Sciences of Pharmacy

Avinash J. Pujari, Bidhan Dolai

The study focused on using scientometric methods to analyze forensic medicine and toxicology literature. The selected period for the study was from 2013 to 2022, allowing for a recent and comprehensive field analysis. The study used bibliographic data from a PubMed database, a widely used biomedical literature database. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the production and dissemination of the literature in the field. To achieve this, the study analyzed various bibliometric indicators, including theme analysis, keyword evolvement, and collaboration map. The analysis of trending topics and future thematic directions in the field was also conducted to provide insight that could inform and stimulate the research interests of young researchers. This scholarly article explains the construction of author networks, the assessment of author productivity yearly, and the analysis of affiliation networks and organizations. The number of articles published by an institution is an essential indicator of research productivity and expertise in the particular field. The study's findings provided valuable insights into the trends and patterns in forensic medicine and toxicology.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Navajit Sahu, Bikram Dutta Tassa, Swarnamoni Das

The demand of herbal based medicines are increasing all over the world and the focus on plant research has increased. Centella asiatica (CA) is a medicinal herb used in traditional medicine as remedy for a variety of diseases. It is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. The present study evaluated the Analgesic Activity of Aqueous Extract of the leaves of C. asiatica (AECA). Acute oral toxicity test was performed according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2008 (OECD) guidelines. The tail flick method and glacial acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used to study the central and peripheral analgesic activities of AECA, respectively. AECA (200mg/kg) produced significant analgesia in both central and peripheral mechanisms compared to the control. The maximal analgesic effect was observed after 90 minutes of drug administration in the tail-flick method. In the glacial acetic acid-induced writhing test, AECA (200 mg/kg, p.o) produced a significant decrease (71.07%) in the number of writhes (p<0.01) when compared to the control. Therefore, CA can be a very promising herbal-based medicine for treatment of various painful conditions. Further investigations are needed to determine the precise mechanism and site of action of AECA.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Fauzia Noprima Okta, Desi Nadya Aulena, Pramudita Ika Yuliana, Risma Marisi Tambunan

One of the world's silent killer diseases is hypertension. Hypertension occurs when angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II, causing vasoconstriction and decreasing sodium and water excretion. The mechanism of angiotensin I conversion to angiotensin II appears in the presence of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). Dayak onion is widely used as an antihypertensive in traditional medicine. This study aims to identify secondary metabolites, determine total flavonoid content, determine extract quality parameters, and ACE inhibitory activity of the Dayak onion herb. Dayak onion herb was extracted with 70% ethanol by kinetic maceration, followed by phytochemical screening, extract quality assessment, and ACE inhibitory test. The results show that the Dayak onion extract has a good properties with total ash content of 4.49%, water-soluble ash content of 4.00%, acid-insoluble ash content of 0.41%, drying shrinkage of 9.70%, water content of 5.72%, solvent residue of 0.67%, Pb heavy metal content of 0.2908 mg/kg, Cd heavy metal content of 0.0880 mg/kg, total plate number ≤103 colonies/g, and yeast mold numbers ≤103 colonies/g. Dayak onions herbs extract contains flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin, tannin, triterpenoid, quinone, steroid and essential oil compounds. The total flavonoid content was 2.24% and the IC50 in ACE inhibitory test was 98.5 ± 0.77 ppm, making it two times more potent than Veronica biloba and Schoenoplectus triqueter. The result of this study indicates that the Dayak onion herb can be used as an alternative for antihypertensive treatment.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Rima Farag Elmuzghi

Influential factors contributing to poor adherence to antidiabetic medications and self-care behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not previously been documented in Libya. This study aimed to identify determinants of non-adherence through a cross-sectional descriptive design conducted at a single healthcare facility, the NCDE in Tripoli. Data were collected from T2DM patients using a pre-tested questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied in SPSS version 26 to estimate crude odds ratios for associations between adherence and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were then calculated to identify significant predictors, considering p-values below 0.05. Among 380 participants, only 225 (67.1%) adhered to medications. Non-adherence included carelessness and failure to follow physician instructions (41.8%), difficulty maintaining dietary restrictions (52.6%), lack of regular exercise (55.5%), and poor blood glucose monitoring (25.5%). Significant factors associated with non-adherence included type of medication, particularly combined oral agents and insulin, forgetfulness, intentional omission when feeling better, medication side effects, and limited awareness of consequences. Careless medication use also increased risk. Overall, adherence to treatment and self-care practices remains inadequate in Libya. Strengthening diabetes education, improving awareness, and implementing continuous monitoring strategies are essential to enhance adherence among individuals with T2DM. Additionally targeted interventions addressing patient beliefs, counseling, and healthcare provider communication may further improve adherence outcomes. Structured follow-up systems and community-based support programs could also help patients maintain long-term lifestyle modifications and medication routines effectively. These efforts are crucial for reducing complications and improving overall quality of life among patients

Sciences of Pharmacy

Bedanta Bhattacharjee, Rajashri Bezbaruah, Damanbhalang Rynjah, Arzoo Newar, Sindhuja Sengupta, Padmanath Pegu, Nikita Dey, Shekhar Chandra Bora, Dhunusmita Barman

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel technology with boundless significance that can be used in the medical sector that offers noninvasive in-vivo applications without damaging the living tissues. CAPs can be obtained by curtailing the concentration of high-energetic electrons per phase and by freezing molecules/atoms (devoid of charge) in plasma utilizing gas circulation and atmospheric air, which includes a variety of charged and neutral reactive entities, UV rays, electric currents, and fields, etc. that have an influence on cellular material in a multitude of diverse manners. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), produced by the plasma, essentially cause biological and therapeutically advantageous plasma effects. CAP plasma has several important biological functions, including the deactivation of pathogens, induction of tissue restoration and cell propagation, the annihilation of cells by triggering apoptosis, etc. Several fundamental concepts are defined, even if the precise process of the effect of plasma on biomolecules is still not properly identified. Depending on the biological synthesis of RNS and ROS in reactions to plasma emissions, the present review described several aspects of plasma therapy in neuroscience, particularly in anti-glioblastoma, neuro-differentiation, and neuroprotection and also the various applications of CAP in medical fields where it is used in the therapy of SARS-CoV-2, cancer therapy, and chronic and acute wounds. Furthermore, the proliferation in stem cells, dental medicines, dermatology, and a brief insight into CAP devices and their risk factors was highlighted.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Elena O Bakhrushina, Liliya M Buraya, Egor D Moiseev, Marina M Shumkova, Maria A Davydova, Ivan I Krasnyuk

Abiraterone acetate is one of the effective therapies in castration-resistant prostate cancer. There is only one dosage form in the form of film-coated tablets. Abiraterone has proven effective but has disadvantages and contraindications that complicate therapy. One of them is a positive food effect affecting the bioavailability and side effects of the drug. Abiraterone is taken strictly on an empty stomach, and the bioavailability of the drug, in this case, reaches only 10%. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in people with hepatic insufficiency since the main metabolism is in the liver. These and other disadvantages can be eliminated by obtaining targeted delivery systems - liposomes and nanocrystals. Another dosage form could be considered for the active pharmaceutical agent that would be cost-effective, accessible and have higher bioavailability for effective treatment. An intratumoral polymeric in situ implant is chosen as an excellent dosage form, the matrix of which will contain an optimized form of abiraterone, which can stably target a tumor.

Sciences of Pharmacy