Department Of Pharmacology Research Articles (Page 1)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis require multiple medications for comorbid conditions, prevention of complications, and improvement of quality of life. Assessing prescribing patterns helps in evaluating rationality of drug use and identifying areas for optimization. Purpose of the study was to evaluate the prescribing pattern of drugs in CKD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in Assam. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in the department of pharmacology and medicine. The prescriptions of CKD patients under maintenance haemodialysis were gathered and examined in terms of demographic profile, comorbidities, classes of drugs prescribed, and mean number of drugs per prescription. Data were analysed and prescribing indicators were assessed according to WHO core indicators. Results: The 120 prescriptions were examined. The average age of the patients was 55.6, and the majority of them were men. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Polypharmacy was observed with an average of 10.5 drugs per prescription. The most frequently prescribed classes of drugs were antihypertensives (calcium channel blockers, betablockers, diuretics), phosphate binders, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, diuretics, and nutritional supplements. The rate of generic prescribing was 78.16 and rate of essential drug list adherence was 76.26. Conclusions: Polypharmacy is common among CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Rational drug use and adherence to WHO and evidence-based guidelines is essential to improve disease outcomes and reduce treatment burden.

Cancer remains among the most common causes of mortality and morbidity globally. For millennia, people have utilized herbal medicine for the treatment of various illnesses, including cancer. Multiple research investigations have demonstrated that Withania somnifera possesses significant anti-cancer potential by targeting multiple cancer signalling pathways. Currently, many articles are published regarding Withania somnifera as an anti-cancer agent; however, no SCOPUS-based bibliometric study encompassing a critical analysis of research trends on the subject has been conducted thus far. This review study provides a concise overview of 272 articles published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on research trends and bibliometric studies of anti-cancer properties of Withania somnifera. The article is structured into two main sections. The first section explores global trends, performance analysis metrics, and citation-related metrics. The final section presents a bibliometric evaluation of the research. Data were retrieved from SCOPUS using specific keywords and then manually curated to eliminate duplicates. VOS viewer (version 1.6.20) and Microsoft Excel 2019 were utilized for data visualization. The output of publications about this subject domain reached its peak in 2024. Academia and industry collaborated to publish 2.20% of the articles. The USA (125), India (112), the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at the University of Pittsburgh (25), the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (25), Withania somnifera (124), and Renu Wadhwa (24) were the most prolific entities in terms of country, institution, publisher, keyword, and author. Withaferin A (47) was the most utilized bioactive compound against cancer, particularly breast cancer (15 studies). Despite the advantageous anti-cancer attributes of Withania somnifera, there remains a deficiency in areas such as clinical data, pharmacokinetic characteristics, safety and toxicity assessments, and effective formulations, which impedes the progression of this potent natural product into clinical development.

Background: Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting against oxidative stress, which contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. Corn (Zea mays) is widely consumed and contains bioactive phytochemicals, but its antioxidant potential is not well established. Methods: This was an in vitro experimental study conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India, during June to July 2025. Ethanolic extract of fresh corn kernels was prepared by cold maceration. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assay and DPPH radical scavenging assay across concentrations of 20–100 µg/ml. Results were compared with standard antioxidants (ascorbic acid and BHT). Results: The yield of dried ethanolic extract was 2.5 g from 50 g kernels. TAC showed a dose-dependent increase in activity, while DPPH scavenging ranged from 0% to 11.6%, significantly lower than the BHT standard (63–100%). Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of Zea mays demonstrated moderate antioxidant potential, supporting its role as a natural source of antioxidants. Further isolation of active phytochemicals and in vivo studies are recommended.

Introduction. More than 80% of healthcare workers experience professional burnout during their work, but there is no systematic monitoring of the risk and level of professional burnout in this professional group. To address this issue, it is necessary to regularly assess the psychoemotional state of healthcare workers, taking into account their specialty, length of service, and individual workload, and to develop targeted preventive programs. The aim of the study. To consider the features of occupational burnout among doctors of therapeutic and surgical profile in specialized hospitals. Research materials and methods. The study included doctors: group 1 – gastroenterologists (n=52 people); group 2 – cardiologists (n=58 people); group 3 – oncologists-therapists (n=48 people); group 4 – abdominal surgeons (n=71 people); group 5 – cardiac surgeons (n=30 people); group 6 – oncologists and surgeons (n=65 people); and group 7 – control group: employees of engineering, technical, and economic specialties who are not related to work in medical institutions (healthy) (n=75 people).The assessment of the level of occupational burnout among medical workers was carried out using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) methodology developed by K. Maslach, S. Jackson, adapted by N.E. Vodopyanova.Results. The professional activity of doctors of therapeutic and surgical specialties is associated with the effects of chronic occupational stress, leading to the development of occupational burnout. Emotional exhaustion was more pronounced among specialist doctors whose work was related to the treatment of oncological and cardiovascular diseases, and to a lesser extent depended on the therapeutic and surgical profile. The indicator of depersonalization was statistically significantly increased only in the group of oncological surgeons. The reduction of personal achievements significantly differed in profile and was more pronounced among surgical specialists. The mental burnout index highlights the difference between groups of surgical doctors due to the presence of high and extremely high values.Limitations. The study has regional (Samara region) and occupational (in terms of the detailed working conditions in the comparison groups studied) limitations.Conclusion. These features of burnout in groups of doctors of therapeutic and surgical profile imply the conduct of diagnostic tests in these groups with different multiplicities. Knowledge of the differences in the severity of certain indices of professional burnout for different groups of doctors of therapeutic and surgical profile, taking into account specialization can be used in the preparation of a program for the prevention of professional burnout in doctors.Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted as part of the comprehensive topic of the Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology named after Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Professor V.V. Kosarev of the Samara State Medical University “Problems of polymorbidity, diagnostics, prognosis, and prevention of occupational and work-related diseases in workers with isolated combined exposure to factors of the production environment and the work process” (registration number 124053000016-4, registration date 30.05.2024). The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Samara State Medical University on 23.09.2023. Each study participant gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.Contribution: Melentyev A.V. – concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing the text, editing; Babanov S.A. – concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing the text, editing; Lysova M.V. – concept and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing the text, editing; Zhestkov A.V. – writing the text, editing; Strizhakov L.A. – writing the text, editing; Babanov A.S. – writing the text, editing; Ostryakova N.A. – writing the text, editing. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: June 2, 2025 / Revised: June 4, 2025 / Accepted: September 19, 2025 / Published: October 20, 2025

Background: Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of arsenic poisoning in the world. Arsenicosis often manifests as arsenic keratosis on the sole and palm of the hand. Brinjal (solanum melongena) is a common vegetable in Bangladesh and elsewhere. A study demonstrated that an ointment comprising a crude extract of Solanum melongena peel is effective in treating arsenic keratosis. This study was conducted to use the particular component present in brinjal peel which can cure arsenic keratosis. Methods: The Bangladesh Medical University department of pharmacology reported that S. melongena peel crude extract topical ointment was helpful in arsenical keratosis in two tests. The present study observed arsenic keratosis lesions or nodular size following 12 weeks of pure solasodine ointment therapy. A total of 20 patients were enrolled based on the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the patients, 14 exhibited severe keratosis, while 6 presented moderate keratosis. One patient with arsenic keratosis discontinued participation during the follow-up period due to complaints of heaviness at the application site. Nineteen patients completed a 12-week therapy regimen. Results: This prospective observational clinical trial reports that patients with palmar arsenical keratosis exhibited a mean (± SD) keratotic skin lesion size of 31.7±12.4 mm² prior to the intervention and 7.2±6.8 mm² following the intervention. The reduction percentage was 77.6 ± 19.8, with a p-value of 0.0001. Statistical analysis indicated significance. Conclusion: The research that proved solasodine, a compound found in S. melongena peel, was what heals arsenical keratosis lesions. Sir Salimullah Med Coll J 2024; 32: 76-83

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic mu-opioid receptor agonist, is widely used for pain management. Due to its high lipophilicity and low molecular weight, fentanyl can rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier, facilitating its swift entry into the central nervous system (CNS). While many of its adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are well-documented, neurological effects such as aphasia remain exceedingly rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old female who developed aphasia after receiving fentanyl for postoperative pain. This case was taken from the surgery department as part of the Pharmacovigilance elective under the Department of Pharmacology.

Background: Bronchodilation is a critical therapeutic approach in managing asthma. Traditional medicine documents bronchodilatory effects of Moringa oleifera, suggesting that it can help alleviate airway constriction and improve respiratory function. Objective : To explore the bronchodilatory effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, through in-vitro and in-silico analysis. Methods: An in-vitro experimental study and in-silico analysis was performed in the Pharmacology Department of CMH Lahore Medical College – From October 2022 to July 2023. Swiss albino mice were used for the study. Trachea was dissected and mounted in organ baths connected to the PowerLab data acquisition system. Contractions were induced using acetylcholine (ACh) and high potassium chloride (KCl), and incremental doses of the Moringa oleifera leaf extract were cumulatively added to observe bronchodilator activity. This was followed by in-silico analysis of catechin, gallic acid, quercetin and isoquercetin. Pharmacokinetic profiling and molecular docking were carried out. Results: Moringa oleifera leaf extract reduced contractions induced by Ach and KCl, leading to tracheal relaxation, with an IC50 of 1.223 mg and 4.574 mg, respectively. A significant difference between the IC50 values of ACh and KCl induced contractions was observed (p=0.0008). Pharmacokinetic profiling documented drug likeness for catechin, gallic acid, and quercetin. Molecular docking analysis revealed that quercetin exhibited the highest binding affinity to the voltage gated calcium channel. Conclusion: In-vitro investigation demonstrated the significant bronchodilatory effect of Moringa oleifera. The in-silico analysis provided insights into potential active compounds, with quercetin showing promising interactions with the target protein.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, and their management is increasingly complicated by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Objective: To determine the prevalence, resistance patterns, and clinical associations of MDROs in pediatric patients with LRTIs. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, AIMS Hospital, Muzaffarabad, in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and the Department of Pharmacology, University of Balochistan, from January to December 2023. A total of 422 children aged 1 month to 15 years admitted with clinically and radiologically confirmed LRTIs were included. Respiratory specimens were processed for bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to CLSI guidelines. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to at least one agent in three or more antibiotic classes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with chi-square and t-tests applied where appropriate. Results: Of the 422 patients, 246 (58.29%) were male and 176 (41.71%) were female, with the most common age group being 1–5 years (178, 42.18%). Pneumonia was the leading diagnosis (274, 64.93%), and 112 (26.54%) patients required ICU admission. Bacterial isolates were dominated by Klebsiella pneumoniae (128, 30.33%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (92, 21.80%), and Escherichia coli (76, 18.01%). Overall, 196 (46.54%) isolates were identified as MDROs. ICU patients had a significantly higher prevalence of MDROs (57.14%) compared to ward patients (42.58%, p = 0.014). High resistance was observed against β-lactams, particularly in Acinetobacter baumannii (82.81%) and K. pneumoniae (78.13%). Conclusion: Nearly half of pediatric LRTIs were caused by MDROs, highlighting the urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection control strategies.

Implementation of smartphone application for reporting adverse events following immunization by the treating doctors in tertiary care teaching hospitals in Chennai, India: Pilot and feasibility study.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is an important public health problem due to its complications. HTN is associated with oxidative stress. This study was designed to compare the level of MDA among the normal individuals, newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and hypertensive patients on treatments. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi over a period of one year from July 2018 to June 2019. 20 normal individuals, 20 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 20 hypertensive patients taking olmesartan for at least 3 months were recruited. Patients were included either sex (male/female) in the age group of 20-60 year with normal blood glucose level and free from any other diseases. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in all the subjects. The MDA level was estimated from their sera. Results: The MDA level was significantly increased in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients as compared to control group (p < 0.005). There was a significant decrease in MDA level after taking antihypertensive drugs for 3 months. Conclusion: ARB (losartan) is effective antihypertensive drugs. ARB has additional benefit of reducing oxidative stress.

Hemovigilance is essential for monitoring, analysing, and preventing adverse transfusion reactions. Hemovigilance Programme of India (HvPI), launched in 2012, aims to improve transfusion safety. However, challenges such as limited knowledge and underreporting persist, necessitating a critical appraisal of existing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) studies to guide future interventions. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on KAP studies on hemovigilance in India published post-2012. Keywords included "hemovigilance," "blood transfusion safety," "adverse transfusion reactions," and "KAP studies," combined with "India" and "healthcare professionals." Filters for peer-reviewed, English-language studies were applied, and references were reviewed. Studies were appraised using the AXIS tool. Thirteen studies, with 1684 participants from teaching hospitals and tertiary care centres, were included. Most studies were conducted by pharmacology departments (84.6%), predominantly in western India (79.8%). While awareness of transfusion reactions was high, knowledge of reporting mechanisms and hemovigilance programmes was poor. Barriers included lack of training, time constraints, and fear of legal repercussions. Only one study met an acceptable quality score (≥16/20) on AXIS tool, while others demonstrated methodological weaknesses, inadequate sample size justification, lack of non-responder analysis, and insufficient statistical rigour. Despite highlighting the importance of KAP assessments in hemovigilance, the studies' geographical limitations and methodological constraints hinder generalisability. Future research should employ robust methodologies, expand geographical representation, and include diverse populations to enhance hemovigilance practices in India. Strengthening hemovigilance systems through coordinated efforts is essential for improving transfusion safety nationwide.

To examine the association between thecatechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)rs4680 polymorphism -a common genetic variation in the gene, which regulates dopamine metabolism in the prefrontal cortex - and academic performance among medical students at a public-sector medical college in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pharmacology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January to March 2025. One hundred MBBS students were included. Academic performance was categorised into high (≥80% marks), average (60-79%), and low (<60%). COMT genotyping was performed using allele-specific PCR, and the relationship with academic performance was analysed using the Chi-square tests in SPSS. Genotype distribution of the COMT rs4680 polymorphism was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p= 0.16), with observed frequencies of 30% Val/Val, 43% Val/Met, and 27% Met/Met. A significant association was found between COMT genotype and academic performance (p= 0.003), with Met/Met carriers (10/20) dominating the high-performance group compared to Val/Val (3/30) and Val/Met (7/43). Female students significantly outperformed males (p= 0.021), with 16 out of 20 high achievers being female. Maternal education level strongly predicted academic success (p= 0.013), whereas paternal education showed no significant association (p= 0.992). The Met/Met genotype was linked to superior academic performance, particularly among females, suggesting a gene- gender interaction. Maternal education emerged as a key environmental predictor, underscoring the interplay of genetic and socio- familial factors in academic achievement. COMT rs4680 polymorphism, Academic performance, Medical education, Dopamine metabolism, Genetic influences, Maternal education.

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health concern, often associated with chronic inflammation and cardiovascular complications such as Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Emerging evidence suggests that antiplatelet agents may exert beneficial effects beyond their cardiovascular indications, including the modulation of glycaemic control and inflammatory responses. Ticagrelor, a P2Y12 receptor antagonist primarily used for managing ACS, has been proposed to influence metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Aim: To evaluate the effect of ticagrelor on glycaemic parameters in a High Fat Diet (HFD) and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The present experimental study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India, from March 2021 to February 2022. A total of 36 rats were utilised in the study. Among these, six were designated as the normal control group. The remaining 30 rats were subjected to diabetes induction through a combination of HFD administration for two weeks and a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 35 mg/kg. Following the induction of diabetes, one group served as the diabetic control with no treatment, while other groups received oral treatment either with metformin, ticagrelor (16.2 mg/kg), or ticagrelor (35 mg/kg) for six weeks. Body weights and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels were measured at baseline, 14 days of HFD, three weeks following treatment, and at the end of the study. Glycated Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Inflammatory markers Interleukin (IL)-1β, Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 were assessed at the end of the study. Data were presented as Mean±Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test was used for the analysis of study variables, and paired data were analysed using the paired t-test. Results: All three treatments significantly reduced FBG (p&lt;0.0001) and HbA1c (p&lt;0.0001) compared to the untreated rats. Additionally, compared to the ticagrelor (16.2 mg/kg) group, the ticagrelor (35 mg/kg) group significantly decreased these values (p&lt;0.0001). The inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.0001) in all treatment groups compared to untreated rats. Conclusion: The treatment of diabetic rats with oral ticagrelor improved the HFD and STZ-induced elevations in Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, ticagrelor (35 mg/kg) was found to be more efficacious across all trial variables compared to Ticagrelor (16.2 mg/kg).

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered learning approach in which students learn through analyzing and solving problems. Traditional teaching program is in the form of a dictated lecture and is teacher-centered. A larger number of topics can be covered without active student participation. In PBL, which promotes deep learning, students learn to justify their knowledge with the help of cognitive skills and complex thinking. This retrospective study was done after obtaining Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) approval. Data collected from three internal assessment examinations (IAEs) written between the period of January 2017 and August 2017 by 151 students pursuing second-year MBBS training in the Department of Pharmacology. Examination papers for second-year MBBS students contain questions such as short notes, ultrashort, and PBL. Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test analysis of IAE-1 with IAE-2 and IAE-1 with IAE-3 in SPSS software gave p-value-0.393 and 0.020, respectively. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), IAE-2 with PBL and IAE-3 with PBL showed p-value 0.001, which was statistically significant. There was an increase in the pass percentage [number of students who scored 40 and above in IAE-3 (with PBL) when compared to IAE-1 (without PBL)]. This audit showed definite knowledge improvement by the students using PBL as a tool along with a traditional teaching program.

Introduction: The off-label clinical use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) has increased despite the existence of its approved indications by drug regulatory agencies. IVIG is an expensive drug and its availability is also limited; hence, judicious use of IVIG is highly recommended. Aim: To evaluate the utilisation pattern and cost burden of IVIG in the In-Patient Departments (IPD) of a tertiary healthcare facility. Materials and Methods: This record-based cross-section observational study was carried out in the IPD of MKCG Medical College, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG, MCH, Berhampur, Odisha, India, from September 2022 to September 2023, where a total of 108 patients who were prescribed and received IVIG for any clinical condition were included. Clinical data, like clinico-demographic profile, diagnosis, dosage and duration of IVIG, were collected in a predesigned structured Case Record Form (CRF). The utilisation pattern was compared with the drug regulatory agencies’ United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved IVIG conditions to determine the proportion of such use. Data were collected, compiled and analysed using MICROSOFT (MS) Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Data were expressed as frequency, percentages, median and interquartile range. Results: The median age of patients who received IVIG was 12 years and Interquartile Range (IQR) was 29 (Q1=3, Q3=32). Majority of the cases receiving IVIG, i.e., 59 (54.6%), were from paediatrics IPD. The proportion of male patients was higher at 57 (52.7%). Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) was the most common off-label indication, accounting for 55 (50.9%), followed by Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in 12 (11.1%) children. In 73 (67.59%) of cases, IVIG was administered for offlabel indication, 8 (6.48%) of cases for FDA-approved indication and remaining for others. The highest expenditure was done on diseases with off-label indications, which accounted for 88.63% of total expenditure for IVIG. Conclusion: In the present study, the use of IVIG for off-label indications was higher than for approved indications. National or local drug protocols are needed to prescribe more rational IVIG utilisation and assist physicians to use IVIG for approved or high evidence-based indications.

This brief sketch is dedicated to the life and scientific work of pharmacologist Vladislav Alekseevich Kraus, who made significant contributions to the study of the functional organization of the brain and the mechanisms of memory. It outlines the main stages of his professional career, from his studies at the Leningrad Sanitary-Hygienic Medical Institute and postgraduate studies at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, to his headship of the pharmacology departments of the Orenburg and Dnepropetrovsk Medical Institutes, and his leadership of a laboratory at the Research Institute of Industrial and Marine Medicine in St. Petersburg. Particular attention is paid to the period of V.A. Kraus's work at St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University (SPCPA), where he engaged in pedagogical activity for over 20 years and contributed to the training of pharmaceutical personnel. The main scientific achievements of V.A. Kraus are presented, including the establishment of mechanisms of drug action on neurotransmitter systems, the reproduction of memory engrams, and energy metabolism in the brain. His research is highlighted, focusing on the study of the effects of psychotropic drugs, hemoperfusion, arginine vasopressin, and other compounds on the nervous system and cognitive functions.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Proper inhaler technique is a critical component of effective COPD management, yet it is often suboptimal in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of reinforcing proper inhaler techniques on COPD symptom control. This was a pre-post, prospective study conducted in the Department of Pharmacology at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. A total of 118 COPD patients using inhalers were enrolled. A prospective study of 118 COPD patients using either dry powder inhalers or metered dose inhalers was carried out in the outpatient clinic of our hospital. Participants received structured demonstrations of proper inhaler technique at baseline (day 0), week 4, and week 8, with final evaluations at week 12. Symptom control was assessed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, and inhaler technique was evaluated using the Inhaler Technique Score (ITS). Adverse effects were monitored and documented. The study demonstrated a significant improvement in both CAT and ITS scores over the 12-week follow-up. The proportion of participants achieving optimal CAT scores (0-10) increased from 4.24% at baseline to 12.7% by week 12. Concurrently, the percentage of participants scoring the maximum ITS of 10 increased from 0% at baseline to 90.7% by week 12. Adverse effects were minimal, with 92.37% of participants reporting no adverse effects. A negative correlation was observed between changes in ITS and CAT scores, highlighting the effectiveness of the intervention in improving COPD symptom control. In conclusion, reinforcing proper inhaler technique through structured educational interventions significantly improves COPD symptom control, as evidenced by enhanced CAT and ITS scores. This study emphasizes the need for routine education and reinforcement of inhaler use in COPD management to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Introduction: The use of dietary supplements (DS) is increasing globally. Intense debate surrounds the benefits of individual high-dose micronutrient supplementation among well-nourished individuals. Demographic and lifestyle factors such as monthly income, educational status, sedentary lifestyle and smoking status were reported to correlate with dietary supplement use. Dietary supplement use among medical students is of particular research interest as they are the future prescribers. Objective: To find out the prevalence and associated factors of DS use among the medical students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology &amp; Therapeutics of 18 medical colleges of Bangladesh including both government and non-government medical colleges. A structurred questionnaire survey was conducted among the 3rd year and 4th year MBBS students of studied medical colleges who agreed to participate the study, and total 2629 medical students participated in this study. Results: The overall prevalence of DS use was 39.25%. The mostused DS were Vitamin C (31.41%) and multivitamins-minerals (24.92%). In 34.30% cases, DS were recommended by physician. Academic knowledge (58.72%) was the most common source of information, followed by prior experience (44.08%). The most common reason for taking DS was for improvement of overall health (41.47%). Supplement intake was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.015), marital status (p = 0.007), nationality (p = &lt;0.00001) and types of medical colleges (p =0.032). Female students (41.00%), married (50.38%), foreign nationality (49.52%) and students studying in government medical colleges (41.00%) took significantly more DS. Conclusion: The prevalence of supplement use was among medical students was similar to values reported previously in the literature. It would be better to review the undergraduate medical education in regards of DS for encouraging better and safer prescribing of supplements in future. BJME, Volume-16, Issue-02, July 2025: 101-114

Rodenticides or ‘rat poisons’ are mixture of compounds to eradicate rodents. They are the most toxic compounds with various chemical compositions, mechanisms of action, toxic doses and lethal effects. Coumarins, aluminium phosphide, zinc phosphide and yellow phosphorous are the commonly used rodenticides for deliberate self-harm (DSH). The use of pesticides as agents of deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is on the rise, with more than 500,000 cases reported worldwide annually. The National Poison Information Centre (NPIC) is a round-the-clock telephone service meant for the dissemination of information regarding the symptoms and management of various poisonings. It is managed by the Department of Pharmacology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. In a retrospective study, data over 13 years were analysed from the NPIC. Of 14,867 cases reported to the NPIC, 17.06% were due to rodenticides. Rats are the most destructive pests damaging crops and for preventing these pests, rodenticides are commonly used in agricultural sector and homes. In the absence of a definite antidote, mortality in patients with rodenticide consumption is high. The rapid action, easy availability and high toxicity for the target species at an economic deal have made this compound an ideal agent with misuse for suicidal poisoning. This case series presents four cases of rat poisoning admitted to a tertiary health care hospital which helped us in identifying the clinical features of certain rat poisons and diagnosing the rat poison by means of poison detection centre and which will help the treating physician to reduce the mortality in future.

This study will identify strengths and weaknesses of ADR reporting forms of study countries. This was an observational study conducted at the Department of Pharmacology at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, Karnal. We obtained the WHO-UMC adverse event reporting guidance document for designing the ADR form for member countries. We similarly collected and analysed ADR forms from Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the UK, and the US. Data fields were grouped into different subgroups. An analysis of ADR reporting forms from six countries revealed a total of 70 data fields. The US-FDA's FORM 3500 has the most fields at 50 (71 %), followed by India's CDSCO with 42 fields (60 %). According to WHO-UMC recommendations, Canada and Australia have the highest number of suggested fields at 10 (83 %). All forms were one page long except for the US-FDA's, which is five pages. Improving patient feedback and organisational engagement is essential to raise awareness of the reporting system. A proposed generic ADR form provides detailed information for causality assessment and could serve as a basis for a standard global reporting form.