Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume:10 Issue: 1, Winter 2011

PET (positron emission tomography) is a powerful imaging technique that can provide quantitative information on the distribution of positron emitter labeled radiopharmaceuticals (PET radiopharmaceuticals) in the body. Positrons (ß+) are positively charged beta particles. They are emitted when the atom is proton rich. A positron has only a transient existence. After losing all of its kinetic energy, it interacts with an electron and is annihilated. Both the mass of positron and electron are converted to energy during annihilation and two 511 KeV photons are emitted at a 180angle to each other. The PET is based on the coincidence detection of these two photons. Coincidence detection is a powerful method enhancing sensitivity and dynamic-imaging capabilities of PET. PET camera systems contain a ring of detectors that encircles the patient. The data collected over many angles around the body axis of the patient are used to reconstruct the image of the activity distribution in slice or tomographic form.

The dried fruit of Terminalia chebula is widely used for its laxative properties. The objective of the present study was to examine the flowability and compressibility of Terminalia chebula fruit powder, subsequently developing its tablet formulations by utilizing wet granulation and direct compression technology. Initial studies on flowability and compressibility revealed that the fruit powder flows poorly, is poorly compressible and mucilaginous in nature. The consolidation behaviors of the fruit powder and of its tablet formulations were studied using the Kawakita, Heckel and Leuenberger equations. Kawakita analysis revealed reduced cohesiveness hence improved flowability was achieved in formulations prepared by direct compression and the wet granulation technique. The Heckel plot showed that the Terminalia chebula fruit powder when formulated using direct compression showed initial fragmentation followed by plastic deformation and that the granules exhibited plastic deformation without initial fragmentation. The compression susceptibility parameter obtained from the Leuenberger equation for compacts formed by using the direct compression and wet granulation techniques indicated that the maximum crushing strength is reached faster and at lower compression pressures. The Tannin content (with reference to standard tannin) in fruit powder and tablet formulations was determined by UV spectrophotometry at 273nm. The In-Vitro dissolution study in simulated SGF (without enzymes) showed more than a 90% release of tannin from the tablets with in 1 hour. The brittle fracture index value revealed that tablets prepared from granules showed less fracture tendency in comparison to those formed by direct compression formulation. From this study, it was concluded that the desired flowability, compressibility and compactibility of Terminalia chebula fruit powder can be obtained by using the direct compression and wet granulation techniques.

Solid dispersions of Olanzapine were prepared by the dispersion method using using PGS and SSG as carriers. Drug:carrier ratios such as 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 were tried for optimization. Characterization was done by phase solubility, in vitro release, saturation solubility, permeation, wettability, XRD and FTIR analysis. Solid dispersions showed higher solubility and an improved drug release profile than the pure drug. Solid dispersion and physical mixture with a drug:polymer ratio of 1:10 showed the best release profile in comparison with the other samples. Phase solubility results verified the solubilization effect of the carrier. XRD and NIR analysis confirmed the reduction of crystallinity in the samples. The release study findings were well supported by the results of wettability, saturation solubility and permeability studies. IR analysis substantiated the inertness of the carrier. It was concluded that Pregelatinised starch (PGS) and sodium starch glycollate (SSG) could be utilized as effective carriers to improve the aqueous solubility of poorly soluble drugs.

The potential of liquisolid systems to improve the dissolution properties of a water-insoluble agent (indomethacin) was the purpose of this survey. In this study, different formulations of liquisolid tablets using different co-solvents (non-volatile solvents) were prepared and the effect of several amounts of them on the dissolution behaviour of indomethacin was investigated. It is worth mentioning that the ratio of microcrystalline cellulose (carrier) to silica (coating powder material) was 20 in all formulations. To evaluate any interaction between indomethacin and the other components in liquisolid formulations, the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used. The results showed that the liquisolid formulations exhibited significantly higher drug dissolution rates in comparison with directly compressed tablet. The enhanced rate of indomethacin dissolution derived from liquisolid tablets was probably due to an increase in wetting properties and surface area of drug particles available for dissolution. Moreover, it was indicated that the fraction of molecularly dispersed drug (FM) in the liquid medication of liquisolid systems was directly proportional to their indomethacin dissolution rate (DR). An attempt was made to correlate the percentage drug dissolved in 10 min with the solubility of indomethacin in PEG 200 and glycerin. In conclusion, the liquisolid compacts technique can be a promising alternative for the formulation of water insoluble drugs, such as indomethacin into rapid release tablets.

In this study, Damar Batu (DB) − a novel biomaterial− is evaluated for its potential application in pharmaceutical coating. DB is a whitish to yellowish resin, characterized initially in terms of solubility, acid value, molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) and glass transition temperature (Tg). Neat plasticized films of DB are investigated for mechanical, water vapor transmission and moisture absorption properties. To improve the mechanical properties of the free films Dibutyl Sebacate, a hydrophobic plasticizer was added to film composition. The biomaterial was further investigated for sustaining the drug release from spherical units (multiparticulates). The core of pellet was prepared using Diclofenac sodium (10% w/w) as a model drug by extrusion and speronization. The drug containing pellets were coated using DB plasticized film-coating solutions. With 2% coat build-up, sustained drug release up to 10 h was achieved with coating solution containing 20% and 30% w/w (based on DB weight) plasticizers. Less than 3% drug was released in the first 2 h which may be explained in terms of the insolubility of DB and the drug in acidic milieu. The release from pellets coated using DB film coating solution containing 20% and 30% plasticizers followed first order release pattern. DB seems to be a promising film former for pharmaceutical coating due to its reasonably good mechanical properties, low water vapor transmission and sustained release capability.

Because of its resistance to antibiotics, Staphylococcus aureus causes many of problems in hospital and society. As one of the main reasons of clinical infections it can cause to serious surgical and cutaneous infections and pneumonia. The inhibitory effect of the essential oils include; Eucalyptus largiflorence, E. camaldulensis, E. malliodora and E. polycarpa as a natural and herbal antimicrobial substances on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and other antibiotic resistant series separated from clinical samples were evaluated. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the Eucalyptus essential oils was appointed by the dilution method in the tube and the results revealed that the values for the E. camaldulensis 1/256 v/v, E. largiflorence 1/512 v/v, E. malliodora 1/256 v/v and E. polycarpa 1/128 v/v were 3.9 μg/mL, 1.95 μg/mL, 3.9 μg/mL and 7.8 μg/mL, respectively. Eucalyptol is the major compound of the Eucalyptus essential oil. The MIC of the pure eucalyptol appointed by the dilution method in the tube was equal to 1.95 μg/mL. In conclusion, anti Staphylococcus activity of the Eucalyptus essential oils suggested it’s clinically useful potentials, although further studies are required.

Three native Turkish medicinal and aromatic plants (Artemisia absinthum, Artemisia santonicum and Saponaria officinalis) were investigated to analyze their antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and antimicrobial activity. Their total antioxidant activity was determined by using a β-carotene bleaching assay and their antimicrobial activity was determined by utilizing an agar disc diffusion assay. Methanol extracts of the three species analyzed showed high antioxidant activity and among them Artemisia absinthum possessed the highest quantity (71.78%). The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) was shown to be between 6.57 µgGAE/mg dry weight basis (Saponaria officinalis) and 8.86 µgGAE/mg dry weight basis (Artemisia absinthum). There was a positive correlation (R = 0.819) between the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity measured in the plant samples. The aqueous and methanol extracts of the aerial parts of the species showed antibacterial activities against a number of microorganisms. The methanol extracts were found to inhibit the growth of microorganisms more than the aqueous extracts. These findings suggest that the methanol extracts of the plants tested contain compounds with antimicrobial properties. These exhibited properties propose that such plant extracts can possibly be used as natural preservatives in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Artemisinin extracted from Artemisia annua L. is the best medicine with the highest efficiency, the most effective and the lowest toxicity in treating ague nowadays. At present, most studies focus on artemisinin and its derivatives, while the study and report about the other active components are rare. This paper purposed to further discover new indication of Artemisia annua L. connecting with the record of traditional medicine. We screened the hemostatic active fraction of Artemisia annua L. in-vitro by plasma recalcification time (PRT). The crude extract and the extract of n-butanol were purified by polyamide, MCI, gel column in order. Determining the part of 20% methanol fraction after column chromatography of MCI gel is the hemostatic active fraction of Artemisia annua L. The shorten rate of clotting time are followed by: crude extract of Artemisin annua L. (8.51%); the n-butanol extract (14.89%); water eluting fraction after the extract of n-butanol was purificated by polyamide (22.11%); 20% methanol fraction after column chromatography of MCI gel (27.37%). It can provide experimental data for the clinical application of Artemisia annua L. which can be exploited as hemostatic. This topic has a certain academic value and potential prospects on the deep research of the Artemisia annua L. resource.

Protective action of Ficus carica leaf ethanolic extract (obtained by maceration) was evaluated in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male albino mice were divided into six groups. group I was normal control group; group II received olive oil (CCl4 solvent), groups III-VI received CCl4. After inducing hepatic damage, group III served as control for CCl4; and groups IV- VI received different doses of Ficus carica ethanol extract (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) prior to intoxication with CCl4. Liver marker enzymes were assayed in serum. Sections of livers were observed under microscope for the histopathological changes. Levels of marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were increased significantly in CCl4 treated mice (group III). In groups IV, V and VI, pre-treated with the plant extract and intoxicated with CCl4, decreased activities of these two enzymes were observed. Also, pre-treatment with the extract in these groups resulted in less pronounced destruction of the liver architecture with no fibrosis and moderate inflammation was observed compared with group III. The present observations suggested that the treatment with Ficus carica leaf extract in dose of 200 mg/kg enhanced protection against CCl4 induced hepatic damage.

Aloe buettneri A. Berger is commonly used in traditional Togolese medicine to treat inflammatory and gastric ulcers. The present study examined the gastro-protection effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of A. buettneri on mucus production and gastric pH. A gastric ulcer is induced by ethanol 95° alone (1 ml/kg body weight), after pre-treatment with indomethacin (300 mg/kg) or by utilising L-NAME (40 mg/kg IV). In addition gastric mucus was removed by scraping and subsequently weighed. The experiment focused entirely on rats that had been subjected to fasting. The hydro-alcoholic extract of A. buettneri (500 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ulcers that were induced by ethanol, indomethacin or L-NAME pre-treatment. A. buettneri was shown to increase the production of gastric mucus. Furthermore L-arginine significantly decreased the size of the induced ulcers. The results achieved in the study carried out suggest that A. buettneri posses gastro-protective properties.

A review of the publications in traditional medicine indicates that the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Fabaceae, is recommended for treatment of epilepsy. As a renewable source, the leaves of G. glabra var. glandulifera growing in Iran were examined for possible anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activity of the leaves’ ethanol extract and dichloromethane, f1, n-Hexane, f1A, and methanol, f1B, fractions were evaluated intraperitoneally in mice using maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure tests. Acute toxicity of the extract and the fractions were also assessed. Phytochemical screening of the extract and the fractions for their active constituents was also carried out by thin layer chromatography and various chemical reagents. The extract and the fractions showed anticonvulsant effect in PTZ test. The ED50 value of 2.11 g/Kg and 1.30 g/Kg was obtained for the crude extract and f1 fraction, respectively. The LD50 value of 3.0 g/Kg was found for the extract. Triterpenes/sterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones and tannins were present in the extract and fractions. Triterpenes and anthraquinones were the highest in the extract, while triterpenes and tannins were prevailing in f1 fraction. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract and f1 fraction could be mainly attributed to the compounds of triterpenes/sterols class present in the leaves of the plant. The therapeutic index of the leaves’ extract was narrow and in this regard it has low anticonvulsant potential. Evaluation of the possible anticonvulsant activity of the leaves of the other varieties of G. glabra grown in Iran (e.g., var. violacea) is suggested.

Considering the anti-diabetic potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) and its beneficial effect on aortic reactivity of diabetic rats, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of its alcoholic seed extract on aortic reactivity and also figure out mechanisms including the role of adrenergic and angiotensinergic systems in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, extract-treated control, diabetic, and extract-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg). Treatment groups received TFG extract (200 mg/kg; i.p.) every other day for 1 month. Contractile response of thoracic aorta to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) was then determined. For determination of the involvement of adrenergic and angiotensinergic systems, rings were incubated before the experiments with prazocin, propranolol, and/or captopril and then NA- and angiotensin I (Ag-I)-induced contractions were recorded. Diabetic state significantly increased maximum contractile response to KCl and NA (p < 0.01-0.005) comparing to control groups and treatment with TFG extract in diabetic group significantly improved these changes comparing to untreated diabetic group (p < 0.05-p < 0.01). On the other hand, pretreatment of prazosin and propranolol caused a significant reduction in contractile response of all groups (p < 0.05-0.001) meanwhile was no significant difference among the groups. In addition, pre-incubation with captopril caused a significant reduction in contractile response of TFG-treated diabetic group comparing untreated diabetic group (p < 0.05). Finally we concluded that alcoholic seed extract of TFG could improve some functional indices of the vascular system in diabetic state and angiotensinergic system is partly involved in this response.

Doxorubicin (DOX) induces oxidative stress leading to cardiovascular abnormalities. Green tea extract (GTE) is reported to possess antioxidant activity mainly by means of its polyphenolic constituent, catechins. Our study was aimed to find out the effect of GTE (100 mg/kg / day p.o. for 28 days) on DOX induced (3 mg/kg, IP on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28) cardiovascular abnormalities in rat heart. DOX treatment led to significant increase in blood pressure, ST interval, serum levels of LDH, CK, SGOT, lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant enzymes such as super oxide dismutase, catalase and reduced-glutathione were decreased considerably in the heart of DOX treated rats as compared to the normal control. A combined treatment with GTE and DOX showed a considerable decrease in serum markers of cardiotoxicity such as LDH, CK, SGOT and lipid peroxides. There was significant increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and also showed improvement in hemodynamic parameters and ECG changes as compared to DOX treated animals. DOX treatment caused disorganization of myocardial tissue which was restored in animals treated with GTE along with DOX. Thus it can be concluded that GTE possesses an antioxidant activity and by virtue of this action it can protect the heart from DOX induced cardiovascular abnormalities.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of anthocyanins are abundant in berberry fruits suggesting that they may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-colitic effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract (BFE) compared to berberine chloride (BEC) and corticosteroids using an animal model of acetic acid induced experimental colitis. BFE with three different doses (375, 750, and 1500 mg/Kg) was administered orally or rectally prior to ulcer induction. BEC (10 mg/Kg), prednisolone (5 mg/Kg), hydrocortisone acetate enema (20 mg/Kg) and normal saline (5 mL/Kg) were considered as respective controls. The tissue was assessed macroscopically for damage scores, area, index and weight/length ratio. They were also examined histopathologically for inflammation extent and severity, crypt damage, invasion involvement and total colitis index. Results indicated that greater doses of oral BFE (750, 1500 mg/Kg) as well as BEC (10 mg/Kg) were effective to protect against colonic damage. By rectal pretreatment, the extract was only effective to diminish the ulcer index and the efficacy was not significant for mucosal inflammation parameters. In conclusion BFE, which is nearly devoid of berberine, was effective to protect against colitis and this might be attributed to its anthocyanin constituents

The cytotoxic chloroform fraction of Euphorbia aellenii afforded two cycloartane type triterpenes — cycloart-25-en-3,24-diol (1) and 24-methylene-cycloartan-3-ol (2) — for the first time from this plant. Preparation of cycloartane derivatives, 3, 24-O-diacetyl-cycloart-25-en as compound 3 and 3-O-acetyl-24-methylene-cycloartan (4) were conducted by acetylating of 1 and 2, respectively. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and their activities evaluated by proliferation assay on Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Comparing the results suggested that anti-proliferation effect of these compounds on PBLs might be due to the presence of free 3-OH group while masking the free OH groups by acetylation, could induce proliferation activity.

During the standard heat sterilization process of the lactate–buffered peritoneal dialysis solutions, glucose (an osmotic active substance) degrades to form compounds called glucose degradation products which are cytotoxic and affect the survival of the peritoneal membrane. This case presentation is based on an observation of 224 aseptic peritonitis cases of unknown etiology. For the purpose of clarification, we analyzed the peritoneal dialysis solutions for the presence of acetaldehyde by using a developed and validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pre-column derivitazation. The method was validated with respect to validation factors such as linearity, precision, recovery and (LOD). The acetaldehyde level of solutions before heat sterilization was 1.78 ± 2.7 ppm whereas in samples after heat sterilization was about 20 ± 2.07 ppm Based on the forementioned findings, we hypothesized that the higher levels of acetaldehyde and possibly the other glucose degradation products may have been an etiological factor in these 224 cases of chemical peritonitis. So it is important for the manufacturers to carefully review the heat of sterilization process in the production line.

A gas chromatography mass spectrometry with spike calibration curve method was used to quantify three carbamate pesticides residue in cooked white rice and to estimate the reduction percentage of the cooking process duration. The selected pesticides are three carbamate pesticides including carbaryl and pirimicarb that their MRL is issued by “The Institute of Standards of Iran” and propoxur which is used as a widely consumed pesticide in rice. The analytical method entailed the following steps: 1) Blending 15 g cooked sample with 120 mL acetonitrile for 1 min in solvent proof blender; 2) Adding 6 g NaCl and blending for 1 min; 3) Filtering upper layer through 25 g anhydrous Na2SO4; 4) Cleaning up with PSA and MgSO4; 5) Centrifuging for 7 min; 6) Evaporating about 0.3 mL and reconstituting in toluene till 1 mL; 7) Injecting 2 μL extract into GC/MS and analyzing by single quadruple selected ion monitoring GC/MS-SQ-SIM. The concentration of pesticides and the percentage of pesticides amounts after the cooking were determined by gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) using with interpolation of the relative peak areas for each pesticide to internal standard peak area in the sample on the spiked calibration curve. Calibration curve was linear over the range of 25 to1000 ng/g, and LOQ was 25 ng/g for all three pesticides. The percent of loss for the three pesticides were 78%, 55% and 35% for carbaryl, propoxur and pirimicarb respectively. Different parameters such as vapor pressure, boiling point, and suspect ability of the compound to hydrolysis, could be responsible for the losing of pesticides during the cooking process.

These experiments examined the effects of pre-test intra dorsal hippocampus (intra-CA1) administration of GABAA receptor agonist and antagonist, muscimol and bicuculline respectively, on state-dependent learning induced by lithium. Male NMRI mice were trained in a one-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task, and immediately after training they received IP injections of either saline (10 mL/kg) or lithium (10 mg/kg). The animals were tested for step-down latency, as an index of inhibitory avoidance memory, 24 h after the training. The results showed that lithium (10 mg/kg) induced state-dependent learning. Although the decrease of step down latency due to post-training lithium (10 mg/kg) was not fully reversed by a lower dose of lithium (5 mg/kg) but pre-test intra-CA1 injection of bicuculline (0.25 µg/mouse) increased the effect of the lower dose of lithium. Pre-test intra-CA1 injection of muscimol (0.05 µg/mouse) by itself reversed the decrease of step-down latency induced by post-training lithium (10 mg/kg). Pre-test intra-CA1 injection of muscimol (0.03 and 0.05 µg/mouse) also disrupted state-dependent learning induced by lithium (10 mg/kg). The results suggest that a GABAA receptor mechanism in the dorsal hippocampus is involved in state-dependent induced by lithium.

There are many reports that show the teratogenic effects of phenobarbital can be decreased by stimulation of maternal immune system. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effects of levamisole and vitamin E on teratogenic effects of phenobarbital were compared. This study was performed on 20 pregnant rats that were divided into four groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received phenobarbital (120 mg/kg), phenobarbital (120 mg/kg) plus levamisole (10 mg/kg) and phenobarbital (120 mg/kg) plus vitamin E (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 9-11th days of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red - Alcian blue method. Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 66.66% and 69.44% in fetuses of rats that had received only phenobarbital. Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 65.45% and 38.18% had in the group which had received phenobarbital plus levamisole. However, Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 54.54% and 27.27% in the group which had received phenobarbital plus vitamin E. The arithmetic means of the weight and length of fetuses the rats that had received levamisole and vitamin E were significantly greater than that of those that had received only phenobarbital. Vitamin E had a greater prophylactic effect than levamisole on the incidence of phenobarbital-induced cleft palate and spina bifida. However, the difference was not significant.

Microalbuminuria is thought to reflect the severity of inflammation-induced systemic vascular permeability. The present study investigated the effect of early administration of metformin or insulin on microalbuminuria in traumatized critically ill patients. Between April 2006 and October 2007, thirty-one non-diabetics traumatized patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and blood sugar (BS) >130 mg/dL at admission to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of Sina Hospital (Tehran, Iran), were randomly assigned to receive intensive intravenous insulin (50 IU) or peroral metformin (1000 mg, twice daily) for three days. Microalbuminuria to creatinine ratio (MACR) and BS were measured during the three-day period. Eight patients were excluded during the study and 23 remained for the evaluations. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups with respect to MACR levels at admission and during the three-day period of treatment except for the time 6 and 48 h, that MACR was higher in insulin group than that in metformin group (p < 0.05). Metformin but not insulin reduced BS level significantly (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between BS and MACR in both insulin (p < 0.05; R2 = 0.131) and metformin (p < 0.05; R2 = 0.127) groups. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and APACHE II had significant correlation with MACR in metformin treated patients (p < 0.05; R2 = 0.134 and p < 0.05; R2 = 0.149) while in insulin treated patients only the values of GCS had significant correlation with MACR values (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.124). In conclusion, it was found that peroral metformin may be used instead of intravenous insulin in traumatized critically ill patients for lowering BS and MACR. A predictive role for MACR may be suggested although further studies with larger sample size of patients is required.

At times, despite an unripe cervix, induction of labor may be needed. In these cases, a safe and suitable method should be considered for cervical ripening and pregnancy termination. The aim of this study is the comparison of vaginal misoprostol with Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 108 pregnant women who had referred to the teaching hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during a time period of September 2007 to March 2008. These women were randomly divided into two groups: Misoprostol (including 49 patients) and Foley catheter (including 59 patients). For the first group, 25 microgram vaginal misoprostol was administered every 4 h up to maximum 6 doses. For the second group, Foley catheter 18 F, inflated with 50 cc of sterile water, was placed through the internal os of the cervix. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Two groups were similar in the view of demographic characteristics, cesarean indications, maternal and fetal outcomes and neonatal outcomes. Vaginal delivery was significantly higher in misoprostol group (89.9 vs. 62.7, p < 0.01). The mean of delivery time was significantly shorter in misoprostol group (11.08 ± 5.6 vs. 13.6 ± 16.0 h, p < 0.05). In the cases of pregnancy termination and unripe cervix, two methods of misoprostol and Foley catheter were considered suitable, but it seemed that misoprostol decreases the delivery time and was needed for the cesarean section.

Amitraz is a triazapentadiene, an α2 adrenergic agonist and a member of the amidine chemical family. A limited number of human intoxication cases have been published in the literature. Lack of a clear and specific protocol for the therapy of amitraz intoxication may make its successfully managed case reports useful and valuable for other clinical practitioners in poisoning departments. The case is about a 22 years old female, single, university student, ingested a glass of amitraz poison (about 100 mL of a 20% solution) as a suicidal attempt on 11:30 am which was about 3.5 h before her hospital admission. She found nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Immediately, her family took her to a clinic near their house. At that clinic (13:30 pm) she had miosis and they did gastric lavage, one adult dose of activated charcoal (50 g) and referred her to our Poisoning Emergency Department, where she was managed supportively and successfully. Amitraz is a poisonous chemical which may cause central nervous system depression and also respiratory/cardiovascular symptoms as well. Several studies reported that using atropine for those amitraz poisoned patients with both miosis and bradycardia resolved the problem and recommend it as the first line of drug therapy when bradycardia occurs from vagal stimulation and atrioventricular block. Management of amitraz poisoning is still considered to be supportive and symptomatic. Although the effects of activated charcoal and cathartics have not been studied, they may still be considered for treatment.

Previous studies have indicated that there may be a relationship between the salivary fluoride concentrations and dental caries while the emphasis was on dental caries in permanent teeth. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its predictors in 3-6 year-old children in Tehran, Iran. The other objective of this investigation was to clarify a relationship between salivary fluoride levels of the studied children and their socioeconomic situations. The study population consisted of 205 children aged 3-6 years living in Tehran. Each child was examined for dental caries (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT)) and unstimulated whole mixed saliva was collected 2 hours post-prandial. All of the saliva samples were analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion-specific electrode. The children were then grouped according to their DMFT, salivary fluoride levels (ppm) and socioeconomic factors (parent’s education and occupation) that resulted in a statistically significant relationship. The children with (DMFT < 1) were shown to have a significantly higher salivary fluoride level (p < 0.001) than prone children caries (DMFT > 1). The obtained results indicated that the caries prevalence among 3-6 year-old children in Tehran – the capital of the Islamic republic of Iran – is as low compared with those, living in developed countries.

Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) has repetedly been mentioned as a galactogogue in Ayurvedic literature and has been confirmed through animal experiments as well. This randomized double-blind clinical trial evaluates its galactogogue effect in 60 lactating mothers by measurement of changes in their prolactin hormone level during the study. Several secondary parameters namely mothers’ weight, babies’ weight, subjective satisfaction of mothers and well-being and happiness of babies were studied to corroborate the primary findings. The oral administration of the research drug led to more than three-fold increase in the prolactin hormone level of the subjects in the research group as compared to the control group. The primary findings were corroborated by the secondary outcome measures and were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Drug-food interactions can increase or decrease drug effects, resulting in therapeutic failure or toxicity. Activities that reduce these interactions play an important role for clinical pharmacists. This study was planned and performed in order to determine the role of clinical pharmacist in the prevention of absorption drug-food interactions through educating the nurses in a teaching hospital affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The rate of interactions was determined using direct observation methods before and after the nurse training courses in four wards including gastrointestinal-liver, endocrine, vascular surgery and nephrology. Training courses consisted of the nurse attendance lecture delivered by a clinical pharmacist which included receiving information pamphlets. Total incorrect drug administration fell down from 44.6% to 31.5%. The analysis showed that the rate of absorption drug-food interactions significantly decreased after the nurse training courses (p < 0.001). Clinical pharmacist can play an important role in nurse training as an effective method to reduce drug-food interactions in hospitals.