Ahmed Abd El-Moniem Amer

Herbal teas are very common around the world. It has a good therapeutic effect. But due to adulteration, we face an obstacle to using them. The author has collected some clinical trials on commercial herbal tea formulations on the market that have proven their efficacy and safety. So, the future is for herbal medicine owing to people's psychology, minimum adverse reactions, and lower cost. The pharmaceutical manufacturing of herbal tea formulations should be encouraged to use them as add-on therapy or healthy daily beverages at least.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Tunde Ayobami Owolabi, Emmanuel Amodu, James Danga

The effectiveness of any herbal medication depends on the presence or absence of pharmacologically active phytocompounds. These ingredients are significantly affected by the quality control system espoused during and after manufacturing processes and the operation of such pharmaceuticals. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a quality control parameter suitable to identify and codify substances predicated on their distinctiveness and uniformity, giving an identity for such substances. Paxherbal Bitter Tea is a polyherbal medicine harnessed as an anti-diabetes medicine. This study assessed the distinguishable phytoconstituents present and evolved attribute profiles (TLC) for the herbal (Paxherbal Bitter Tea) to serve as a quality control check during manufacturing for consistency and market identity. Qualitative phytochemical and chromatographic assays were carried out employing standard methodologies. The qualitative test revealed the presence of saponin, steroids, reducing sugar, cardiac glycoside, and terpenoids, and the finger-print chromatograms after progression with n-hexane: ethyl acetate (9:1) flaunted three dissimilar elements under ultraviolet light at 365 nm and five spots, when dotted with 20% methanolic sulphuric acid under visible light. In this study, we developed an identity profile for Paxherbal Bitter Tea via its unique chemical biographies, which can be exercised in verifying the quality and consistency of the herbal product.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Mus'ab Usman Abba, Sunusi Usman, Muslim Muhammad Ahmad, Albashir Tahir, Aminu Kura Umar

About 60% of the world population relies on herbal medicine, and 80% depend almost entirely on it for their primary healthcare. Many of these herbs are rich in phytochemicals, thus valuable as potential sources of drugs. Amaranthus spinosus is a vegetable and ornamental plant used in African folklore to treat several illnesses. This study aimed to investigate the antiepileptic potential of the methanol leaf extract of Amaranthus spinosus in albino mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were conducted using standard methods. Anticonvulsant studies were conducted using chemo-shock models (pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) - and strychnine (STR)-induced seizures) in mice. Phytochemical screening has revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids. Additionally, the acute toxicity studies of the extract revealed that the extract is safe in mice at 2000 mg/kg. The extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg produced a significant (p<0.05) delay in the mean onset of seizures, decreased the duration of seizures induced by PTZ in a dose-dependent manner, and protected the mice. The extract showed insignificant protection against strychnine-induced seizures in mice. This could serve as a scientific basis for further evaluation of the plant’s potential in managing epilepsy, which can lead to the discovery of an effective antiepileptic agent with fewer side effects.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Subha Ranjan Das

The genesis and evolution of cancer are known to be significantly influenced by mitochondria, and recent studies have indicated that mitochondrial modifications may potentially contribute to the emergence of treatment resistance. Additionally, drug-resistant cancer cells may also display modifications in mitochondrial metabolism, such as changes in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are biological byproducts of mitochondrial respiration. These changes can alter the cell's sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs and contribute to drug resistance. The expression of specific genes or proteins that are crucial in the control of cell growth and survival may be altered by mitochondrial mutations, which may also contribute to medication resistance. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring, biologically active substances found in plants that have been demonstrated to offer a variety of health advantages, including anti-cancer effects. It has been demonstrated that phytochemicals target these altered mitochondrial pathways in cancer cells, increasing the potency of chemotherapy medications and overcoming drug resistance. For instance, it has been demonstrated that some phytochemicals, including curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin, can block the function of mitochondrial membrane proteins that lead to drug resistance in cancer cells. Other phytochemicals, including berberine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been demonstrated to directly interfere with mitochondrial activity, inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Overall, the capacity of phytochemicals to modify the functioning of cancer cell mitochondrial drug-resistance systems is a viable strategy for the creation of novel anti-cancer treatments.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Hiteswar Saikia, Mustakim Ahmed, Anju L. Saikia, Daisy Phukan

Mental and behavioral disorders are common around the world. Pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and psychosocial rehabilitation are three treatment components for these disorders. Drug therapy is an essential part of the comprehensive treatment of these diseases. Their use pattern in psychiatric practice has changed dramatically in recent years. Mental disorders require long-term treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to study the prescribing practices of these groups of drugs. This study aims to assess drug use patterns using the WHO/INRUD Core Prescribing Indicators. Patients of both genders and ages with mental illness and prescription psychiatric drugs were evaluated from the outpatient department of the Psychiatry Unit (OPD). The prescription data were collected and analyzed using the indicators recommended by the WHO/INRUD. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel-2007. The percentage and average values of the variables were compared. A total of 655 prescriptions were analyzed. Male patients (54.96%) were more than women (45.04%). The morbidity profile included schizophrenia (37.86%), alcohol use disorder (18.78%), major depressive disorder (11.30%), anxiety disorder (10.23%), bipolar disorder (4.88%), and others (16.95%). The newer antipsychotic were the most commonly prescribed drugs (particularly olanzapine), along with a central anticholinergic (trihexyphenidyl) and a benzodiazepine (lorazepam). The percentage of drugs prescribed with generic names was 39.80%, and that of drugs prescribed by NLEM was 48.49%. The average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.58. This study's Index of Rational Prescribing (IRDP) was 3.87, whereas the optimal score was 5. Prescriptions were complete, and principles of rational prescribing were followed, except for a low generic prescribing rate.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Callista Andinie Mulyadi, Yahdiana Harahap, Hary Sakti Muliawan

Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist (VKAs) anticoagulant associated with interindividual patients’ response to therapy, narrow therapeutic index, and serious adverse drug events. Monitoring ensures efficacy and safety by measuring drug concentration in the bloodstream, which demands blood or plasma samples from patients through conventional sampling. Conventional sampling often requires invasive methods that may be uncomfortable for patients. Microsampling offers an opportunity to reduce the burden of multiple blood sampling on patients and simplifies the process of sample transportation and storage. This systematic review describes conventional and microsampling techniques for quantifying warfarin in human blood samples and the bioanalytical method employed to perform the analysis. Related studies (537) were screened from several databases and narrowed down into 12 eligible articles, which were then used to fulfill the purpose of this review in a narrative form. It is concluded that while there are still limited studies regarding the application of microsampling for warfarin quantification in patients, there has been evidence of comparable plasma and micro samples results, highlighting the potential for future development of routine monitoring using the microsampling technique.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Matheus prayoga claus, Masteria Yunovilsa Putra, Arry Yanuar

The emergence of COVID-19 has prompted researchers worldwide to focus on developing drugs that specifically target ACE2 receptors and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein receptors. They have embraced an in-silico approach that employs virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics to achieve this. This innovative method harnesses existing chemical and natural product databases to identify the most suitable ACE2 receptor blockers and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein inhibitors. By following the PRISMA statement guidelines, a thorough literature search yielded 21 relevant articles, forming the basis of this systematic review. The review provides a comprehensive summary and detailed description of the methodologies, protocols, software tools, and noteworthy drug candidates identified in these studies. Additionally, it sheds light on the crucial molecular interactions by presenting an overview of the interacting residues elucidated in the reviewed articles, offering valuable insights for effective therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, the review presents thought-provoking suggestions for future research directions, aiming to inspire and guide advancements in drug development efforts.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Chusnul Nur Ramadhani

Chatbots in pharmacies have gained popularity in recent years, potentially revolutionizing patient care and pharmacist workflow. However, whether chatbots are, a boon or a bane for the pharmacy profession remains. This review article aims to comprehensively analyze the literature on chatbots in pharmacy, including their benefits, limitations, and future directions. Findings suggest that chatbots have the potential to improve medication adherence, provide patient education, and streamline pharmacist workflow. However, there are limitations to their use, such as the need for robust natural language processing algorithms and concerns regarding patient privacy and security. Furthermore, the lack of regulatory oversight and standardized development processes may hinder their widespread adoption. Overall, while chatbots have the potential to improve certain aspects of pharmacy practice, caution must be taken to ensure their accuracy and safety. Moreover, chatbots should be viewed as a tool to support pharmacists in providing high-quality patient care rather than replacing the valuable expertise and human connection pharmacists provide. Further research is needed to explore the full potential of chatbots in pharmacy practice and to address the limitations and concerns highlighted in this review.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Namrata Santosh Naware, Shreya Sakharam Ambatkar, Tanmay Sanjay Kamble, Sonal Bangar, Kiran Babu Uppar, Kshitij Shirke, Mukesh Patil, Ashish Jain

Any product generated from food sources that offer additional health advantages over and above the essential nutritional content present in foods is referred to as a nutraceutical under the broad umbrella term. The catechins in Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) namely (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which can be used as nutraceuticals in food or as a component of food items has been discussed. Catechins being polyphenols and antioxidants are found to have a wide range of therapeutic application like weight loss, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and a few more therapeutic applications, through various mechanisms like stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase, enhanced apoptosis, decreased expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The most recent method for extracting catechins include combining the extraction processing of PEF or IPL with Subcritical water extraction. Food additives have been mixed with green tea extracts to develop a desired formulation like chewing gum and capsule. As green tea catechins are a beneficial phytoconstituents to improve overall health, its prospects include formulation of a gelatin gummy formulation which will improve its palatability by masking the bitter taste. Gelatin gummy formulation can be carried conveniently and will provide easy access to the consumer as compared to green tea. Furthermore, we found a scope to develop an analytical method for EGCG and carry out its validation by HPLC which will be more reliable and cost-efficient in comparison to the existing UHPLC methods for EGCG.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Kshitij Suhas Shirke, Tanmay Sanjay Kamble, Kiran Babu Uppar, Namrata Santosh Naware, Sonal Balasaheb Bangar, Shreya Sakharam Ambatkar, Mukesh Patil, Ashish Jain

The well-known tropical tree Psidium guajava, also known as the guava, is widely farmed for its fruit. This article consists of literature about various analytical techniques like TLC, UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, and HPTLC that could be used to analyze the Guava plant. The HPLC analysis of Quercetin isolated from the leaves of the guava plant uses a 4 x 125 mm Hypersil ODS column with a mobile phase of 0.5 percent ortho-phosphoric acid in water and methanol at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The column wash times are 20 min and 18 min, respectively. 250C is the temperature in the column. Silica gel 60F 254 pre-coated plates (10 x 10 cm) were used with toluene: acetone: formic acid (38:10:5) as the solvent system for HPTLC analysis of quercetin obtained from the tender leaves of guava. The λ max was observed in the U.V. spectrum of the isolated compound (quercetin) on three standard wavelengths: 212 nm, 256 nm, and 372 nm. An effort can be made to produce a new analytical method that will be cost-effective and time-saving.

Sciences of Phytochemistry