Unorthodox ophthalmic preparations on the Ghanaian market: a potential risk for ocular and enteric infections.

PURPOSE: Microbial contamination of orthodox ophthalmic preparations poses a serious threat to the user by causing ocular infections. There is no such information about unorthodox ophthalmic preparations in a medical pluralistic system such as Ghana. The aim of this study was to assess unorthodox ophthalmic medications on the Ghanaian market for possible microbial contaminations. METHODS: Unorthodox ophthalmic preparations were collected across different herbal and homeopathic outlets in Ghana. A total of 27 samples were collected from the ten (10) regions in Ghana. The samples were inoculated in different culture media (Plate count Agar, Blood Agar, MacConkey Agar, Saboraud Dextrose Agar). The microorganisms isolated were identified using standard microbiological procedures and antimicrobial susceptibility was done to determine whether they were resistant or susceptible strains. RESULTS: All the samples were contaminated with bacteria and the majority were contaminated with fungus. A total of forty-eight bacteria spp. was isolated thus seven different types namely: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilli spp., Serrati spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp. and Shigella spp. with Staphylococcus aureus being the predominant bacteria. For fungi, a total of eleven fungi species thus four different types namely: Cephalosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Cercosporium spp. and Clasdosporium spp. with the predominant fungi being Penicillium spp. Per the class of preparations, 15 contaminants were isolated from ten (10) anti-inflammatory preparations. The fungi were all susceptible to both Ketoconazole and Fluconazole but the bacteria were resistant to all the conventional antibiotics except Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin. CONCLUSION: Unorthodox ophthalmic preparations found on the Ghanaian market are contaminated with bacteria and fungi of clinical importance.

Topically applied standardized aqueous extract of Curcuma longa Linn. suppresses endotoxin-induced uveal inflammation in rats.

Aqueous extract of C. longa when administered 4 h after induction of E. coli lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats showed significantly suppressed inflammation with a significantly lower mean clinical grade, histopathological grade and aqueous humor (AH) protein level compared to vehicle treated group. Although, prednisolone group showed significantly lower clinical grade, histopathological grades and AH protein levels compared to C. longa group, TNF-alpha levels did not differ significantly. Moreover, when the aqueous extract was administered starting from 3 days before induction of uveitis, the mean clinical and histopathological grade as well as AH protein and TNF-alpha levels were comparable to C. longa group when treatment was administered 4 h after induction of uveitis. It is concluded that topically applied standardized aqueous extract of C. longa suppresses endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats by reducing TNF-alpha activity.

[Experimental study on preclinical quality control, urgent poison and irritation of Dendrobium aurantiacum eye drops, a class I new drug against diabetic cataract].

To establish a quality control method of Dendrobium aurantiacum eye drops, in order to evaluate acute toxicity, irritation and irritability and lay a foundation for its development and utilization in the future. The content of gigantol and SA in D. aurantiacum eye drops were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The linear ranges of gigantol and SA were 0.040 8-1.530 0 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9) and 0.100 8-0.504 0 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9), with the average recoveries being 100.8%, 99.84%, and RSD being 1.4%, 1.8% (n = 9) respectively. The sample solution was stable at room temperature within 72 h. The acute toxicity test showed no toxic reaction of D. aurantiacum eye drops in mice. The irritating test for single-dose and multiple-dose administrations of D. aurantiacum eye drops and physiological saline in rabbit eyes and skin, as well as the allergic test in guinea pigs showed no eye irritation and skin irritation and irritability. These findings indicated that D. aurantiacum eye drops are safe and stable, with a good druggability.

Diseño de una formulación de ketotifeno 0, 025 por ciento colirio / Design of a Ketotifen formula: 0, 025 percent eyedrops

El colirio de ketotifeno se indica para aliviar los signos y síntomas de las conjuntivitis alérgicas, por ser este un potente antihistamínico H1 que muestra cierta capacidad para inhibir la liberación de histamina y otros mediadores en mastocitos. El objetivo del presente trabajo consistió en realizar el desarrollo tecnológico del colirio de ketotifeno 0,025 por ciento, de producción nacional teniendo en cuenta que es un medicamento muy utilizado en la Operación Milagro, en la cual participa la República de Cuba, para lo que se hace un diseño y los estudios de preformulación. Se estudió ademàs, las especificaciones de calidad de la formulación seleccionada, la estabilidad del producto y el tiempo de vigencia de este. Se realizó el estudio de estabilidad acelerado y por vida de estante, para lo cual se emplearon 3 lotes del producto a escala piloto. El colirio resultó estable física, química y microbiológicamente envasado en frascos de polietileno de baja densidad, por espacio de 12 meses a temperatura ambiente(AU)

The Ketotifen eyedrops is prescribed to relieve the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis due to it is a powerful H1 antihistaminic with certain ability to inhibit the histamine release and other mediators in the case of mast cells. The aim of present paper was to perform the technological development of 0,025 percent eyedrops Ketotifen of national production considering that it is a drug very used in the Operación Milagro with participation of the Republic of Cuba and with its own design and the pre-formula. Also, we studied the selected formula specifications, the product stability and its expiry date. An accelerated stability study was conducted and by shelf life using 3 batches of pilot scale product. The eyedrops was physically, chemically and microbiologically stable when it is bottling in low-density polyethylene flasks during 12 months at room temperature(AU)