Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2015 in |
Combination drug therapy has been shown to be beneficial in chronic multifactorial diseases, infectious diseases and in the treatment of comorbid conditions. Some drug combinations have also been developed to improve the bioavailability of the active components by combining with drug metabolizing enzyme inhibitors. Fixed dose combinations (FDC) offer advantages of better efficacy, ease of administration and patient compliance, while combination therapy generally improves efficacy. For the development of FDCs the primary consideration is the approval status of the drugs to be combined to develop an appropriate strategy. Subsequently, the dose strengths of the individual components need to be considered to be able to allow flexibility of dosing. In order to successfully develop FDC products, demonstration of bioequivalence (BE) to the individual free combinations and lack of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) drug interaction are essential. Therefore, the development of FDCs requires a good understanding of the biopharmaceutical properties, drug pharmacokinetics and their metabolic pathways. The formulation development program involves pilot stage program followed by registration BE studies with a requirement for...
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Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2015 in |
Penicillin antibiotics have been the main-stay armamentarium in the fight against bacterial diseases due to their availability and ease of use. Penicillin resistance has been attributed to modification of penicillin-binding proteins, production of β-lactamases, overexpression of efflux pumps and reduced permeability. In the past 10 years, research was centred on Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The key determinant of resistance in MRSA strains is the penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a). Currently, the production of β-lactamases by Gram-negative bacteria has garnered a degree of attention that seems to be rising rapidly. Gram-negative bacteria pose the greatest risk to public health because of the global emergence and spread of metallo-β-lactamases, including Imipenemase (IMP-types), Verona integrin-encoded-metallo-β–lactamases (VIM-types) and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDM-types). Not only is the increase in resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to beta-lactams faster than in Gram-positive bacteria, but also there are no current and developmental antibiotics active against metallo-β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria. This review critically examines the current issues in beta-lactamases responsible for penicillins resistance in relation to the current clinically...
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Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2015 in |
Recently white mulberry has attracted a lot of interest as source of bioactive constituents used in phytopharmacy and in functional food formulation. In practice, active compounds are separated from plant material by extraction process using different solvents and extraction conditions. The most commonly solvents used for extraction are water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, ether and their mixtures. The extraction yield can be improved by the use of high temperature, high pressure, pulse electric field, sonication and microwave treatment. The effects of solvent concentration, solvent/plant material ratio, extraction temperature and extraction time are here discussed. This review intends to summarize and discuss the biological activities of mulberry extracts with regards to prevention and treatment of civilization diseases. The effect of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glycosides, terpenoides, enzyme inhibitors and other substances on human health are presented. The mechanisms of anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-microbial, and antidiabetic effects are here discussed. It has also showed the protective effect of active compounds isolated from white mulberry on cardio-vascular and neurodegenerative...
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Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2015 in |
Turmeric is a spice obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa, family Zingiberaceae. It has been extensively used in traditional Indian (Ayurveda) and Chinese medicine for various ailments such as anti-inflammatory, blood purifier and even as a cosmetic. Curcumin, the chief constituent in turmeric has been isolated centuries ago, has been found to have a wide range of pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial and much more. Thus curcumin and its analogues have immense therapeutic potential for use in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV-I and Alzheimer’s disease. Phase I clinical studies have shown that high doses of curcumin is well tolerated in man. Despite its safety, curcumin still evades clinical use due to poor bioavailability. Novel formulations of curcumin with piperine, soluble fibres of fenugreek, liposomes, micelles, nanoparticles, cyclodextrin and turmerone have shown enhanced bioavailability to some extent, each one having its own limitations. Recent formulation of curcuminoid with 45% turmerone seems to be promising. Further research in this direction is imperative...
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Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2015 in |
Herbal medicine is gaining popularity once again and there is an increased interest in green medicine simply because it is considered as safe. Traditionally also plants and plant extracts were used to cure many diseases and disorders. However, before usage it is of utmost important to ensure its safety. The extract may be therapeutically very efficient but if it’s toxicity assessment is not worked out, it will not be accepted. Hence, toxicity assessment of plants with proven therapeutic use is of utmost important. Toxicity data are required to predict the safety associated before the use of medical products. In the present review, parameters required to be analyzed in acute, sub acute and chronic toxicity are discussed with their relevant importance. In the end ninty eight plants whose toxicity is worked out are listed along with their botanical name, family, ethnomedicinal uses, part used, solvent used, safety levels, dose levels used, route of administration, LD50 values and references. Researchers who wish to work on some pharmacological activity can directly choose...
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