Alternative Drug Therapies Research Articles

A bibliometric analysis of alternative drug therapy options in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Oral finasteride and topical minoxidil formulations are the only FDA-approved drug therapies for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Research into dutasteride, topical finasteride, and nontopical minoxidil (low-dose oral and sublingual) formulations in the treatment of AGA has spiked within recent years. Early findings show that these alternative drug therapies may have similar to improved efficacy and safety profiles relative to the conventional treatment options. Conducting a bibliometric analysis, compare trends in publications on these alternative drug therapies, identify key contributors, evaluate major findings from top-cited articles, and elucidate gaps in evidence. A search was conducted on the Web of Science database for publications on the use of alternative drug therapies in the treatment of AGA. A total of 95 publications, published between January 2003-March 2024, and their citation metadata were included in the analysis. Dutasteride showed the greatest (n = 37) and longest (20+ years) history of publications, as well as the highest cumulative citations (n = 914); however, nontopical minoxidil showed a burst in research activity within the last 5 years (n = 33 publications since 2019). A relatively low number of randomized control trials (n = 3) for nontopical minoxidil suggests a need for higher-quality evidence. Our analysis reveals major trends, contributors, and gaps in evidence for alternative drug therapies for AGA, which can help inform researchers on their future projects in this growing field of study. There is enthusiasm for exploring off-label formulations: nontopical forms of minoxidil (oral and sublingual), topical finasteride, and mesotherapy.

Abstract Mo139: PDE1, 3 and 4 Inhibition and GPCR Agonism in the Regulation of cAMP Signaling

Modulators of cardiac cyclic adenosine 3’5’-monophosphate (cAMP) and/or its effector protein kinase A (PKA) are used to treat heart disease. Elucidating the mechanisms of endogenous and pharmacological modulators of cAMP, including phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, is key to predicating alternative drug therapies for heart failure (HF). PDEs regulate confined cAMP/PKA signaling pathways, depending on PDE isoform and localization. PDE3 regulates the SR and sarcolemmal membrane cAMP pools, controlling calcium influx and efflux at these domains. PDE1 regulates sarcolemmal cAMP/PKA signaling. Despite these differences, inhibitors of either increase heart contractility. However, inhibition of PDE3 is pro-arrhythmic, unlike that of PDE1. The regulation of localized cAMP signaling is key to controlled regulation of cell function, with ramifications for HF, and which GPCR lies upstream of PDE1 remains unknown. We hypothesized that the three cAMP-hydrolyzing cardiac PDEs (1, 3, 4) that are found in the human heart would regulate distinct cAMP signaling pathways. Using the cAMP biosensor EPAC-SH187, we performed fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments in healthy guinea pig adult ventricular myocytes. Cells were treated with inhibitors of PDEs 1, 3, and 4 along with GPCR agonists isoproterenol, glucagon (gcg), and amthamine (amt), respectively for β-adrenergic, gcg and histamine H2 receptors at sub-maximal doses. Cell function and calcium data were obtained using IonOptix. We first asked if PDEi would synergistically regulate pools of cAMP, and found that PDE4i does at pools of cAMP generated by beta-agonism. PDE3i regulates that generated by amt at the H2R, with comparable effects observed in simultaneous or prior H2R stimulation. The combination of these sub-saturating doses exerted strong inotropic and lusitropic effects in paced myocytes. In neither of these domains, PDE1i changed cAMP levels. However, PDE1i intriguingly attenuated the level of gcg-stimulated cAMP production, suggesting a feedback loop mechanism. We conclude that PDEs 1, 3, and 4 regulate distinct pools of cAMP. Importantly, we demonstrate this in a species where the myocardial expression of these PDEs match that of humans as opposed to smaller rodent models.

Spiramycin-loaded maltodextrin nanoparticles as a promising treatment of toxoplasmosis on murine model

Despite being the initial choice for treating toxoplasmosis, sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine have limited effectiveness in eliminating the infection and were linked to a variety of adverse effects. Therefore, the search for new effective therapeutic strategies against toxoplasmosis is still required. The current work is the first research to assess the efficacy of spiramycin-loaded maltodextrin nanoparticles (SPM-loaded MNPs) as a novel alternative drug therapy against toxoplasmosis in a murine model. Fifty laboratory-bred Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups: normal control group (GI, n = 10), positive control group (GII, n = 10), orally treated with spiramycin (SPM) alone (GIII, n = 10), intranasal treated with SPM-loaded MNPs (GIV, n = 10), and orally treated with SPM-loaded MNPs (GV, n = 10). Cysts of Toxoplasma gondii ME-49 strain were used to infect the mice. Tested drugs were administered 2 months after the infection. Drug efficacy was assessed by counting brain cysts, histopathological examination, and measures of serum CD19 by flow cytometer. The orally treated group with SPM-loaded MNPs (GV) showed a marked reduction of brain cyst count (88.7%), histopathological improvement changes, and an increasing mean level of CD19 (80.2%) with significant differences. SPM-loaded MNPs showed potent therapeutic effects against chronic toxoplasmosis. Further research should be conducted to assess it in the treatment of human toxoplasmosis, especially during pregnancy.Graphical

Challenges in the treatment of pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

This report summarizes the clinical significance of macrolide-resistant and refractory MP pneumonia and discusses the efficacy and safety of alternative drugs, with a stepwise approach to the management of MP pneumonia recommended from the viewpoint of clinical practice. • Although MP pneumonia is usually a benign self-limited infection with response macrolides as first line therapy, severe life-threatening cases may develop if additional treatment strategies are not effectively implemented. • Macrolide-resistant and refractory MP pneumonia are two conditions that may complicate the clinical course of MP pneumonia, increasing the risk for exacerbation and even death. • This report summarizes the clinical relevance of macrolide-resistant and refractory MP pneumonia and discusses the efficacy and safety of alternative drug therapies. • A practical stepwise approach to the management of MP pneumonia is developed based on a comprehensive analysis of existing evidence and expert opinion.

Drug resistance mechanisms in dopamine agonist-resistant prolactin pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and exploration for new drugs

BackgroundThe treatment of dopamine agonists (DA) resistant prolactinomas remains a formidable challenge, as the mechanism of resistance is still unclear, and there are currently no viable alternative drug therapies available. This study seeks to investigate the mechanism of DA resistance in prolactinomas and identify new potentially effective drugs. MethodsTo explore the mechanism of DA resistance in prolactinomas, this study conducted transcriptome sequencing analysis on 27 cases of DA-resistant prolactinomas and 10 cases of sensitive prolactinomas. In addition, single-cell sequencing analysis was performed on 3 cases of DA-resistant prolactinomas and 3 cases of sensitive prolactinomas. Furthermore, to screen for potential therapeutic drugs, the study successfully established an organoids model for DA-resistant prolactinomas and screened 180 small molecule compounds using 8 organoids. The efficacy of the identified drugs was verified through various assays, including CCK-8, colony formation, CTG, and flow cytometry, and their mechanisms of action were confirmed through WB and IHC. The effectiveness of the identified drugs was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. ResultsThe results of transcriptome sequencing and single-cell sequencing analyses showed that DA resistance in prolactinomas is associated with the upregulation of the Focal Adhesion (FA) signaling pathway. Additionally, immunohistochemical validation revealed that FAK and Paxillin were significantly upregulated in DA-resistant prolactinomas. Screening of 180 small molecule compounds using 8 organoids identified Genistein as a potentially effective drug for DA-resistant prolactinomas. Experimental validation demonstrated that Genistein inhibited the proliferation of pituitary tumor cell lines and organoids and promoted apoptosis in pituitary tumor cells. Moreover, both the cell sequencing results and WB validation results of the drug-treated cells indicated that Genistein exerts its anti-tumor effect by inhibiting the FA pathway. In vivo, experiments also showed that Genistein can inhibit subcutaneous tumor formation. ConclusionDA resistance in prolactinomas is associated with upregulation of the Focal Adhesion (FA) signaling pathway, and Genistein can exert its anti-tumor effect by inhibiting the expression of the FA pathway.

Fluconazole-Induced Protein Changes in Osteogenic and Immune Metabolic Pathways of Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Osteopetrosis Patients.

Osteopetrosis is a rare inherited disease caused by osteoclast failure, resulting in increasing bone density in humans. Patients with osteopetrosis possess several dental and cranial complications. Since carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) deficiency is a major cause of osteopetrosis, CA-II activators might be an attractive potential treatment option for osteopetrosis patients. We conducted comprehensive label-free quantitative proteomics analysis on Fluconazole-treated Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from CA-II-Deficient Osteopetrosis Patients. We identified 251 distinct differentially expressed proteins between healthy subjects, as well as untreated and azole-treated derived cells from osteopetrosis patients. Twenty-six (26) of these proteins were closely associated with osteogenesis and osteopetrosis disease. Among them are ATP1A2, CPOX, Ap2 alpha, RAP1B and some members of the RAB protein family. Others include AnnexinA1, 5, PYGL, OSTF1 and PGAM4, all interacting with OSTM1 in the catalytic reactions of HCO3 and the Cl- channel via CAII regulation. In addition, the pro-inflammatory/osteoclast regulatory proteins RACK1, MTSE, STING1, S100A13, ECE1 and TRIM10 are involved. We have identified proteins involved in osteogenic and immune metabolic pathways, including ERK 1/2, phosphatase and ATPase, which opens the door for some CA activators to be used as an alternative drug therapy for osteopetrosis patients. These findings propose that fluconazole might be a potential treatment agent for CAII- deficient OP patients. Altogether, our findings provide a basis for further work to elucidate the clinical utility of azole, a CA activator, as a therapeutic for OP.

Moringa oleifera: A Review on the Antiproliferative Potential in Breast Cancer Cells.

The global burden of female breast cancer and associated deaths has become a major concern. Many chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin, have been shown to have adverse side effects. The development of multi-drug resistance is a common occurrence, contributing to chemotherapeutic failure. The resistance of breast cancer cells to drug treatment leads to a decline in the treatment efficacy and an increase in cancer recurrence. Therefore, action is required to produce alternative drug therapies, such as herbal drugs. Herbal drugs have been proven to be beneficial in treating illnesses, including cancer. This review aims to highlight the antiproliferative potential of Moringa oleifera (MO), a medicinal tree native to India and indigenous to Africa, in breast cancer cells. Although MO is not yet considered a commercial chemopreventive drug, previous studies have indicated that it could become a chemotherapeutic agent. The possible antiproliferative potential of MO aqueous leaf extract has been previously proven through its antioxidant potential as well as its ability to induce apoptosis. This review will provide an increased understanding of the effect that MO aqueous leaf extract could potentially have against breast cancer.

Similar additive effects of doxorubicin in combination with photon or proton irradiation in soft tissue sarcoma models.

High-precision radiotherapy with proton beams is frequently used in the management of aggressive soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and is often combined with doxorubicin (Dox), the first-line chemotherapy for STS. However, current treatment approaches continue to result in high local recurrence rates often occurring within the treatment field. This strongly indicates the need of optimized treatment protocols taking the vast heterogeneity of STS into account, thereby fostering personalized treatment approaches. Here, we used preclinical STS models to investigate the radiation response following photon (X) or proton (H) irradiation alone and in combination with different treatment schedules of Dox. As preclinical models, fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), undifferentiated pleiomorphic sarcoma (GCT), and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines were used; the latter two are mutated for TP53. The cellular response regarding clonogenic survival, apoptosis, cell-cycle distribution, proliferation, viability, morphology, and motility was investigated. The different STS cell types revealed a dose-dependent radiation response with reduced survival, proliferation, viability, and motility whereas G2/M phase arrest as well as apoptosis were induced. RD cells showed the most radiosensitive phenotype; the linear quadratic model fit could not be applied. In combined treatment schedules, Dox showed the highest efficiency when applied after or before and after radiation; Dox treatment only before radiation was less efficient. GCT cells were the most chemoresistant cell line in this study most probably due to their TP53 mutation status. Interestingly, similar additive effects could be observed for X or H irradiation in combination with Dox treatment. However, the additive effects were determined more frequently for X than for H irradiation. Thus, further investigations are needed to specify alternative drug therapies that display superior efficacy when combined with H therapy.

Pioglitazone use increases risk of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin

Pioglitazone is an insulin resistance inhibitor widely used as monotherapy or combined with metformin or insulin in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study further investigated the relationship between pioglitazone use and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM, and examined the potential impact of insulin use on this association. Data were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Our data exhibited that the risk of developing AD in the pioglitazone group was 1.584-fold (aHR = 1.584, 95% CI 1.203–1.967, p < 0.05) higher than that in the non-pioglitazone controls. Compared to patients without both insulin and pioglitazone, higher cumulative risk of developing AD was found in patients receiving both insulin and pioglitazone (aHR = 2.004, 95% CI = 1.702–2.498), pioglitazone alone (aHR = 1.596, 95% CI = 1.398–1.803), and insulin alone (aHR = 1.365, 95% CI = 1.125–1.572), respectively (all p < 0.05). A similar observation also found in the evaluation the use of diabetic drugs with a cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD). No interaction between pioglitazone and major risk factors (comorbidities) of AD was observed. In conclusion, alternative drug therapies may be an effective strategy for reducing risk of developing AD in T2DM patients.

Use of complementary and alternative medicines in ENT outpatient department of tertiary care hospital in Southern Rajasthan

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is highly gaining popularity along with main treatment streams these days. Physicians cannot ignore this fact and should question and counsel patients about pros and cons of CAM for cure of different ailments. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the study was to know about use of CAM among patients visiting Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) in tertiary care hospital of Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in ENT OPD for 2 months. Two hundred and fifty patients were considered for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and made to be filled by the patients during their visit to ENT OPD after taking informed consent. Various questions were asked like extent of use of alternative therapies, type of CAM used by the patients, patient’s knowledge about ADRs and drug interactions, reasons for which alternative medicine might have been used. Results: Among 250 patients, CAMs were used by 36 patients. The most common CAMs were either Ayurveda or Homoeopathy medicines or both. The majority of patients obtained their information from family and friends. Maximum patients used these alternative medicines for relief of cough and hoarseness of voice. Conclusion: The study throws light on use of alternative drug therapy and streams of medicine along with routine hospital treatment among patients visiting ENT OPD. This knowledge helps to understand about patients’ alternative approach to diseases, about self-medication, patient’s belief about different types of therapies and also ignorance of possible health hazards, side effects, and complications due to use of concomitant main and alternative medicines for treatment purposes.

Peningkatan Pemahaman Siswa Farmasi tentang Peran Farmakoekonomi dalam Pelayanan Kesehatan di SMK Bintang Persada Denpasar

Background: Pharmacoecomics has been defined as the description and analysis of the costs of drug therapy to health care systems and society. Pharmacoeconomics research identifies, measure, and compares the costs and consequences of pharmaceutical product and service. Within this framework, research and methods related to cost-minimization, cost-effectiveness, quality-of-life and other humanistic assessments are include. In-essence, pharmacoeconomics analysis uses tools for examining the impact of alternative drug therapies and other medical interventions Based on this background, the author is interested to explain about the role of Pharmacoecomics on health service in pharmacist students at Bintang Persada School, Denpasar. Purpose: The purpose of this activity is as a form of implementation of Tri Dharma Stikes Bali Wisnu Dharma Denpasar. Methods: Participants who took part in this activity were 83 students using the pretest and posttest methods. Results: The results obtained were an increase in the pretest score (before being given education) which was 62.11% to 83.22% in the posttest result (after being given education). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between posttest scores, which increases after education is held, so pharmacoeconomics education needs to be given and pharmaceutical products utilization in health service followed by cost utillity evaluation and cost effectiveness as well as impact evaluation of quality adjusted life years of patients.

A Novel Approach of Leflunomide Nanoemulgel for Topical Drug Delivery System

Objectives: This research’s primary goals are Leflunomide (LFD) nanoemulgel formulation and characterization for topical administration. Materials and Methods: A pseudo ternary phase diagram was created utilizing castor oil, Tween 20 as the surfactant, PEG 300 as a co-surfactant, and ethanol as the cosolvent. Spontaneous emulsification was used to create LFD-nanoemulgel, which is now commercially available. Gel matrix Carbopol 934 was employed to generate nanoemulgel in the prepared nanoemulsion. Studies on the LFD-globule nanoemulgel’s size, physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, TEM, FTIR drug content, release kinetics, and stability contributed to its characterization and assessment. Optimum nanoemulgel formulation contained 6% castor oil, 36% Tween 80 and PEG 300 as Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant mixture), 46% water, and 12% w/w carbopol 934. Results: The produced nanoemulgel was translucent and had a zeta potential of 26.12 mV and a particle size of 113.55 ± 1.73 nm. The improved formulation has a drug release rate of 98.13% ± 1.20%. They were determined to be ideal for pH, viscosity, and spreadability. According to the stability analysis, the generated nanoemulgel was shown to be stable at temperatures ranging from 25 ± 45°C, according to the stability analysis results. Conclusion: An effective formulation for topical medication delivery using LFD-loaded nanoemulgel has been developed. It may be an alternative drug therapy to the topical application of drugs to treat arthritis.

Biochemical and molecular insights on the bioactivity and binding interactions of Bacillus australimaris NJB19 L-asparaginase

L-asparaginase, an antileukemic enzyme, is indispensable to the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). However, the intrinsic glutaminase activity entails various side effects to the patients; thus, an improved version of the enzyme lacking glutaminase activity would be a requisite for effective treatment management of ALL. The present study highlights the biochemical and molecular characteristics of the recombinant glutaminase-free L-asparaginase from Bacillus australimaris NJB19 (BaAsp). Investigation of the active site architecture of the protein unraveled the binding interactions of BaAsp with its substrate. Comparative analysis of the L-asparaginase sequences revealed few substitutions of key amino acids in the BaAsp that could construe its substrate selectivity and specificity. The purified heterologously expressed protein (42 kDa) displayed maximum L-asparaginase activity at 35–40 °C and pH 8.5–9, with no observed L-glutaminase activity. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax, were determined as 45.6 μM and 0.16 μmoles min−1, respectively. Furthermore, in silico analysis revealed a conserved zinc-binding site in the protein, which is generally implicated in inhibiting the L-asparaginase activity. However, BaAsp was not inhibited by zinc at 1 mM concentration. Therefore, the findings provide insights on the biochemical and molecular details of BaAsp, which could be valuable in formulating it for alternate antileukemic drug therapy.

Assessment of Toxicity and Wound Healing Activity of Selaginella Bryopteris Extract

Aim The aim of the study was to assess the toxicity profile of Selaginella bryopteris extract and evaluate its wound healing activity. Methods In vitro wound healing activity of S. bryopteris extract (5% and 10%) was performed using Clonogenic and Scratch assays. The toxicity profile of S. bryopteris extract ointment was evaluated on animals using acute toxicity and dermal toxicity tests. In vivo wound healing activity of S. bryopteris extract ointment (5% and 10%) was used to determine tensile strength in the incision wound healing model. Results Results exhibited that the extract was safe up to 2000 mg/kg per oral dose and non-reactive while applied topically. In vitro results showed that S. bryopteris extract closed the wound gap created by 97.13% in 48 h. The clonogenic assay revealed that the surviving factor for HaCaT cells and MEF cells was 0.78 and 0.85 after treated with 10% concentrations of S. bryopteris. The tensile strength exhibited by S. bryopteris 5% and 10% groups was 395.4 g and 558.5 g in comparison to the control group. Conclusion Thus, S. bryopteris extract can be used as an alternative safe drug therapy against topical wounds.

Hinokiflavone induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and autophagy in chronic myeloid leukemia cells through MAPK/NF-\u03baB signaling pathway

BackgroundChronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from hematopoietic stem cells, and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has become a major cause of treatment failure. Alternative drug therapy is one of the important ways to overcome TKI resistance. Hinokiflavone (HF) is a C-O-C type biflavonoid with low toxicity and antitumor activity. This study investigated the antitumor effect and possible mechanisms of HF in CML cells.MethodsCell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to assess protein expression levels.ResultsOur results showed that HF significantly inhibited the viability of K562 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and induced G2/M phase arrest by up-regulating p21 and down-regulating Cdc2 protein. Furthermore, HF induced caspase-dependent apoptosis by activating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and inhibiting NF-κB activity. In addition, HF induced autophagy by increasing LC3-II expression and p62 degradation. Pretreatment with CQ, a late autophagy inhibitor, significantly increased the levels of LC3-II and p62 proteins and promoted cell survival.ConclusionHF shows a good anti-leukemia effect and is expected to become a potential therapeutic drug for CML.

Chinese Medicinal Herb-Derived Carbon Dots for Common Diseases: Efficacies and Potential Mechanisms.

The management of hemorrhagic diseases and other commonly refractory diseases (including gout, inflammatory diseases, cancer, pain of various forms and causes) are very challenging in clinical practice. Charcoal medicine is a frequently used complementary and alternative drug therapy for hemorrhagic diseases. However, studies (other than those assessing effects on hemostasis) on charcoal-processed medicines are limited. Carbon dots (CDs) are quasi-spherical nanoparticles that are biocompatible and have high stability, low toxicity, unique optical properties. Currently, there are various studies carried out to evaluate their efficacy and safety. The exploration of using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) -based CDs for the treatment of common diseases has received great attention. This review summarizes the literatures on medicinal herbs-derived CDs for the treatment of the difficult-to-treat diseases, and explored the possible mechanisms involved in the process of treatment.

Fatigue in CKD: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment.

Fatigue is a commonly reported and debilitating symptom among patients with CKD, yet little is known about its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. Various measurement tools have been used in published studies to identify and quantify fatigue. These include several single-item measures embedded in longer questionnaires for assessing depression, quality of life, or symptom burden in patients with kidney disease. Approximately 70% of patients with CKD report fatigue, with up to 25% reporting severe symptoms. Patient-reported fatigue is associated with death, dialysis initiation, and hospitalization among individuals with CKD. The pathophysiology is multifactorial and likely includes decreased oxygen delivery and increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism, thus generating lactic acidosis in response to exertion; the effects of chronic metabolic acidosis and hyperphosphatemia on skeletal muscle myocytes; protein-energy wasting and sarcopenia; and depression. Physical activity has been shown to improve fatigue in some small but promising trials, and so should be recommended, given the additional benefits of exercise. Targeting higher hemoglobin levels with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may improve fatigue, but potential adverse cardiovascular effects preclude their use to solely treat fatigue without the presence of another indication. Current guidelines recommend cautious individualization of hemoglobin targets for those at low cardiovascular risk who still experience fatigue or functional limitation despite a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dl. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation for the treatment of metabolic acidosis may also improve functional status. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have not been consistently shown to improve fatigue in patients with kidney disease, but an ongoing trial will evaluate the effect of alternative antidepressant drug and behavioral activation therapy on fatigue in patients with CKD. Overall, more research is needed to further clarify underlying mechanisms of fatigue and identify effective, targeted treatments for patients with CKD.

Drug-induced Myopathies.

Differential diagnosis of muscle pain and weakness is extensive, including neurological, vertebral, arthrogenic, vascular, traumatic, immunological, endocrine, genetic and infectious aetiologies, as well as medication or toxin-related causes. Muscles are highly sensitive to a large number of drugs, especially with high doses. Although many drug classes can cause toxic myopathy, a significant number of cases are caused by lipid-lowering drugs, long-term use of corticosteroids, and, most often, alcohol misuse. Some drug interactions, e.g. those that are metabolised via the enzyme CYP3A4, can increase the serum levels of the drugs and drug-induced toxicity. A careful history of patient's drug and alcohol consumption is therefore vital. Clinical symptoms depend on the drug, dosage and patient's sensitivity. They can vary from asymptomatic increase in serum levels of creatine kinase, mild myalgia and cramps to muscle weakness, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure and even death. The pathogenesis is often only partially known and multifactorial. Toxic myopathy is often reversible once the drug is discontinued, alternative drug therapy is started or a different dosage regimen is chosen. Complications such as acute kidney failure must be avoided, and analgesic therapy may be indicated.

Assessment of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.

Objectives: The objective of present study is to determine the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. for therapeutics at various doses. One more purpose is also to determine anti-inflammatory effects of E. alsinoides which are highly associated with CNS disease. Methods: Ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides has been used for estimation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity at dose of 100, 200, 300 mg/kg on rat. For estimation of acetylcholinesterase, Ellman’s method is used which is based on absorbance. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by two in vitro experimental models i.e. heat induced hemolysis and hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis. Results: Ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides at the dose of 200mg/kg is more effective than 100 and 300. In heat hemolysis, inflammation was significantly reduced at 50 and 100 μg/ml in EA while hypotonic solution induced inhibition was shown significant at 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml in EA. Extract was effective in inhibition of hemolysis in a dose-dependent manner due to its membrane stabilizing action. Thus, E. alsinoides may be employed as alternative and safe drug therapy against inflammation. Conclusion: Several natural products have been used for medicinal purposesin which E. alsinoides is also one of them. It is traditionally claimed for memory enhancement and will help as therapeutics for brain related problems.

Bacteriocin nanoconjugates: boon to medical and food industry.

Resistance to antibiotics is an ongoing problem in the biomedical industry. Developing active, alternative drug therapies would reduce our reliance on antibiotics that induce resistance in micro-organisms. To date, bacteriocins and antimicrobial peptides have shown a positive outcome as antibiotic substitutes and synergists apart from phage therapy, antibodies and probiotics. Bacteriocins are proteinaceous antimicrobial peptides synthesized by lactic acid bacteria extensively used as bio-preservatives and alternative to traditional antibiotics to overcome the problem of drug-resistant pathogens. Nonetheless, the use of bacteriocins has several limitations such as limited antimicrobial spectrum, requiring high dose, sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes, etc. Nanoparticles are one of the promising area of research explored to improve antimicrobial spectrum of bacteriocins. This review therefore highlights the recent developments and research pertaining to use of nanoparticles and bacteriocin conjugates to tackle the resistance crisis as well as its applications in food industry.