Sciences of Pharmacy

John Edjophe Arute, Monday Ikponmwosa Osarenmwinda, Omotejohwo Emily Okolosi-Patani

The strategy for improving patient safety in hospitals heavily relies on safety culture. The study aimed to evaluate patient safety cultures amongst pharmacy staffs of selected health facilities in Delta North, Delya State, Nigeria. Data on patient safety amongst 70 pharmacy personnel in two major secondary and 5 general health facilities across Delta North senatorial district, Delta State, were collected using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) tool. Information on communication openness, the frequency of documenting different types of mistakes, as well as the overall patient safety culture rating, was collected. Composite scores were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Measurement data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and compared using a student t-test. The results were considered significant at p<0.05. The mean scores of all the various composite item responses were calculated and grouped into positive and negative responses with a mean score of ≥4 and <4, respectively. The safety cultures of physical space and environment, staff training and skills, and communication openness had a good composite score of 4.0 – 4.1. The safety culture of procedures for communicating prescriptions across shifts was poorly rated, with composite scores of 3.8. The safety culture of patient counselling had the highest composite score of 4.3. The safety composites for documenting various shades of mistakes had a mean score of 3.5. Overall, 68.1% of the healthcare facilities were rated excellent, although there were some loopholes (documenting mistakes and poor communication across shifts) in the safety composite scores requiring areas for improvement.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Desi Nadya Aulena, Shirly Kumala, Syamsudin Abdillah, Deni Rahmat, Fenty Sugiastuti, Indarwati Indarwati, Dwi Fitriyani

Secondary metabolites content in Sida rhombifolia L. (SR) are believed to inhibit the xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme, which is responsible for converting hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid. This study aimed to compare flavonoid levels, XO inhibitory activity, and the reduction of uric acid levels of sidaguri herb, stem, leaves, and root extract both in vitro and in vivo. The research results showed that the highest total flavonoid content in SR was found in the leaves, at 21.29 ± 0.08 mg/QE/g extract. The IC50 values were as follows: roots (EESRR 1096.07 ± 1.07 ppm), stems (EESRS 561.62 ±7.01 ppm), leaves (EESRL 101.84±0.63 ppm), and herbs (EESRH 104.70 ± 3.50 ppm). EESR can inhibit the XO enzyme and has potential as an anti-hyperuricemia agent. The best total flavonoid content and IC50 values were observed in EESRL, which are 21.29 ± 0.08 mg/QE/g and 101.84±0.63 ppm, respectively. EESRL at a dose of 400 mg/kg BW has the equivalent ability to reduce blood uric acid levels in mice when compared to the positive control group. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that EESRL has significant potential as a natural XO inhibitor and can be considered a promising candidate for the development of anti-hyperuricemia treatments.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nusrat Jahan Juthy, Gazi Jahirul Islam, Abdullah Zehad, Shaheda Zannah

This research was designed to examine the phytochemicals of Mentha viridis (M. viridis) ethanolic extract and the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities in alloxan-induced animal models. Diabetes was induced chemically by administering a unit dose of alloxan at 120 mg/kg BW. After alloxan induction, hyperglycemic rats were dealt with ethanolic extract of leaf and whole plant, metformin, and a mixture of leaf extract with metformin and whole plant extract with metformin for two weeks. Ethanolic extract of leaf and whole plant, metformin, and a combination of both leaf and whole plant extract with metformin therapies reduced glucose levels in the blood compared with the diabetic negative control group after two weeks of treatment. However, among the therapies, the ethanolic leaf extract and the combination of whole plant extracts with metformin were found to be the most effective (p<0.05), with reductions of 62.82% and 72.89%, respectively. After diabetes induction, the serum level of TG (triglycerides), TC (total cholesterol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) escalated notably (p<0.05), and HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) level decreased remarkably (p<0.05) in hyperglycemic rats as opposed to healthy normal rats. Ethanolic leaf extract and a combination of whole plant extract with metformin significantly minimized the elevated extent of TG and LDL-C. They surged HDL-C, but the TC level was reduced by whole plant extract only after two weeks of treatment. The standard procedures were used to identify the phytochemical compounds of the medicinal plant M. viridis. The phytochemical compounds such as alkaloids, resins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids appeared in the ethanolic leaf extract of M. viridis. The findings suggest that M. viridis might provide better glycemic control and hypolipidemic effect in diabetic rats when administered alone or combined with oral antidiabetic agents. Incorporating M. viridis extract with metformin in improving hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic conditions in diabetic rats proves that M. viridis has a synergistic effect, which could enhance the antidiabetic activity of oral hypoglycemic agents.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Sabuj Kumar Saha, A.H.M. Nazmul Hasan, Ramisa Anjum, Shariun Nahar Rimun, Nujhat Zayma Rahman, Md. Khokon Miah Akanda, Mohiuddin Ahmed Buhiyan, SM Ashraful Islam

Prevalence of colonic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, angiodysplasia, salmonellosis, etc, are increasing daily and are reducing the quality of life of the patients. These diseases can be difficult to treat due to their ability to alter the normal environment of the colon such as the pH, microbiota, enzymes, and more. Anatomy and physiology of the colon also pose difficulty in case of targeted drug administration. Additionally, there are variations in how each colonic disease influences the colon, making it essential to design a Colon-Specific-Drug-Delivery System (CSDDS) that would ensure proper targeting and delivery of the drugs. To reduce systemic side effects and achieve desired therapeutic effects, the dosage form should be designed in such a way that allows for direct and precise targeting of drugs into the colon, while also preventing premature gastrointestinal drug release. In this review, we discuss the conventional (for example, prodrug, CODES, pulsatile drug delivery) and novel (OPTICORE, Phloral, MMX technology, 3D bicompartmental device) approaches aimed at ensuring drug release and absorption within the colon, as well as examine the factors that affect drug delivery targeted at the colon. Despite considerable progress, significant challenges and gaps remain, including the need for a deeper understanding of colonic environmental variability, the development of advanced biocompatible materials, and the implementation of personalized treatment strategies are highly required.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Ivan Ivanov, Daria Kirillova, Kenes Erimbetov, Denis Shatalov

Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) is a commonly used disinfectant, but safety concerns have arisen due to poisoning cases. This systematic review assesses the toxicity and safety of PHMG by inhalation, oral administration, skin contact, and ocular contact to determine its potential medical applications and acceptable concentration limits. Searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, and CyberLeninka up to January 2024 identified 11 in vitro studies with human cell lines, 28 animal studies, and 10 articles involving patients and healthy volunteers. The review found that inhalation of PHMG leads to pulmonary fibrosis and malignant neoplasms, making aerosol forms unacceptable. PHMG can also affect liver function and have adverse effects on the heart, kidneys, and hematopoietic system. For dermal use, PHMG appears to be safe at concentrations up to 3%, although practical use may limit this to 1% due to potential discomfort. Still, it is important to consider possible sensitization, especially in patients with pre-existing skin conditions. In oral hygiene, 1% PHMG-P has been used safely in periodontal treatment, suggesting its potential in dentistry. For ophthalmic use, concentrations should be carefully monitored. PHMG-P solutions below 0.13% appear to be safe for human corneal epithelium, however lower concentrations still pose a risk of corneal fibrosis, as shown in animal studies. Physicians should prefer lower concentrations and consider alternatives or formulations with reduced toxicity for sensitive applications such as eye drops. Overall, although PHMG and its derivatives show promise in a variety of medical applications, their use should be reasonable, with careful consideration of the associated risks.

Sciences of Pharmacy