Phytochemical analysis, in vitro and in silico effects from Alstonia boonei De Wild stem bark on selected digestive enzymes and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Background: Obesity is a global health issue arising from the unhealthy accumulation of fat. Medicinal plants such as Alstonia boonei stem bark has been reported to possess body weight reducing effect in obese rats. Thus, this study sought to investigate the in vitro and in silico effects of fractions from Alstonia boonei stem bark on selected obesity-related digestive enzymes and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Devoid Knowledge and Low Adherence Precipitate Uncontrolled Blood Pressure: A Depiction From Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: The present study was aimed to assess knowledge regarding disease, adherence to medication and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 384 hypertensive patients attending a tertiary care, public sector hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, was conducted. Data was collected by using Urdu versions of pre-validated hypertension knowledge questionnaire and Medication Adherence Scale by Morisky.

Nano-sized Droplets of Self-Emulsifying System for Enhancing Oral Bioavailability of Chemotherapeutic Agent VP-16 in Rats: A Nano Lipid Carrier for BCS Class IV Drugs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of a self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) to enhance the oral bioavailability of a BCS class IV drug, etoposide (VP-16).

Method: A series of SNEDDS formulations with VP-16 were prepared consisting of medium chain triglycerides, polysorbate 80, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and propylene glycol monolaurate type-1.  Based on an obtained ternary phase diagram, an optimum formulation was selected and characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, loading, morphology and in vitro drug release.

pH-responsive CAP-co-poly(methacrylic acid)-based hydrogel as an efficient platform for controlled gastrointestinal delivery: fabrication, characterization, in vitro and in vivo toxicity evaluation.

Cellulose acetate phthalate-based pH-responsive hydrogel was synthesized for fabrication of polymeric matrix tablets for gastro-protective delivery of loxoprofen sodium. Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) was cross-linked with methacrylic acid (MAA) using free radical polymerization technique. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the formation of cross-linked structure of CAP-co-poly(methacrylic acid).

Experimental and molecular modeling approach to optimize suitable polymers for fabrication of stable fluticasone nanoparticles with enhanced dissolution and antimicrobial activity.

Background And Aim: The challenges with current antimicrobial drug therapy and resistance remain a significant global health threat. Nanodrug delivery systems are playing a crucial role in overcoming these challenges and open new avenues for effective antimicrobial therapy. While fluticasone (FLU), a poorly water-soluble corticosteroid, has been reported to have potential antimicrobial activity, approaches to optimize its dissolution profile and antimicrobial activity are lacking in the literature.

Novel pH responsive supramolecular hydrogels of chitosan hydrochloride and polyoxometalate: In-vitro, in-vivo and preliminary safety evaluation.

In the current study, electrostatically-driven pH responsive, supramolecular hydrogels of the trilacunary Wells-Dawson-type 15-tungsto-2-phosphate polyanion (PW) and chitosan hydrochloride (ChCl) were prepared, using methacrylic acid as pH responsive agent using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The prepared hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, XRD and thermal analyses (TGA-DSC). The swelling and pH based PW release profile of the hydrogels showed maximum swellability and release at pH 7.

ASSESSMENT OF GUAR AND XANTHAN GUM BASED FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM CONTAINING MEFENAMIC ACID.

We aimed to assess guar and xantban gum based floating drug delivery system containing mefenamic acid. Floating tablets of nefenamic acid were formulated with different concentrations of guar and xanthan gum via wet granulation method. The flow properties of granules that is: bulk density, tapped density, flow rate, Carr index, Hausner's ratio, compressibility index and angle of repose as well as physical parameters of the compressed tablets including: hardness, friability, thickness and swelling indices were determined and found to be good.

Perception and awareness of patients regarding ovarian cysts in Peshawar, Pakistan: a qualitative approach.

Aim Of The Study: Women health is one of the key issues in developing countries including Pakistan. To improve the women's quality of life, awareness about health is necessary. The objective of this study is to evaluate the patient's perception regarding ovarian cyst and the awareness of the patients about the symptoms and health management in ovarian cyst.

Medicinal plants of the genus Anthocleista--A review of their ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The genus Anthocleista of the Gentianaceae family contains 14 species of trees and shrub-like plants distributed in tropical Africa, in Madagascar and on the Comoros. Traditionally, they are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, malaria, typhoid fever, obesity, diarrhea, dysentery, hyperprolactinemia, abdominal pain, ulcer, jaundice, asthma, hemorrhoids, hernia, cancer, wounds, chest pains, inflammations, rheumatism, STDs, infertility and skin diseases. They serve as an anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic and contraceptive.

Development of a fast and efficient CE enzyme assay for the characterization and inhibition studies of α-glucosidase inhibitors.

The inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. We have established a highly sensitive, fast, and convenient CE method for the characterization of the enzyme and inhibition studies of α-glucosidase inhibitors. The separation conditions were optimized; the pH value and concentration of the borate-based separation buffer were optimized in order to achieve baseline separation of p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside and p-nitrophenolate.

Antioxidant flavonoids from Alhagi maurorum.

A new flavonoid, isorhamnetin-3-O-[-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with two known flavonoids 3'-O-methylorobol (2) and quercetin 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3), was isolated from Alhagi maurorum. Their structures were established with the help of mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and in comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay.

Formulation and evaluation of natural gum-based sustained release matrix tablets of flurbiprofen using response surface methodology.

Background: This research work was done to design oral sustained release matrix tablets of water-insoluble drug, flurbiprofen, using natural gums as the matrix polymers and to evaluate the drug release characteristics using response surface methodology. The central composite design for two factors at five levels each was employed to systematically optimize drug release profile.

Method: Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technique.

Ethyl cellulose-based solid matrix system for sustaining release of naproxen.

The present study was conducted to develop sustained release matrix tablets of naproxen with the help of a hydrophobic polymer, Ethyl Cellulose (EC). Matrix tablets were prepared by incorporating various proportions of EC in the matrix system using wet granulation technique. The rate of drug release from the matrix tablets was found to be very slow and could not produce the desired release profiles in 12 h testing time.

Naproxen release from sustained release matrix system and effect of cellulose derivatives.

The present study was conducted to investigate the low viscosity grades of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and ethyl cellulose (EC) in sustaining the release of water insoluble drug, naproxen from the matrix tablets. Both HPMC and EC were incorporated in the matrix system separately or in combinations by wet granulation technique. In vitro dissolution studies indicated that EC significantly reduced the rate of drug release compared to HPMC in 12 hour testing time.