The Biogenetic Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and the Role They Play in Anti-inflammatory Drug Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Nanoscience and nanotechnology have resulted in the continuous development of new nanomaterials with remarkable properties that make them appealing for pharmaceutical applications. The biocompatibility of metallic nanoparticles is of increasing interest for research scientists currently working towards developing novel nano-based medicines, industrial chemicals, and antigens. There is also a particular interest in using them to counter mutations that up-regulate inflammation enhancers to produce a range of inflammation-related pathologies. AIM: The following review discusses the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of metallic bioconjugated (silver, gold, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and selenium) nanoparticles. The current study focuses on nanoparticle manufacturing technologies and the inflammatory response. METHODOLOGY: A thorough search was conducted in several databases, including Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed. The search terms used included: Alzheimer's disease, mechanism of action, neuroinflammation, the reaction of Mast cells to stress and neuroinflammation. The study included all publications published in English. RESULTS: Green-synthesised nanoparticles can suppress the NF-B and cyclooxygenase-2 pathways, preventing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS scavenging mechanisms. Metallic nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory properties, such as stability and specific targeting, have been briefly discussed. CONCLUSION: The current research focuses on metallic nanoparticles employed as anti-inflammatory medication molecules, although nanoparticles have applications in various areas (medicine, chemical engineering, and agriculture). Nanoparticles have a large surface-to-volume ratio, which can help them to penetrate cell membranes, and because of their solid ligand-binding capabilities, nanoparticles have been used in the medical treatment of inflammatory pathologies.

Role of Supplements in the Management of COVID-19 - A Comprehensive Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) and patients with COVID-19 may be treated primarily with SARS CoV- 2-targeting drugs and the therapeutic agents assisting in the management of COVID-19 complications. This review focuses on the supplements like vitamins, minerals, herbal constituents, and others that help prevent or manage negative outcomes among COVID-19 patients. The literature was searched in databases such as Medline/PubMed Central/PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, EBSCO, Scopus, EMBASE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and reference lists to identify relevant articles. The vitamins, including vitamin C, and vitamin D, minerals such as zinc, selenium, and copper, herbal constituents like thymoquinone, curcumin, naringenin, quercetin, and glycyrrhizin, and other supplements, including N-acetylcysteine and melatonin. Melatonin have been identified as having the potential to manage patients with COVID-19 along with standard care. Some of the ongoing clinical trials are investigating the effectiveness of different supplements among COVID-19 patients.

Comparing the knowledge and awareness of cervical and breast cancer among medical and nonmedical students of a private institution in South India.

Context: Cervical and breast cancer is the most leading cause of death among women globally. Cervical and breast cancer can be cured if detected early. Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the knowledge and awareness of cervical and breast cancer among medical and nonmedical students of a private institution in South India. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was done on 600 female students of a private institution comprising both medical and nonmedical for a period of 6 months. Subjects and Methods: A study was done to assess the awareness and knowledge on cervical and breast cancer by using a standardized questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney test by using GraphPad prism. Results: Out of the 600 female students, there were each of 300 female students in medical and nonmedical. Majority of the student population was seen in 17-19 years: 143 (47.6%) in medical and 206 (68.6%) in nonmedical. A total of 235 (78.3%) medical students have heard of cervical cancer and its screening (164 [54.6%]). Many nonmedical students have never heard of cervical cancer (248 [82.6%]) and its screening (283 [94.3%]). Nearly 61% of the medical students and 1.1% nonmedical have heard of Pap smear. Both medical students (276 [92%]) and nonmedical students (179 [53.2%]) were aware of the breast cancer but have less awareness about the age of occurrence. Awareness on breast self-examination was poor among medical (137 [45.6%]) and nonmedical (19 [5.6%]) students. The P < 0.0001 (<0.05) showed a statistically significant difference between the medical and nonmedical students. Conclusions: Through the findings of our study, we analyzed that the knowledge and awareness of cervical and breast cancer among medical students was better than that of the nonmedical students.

Peak months of pandemic's first-wave in India: a cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards COVID-19 among internet-savvy individuals.

Background: A successful pandemic response in populated geographies and resource-limited settings like India relies on informed decision making. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) studies performed during these times are crucial to illustrate how well a community adopts prevention strategies. Objective: The present study, conducted during the peak months of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at assessing the KAP levels of internet-savvy Indians. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted between 20 May and 10 October 2020. We employed a self-reported questionnaire using Google Forms, containing two parts-demographics and KAP evaluation-with the latter having three subsections of 10, 5, and 5 questions each. Data from completed questionnaires were extracted and exported from Google Forms and coded. Descriptive statistics and first-order analysis were conducted. Binary logistic regression was performed with a 95% confidence interval to determine significant associations between categorical dependent and independent variables. Results: We received responses from 1154 participants (58.84% male). Most respondents had good knowledge of the disease transmission course (92.55%), showed seriousness towards the emerging illness (91.07%), had a good attitude towards personal hygiene and physical distancing (93.76%), and had followed good safety/hygienic practices (93.76%). Good attitudes differed significantly between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu provinces (OR 1.053; 95% CI 0.588-1.886; p = 0.0439). The survey participants did not show any significant gender differences in any question types (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results obtained add significant value to the existing KAP literature on COVID-19 in India and may help policymakers achieve public compliance with preventive measures.

A Review on Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions of Adrenergic ß-blockers with Clinically Relevant Drugs-An Overview.

Adrenergic ß-blockers are used to treat many conditions, including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, angina pectoris, migraine, and tremors. The majority of the ß-blockers including Propranolol, Metoprolol, Acebutolol, Alprenolol, Betaxolol, Carvedilol, Nebivolol and Oxprenolol are metabolised majorly by CYP2D6, and Bisoprolol is primarily metabolised by CYP3A4 enzymes. The drugs inhibiting or inducing them may alter the pharmacokinetics of those ß-blockers. The plasma concentrations of Propranolol might be elevated by the concomitant use of drugs, such as SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Paroxetine), SNRIs (Duloxetine) and Cimetidine, while the plasma concentrations of Metoprolol increased by the concurrent use of SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Paroxetine), Amiodarone, Celecoxib, Cimetidine, Terbinafine, and Diphenhydramine. ß-blockers can also interact pharmacodynamically with drugs, including fluoroquinolones, antidiabetic agents and NSAIDs. In addition, ß-blockers may interact with herbs, such as curcumin, Ginkgo biloba, Schisandra chinensis, green tea, guggul, hawthorn, St. John's wort and Yohimbine. This article focuses on clinically relevant drug interactions of ß-blockers with commonly prescribed medications. In addition to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of the drug interactions, recommendations for clinical practice are highlighted. The prescribers and the pharmacists are needed to be aware of the drugs interacting with ß-blockers to prevent possible adverse drug interactions.

Pharmacokinetic Approach of Clinically Important Drug Interactions of Hormonal Contraceptives - A Review.

Hormonal contraceptives contain an Estrogen and/or a Progestin, which are the substrates of the CYP3A4 enzyme and the drugs inducing the CYP3A4 enzyme can decrease the plasma concentrations and thereby therapeutic efficacy of Hormonal contraceptives resulting in unintended pregnancy. Moreover, the hormonal contraceptives associated risk of thrombotic events are further exacerbated by the simultaneous administration of drugs like Tranexamic acid and tobacco smoke. Therefore, while prescribing hormonal contraception and other drugs to women, drug interactions should always be considered because there could be a possible contraceptive failure or other adverse drug effects. This article provides a summary of guidance to healthcare professionals such as prescribers and pharmacists on pharmacokinetic based interactions between hormonal contraception and other drugs.

Nigella Sativa (Black Seeds), A Potential Herb for the Pharmacotherapeutic Management of Hypertension - A Review.

Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for stroke, myocardial infarction and untimely death. The prevalence of hypertension is extremely high among the global population, and many of them depend on modern medicines to manage their blood pressure. The modern antihypertensive medications include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), diuretics, beta-adrenergic blockers, direct renin inhibitors, direct-acting vasodilators, alpha-adrenergic blockers and centrally acting drugs that are associated with many harmful and undesirable effects. The patients may consider traditional herbal medicines as a good strategy to manage chronic conditions due to the reasons such as perceived failure of allopathic medicines, relatively high cost of allopathic medicines, social-cultural practices and/or herbal knowledge, poor access to medical facilities and safety concerns about modern medicines. Nigella sativa (Black seeds) has been used to treat various conditions, including hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc. Hence, the antihypertensive potential of N. sativa is analyzed in this review. The literature was searched in databases including Medline/PMC/PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and reference lists to identify articles associated with antihypertensive properties of N.sativa. Numerous randomized controlled trials and animal studies reported that N.sativa has potential antihypertensive effects. Hence, N. sativa could be used effectively to manage patients with stage 1 hypertension, and the patients using modern antihypertensive medications could reduce their doses by adding N. sativa into their regimen as adjuvant therapy.

In vitro (α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition) and in vivo antidiabetic property of phytic acid (IP6) in streptozotocin- nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in rats.

Phytic acid, inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) a natural plant constituent and antioxidant exhibits protective action in carcinogenesis, Alzheimer's, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and inflammations when taken in diet. The aim of this study is to evaluate effect of phytic acid in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. The STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats were orally treated with vehicle (2%w/v Tween 80), glimepiride (2.5 mg/kg) and IP6 (650 mg/kg) for 28 days. The blood glucose level, body weight, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status (liver and small intestine) was measured and compared with control. Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine (XO) activity was measured in small intestine of diabetic rats. In vitro inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) was also determined. IP6, significantly (P<0.01) reduced glucose level, HbA1C, lipid profile and lipid peroxidation, and increased body weight, high density lipoprotein level and antioxidant status in liver and small intestine. Decrease in XO and increase in XDH activity was observed in treatment groups compared to diabetic control. Dose dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase and (α-amylase activity was observed for phytic acid when compared to standard drug acarbose. These results clearly indicate that IP6 possess promising in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic activity.