Comparison of the antidepressant like activity of homeopathic remedies (Argentum nitricum, Staphysagria and Ignatia amara) and their effect on the behavior of rodents.

The majority of the world population suffers from mental and behavioral disorder. It is the need of the time to find an alternate of presently available medicines in order to decrease the medical expense. Homeopathic remedies are available and prescribed by homeopaths for treatment of anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, no data are available that proves its potential to relieve mental illness. The current study is designed to assess neuro behavioral and antidepressant like effects of homeopathic remedies Staphysagria, Argentum nitricum and Ignatia amara in comparison with standard drug (escitalopram). Different neuro behavioral activities were analyzed. The animals were administered the doses of all homeopathic remedied (60 µl to the rats) and escitalopram (0.042 mg to rats) through the oral route. The activities were observed on day 30th and day 60th. Our result suggests that the swimming time in Staphysagria treated group were significantly improved (p<0.001) after day 60th and significance rise was observed (p<0.01) in Ignatia amara treated animals, whereas significant decline (p<0.05) in struggling time was observed in Argentum nitricum administered animals after the 60th day as compared to 30th day. The central square crossings were improved highly significantly (p<0.001) after the 30th day dosing, by all three remedies and peripheral squares crossing were found highly significantly increased (p<0.001) after chronic dosing in Staphysagria and Ignatia amara treated groups. It is concluded from the results that all three homeopathic remedies produce comparable effects like standard drug while among all three remedies Staphysagria possess a potent antidepressant activity. To the best of our knowledge the current study reports first time the anti-depressant potential of homeopathic remedies in rodents.

Pharmaceutical and in vitro therapeutic equivalence studies of ketoprofen enteric coated 100 mg tablets.

The objective of this study was to assess the quality of six different brands of enteric coated Ketoprofen 100 mg tablets, KPB2 to KPB6 are available in commercial market of Karachi, Pakistan, while KPB1 was obtained from international source. We performed different physico-chemical assessments i.e. weight variation, diameter, hardness, friability, thickness, disintegration, content uniformity, assay and dissolution test. Results of all the investigations were found to be in adequate limits. Also pharmaceutical equivalence was determined by selecting different tests and assay assessment. Furthermore, in vitro therapeutic equivalence was also estimated at phosphate buffer pH 6.8 and 7.5. Results were evaluated by one way ANOVA, model independent and model dependent methods. ANOVA results showed that release behaviour were found to be similar as p values >0.05, also KPB 1 - KPB6 followed Weibull model at different dissolution media. Results indicated that innovator and brands not only passes the pharmaceutical equivalence assessment but also comply with the in vitro therapeutic equivalence.

Short Communication: Perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards learning tools.

Use of technology in education has increased worldwide. Teaching methodologies are shifting from traditional classroom lectures to e-learning and computer-based learning. Pakistani students are also now fathoming necessity of acquiring tools for strengthening their knowledge and skills. The objective of present study was to analyze the shifting trends (perception and attitudes) of Pakistani Pharmacy students towards learning tools. A survey based study conducted on 296 students from various years of Pharmacy, studying in a state owned university, Karachi, Pakistan. This study was initially piloted and Cronbach's-alpha was computed for evaluation of internal consistency of questionnaire (for perception; 0.660, for attitude; 0.777 respectively). Data was computed by SPSS, version 16 (Crosstab) and Chisquare (P=0.05). Most of the students strongly agreed (53%; χ² =495;P<0.05) that introducing technology will improve learning; books are reliable reading source (53%; χ² =437.23; P<0.05) or book-reading is essential (50%; χ² =360.36; P<0.05) while others disagreed that they only study from class lectures (31%; χ² =17.22; P<0.05); not take classes (41%; χ² =48.21; P<0.05); have used software (44%; χ² =46.54; P<0.05). Majority of the students agreed on incorporating technology to improve learning. Other factors such as unavailability and expenditure of books influenced their ability to learn. This study might assist policy makers in developing policies that could improve learning.