Ginkgo biloba: Antioxidant Activity and In Silico Central Nervous System Potential.

Ginkgo biloba (GB) extracts have been used in clinical studies as an alternative therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the exact bioaction mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this work, an in silico study on GB metabolites was carried out using SwissTargetPrediction to determine the proteins associated with AD. The resulting proteins, AChE, MAO-A, MAO-B, ß-secretase and γ-secretase, were studied by molecular docking, resulting in the finding that kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin have multitarget potential against AD. These compounds also exhibit antioxidant activity towards reactive oxygen species (ROS), so antioxidant tests were performed on the extracts using the DPPH and ABTS techniques. The ethanol and ethyl acetate GB extracts showed an important inhibition percentage, higher than 80%, at a dose of 0.01 mg/mL. The effect of GB extracts on AD resulted in multitarget action through two pathways: firstly, inhibiting enzymes responsible for degrading neurotransmitters and forming amyloid plaques; secondly, decreasing ROS in the central nervous system (CNS), reducing its deterioration, and promoting the formation of amyloid plaques. The results of this work demonstrate the great potential of GB as a medicinal plant.

Pharmaceutical services in a Mexican pain relief and palliative care institute

Neither the purchase nor the distribution of pharmaceuticals in hospitals and community pharmacies in Mexico is under the care of pharmacists. Some are under control of physicians. This report presents the results of the implementation of some of pharmaceutical services for the Jalisco Pain Relief, and Palliative Care Institute (Palia Institute), under the direction of the Secretary of Health, Government of Jalisco. The services implemented were drug distribution system, Drug Information Service, Pharmacovigilance Program , and home pharmacotherapy follow-up pilot program for patients with advanced illness, with the ultimate using the appropriate medication. The drug distribution system included dispensing of opioid pain medications, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, NSAIDs, anxiolytic drugs, steroid drugs, laxatives, and anti-emetics. The frequently used drugs were morphine sulfate (62%), amitriptyline (6.4%), and dextropropoxyphene (5.8%). The Drug Information Service answered 114 consultations, mainly asked by a physician (71%) concerned with adverse drug reactions and contraindications (21%). The pharmacovigilance program identified 146 suspected adverse drug reactions and classified them reasonably as possible (27%), probable (69%), and certain (4%). These were attributed mainly to pregabalin and tramadol. The home pharmacotherapy follow-up pilot program cared patients with different cancer diagnoses and drug-related problems (DRP), which were identified and classified (according to second Granada Consensus) for pharmaceutical intervention as DRP 1 (5%), DRP 2 (10%), DRP 3 (14%), DRP 4 (19%), DRP 5 (24%), or DRP 6 (28%). This report provides information concerning the accurate use of medication and, above all, an opportunity for Mexican pharmacists to become an part of health teams seeking to resolve drug-related problems (AU)

En México, ni la compra ni la distribución de medicamentos en hospitales y farmacias comunitarias están bajo el cuidado de farmacéuticos. Unos cuantos están a cargo de médicos. Este artículo presenta los resultados de la implementación de algunos servicios farmacéuticos en el Instituto Jaliscience de Alivio al Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos (Instituto Palia), bajo la dirección de la Secretaría de Salud del Gobierno de Jalisco. Los servicios implementados fueron un sistema de distribución de medicamentos, un Servicio de Información de Medicamentos, un programa de Farmacovigilancia, y un programa piloto de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico domiciliario para pacientes con enfermedad avanzada, con el objetivo de utilizar la medicación apropiada. El sistema de distribución de medicamentos incluyó la dispensación de analgésicos opiáceos, antidepresivos, anticonvulsivantes, AINEs, ansiolíticos, esteroides, laxantes y antieméticos. Los más utilizados fueron sulfato de morfina (62%), amitriptilina (6,4%) y dextropropoxifeno (5,8%). El Servicio de Información de Medicamentos respondió a 114 consultas realizadas principalmente por un médico, concernientes a reacciones adversas (71%) y contraindicaciones (21%). El programa de Farmacovigilancia identificó 146 sospechas de reacciones adversas y las clasificó como posible (27%), probable (69%), y seguras (4%). Se atribuyeron principalmente a pregabalina y tramadol. El programa piloto de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico domiciliario atendió pacientes con diferentes diagnósticos de cáncer y se identificaron problemas relacionados con medicamentos que se clasificaron (según el Segundo Consenso de Granada) como PRM 1(5%), PRM 2 (10%), PRM 3 (14%), PRM 4 (19%), PRM 5 (24%), o PRM 6 (28%). Este artículo proporciona información relacionada al uso adecuado de medicamentos y, sobre todo ofrece una oportunidad para que los farmacéuticos mexicanos lleguen a ser parte del equipo de salud tratando de resolver los problemas relacionados con medicamentos (AU)