Pharmacology Articles

About Authors:
Chauhan M.K., Kawadkar J., Kishore R.^*, Pathak A.M.
Department of Pharmaceutics
DIPSAR, New Delhi
*rajkishor.aryan@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
This paper discussed the problems associated with nasal drug delivery and how it is possible, sometimes by means of quite simple concepts, to improve transport across the nasal membrane. It also described the advantages, barriers, physicochemical factors, and formulation related parameters that affecting the nasal drug delivery and the applications of nasal route for delivery of peptides, proteins, non-peptide drugs, and vaccines.  In this way it is feasible to deliver efficiently challenging drugs such as small polar molecules, peptides and proteins and even the large proteins and polysaccharides used in vaccines or DNA plasmids exploited for DNA vaccines. The transport of drugs from the nasal cavity directly to the brain is also described. Nasal vaccines offer several benefits, such as low enzymatic degradation compared to oral vaccines, and greater acceptability to patients. Nasal vaccines, however, have to overcome several limitations, including mucociliary clearance. Therefore, nasal vaccines require potent adjuvants and delivery systems to enhance their immunogenicity and to protect their antigens.

About Authors:
Bishal Khatiwada^1,2, Binita Dhakal^1,2, Surya Prasad Sharma^1,2, Uddhav Timilsina¹
1. Department of Biotechnology,
College for Professional Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal
2. Department of Biotechnology,
Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
*suryapdsharma@gmail.com

Reference Id: PHARMATUTOR-ART-1310

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which person is characterized by the high blood sugar either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not use the insulin that is produced.^[1] The classical symptoms of diabetes are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).^[2] Almost one in 10 of the world population already has this condition, or can be expected to develop it during their lifetime, with prevalence rates forecast to double within the next 15 years.^[3] According to WHO(2000A.D.), at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population.^[4]

[adsense:336x280:8701650588]

About Authors:
Richa Thakur^*, Gaurav Swami, M.S. Rathore, A.K. Sharma
CT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Jalandhar, Punjab, India
*thakur.richa89@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the eye render this organ exquisitely impervious to foreign substances. The main challenge to the formulator is to circumvent the protective barriers of the eye without causing permanent tissue damage. The newly developed particulate and vesicular systems like liposomes, pharmacosomes and discosomes are useful in delivering the drug for a longer extent and helpful in reaching the systemic circulation. The most recent advancements of the ocular delivery systems provide the delivery of the genes and proteins to the internal structures which were once inaccessible and thus are of great importance in treating the diseases which are caused due to genetic mutation, failure in normal homeostasis, malignancy but also maintaining the physiological function of eye. The review focuses on the developments achieved in this mode of delivery of the drugs along with the pros and cons associated with greater focus on the advanced delivery systems.

ABOUT AUTHORS:
Renu Singh^*, Saumya Das, Sanjita Das
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, NIET,
Greater Noida, U.P., 201306.
*renusingh2910@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Cognitive deficits have long been recognized as severe and consistent neurological disorders associated with numerous psychiatric and neurodegenerative states such as Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is one of the age-related mental problems, and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegerative disorder which affects older individuals and may progress to a totally vegetative state. Atrophy of cortical and sub-cortical areas is associated with deposition of β-amyloid protein in the form of senile plaques and formation of neurofibrillary tangles. There is marked cholinergic deficiency in the brain, though other neurotransmitter systems are also affected. Various measures to augement cholinergic transmitter in the brain have been tried. The relatively cerebroselective anti-ChEs have been approved for clinical use. Nootropic agents are clinically used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities and for improving memory, mood and behavior, but the resulting side-effects associated with these agents have made their utility limited. Many experimental models are currently available for the evaluation of agents that affect learning and memory processes. In-vitro methods inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity is measured by determining IC50 with the help of Log probit analysis. In ex-vivo cholinesterase inhibition method the dose response relationship determined for drugs such as physostigmine and tacrine Agents which are H3 receptor agonist are evaluated for [3H] Ach release activity in rat using rat brain slices. The binding affinity of potential nicotinic cholinergic agonist in brain using agonist ligand is determined by [3H]-N- methyl carbamylcholine binding nicotinic cholinergic receptors in rat frontal cortex. In In-vivo methods the inhibitory passive avoidance the test are carried on animals to test the learning and memory capacity of animal by suppressing a particular behavior. It includes step down, step through, two compartment test, up-hill avoidance, scopolamine induced test, and ischemia induced amnesia, memory impairments in basal forebrain. In active avoidance conditioned stimulus is given to the animal, which gives noxious stimulus as a result. It includes runway avoidance, shuttle box avoidance, jumping avoidance. In discrimination learning animals have no choice between the conditioned stimuli. Studies on aged monkeys provides additional advantage for neurobehavioral animal model of aging in that many of behavioral processes thought to be affected by aging.

About Author:
Hiren Sakhiya,
M.Sc in Clinical Research Management,
Prist University, Thanjavur,
India
*sakhiyahiren@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Diabetes a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is a common disease in older age, affecting about one in five individuals. In 2000, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that by 2030, this number will almost double. Diabetes is also associated with mortality and significant morbidity, including neurological disability. Diabetes affects both peripheral nervous system and central nervous system. Neuropathy along with retinopathy and nephropathy appears in late stage of diabetes but effect on cognition starts in early stage of diabetes. Although the effects of diabetes on the peripheral nervous system are well established, the effects of diabetes on the central nervous system have been less clear. Several studies have found that diabetes is related to dementia and cognitive function. It is unclear in which stage of diabetes the cognitive decrements become manifest and how they progress over time. Study is conducted to confirm the association of cognitive function with diabetes.

Should animals be used as research subjects?
Absolutely No Animal Research – Why ?
Animals have rights! Animals surely deserve to live their lives free from suffering and exploitation. Animals are not ours to: eat, wear, experiment on use for entertainment, abuse.

About Authors:
Garima Gupta*, Amit Singh
Department of Pharmaceutics,
R.V. Northland Institute,
Greater Noida, G. B. Nagar, U.P.
*Garima189@gmail.com

Abstract:
Technological attempts have been made in the research and development of rate-controlled oral drug delivery systems to overcome physiological adversities, such as short gastric residence times (GRT) and unpredictable gastric emptying times (GET). Conventional oral dosage forms pose low bioavailability problems due to their rapid gastric transition from stomach, especially in case of drugs which are less soluble at alkaline pH of intestine. Similarly, drugs which produce their local action in stomach get rapidly emptied and do not get enough residence time in stomach. So, frequency of dose administration in such cases is increased. To avoid this problem, various efforts have been made to prolong the retention time of drug delivery system. In this review, we will discuss about the various approaches to produce gastro retention of drug delivery system, with current & recent developments of Stomach Specific floating drug delivery system.

About Authors:
Raj Mukherjee^*, Koyel Sen, Dr. Ketousetuo Kuotsu^**
* Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University.
** Assistant Professor,
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology,
Jadavpur University.
* rajmukhrje@gmail.com

Abstract:
“Paclitaxel” is a potent mitotic inhibitor acting as anti-neoplastic agent, obtained as complex diterpins, termed “Taxanes” from the barks of Taxus breufolia (Pacific Yew). The oral bioavailability of the drug varies around 6-7% and has a strong protein binding capacity altering between 89% - 98%. Most of these drugs have a central role in metastatic ovarian and breast carcinoma, along with advanced head and neck cancer, small cell lung cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, hormone refractory prostate cancer, Kaposi’s Sarcoma and also in the prevention of recurrent narrowing of Coronary Stents. Paclitaxel mainly functions by improvising enhanced stabilization of microtubule polymers during cell division and binds specifically to the beta-tubulin subunits, thus antagonizing disassembly of the key cytoskeletal protein, producing abnormal arrays of microtubules throughout the cell cycle.  Due to the poor aqueous solubility there is a need for the development of alternative formulations of paclitaxel with improved solubility and at the same time devoid of major toxic effects. Various approaches employed so far include cosolvents, emulsions, micelles, liposomes, microsphere nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, pastes, and implants. All these formulations have been prepared with specific aims to enhance bio-stability and  reduce the basic toxic effects of Paclitaxel including low blood count, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, anthralgias , myalgias, nausea, vommiting,  mouth sores and various hypersensitivity reactions . The drug undergoes extensive CYP-mediated hepatic metabolism (majorly CYP2C8 with specific contributions from CYP3A4), and not more than 10% of a unit dose is excreted in the urine intact. We have tried to answer the probable mechanisms of Paclitaxel and how it can be made more bio-available in order to enhance its anti-cancer activities. Our review revealed the active ingredients that are co-administered with paclitaxel did not improve its functions but blocked the pathways that decreased the function of paclitaxel, since P-glycoproteins itself reduces the accumulation of paclitaxel and might use it as a substrate.