Increased Pill Burden and Adverse Effects of Psychotropics Correlated with Poor Quality of Life and Medication Nonadherence: A Cross-sectional Drug Utilization Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increase in mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. This study aims to investigate the prescribing pattern of psychotropic drugs in patients with common mental disorders which might be altered during the pandemic and also whether the pandemic could alter their quality of life (QOL) and medication adherence.

Materials And Methods: After prior ethical approval, a descriptive cross-sectional drug utilization study (DUS) of 200 prescriptions was undertaken to evaluate the pattern of psychotropic drug usage as per WHO (World Health Organization)/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) guidelines.

Sertraline with desvenlafaxine and sertraline with mirtazapine as treatment initiation in MDD patients with moderate to severe depression and effect on inflammatory markers.

Background: This study evaluated the effect of sertraline with desvenlafaxine and sertraline with mirtazapine on HAM-D score and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α levels) in major depressive disorder.

Methods: Patients (18-60 years) with MDD diagnosed by DSM-V criteria and HAM-D score 18 or more were included ( = 60). Group A patients ( = 30) received sertraline 50 mg/day and desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day.

Elderly Population Has Higher Prevalence of Polypharmacy Associated with Poor Quality of Life and Low Compliance after Recovery from COVID-19.

Background: Long term effects of COVID are not fully understood yet. The geriatric population has been badly affected. The impact of COVID-19 on the health-related quality of life after recovery and patient compliance is a matter of concern especially in the geriatric population where polypharmacy is often prevalent.

Association of serotonin transporter gene polymorphism with efficacy of the antidepressant drugs sertraline and mirtazapine in newly diagnosed patients with major depressive disorders.

Objective: We examined the association of serotonin receptor transporter gene polymorphism in patients with MDD with the clinical efficacy of mirtazapine (MZ) and sertraline (ST).

Method: Newly diagnosed, treatment naïve, 80 MDD patients (aged 18-45) diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria and with Beck's depression inventory score (BDI) score ≥21 were included and randomly divided into two groups of 40 participants and were administered MZ 15-45 mg/day or ST 25-200 mg/day respectively. Patients were followed up for 6 weeks for evaluation of BDI scores.

Effect of valproate and add-on levetiracetam on inflammatory biomarkers in children with epilepsy.

Background: Contemporary research indicates the role of neuroinflammation/inflammatory markers in epilepsy. In addition, comorbidities such as anxiety and poor health-related quality of life are vital concerns in clinical care of pediatric patients with epilepsy. This open-label, prospective, observational study evaluated the effect of valproate and add-on levetiracetam on serum levels of C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in pediatric patients with epilepsy.

Correlation between telomere length and efficacy of oral and long-acting injectable antipsychotics on severity and cognitive impairment of schizophrenia.

Objective: To study the correlation between telomere length (TL) and long-acting injectable (LAI) and oral atypical antipsychotic (OAA) efficacy on schizophrenia (SCZ) severity and cognitive impairment.

Methods: Sixty Schizophrenia patients of 18-50 years and of either sex were included in a 12-week study. Thirty patients were recruited in each group, LAI and OAA.

Chromium Exposure in Late Gestation Period Caused Increased Levels of Cr in Brain Tissue: Association with Alteration of Activity and Gene Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes of F1 and F2 Generation Mice.

Chromium is a micronutrient which has found frequent use as supplements during pregnancy and could have a role in altering the antioxidant status in the brain. The present study was undertaken to estimate chromium levels in the brain, antioxidant enzyme activity with their gene expression, and learning and memory parameters on F1 and F2 generation mice when the F0 was exposed to chromium. The chromium levels in the brain were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Cadmium level in brain correlates with memory impairment in F1 and F2 generation mice: improvement with quercetin.

The increased exposure to cadmium (Cd) through environmental pollutants, food and cigarette smoke is a concern worldwide. The association of Cd with impaired learning disabilities led us to hypothesise that cadmium levels in brain tissue could be dose-dependently related to the extent of memory impairment and oxidative stress. In this study, we proposed to study whether cadmium exposure to dams could alter the brain Cd levels, memory parameters, antioxidant enzymes in brain and their gene expression in the F1-F2 generation mice and whether quercetin could modulate this effect.

Alteration in cognitive behaviour, brain antioxidant enzyme activity and their gene expression in F1 generation mice, following Cd exposure during the late gestation period: modulation by quercetin.

We investigated whether in-utero Cd(II) chloride exposure of the dams between 14th to 21st day of gestation affects memory and learning, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activity and their gene expression in brain of the pups in their adulthood. In the Morris water maze, cadmium (Cd) exposure impaired spatial memory which was reversed following co-treatment with quercetin (100 mg/kg). In the passive avoidance paradigm, retention memory was adversely affected but was significantly reversed by co treatment with quercetin (25, 50, 100 mg/kg).

Role of Survivin and p53 Expression in Response of Primary Culture of Ovarian Cancer Cells to Treatment With Chemotherapeutic Agents.

Background: Ovarian cancer is associated with a high relapse rate and is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The genetic profile of a tumor is responsible for deciding response to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we investigate the relation between survivin and p53 expression and response to chemotherapeutic agents of primary cultures of ovarian cancer cells established from ascitic fluid.

Quercetin Modulates the Effects of Chromium Exposure on Learning, Memory and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in F1 Generation Mice.

In the present study, we investigated whether chromium (Cr) administered to the dams (F0) during lactation period could affect memory and oxidative stress in F1 generation mice in their adulthood and whether quercetin could modulate these effects. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to test for spatial memory. Passive avoidance task and elevated plus maze were used to test for acquisition and retention memory.

Cadmium exposure during lactation causes learning and memory-impairment in F1 generation mice: amelioration by quercetin.

Cadmium (Cd) is a known pollutant present in the environment at low levels and is reported to affect reproduction in many ways. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of Cd in F1 generation mice on cognitive parameters, and to further investigate whether quercetin could modulate these effects. In this study, female lactating mice were exposed to cadmium for seven days just after delivery.

Protective effect of melatonin on propoxur-induced impairment of memory and oxidative stress in rats.

Propoxur (a carbamate pesticide) has been shown to adversely affect memory and induce oxidative stress on both acute and chronic exposure. This study was designed to explore the modulation of the effects of propoxur over cognitive function by melatonin (MEL). Cognitive function was assessed using step-down latency (SDL) on a passive avoidance apparatus, and transfer latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze.

The effect of the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata in animal models of depression and locomotor activity.

Objective: The essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (clove oil; Family: Myrtaceae) is used in dental care as an antiseptic and analgesic. The present study investigates the effect of clove oil on animal models of depression and locomotion.

Methods: Clove oil was administered in doses of 0.

Aloe vera improves memory and reduces depression in mice.

Objective: Aloe vera (barbadensis Mill., Family Liliaceae) since ancient times has been used for the treatment of skin disorders, infection, and as a laxative. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of A.

Role of NMDA and opioid receptors in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve in rats.

Background: The efficacy of opioids in neuropathic pain is still controversial. Earlier studies have suggested that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor binding can be affected by opioids and vice versa. The present study aims to explore the interactions between NMDA and opioid receptors using various combinations of drugs acting on these receptors.

Augmented humoral immune response and decreased cell-mediated immunity by Aloe vera in rats.

Objective: The present study was performed to explore the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on parameters of humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Materials And Methods: Delayed-type hypersensitivity was assessed by measuring foot pad thickness following sensitisation by keyhole limpet haemocyanin injection and subsequently challenged by the same. Humoral immunity was assessed by measurement of haemagglutination titre to sheep red blood cells.

Acute effect of essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata on cognition and pain in mice.

The essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (clove oil; Family: Myrtaceae) is used in dental care as an antiseptic and analgesic. The study aims to evaluate the effect of clove oil on experimental models of pain and cognition in mice. To observe the acute effects of clove oil at different doses, the elevated plus maze was used for the assessment of cognition, and the tail flick and formalin tests were used for the study of pain.

Essential oil of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) augments the humoral immune response but decreases cell mediated immunity.

The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of the essential oil isolated from the buds of Eugenia caryophyllata on some immunological parameters. Humoral immunity was assessed by measuring the hemagglutination titre to sheep red blood cells and delayed type hypersensitivity was assessed by measuring foot pad thickness. Clove oil administration produced a significant increase in the primary as well as secondary humoral immune response.

Clove oil reverses learning and memory deficits in scopolamine-treated mice.

The present study was performed to examine the effect of Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae) on learning and memory, and also evaluate whether it can modulate oxidative stress in mice. Passive avoidance step-down task and elevated plus-maze were used to assess learning and memory in scopolamine-treated mice. Oxidative stress parameters were also assessed in brain samples by estimating the malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels at the end of the study.

Comparative effect of Ocimum sanctum, Commiphora mukul, folic acid and ramipril on lipid peroxidation in experimentally-induced hyperlipidemia.

Treatment with C. mukul and O. sanctum, showed a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels respectively.

Peripheral interaction of opioid and NMDA receptors in inflammatory pain in rats.

Both opioid and NMDA receptors have been known to be involved in pain processing in the central nervous system as well as in the periphery. The effect of drugs acting on opioid and NMDA receptors, and their role in modulation of pain response was observed in the formalin model of inflammatory pain in rats. We have demonstrated that morphine has significant antinociceptive effect in the formalin model and this effect was enhanced when given in combination with ketamine.

Interaction of morphine and potassium channel openers on experimental models of pain in mice.

Combination of opioid and potassium channel openers holds immense potential for the treatment for most acute and chronic pain. Therefore, the study was performed to assess the interaction between morphine and K(+) -channel openers. Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing between 25 and 30 g were used for the study.

Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antinociceptive activity of Terminalia arjuna Roxb bark powder in mice and rats.

Terminalia arjuna back powder (400 mg/kg, po) significantly reduced formalin-indued paw oedema at 24 h but not carrageenan-induced paw oedema. It significantly increased the anti-SRBC antibody titre in the secondary phase of immune response. The same dose significantly reduced the duration of licks and bites in both phases of formalin-induced pain response and showed significant increase in tail flick latency at higher dose (800 mg/kg, po).