Bikram Dutta Tassa, Navajit Sahu, Nabajit Barman, Gautam Sahu

The present study was designed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of leaves of Paederia foetida (EEPFL). The ethanolic extract was obtained by infusion method, and acute oral toxicity tests were performed according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2006 (OECD) guidelines. Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding the rats with a high-fat diet consisting of coconut oil and vanaspati ghee in a ratio of 2:3 v/v at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight. The extract was given at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were measured for antihyperlipidemic activity. For antioxidant activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured using standard methods. The extract showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and MDA in the blood. On the other hand, HDL, CAT, and SOD increased significantly. The study demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of leaves of Paederia foetida decreased blood lipid levels and lipid peroxidation. These findings suggest that the EEPFL may have potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Nahar Uddin Barbhuyan, Dubom Tayeng, Neelutpal Gogoi, Lima Patowary, Dipak Chetia, Malita Sarma Barthakur

A prominent class of broad-spectrum antibiotics known as tetracycline works by inhibiting the synthesis of proteins, which prevents the development of bacteria. Tetracycline resistance is typically attributed to one or more of the following causes: ribosomal binding site mutations, acquisition of mobile genetic elements carrying tetracycline-specific resistance genes, and/or chromosomal mutations that increase the expression of intrinsic resistance mechanisms. In this research, our objective is to virtually plan and conduct in-silico experiments to find tetracycline derivatives with inhibitory capability against tetracycline resistance protein. The tetracycline derivatives were screened using the Data Warrior, Discovery Studio, PyRx, and Swiss ADME web tools. Initially, 19 tetracycline derivatives were primarily screened for ADME and toxicity study followed by docking study. Among the tetracycline derivatives, C1, C11, C12, C14, C16, and C17 were found to be the potential drug-like molecules with binding energies of -8.9 kcal/mol, -8.4 kcal/mol, -8.5 kcal/mol, -7.7 kcal/mol, -7.7 kcal/mol, -8.6 kcal/mol respectively. In particular, C1 was predicted to have a better binding affinity towards the target protein than the others.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Kavitha Karthik Pai, Neethu Mathews, Meenakshi Garg

In this study, we aim to compare the blood glucose control, dietary habits, glycemic load, socio-demographic & lifestyle habits, and anthropometric indices among type 2 diabetics that are consuming oral antidiabetic drug alone versus oral antidiabetic drug with home remedies. A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 300 patients attending OPDs of the Department of Medicine, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India, and Goretti Hospital Kallianpura, Udupi, India. The data were subjected to statistical analysis with the SPSS 16 software and dietary analysis was performed with the DietCal software. Out of 300 samples, 127 (42.3%) consumed the antidiabetic drug along with home remedies while 173 (57.7%) participants consumed the antidiabetic drug alone without home remedies. There was no significant difference in glycemic parameters like FBS (0.577NS), PPBS (0.179 NS), HbA1C (0.413NS), and there is no significant difference in the mean glycemic load of the diet between participants of the 2 groups (0.653NS). Dietary habits, socio-demographics, lifestyle habits, and anthropometric indices among the 2 groups do not show a significant difference. Our study revealed the poor control of diet in both groups. Home remedies can give an added benefit if diet and lifestyle modification are followed. Diet and lifestyle modification are very important for glycemic control to prevent long-term complications.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Ramandeep Singh, Ranjodh Jeet Singh, Satinder Kakar, Jasmeet Kaur

An increased risk of morbidity and mortality is associated with acute pancreatitis (AP) brought on by hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). It is essential to locate the root cause as soon as possible and give those affected the attention they need. The treatment plan includes efforts to lower blood triglyceride levels and supportive care. HTG-induced AP has a similar clinical course to people with other types of acute pancreatitis. However, HTG-induced AP patients have significantly higher clinical severity and associated consequences. As a result, therapy and preventing sickness recurrence depend on a correct diagnosis. At the moment, there are no acknowledged standards for the treatment of HTG-induced AP. Some therapy approaches that effectively decrease serum triglycerides include fibric acids, apheresis/plasmapheresis, insulin, heparin, and omega-3 fatty acids. Following acute phase care, lifestyle modifications, including dietary and drug therapy, are essential for long-term HTG-induced AP control and relapse prevention. To create complete and efficient HTG-induced AP treatment guidelines, more study is required.

Sciences of Pharmacy

James H. Zothantluanga, Dipak Chetia

In this opinion, the basics of molecular docking (MD) such as binding affinity, binding pose, and ligand interactions with common docking-related terminologies (Apo protein, positive control, native ligand, co-crystal inhibitors) are discussed. We have provided different figures to aid in the graphical interpretation of the discussed literature. Following this, a few advantages (simplicity, fast, applicability) and disadvantages of MD are highlighted. This opinion will benefit bachelor and master students (or anyone) that are interested in learning the technique of MD. We encourage the sensible use of the MD technique and strict analysis to avoid interpretation errors in the results. The binding affinity, binding pose, and ligand interactions should be collectively considered during the result analysis. For every study, we strongly recommend a strict validation of the docking protocols.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Sanjoy Das, Taison Jamatia

Nanotechnology is on the threshold of providing a host of new materials and approaches in revolutionizing the medical and pharmaceutical fields. The incorporation of nanotechnology in herbal formulation investigation has a huge number of benefits for phytomedicine such as enhancement of solubility and bioavailability, reinforcement of pharmacological activity, improvement of stability, protection from toxicity, sustained delivery, and safeguarding from physical or chemical degradation. This opinion paper briefly highlights the authors perspective on herbal nanotechnology through few key points.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Jeba Akhtar, Lima Patowary

A versatile plant with many purposes, Bambusa vulgaris is primarily known for its industrial applications, but it is also becoming acknowledged as a possible source of bioactive substances and as a functional food. Every component of the bamboo plant, including the rhizome, culm shavings, leaves, roots, shoots, and seeds, has potential medical uses. This review aims to provide an insight into the traditional uses, and the various pharmacological activities exhibited by B. vulgaris extracts like analgesic, antihyperglycemic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anti-amnesic, etc. It also has immense potential to be used as an important functional food as it has a high content of useful proteins, carbohydrates, high fiber content, and very low fat.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Abhishek Karn, Md. Asad Quasim, El Bethel Lalthavel Hmar, Sujata Paul, Hemanta Kumar Sharma

The vast majority of people continue to view medicinal plants as a low-cost source of medications and treatments. Numerous trees, herbs, plants, and shrubs have been used as remedies for various ailments since the dawn of time. Rubus ellipticus Smith, a weedy wild raspberry that flourishes in damp woods at high elevations, particularly those in the Himalayas and the Nilgiris area, is one of the important ethnomedicinal plants in the genus Rubus. Traditional Tibetan medicine places a great deal of importance on the plant R. ellipticus. Because of the abundance and diversity of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits or berries, which have a high concentration of both, they are generally regarded as inherently healthful foods. The roots and leaves, as well as the fruit, have traditionally been used as therapeutic agents for several illnesses including colic pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, wound healing, diarrhea, antifertility, antibacterial, analgesic, epilepsy, and others. The objective of the current review is to concentrate on the pharmacological characteristics, nutrition profile, phytoconstituents, and folkloric therapeutic applications of R. ellipticus, therefore achieving the review's overall subject.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Jessy Amalia Pratama Beta, Octaviana Maria Simbolon, Maria Elvina Tresia Butar-butar

Gangrene is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. Along with the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), the prevalence of gangrene and necrosis manifestations such as ulcers and infections will ascend. The selection of appropriate antibiotics is critical in infection therapy. Inappropriate use of antibiotics will result in antibiotic resistance. Therefore, this research aims to overview demographic, clinical characteristics, antibiotic use profiles, and antibiotic-related problems for DM patients with gangrene at the Abdoel Wahab Sjahranie Samarinda Hospital. The study was retrospective research and was conducted in July-December 2021. Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria, and demographic data showed that most patients were men 57% (n=11), and most age was 39-59 years (57%, n=12). The longest period of suffering from gangrene was 6-10 years (14%, n=3). The most common length of hospitalization was 8-14 days, as reported by 52 percent (n=11) of patients, and the most common duration of antibiotic use was ten days, as reported by 86 percent (n=18) of patients. A single-used antibiotic was ceftriaxone (19%, n=4) patients. The most used antibiotic combination was ceftriaxone and metronidazole (81%, n=17). Fourteen patients used antibiotics appropriately in dosage, route, and frequency. Four patients were unsuitable for the benefit of antibiotics in terms of antibiotic type, and three patients were unsuitable for antibiotic use in terms of duration of administration.

Sciences of Pharmacy

Ainun Jariya, Andi Atirah Masyita, Ririen Hardani

Self-medication, the act of treating oneself without a doctor's prescription, carries inherent risks, as evidenced by the substantial 85.85% engagement in this practice among Central Sulawesi residents in 2021, according to the Indonesia Central Bureau of Statistics. This study, conducted in Tondo Village from August to November 2021 with a sample of 386 respondents, aimed to illuminate the characteristics of those partaking in self-medication. Noteworthy findings included a majority of female respondents (52.3%), aged 26-35 (24.4%), engaged in household work (31.1%), and with a high school education background (46.4%). Common minor illnesses addressed through self-medication encompassed fever (15.54%), ulcers (7.46%), coughs (15.54%), flu (18.91%), diarrhea (2.85%), headaches (1.30%), and allergies (0.78%). Examining over-the-counter (OTC) and OTC limited medicines, prevalent choices included paracetamol for fever (33.16%), antacids for ulcers (75.70%), Komix® for coughs (28.8%), Mixagrib® for flu (36.99%), Entrostop® for diarrhea (70.00%), Ibuprofen for headaches (100%), and CTM for allergies (100%), with 61.46% procured from pharmacies or drug stores. The selection of medications often stemmed from personal or familial usage history (84.46%), and 47.15% opted for self-medication to economize on treatment costs. Encouragingly, the study found that 75.09% of respondents exhibited good knowledge regarding the use of OTC and OTC-limited drugs for self-medication, underscoring the importance of ongoing education and awareness for responsible self-medication practices in the community.

Sciences of Pharmacy