Pharmacokinetics and Histotoxic Profile of a Novel Azithromycin-Loaded Lipid-Based Nanoformulation.

Azithromycin traditional formulations possesses poor oral bioavailability which necessitates development of new formulation with enhanced bioavailability of the drug. The objective of current research was to explore the kinetics and safety profile of the newly developed azithromycin lipid-based nanoformulation (AZM-NF). In the in-vitro study of kinetics profiling, azithromycin (AZM) release was assessed using dialysis membrane enclosing equal quantity of either AZM-NF, oral suspension of azithromycin commercial product (AZM-CP), or azithromycin pure drug (AZM-PD) in simulated intestinal fluid.

Evaluation of healthcare professionals' understanding of fluoroquinolones' safety profile, usage, and boxed warnings in Pakistan.

Introduction: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) is a distinct class of antibiotics which are prescribed and used quite frequently worldwide, despite the box warnings (BW) issued by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Literature has shown in spite of BWs related to FQs there is minimal impact on health care professionals (HCPs) prescribing habits, potentially attributing towards limited and insufficient awareness. In Pakistan, FQs are mostly prescribed antibiotics for microbial treatments, therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about the safety profile, use, and BW of FQs among HCPs working in Pakistan.

Can Pharmacists' Counseling Improve the Use of Inhalers and Quality of Life? A Prospective "Pre" and "Post" Education Analysis in Mardan, Pakistan.

Introduction: Asthma is one of the common major non-communicable respiratory diseases, and is associated with a lower health-related quality of life (QOL). Poor inhalation is a significant contributing factor to poor control of asthma. Community pharmacist has a vital role to play in assisting patients and ultimately improving their asthma conditions through the use of inhalers.

Toward Sustainable Healthcare Systems: A Low and Middle-Income Country's Case for Investing in Healthcare Reforms.

Pakistan, a low and middle-income country (LMIC), faces challenges in providing sustainable health care to its population due to inadequate financing, weak healthcare infrastructure, and insufficient health human resources. These challenges are not unique to Pakistan and are faced by many LMICs globally. In this paper, we aim to identify key strategies for achieving sustainable healthcare systems in Pakistan and to draw lessons for LMICs globally, keeping in view the healthcare reforms in Pakistan.

Itrifal-e-Aftimoon potentiates imatinib-induced anti-leukemic effect by influencing FAK/STAT/Akt/ERK signalling pathways against chronic myeloid leukaemia in vitro.

Objectives: Limited treatment options are available for advanced stages of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Moreover, patients' relapse after a short remission period, which prompts them to identify a potent drug with the least toxicity. An Unani herbal formulation, Itrifal-e-Aftimoon (IEA) is used for certain neurological disorders, however, its antitumor potential has not been reported yet in any malignancy, including CML.

CuO Bionanocomposite with Enhanced Stability and Antibacterial Activity against Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Strains.

Worldwide, bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics is the greatest challenge in public health care. To overcome the issue, metal-based nanoparticles were extensively used as an alternative to traditional antibiotics. However, their unstable nature limits their use.

Effectiveness and safety profiling of zolpidem and acupressure in CKD associated pruritus: An interventional study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) contributes to poor quality of life, including reduced sleep quality and poor sleep quality is a source of patient stress and is linked to lower health-related quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of zolpidem 10 mg and acupressure therapy on foot acupoints to improve the sleep quality and overall quality of life among hemodialysis patients suffering from CKD-aP.

Method: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, parallel-design, open label interventional study to estimate the effectiveness of zolpidem (10 mg) oral tablets versus acupressure on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with CKD-aP on hemodialysis.

The Development and Assessment of Modified Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Scale among Malaysian Single Electronic Cigarette Users.

Background: The Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) is the most widely used scale for assessing nicotine dependence on conventional tobacco cigarettes (TCGs). But the FTND does not evaluate the subject's nicotine dependence to electronic cigarette (EC).

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and assess an equivalent modified FTND scale that measures the nicotine dependency via EC.

Study of antimicrobial activity of Unani poly herbal toothpaste "".

Objective: The present study was envisioned to develop a traditional Unani toothpowder into toothpaste form along with its physicochemical standardization and evaluation of anti microbial activity against oral pathogens by study.

Materials And Methods: Herbal extracts based powder was redesigned to toothpaste as per the Pharmacopoeial guidelines and its pharmaceutical evaluation was conceded as per the Indian Government Tooth Paste Specifications. In vitro study was done to evaluate the antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method against dental pathogens.

Facile and eco-benign fabrication of Ag/FeO nanocomposite using Algaia Monozyga leaves extract and its' efficient biocidal and photocatalytic applications.

Noble metal/metal oxide nanocomposites are pet and spellbound candidates in biomedical and catalytic fields because of their awestruck properties. This report put forward the facile and environmentally friendly fabrication of Ag/FeO nanocomposite using the eqeous extract of Algaia Monozyga leaves. The Ag/ FeO bimetallic nanocomposite was prepared using AgNO, FeCl (anhydrous) and plant leaves extract as a natural source for reduction and stabilization of this nanocomposite.

Eco-benign approach to synthesize spherical iron oxide nanoparticles: A new insight in photocatalytic and biomedical applications.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) are an interested and attractive area of research as they have numerous effective environmental and biomedical applications. Herein we have reported a simple and eco-benign synthesis FeONPs using Tamarix aphylla extract. The extract of the Tamarix aphylla acts both as a reducing and capping agent which leads to the fast and successful eco-benign synthesis of FeONPs.

Zinc oxide‑selenium heterojunction composite: Synthesis, characterization and photo-induced antibacterial activity under visible light irradiation.

The designing of new antibacterial agents with high and long-lasting activities are urgently needed in order to cope with the fast-emerging bacterial resistance. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) have shown a significant promise as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, and are efficient material in compromising bacterial membrane stability that leads to an increased cell permeability to nano-products. However, further engineering is required to improve their biological activities and to minimize their toxicity to healthy cells.

Facile and eco-benign synthesis of Au@FeO nanocomposite: Efficient photocatalytic, antibacterial and antioxidant agent.

The development of eco-benign experimental procedures for the synthesis of nanomaterials is a fundamental developing branch of green nanotechnology. In this paper, green synthetic route was followed to synthesize novel Au@FeOnanocomposite using Citrus sinensis fruit extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The as synthesized Au@FeOnanocomposite was successfully characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT1R) spectrophotometry and Zeta potential.

Malaria prevalence in Malakand district, the north western region of Pakistan.

Objective: To check the prevalence of malaria in a specific geographical region.

Methods: The prospective study was conducted in Malakand, Pakistan, from January to December 2017, and comprised suspected malaria patients. Blood samples were collected during dry, rainy, and end-of-rainy season, with symptoms of malaria.

Tuber extract of Arisaema flavum eco-benignly and effectively synthesize silver nanoparticles: Photocatalytic and antibacterial response against multidrug resistant engineered E. coli QH4.

Metal nanoparticles, synthesized using Phyto-constituents are the most economically and environmentally benign materials ever. Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from three fractions of Arisaema flavum tuber extract were synthesized and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD (X-rays diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and EDX (Energy dispersive Microscopy). XRD pattern show the face centred cubic crystalline (Fcc) structure of AgNPs.

Palladium nanoparticles synthesis, characterization using glucosamine as the reductant and stabilizing agent to explore their antibacterial & catalytic applications.

Low cost and an easy technique for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) was developed. Glucosamine was used to stabilize palladium precursor (PdCl) into palladium nanoparticles. Several analytical techniques were used for the determination of morphology, crystalline structure; size, capping, and composition of synthesize palladium nanoparticles.

A randomized controlled trial for effectiveness of zolpidem versus acupressure on sleep in hemodialysis patients having chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus.

Background: Pruritus adds to the complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient and a well-recognized complication among the CKD patients. Majority of the patients on hemodialysis experience a generalized pruritus and patients reported being moderately to extremely disturbed by at least one of the sleep-related condition. This study aim to investigate the effectiveness of zolpidem 10 mg and acupressure therapy on foot acupoints to improve the sleep quality and overall quality of life among hemodialysis patients suffering from CKD-associated pruritus.

Bio-fabrication of catalytic platinum nanoparticles and their in vitro efficacy against lungs cancer cells line (A549).

Platinum based drugs are considered as effective agents against various types of carcinoma; however, the severe toxicity associated with the chemically prepared platinum complexes limit their practical applications. Similarly, water pollution caused by various organic moieties is another serious health problem worldwide. Hence, an intense need exists to develop new, effective and biocompatible materials with catalytic and biomedical applications.

Facile and green synthesis of phytochemicals capped platinum nanoparticles and in vitro their superior antibacterial activity.

The increase in the severe infectious diseases and resistance of the majority of the bacterial pathogens to the available drug is a serious problem now a day. In order to overcome this problem it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents which are non-toxic and more effective to inhibit these microbial pathogens. For this purpose the plant extract of highly active medicinal plant, Taraxacum laevigatum was used for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) to enhance its bio-activities.