Formulation and evaluation of sustained release ocular inserts of betaxolol hydrochloride using arabinoxylan from Plantago ovata.

The purpose of the current studies was to develop ocular insert of betaxolol hydrochloride (BXH), using arabinoxylan (AX) as a film former. The inserts were prepared by sandwiching I mg of BXH between two films of AX. Six different formulations of ocular inserts were prepared in such a way that first three formulations contained varying concentrations of AX along with glycerol as plasticizer, whereas, rest of the formulations were added with 0.5mg of sodium alginate, sandwiched between two films of AX along with 1mg of BXH. Chemical compatibilities of the ingredients were assessed by using FTIR. Prepared ocular inserts were subjected to various physicochemical characterizations. The dissolution studies showed that ocular inserts containing sodium alginate with the AX showed sustained release effect better than the formulations with AX alone. Addition of sodium alginate resulted in inhibition of sudden release in initial phase and further sustained the release of drug from ocular inserts. Ocular inserts were pH compatible to the eyes as well as there was no interaction among the drug and excipients, suggesting that the selected excipients were suitable for the development of sustained release ocular inserts of BXH.

Enhanced neuroprotective and antidepressant activity of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in lipopolysaccharide-induced depression and anxiety rat model.

The present study aims to develop curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (CUR-NLCs) and investigate their neuroprotective effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression and anxiety model. Nanotemplate engineering technique was used to prepare CUR-NLCs with Compritol 888 ATO and oleic acid as solid and liquid lipid, respectively. Poloxamer 188, Tween 80 and Span 80 were used as stabilizing agents for solid-liquid lipid core. The physicochemical parameters of CUR-NLCs were determined followed by in vitro drug release and in vivo neuroprotective activity in rats. The optimized CUR-NLCs demonstrated nanometric particle size of 147.8 nm, surface charge of -32.8 mV and incorporation efficiency of 91.0%. CUR-NLCs showed initial rapid followed by a sustained drug release reaching up to 73% after 24 h. CUR-NLCs significantly elevated struggling time and decreased immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests. A substantial increase in time spent and number of entries into the light and open compartments was observed in light-dark box and elevated plus maze models. CUR-NLCs improved the tissue architecture and suppressed the expression of p-NF-κB, TNF-α and COX-2 in brain tissues from histological and immunohistochemical analysis. CUR-NLCs improved the neuroprotective effect of curcumin and can be used as a potential therapeutics for depression and anxiety.

Evaluation and assessment of prescribing patterns in elderly patients using two explicit criteria based screening tools: (The PRISCUS list and STOPP/START criteria).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Rational prescribing can prevent medication errors and the associated harm, especially in old age patients, as they are being frequently prescribed with drugs for various ailments. Moreover, polypharmacy is a common practice in them. Therefore, a significant threat of potential drug interactions and adverse effects exist. Current study focuses on assessment of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) in medication prescribed to old age patients. METHODS: It was a forty days, descriptive and observational study conducted from August 15th 2017 to September 25th 2017 in which prescriptions given to elderly patients were reimbursed for collecting various sets of information. In order to assess PIMs (in Pakistani Set-up), STOPP/START addition 2008 (including examples of misprescribing, overprescribing and under prescribing) and the PRISCUS list (misprescribing and overprescribing) was used. Statistical analysis of results was performed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: One hundred forty six cases of PIMs (including incorrect prescribing, overprescribing and under prescribing) were detected. It included incorrect prescriptions 104, under prescription 28 and over prescriptions 14. NSAIDS accounted for most incorrect prescriptions followed by benzodiazepines. Mostly NSAIDS were used for myalgia, backache and rheumatoid disorders. CONCLUSION: Current findings highlighted Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing (PIP), particularly of NSAIDs and under prescribing of statins in cardiovascular diseases. Study findings suggest introducing pertinent interventions at the stages involved in prescribing, prescription review and its follow up to reduce the PIP and PIMs.

Self-esteem among eunuchs of Hazara Division, Pakistan.

Self-esteem among eunuchs is highly influenced by a variety of factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the differences in self-esteem of eunuchs on the basis of education, income, age and marital status. The study was conducted at the University of Haripur, Pakistan, from December 2015 to November 2016. A sample of 140 eunuchs was collected from different areas of Hazara division, through purposive and snowball sampling technique. A self-esteem scale with four sub-scales was used to measure the self-esteem of eunuchs. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine education level differences. The t-test was applied to find out the impact of demographics differences such as marital status, income level, and age on self-esteem of eunuchs. The scale used was found to be quite reliable with alpha coefficient of 0.85. The outcomes are significant and showed that educated, higher income, younger and unmarried eunuchs had higher self-esteem (p<0.05).