H3N2 homeopathic influenza virus solution modifies cellular and biochemical aspects of MDCK and J774G8 cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause highly contagious acute respiratory illnesses with significant mortality, especially among young children, elderly people, and individuals with serious medical conditions. This encourages the development of new treatments for human flu. Biotherapies are diluted solutions prepared from biological products compounded following homeopathic procedures. OBJECTIVES: To develop a biotherapy prepared from the infectious influenza A virus (A/Aichi/2/68 H3N2) and to verify its in vitro response. METHODS: The ultradiluted influenza virus solution was prepared in the homeopathic dilution 30dH, it was termed Influenzinum RC. The cellular alterations induced by this preparation were analyzed by optical and electron microscopy, MTT and neutral red assays. Glycolytic metabolism (PFK-1) was studied by spectrophotometric assay. Additionally, the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by J774.G8 macrophage cells was quantified by ELISA before and after infection with H3N2 influenza virus and treatment. RESULTS: Influenzinum RC did not cause cytotoxic effects but induced morphological alterations in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. After 30 days, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mitosis rate was detected compared to control. MDCK mitochondrial activity was changed after treatment for 10 and 30 days. Treatment significantly diminished (p < 0.05) PFK-1 activity. TNF-α in biotherapy-stimulated J774.G8 macrophages indicated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in this cytokine when the cell supernatant was analyzed. CONCLUSION: Influenzinum RC altered cellular and biochemical features of MDCK and J774G8 cells.

Comparison between elemental composition of human fingernails of healthy and opium-addicted subjects by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The objective of the present work is to identify differences in elemental fingernail composition between opium-addicted and healthy adult human subjects using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Thirty nails from normal, healthy male subjects and 30 nails from opium-addicted male individuals were analyzed. Measurements on 60 nail samples were carried out, identifying 13 key species including 11 neutral elements and 2 ions. Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) was used to classify the samples between the two groups. Spectral line intensities of elements including Fe, C, Ti, Mg, Si, Al, Ca, H, K, O, and Na were considered variables in DFA. This analysis demonstrates the efficient discrimination between the two groups. However, the number of samples in this work is not sufficient for a decisive conclusion and further research is needed to generalize this idea.

High Dilutions of Drugs show Distinct Variation from each other in their Electronic Spectra

Drugs at high dilution (HD) produce therapeutic effect on man, animals and plants. Experimental evidence shows that free water molecules and hydrogen bond strength of OH groups constitute the physical basis of HDs which are otherwise devoid of original drug molecules. HDs are produced in aqueous EtOH by serial dilution of a substance with mechanical agitation or succussion in each step, and are called potencies. Three potencies 6 cH, 12 cH and 30 cH of two drugs Anacardium orientale and Natrum muriaticum(NaCl) and their mother tincture (MT) are used in this study. Electronic spectra of these MTs and potencies, all in 90% EtOH, were taken in the wavelength region of 190 nm ­350 nm. The objective is to find out any additional physical-chemical entities in potencies besides the aforesaid two factors. It was reported earlier that charge transfer (CT) interaction accompanies potentization of drugs. This study focused on the CT interaction. The results indicate that spectral pattern and absorbance intensities of the test samples vary from each other. Natm 6cH (absorbance 0.30 at 196.53nm), 12cH (abs. 0.06 at 196.53nm) and 30cH (abs. 1.32 at 196.5nm). Anac 6cH (abs. 0.33 at 203nm), 12cH (abs. 0.61 at 208nm) and 30cH (abs. 0.09 at 200.67nm). The spectrum of each potency shows two peaks. The 2nd peak at higher wave length belongs to CT interaction. Anac 6cH suc, 7cH unsuc. Insersections at 197.14nm with abs. 0.05, and 290nm with abs. 0.01. Anac 12cH suc, 13cH unsuc. Intersections at 196.93nm with abs. 0.06, and 273nm with abs. 0.00. Anac 30cH suc, 31cH unsuc. Intersections at 194.42nm with abs. -0.05, 238.03nm with abs. -0.01, 252.15nm with abs. -0.002, and 261nm with abs. 0.004. Natm 6cH suc, 7cH unsuc. Intersection at 199.44nm with Abs -0.11. Natm 12cH suc, 13cH unsuc. Instersection at 200.48nm with abs. -0.11. Natm 30cH suc, 31cH unsuc. Intersection at 204.24nm with abs. -0.08. Potentization involves CT interaction in consecutive potencies. Water and EtOH do not form a homogeneous mixture and have aggregates of EtOHand water molecules. CT interactions occur in these individual aggregates and are mostly inter molecular within EtOH or water. These aggregates vary from each other in the test samples. The spectra of test samples were analysed for margin of error (MOE). The MOE is very small (0.001-0.002%), and for this reason the difference between the spectra is significant. Besides that the intersection between consecutive spectra vary in number and position. It is concluded that water and EtOH aggregates and their relative distribution constitute additional physical-chemical basis of potencies.

[Assay of bilirubin of ox gallstone in Chinese patent medicines by differential spectrophotometry].

This paper describes that the absorption spectrum of bilirubin solution was changed obviously by photo-oxidation. The absorbance was measured at 453 nm before and after light irradiation. The contents of bilirubin of ox gallstone in Liuying pills, Liushen pills and Niuhuang Xiaoyan pills were determined by differential absorbance (delta A). Calibration graph was linear in the range of 1.6-8.0 micrograms/ml for delta A. The average recoveries for three Chinese patent medicines were over 93%. Determinations of bilirubin in Chinese patent medicines were not affected by other components.

[Determination of the contents of bufadienolide and borneol in liushen pills].

The contents of bufadienolide and borneol in 01 and 02 Liushen Pills were determined by second-derivative spectrophotometry and gas chromatography respectively. The average recover of bufadienolide by SDS was 100.12% (n = 6, RSD = 1.44%) and of borneol by GC 97.68% (n = 4, RSD = 1.32%).

[Identification of 16 kinds of mineral drugs with fluorescence spectra].

In this paper, 8 groups 16 kinds of mineral drugs were identified by fluorescence spectra. The results showed that the fluorescence spectra method in identifying mineral drugs is not only exact, sensitive, but also using little experimental materials and better repealability. This method can specially be used to identify the mineral drugs which have similar natrues and difficult to be distinguished from thim.

Análisis Mediante Espectrofotometría UV/Vis de Diferentes Productos Terminados Homeopáticos de Nux Vomica 6CH, 7CH y 30CH, Comercializados en Tres Farmacias en Bogotá, Colombia / Analysis by Spectrophotometry UV / Vis of Different Products Homeopathic Finished Nux Vomica 6CH, 7CH and 30CH, Marketed in Three Pharmacies in Bogota Colombia

El aumento de la frecuencia de uso de los medicamentos homeopáticos en la población en general implica que la calidad en la elaboración de los mismos debe indagarse para evitar situaciones adversas en la población que los consume. En Colombia existen procesos legales para obtener el permiso de producción y venta; sin embargo, en éstos no hay verificación del producto terminado contrastándolo con un control. Los medicamentos homeopáticos se elaboran mediante ultradiluciones de sustancias que actúan basados en el principio similia similibus curantur. La Nux vomica es un medicamento homeopático de uso frecuente, dado su carácter de policresto para diferentes patologías, y por lo tanto es importante tener un control de calidad de dicho medicamento. En este estudio se realizaron mediciones de la concentración de Nux vomica 6CH, 7CH y 30CH comprada en diferentes farmacias (FAR) y vendida como producto terminado, comparándolos con un medicamento elaborado por las autoras de este trabajo, utilizando para ello la espectrofotometría UV/Vis, no encontrándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos después de aplicar energía cinética. (AU)

The increasing use of homeopathic medicines in the general population implies that the quality in the preparation of those should be investigated to avoid adverse situations in the people who consumes them. In Colombia, there are legal processes to obtain the production and sale license, however, there is no verification of the finished product against a control. Homeopathic medicines are made by ultradilutions of substances that act based on the Similia similibus curentur principle. The Nux vomica is a homeopathic medicine of frequent use, given its character of policresto, for different pathologies and therefore it's important to have a quality control of that medication. In this study, measurements were made of Nux vomica 6CH, 7CH and 30CH concentration purchased in different pharmacies (FAR) and sold as a finished product, comparing them with a drug elaborated by the authors using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. No statistically significant differences were found between them. after applying kinetic energy. (AU)

A modification of the kinetic determination of pancuronium bromide based on its inhibitory effect on cholinesterase.

A modification of the existing spectrophotometric kinetic method for the determination of pancuronium bromide (PCBr), based on pooled human serum cholinesterase (ChE, EC 3.1.1.8 acylcholine acylhydrolase) inhibition, was developed. Butyrylthiocholine iodide (concentration 1.667 mmol/L) was used as substrate and determination was performed at pH 7.6. Essential basic kinetic parameters were also determined: Michaelis-Menten's constant KM=0.33 mmol/L, maximal reaction rate Vmax=42.29 micromol/L min, inhibition constant KI=0.34 micromol/L, and IC50=0.235 micromol/L. Linear dependence between the reaction rate and the inhibitor concentration exists in PCBr concentration range 8.29-265.28 nmol/L, which corresponds to the real sample concentrations from 0.166 to 5.306 micromol/L. The method detection limit was established to be 1.86 nmol/L and the quantification limit was 6.18 nmol/L. Precision of the method was tested for three pancuronium concentrations (16.58, 99.48, and 198.96 nmol/L). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was in the range 0.78-5.13%. Accuracy was examined by the standard addition method. The influence of substances usually present in serum and urine on the reaction rate was determined. The method developed was applied for PCBr determination in spiked serum and urine samples and in the urine taken during surgery. The method was proven to have good sensitivity, accuracy, and precision and can be considered suitable for clinical practice.

Rapid method for extraction and colorimetric estimation of morphine in Indian opium.

A rapid method for the extraction and estimation of morphine in Indian opium is described. Methanolic extract of opium is treated with activated charcoal and the colorless extract obtained contains all of the major opium alkaloids. Morphine content is estimated colorimetrically by using hydrogen peroxide-copper-ammonia. The reaction is specific for morphine, and no other major opium alkaloid responds. The results obtained by the proposed method are in general agreement with those obtained by the nitroso method.

Ion-pair extraction method for quantitation of a bisquaternary ammonium compound, pancuronium bromide.

Pancuronium bromide (PCBr), a neuro-muscular blocking agent, was determined quantitatively in aqueous solution by ion-pair extraction. Separate determination of PCBr and degradation products was possible after thin layer chromatography. The procedure was developed by using a theoretical approach. Favorable conditions were calculated from the ion-pair extraction constant. The drug was determined with bromothymol blue at pH 9.0, using one extraction in the direct procedure and 2 successive extractions in the combined elution-extraction process after thin layer chromatography. In the direct method, 0.100 mg PCBr was determined with a reproducibility of +/- 1.0%.

Effect of short-term muscle relaxation on neonatal plasma volume.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of pancuronium-induced muscle relaxation on circulating plasma volume. DESIGN: A prospective, controlled study. Consecutive infants who were paralyzed with pancuronium and a comparative group who were not paralyzed during mechanical ventilation were studied. SETTING: Neonatal ICU of a regional referral university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Newborn infants weighing greater than 1700 g who required respiratory assistance within 24 hrs of birth and who were free of congenital heart disease, sepsis, or blood loss were eligible for entry into the study. Infants who received colloid infusions during the study period were excluded. A total of 17 consecutive infants (nine paralyzed and eight nonparalyzed control infants) were studied. Four paralyzed infants and one nonparalyzed infant received colloid infusions before the completion of the study and were excluded from the final analysis. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma volume was measured three times in the paralyzed infants: a) immediately before the first dose of pancuronium, b) after 12 to 24 hrs, and c) greater than or equal to 12 hrs after the return of muscle activity, but before extubation. Plasma volume in the nonparalyzed, control infants was measured at the time of intubation, 12 to 24 hrs after commencing mechanical ventilation, and 12 hrs after extubation. Plasma volume was measured using the Evans blue dye dilution technique. RESULTS: There were no changes in the plasma volume or blood volume in the three measurements among both the paralyzed and nonparalyzed infants. CONCLUSION: Pancuronium-induced muscle relaxation in mechanically ventilated newborn infants weighing greater than 1700 g did not alter circulating plasma volume in 24 hrs.

Ranitidine treatment inducing methemoglobinemia in male Wistar rats

Drug idiosyncrasy is an adverse event of unknown etiology that occurs in a small fraction of people taking a drug. The histamine-2(H2)-receptor antagonist ranitidine causes idiosyncratic reactions in patients. To investigative the hypothesis that ranitidine could induce hematological toxic effects, the drug was administered intraperitoneally(ip) to two of six groups of 200-220 g male Wistar rats (n=6). Group I received as single dose of saline solution (NaCl, 200 µL) Group II received 200 µL of NaCl, ip, at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, Group III (controls of the vehicle) received as single dose of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 200 µL), ip, Group IV (controls of the vehicle) received 200 µL of DMSO, ip, at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h, Group V received a single dose of 100 mg/kg of ranitidine in 200 µL of DMSO) ip, Group VI received 50 mg/kg of ranitidine, in 200 µL of DMSO, ip, at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h...

Análise químico-farmacêutica do fluconazol e especialidade farmacêutica cápsula / Chemical pharmaceutical analysis of fluconazole and its pharmaceutical speciality capsule

O fluconazol, derivado triazólico, apresenta atividade antifúngica sendo indicado no tratamento de grande variedade de infecções fúngicas. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de estabelecer parâmetros de controle de qualidade para a matéria prima de fluconazol e forma farmacêutica cápsula, subsidiando a elaboração da monografia para a Farmacopéia Brasileira. A matéria-prima do fluconazol pode ser caracterizada pelos seguintes testes: aspecto, solubilidade e faixa de fusão. As impurezas do fluconazol podem ser detectadas por ensaio-limite de cloreto, sulfato, ferro, metais pesados, perda por dessecação e cinzas sulfatadas...

Validación de los métodos analíticos empleados en el estudio del inyectable de fosfato de disopiramida (13 mg/mL) / Validation of analytical methods used in the study of disopyramide phosphate injectable product (13 mg/mL)

Se realizó la validación de un método espectrofotométrico para ser utilizado en el control de la calidad del inyectable fosfato de disopiramida (13 mg/mL), en la que se determinó la absorbancia a 269 nm, y se empleó como disolvente una mezcla de metanol-sulfúrico. También se realizó la validación de una técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución, en la que se utilizó una columna de Lichrosorb RP-8 y como fase móvil una solución de fosfato de sodio monobásico (0,05 mol/L) pH 3:acetonitrilo (73:27 v/v). Ambos métodos resultaron ser lineales, precisos y exactos, en el rango de concentraciones estudiado. Para la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución se comprobó, además, su especificidad