cellulose, HPMC, Pellets, Amlodipine besylate

A Prospective Study on Evaluation of Efficacy of Combination Therapy of Tamsulosin and Deflazacort In Ureteric Stone Expulsion

The patients with ureteric stone are increasing day by day all over the world. A ureteric stone is a mineral mass in the ureter which may or may not originated in the kidney and travelled down to the ureter. The presence of stone in ureter causes inflammation and edema. There are mainly four types of ureteric stone such as Calcium stones, Uric acid stones, Struvite stone, Cystine stone. About 23-53% of spontaneous stone expulsion occurs where the size of stone is 5-10mm diameter. Tamsulosin is an alpha 1 adrenergic blocker which has a spasmolytic action and thus hasten stone expulsion. Deflazacort is a corticosteroid prodrug which acts on the glucocorticoid receptor to show an anti-inflammatory effect. Deflazacort decreases the edema and when prescribed along with alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blocker it facilitate the expulsion of calculi. This study was conducted in 20 patients diagnosed with ureteric calculi. The study was conducted by using suitable proforma for collecting various data’s like site of stones, presence of hydronephrosis, signs and symptoms. Health related quality of life of the patients with ureteric calculi under the treatment of Tamsulosin and Deflazacort combination were assessed by using Wisconsin Stone-QOL questionnaire. As counselling aid patients information leaflet was provided. The patients were asked to review after 10 days of taking the medication. At the end of the study all the parameters and scores were compared with baseline to the end of the study. In our study we analyzed that the data collected from 20 patients diagnosed with ureteric calculi accessed the improvement of quality of life of patients under the treatment of Tamsulosin and Deflazacort combination by using Wisconsin Stone-QOL questionnaire. The observed difference before and after the treatment with Tamsulosin and Deflazacort w

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors: A New Ray Of Hope For Parkinson’s Disease

PD (PD) is a debilitating progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder that negatively impacts bodily movement. It is the second most common type of neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of PD remain unknown, a vast body of evidence indicates that oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and proteasomal dysfunction all play a role in the disease's pathogenesis. Because of the multifactorial nature of the disease, current drug treatment can only offer symptomatic relief and cannot stop or delay the disease progression. The Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are the member of the receptor’s superfamily called, nuclear receptors, regulates the growth, differentiation of the tissues, inflammation, mitochondrial function, wound healing, lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. Several PPAR agonists have recently been shown to protect neurons from oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease, PD, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. We review the research on the neuroprotective effects of PPAR agonists in in-vitro and in-vivo models of PD in this paper. Similarly, the pharmacological mechanism of PPAR agonists' neuroprotective effects is examined. Finally, PPAR agonists exert neuroprotective effects by controlling the expression of a set of genes involved in cell survival processes, suggesting that they may be a potential therapeutic target in crippling neurodegenerative diseases like PD. Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, neuroprotective, neuro inflammatory, oxidative stress, PPAR agonist

dentification of High Risk Individuals for Cardiovascular Diseases through Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Score Risk (SCORE)

According to WHO cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in the worldwide. In India too, it has gone through a drastic lifestyle modification from traditional to western one and adapting sedentary lifestyle, consequently prone the people for CVDs. The present study was undertaken to identify the high risk individuals for CVDs in the next 10 years by using the cardiovascular risk assessment tools such as FRS and SCORE and recommendation of lifestyle modification and initiation of pharmacotherapy. A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with all possible risk factors (age, sex, high blood pressure, high HDL, TC, Smoking, and Obesity) for CVD over a period of six month in a tertiary care hospital. A total numbers of patients selected for the study was 90 among, 49 were males and 41 were females. The patients were categorized in to different risk groups. According to FRS tool, 35.5% individuals were at high risk and with SCORE tool, it was 41.1%. Whereas 33.3% individual who were under the high risk for CVDs by both the tools. The individuals’ lies between mild to moderate risk for CVDs were recommended for lifestyle modification to attenuate the triggering risk factors. Whereas high risk individual by both the FRS and SCORE tools were recommended for lifestyle modification along with pharmacotherapy in order to keep the risk factors under control. Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Risk factors; Assessment tools; Primary prevention.

Epidemiological Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Medical, Paramedical and General Population – A Hospital Based Questionnaire Survey

To investigate the knowledge of breast cancer among medical, paramedical and general population of women participants. A prospective observational questionnaire survey was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern Karnataka for a period of six months with220 participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Out of 220 women, 31.36% were medical, 20.92% paramedical and 47.72% general. Almost, 94.20% of medical participants believed breast cancer as inherited. Notably, general group considered trauma(74.28%) and diet (73.33%) as major risk factors. Majority of medical and paramedical women thought lump in the breast as the initial sign of Breast Cancer. Awareness regarding mammography and biopsy in general population was 64.76% and 52.38% respectively. Moreover, 95.5% of medical women and all of the paramedical women thought that chemical / radiotherapy was the best treatment. Breast cancer knowledge and awareness was less among the general women. There is a need of developing effective interventional programs to educate women about breast cancer. Keywords: Awareness, Breast Cancer, Knowledge, Risk factors.

Assessment of Antibiotic use in Pregnant Women in a Tertiary care Teaching Hospital – A Cross Sectional Observational Study

During pregnancy, most women are at risk for respiratory tract infections (RTIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and ear, nose, and throat infections. Antimicrobials are the most commonly given medications to treat acquired illnesses during this time. This study aimed to assess antibiotic use in pregnant women in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The present study was a cross- sectional prospective observational study and was conducted for three months in a tertiary care health centre in North Karnataka with 57 participants.All case records of pregnant women who use antibiotics admitted to Obstetrics and Gynecology department and pregnant women with more than 18 years of age were included in the study. Out of 57 participants, 40.3% of them were belonging to the age category of 19-23 years of age, followed by 33.3% in 24-28 years. Most prevalent infections which required antimicrobials prescription were UTIs (36.82%), followed by Gastroenteritis (17.54%) and Pyrexia (14.03%). Majority of the antimicrobials prescribed were from Betalactams (40.34%), followed by Nitrofuranes (29.82%). To assist in making prescribing decisions for pregnant women, health care professionals should examine the teratogenic and toxic risk profiles of antibiotics. These could be especially significant if anti- infective countermeasures are needed to safeguard the health, safety, and survival of people who have been exposed to pathogenic bacteriologic agents as a result of bioterrorism. Keywords: Antimicrobials, pregnancy, teratogenic effect, urinary tract infections

Study on Evaluation of Medication Adherence and Drug Related Problems In High Risk Elderly Population

Medication adherence is a crucial component in the treatment of chronic diseases. In the elderly, clinicians are faced with a unique set of problems associated with adherence that they may not have been adequately trained for. The present study was designed to assess the socio-demographic profile, adherence and drug-related problems among elderly. Methods: An observational study involving 30 patients aged over 60 years using at least five prescription drugs and discharged from hospital. The occurrence of adherence and DRP were assessed by means of an identification tool specifically developed for use by community pharmacists, including a semi structured patient interview and a checklist of common DRP. Results: Out of 30 study subjects, it was observed that majority of the study subjects had drug related problems. High, moderate and low adherence to medication was found. Conclusion: It is evident that there is a great need on the part of health care providers to not only prescribe medications to the patients but also make a conscious effort to address the issue of non-adherence to the prescribed medications and other non-pharmacological measures. Keywords: Morisky, Drug compliance, elderly, habits, medications

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Covid 19 among Public

ndia has taken stringent preventive measures against COVID-19 to control its spread, safeguard citizens and ensure well-being. Public adherence to preventive measures is influenced by their knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19. This study aims to access the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the public towards COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was contacted in 50 participants using an online self-reported questionnaire. The demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants were investigated, and the scores were calculated. The majority of the study participants were knowledgeable about COVID-19, 100% were aware of the clinical symptoms, and 94% knew that there is no clinically approved treatment. It was also evident 40% had low knowledge about wearing masks to prevent infection. Concerning attitudes, participants showed a positive and optimistic attitude toward COVID-19. 40% concur that the virus can be successfully controlled. But 34% are not convinced that the government will control this pandemic. Good knowledge of COVID-19 translates into good and safe practices, which suggests that the practices of residents are very cautious. Almost 88% of respondents refrained from attending social events, 82% avoided crowded places, and 94% avoided shaking hands. We also found that young adults are likely to have better knowledge and practices, than older adult people. The majority of the participants had good knowledge, positive attitude, and sufficient practice. Our finding suggests that targeted health interventions should be directed to this particular vulnerable population, who may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Keywords: Knowledge; Awareness; Practice; Novel coronavirus; COVID 19