Objectives: This study investigates analgesic, CNS depressant and anti-inflammatory activities of crude methanolic extract of Peel of Citrus maxima fruits. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extracts of Citrus maxima peel with different concentration were tested for analgesic activity in mouse model of acetic acid induced writhing and formalin induced licking and biting. Anti-inflammatory effect was tested by carrageenan induced paw edema model and the CNS depressant activity was evaluated by observing the reduction of locomotors activity by hole cross and open field test. Results: The extract, at 500 mg/kg, showed higher analgesic activity (73.34%) against acetic acid induced pain in mice while the standard reference drug Diclofenac sodium exhibited 87.13% activity at 10 mg/kg dose. The test dose at 500 mg/kg produced 48.23% protection in formalin induced hind paw licking and biting compared to 54.11% protection by the reference drug (10 mg/kg Diclofenac sodium). The antiinflammatory effect of the extract was comparable to reference drug Ibuprofen and the effect was sustained for 2-4 hr. However, the extract also showed significant dose dependent CNS depressant activity. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of peel of Citrus maxima fruits has CNS depressant effect with moderate analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
1University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA. 2Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi, PAKISTAN. 3Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, USA. 4Zucker Hillside Hospital, New York, USA. 5Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts, USA. 6Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravathi, Maharashtra, INDIA. 7Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA. 8Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, Texas, USA. 9Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expy, Richmond Hill, NY 11418, USA
Objective: Propolis is an important bee product, rich in polyphenolic compounds. It has antitumoral, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and other useful activities. Biological activities of propolis are generally attributed to its substance of polyphenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties and reduction amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human normal foreskin fibroblast cells by Turkish propolis ethanolic extract (EEP). Method: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, reducing power, radical scavenging capacity, and iron chelating activity of EEP were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Intracellular ROS levels were determined by spectrofluorometric analysis with CM-H2DCFDA. Results: Our results indicated that antioxidant activity was correlated with the higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents of EEP. The generated ROS levels were significantly decreased by EEP compared to only t-BHP group. Conclusion: Ethanolic propolis extract may be evaluated as a potency antioxidant resource and/or a novel natural agent in food and drug industries.
Purpose: To explore the healthcare provider’s perception of pharmacist’s relationship, communication, and counseling skills in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a 4-month crosssectional survey of the healthcare professional’s perception of the pharmacist. The survey consisted of two parts: first part gathers demographic information and the second part contains 49 questions divided into four domains. (1) the first domain captures data regarding the healthcare provider’s general perception about the pharmacist; (2) the second domain captures data regarding the healthcare professional’s perception of pharmaceutical services; (3) the third domain was regarding the healthcare professional’s perception of visiting ambulatory care; and (4) the fourth domain captures the data regarding the healthcare professional’s perception of pharmacist’s relationship and counseling skills. All healthcare professionals responded to the 5-point Likert response scale system. The survey was distributed through social media to more than 1000 healthcare professionals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Because the survey was in an electronic format, we were able to analyze and discuss the four domains with respect to the healthcare professional’s perception of pharmacist’s relationship and counseling skills through the Survey Monkey system. Results: A total of 170 healthcare providers responded to our survey. Of all the responders, 129 (75.9%) were females and 41 (24.1%) were males. Most of the healthcare providers were pharmacists (81 (47.65%)), others (33 (19.41%)), nurses (27 (15.88%)), and physicians (23 (13.53%)). Most of the healthcare providers (143 (87.2%)) spent less than 16 minutes waiting for the medication from the pharmacy. The average score of the healthcare professional’s perception of the pharmacist’s communication and relationship skills was around (3.41). The highest score with respect to the pharmacist’s and patient’s relationship was obtained for the following statements: “The pharmacist politely delivers the medication” (3.96) and “The pharmacist answers questions in an excellent manner” (3.67). The average score of healthcare professional’s perceptions of pharmacists with medication counseling skills was around (3.42). Highest scores were obtained for the following statements: “All the medications received were packed” (4.28) and “The patient understands what the pharmacist was saying” (4.14). The highest score with respect to the patient’s relationship with the drug information center was obtained for the statement: “The pharmacist answers patient’s questions through drug information center of the hospital over 24/7” (3.44) and “Poisonous cases first contact the national drug information center or any other hospital drug information center any time through MOH hotline 937 service over 24/7” (3.37). Conclusion: The results of this survey revealed that healthcare professionals had an acceptable perception of the pharmacist with respect to communication and patient counseling skills. The healthcare professional’s privacy, easy contact with the pharmacist, and drug-related problems information improve the pharmaceutical services offered to the healthcare professionals in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Objective: The study is to evaluate Yemeni medical and pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitude regarding generic medicines. Method: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from final-year medical and pharmacy students at six public and private universities in Yemen. The questionnaire was distributed among the students through their course coordinators. Students were clearly informed about the objective of the study and their written consents were taken before the survey. The responses were entered in SPSS, and descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out. Results: The response rate was 60.1%. Overall the half of participants’ perception regarding generic medicine was positive. Perceptions of pharmacy students’ regarding generic medicines were better than those of the medical students. Conclusion: The present study concluded that both studied groups had insufficient knowledge about quality, safety and bioequivalence of generic medicines. The medical students showed poorer knowledge than pharmacy students which need to give more attention from educators regarding the use of generic medicines. Key words: Generic drugs, Medical students, Perception, Pharmacy students, Yemen.
Background: Awareness about health status has increased the prevalence of self-medication. Several factors play role in self-medication like gender, socioeconomic status, education level and frequency of illness. Objective: To explore the perceptions, knowledge and practice of self-medication among pharmacy students from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2015. A convenience sample was taken from year 1 to year 4 of pharmacy students. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Of 462 questionnaires distributed, 379 were returned giving a response rate of (88.3%). The results show significant difference on the level of knowledge among pharmacy students from different academic levels (p Key words: Self-medication, Pharmacy students, Perception, Knowledge level, Malaysia.
Objective: To explore the Healthcare professionals’ perception and attitude towards pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a 4-month cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals’ perception towards pharmacists. The survey consisted of two-part of demographic information and second part forty-nine questions divided into four domains. It included domain one: healthcare providers general perception of pharmacist domain 2: Healthcare professionals’ perception of pharmaceutical care services, domain 3: healthcare professionals’ perception of visiting ambulatory care and domain 4: Healthcare professionals’ perception of pharmacists’ relationship and counseling. All types of healthcare professionals included in the study. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used. The questions were open and close-ended. The survey was distributed through social media by using WhatsApp to more than one thousand healthcare professionals overall the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The survey was made as an electronic format and it analyzed and discussed domain one: healthcare providers’ general perception of pharmacist through monkey survey system. Results: The total responders were (170) healthcare providers. Of those 150 (93.8%) were Saudi and 10 (6.25%) were non-Saudi. The gender distribution was 129 (75.9%) females and 41 (24.1%) were males. The majority of patient visited the pharmacy in the past 12-months more than ten times were 53 (31.36%) while 40 (23.67%) attended as visitors for 5-9 times. Most of the patient (143 (87.2%)) spent less than 16 minutes waiting for the medication at the pharmacy. The statement said by pharmacists with highest score was “the pharmacist had the significant role in preventing medications errors (4.76), pharmacy job is vital in our society (4.74), the pharmacist participates in patient therapeutic plan as part of the medical team (4.5)”. Also, the pharmacist is the first person to be asked about medications (4.47), Healthcare professionals know the clinical pharmacist and his role in patients’ care (4.47). More than 60% of healthcare professionals will choose the pharmacy as specialty or suggest to the family members or friend to select the pharmacy as their profession. Most of the healthcare providers visited the pharmacy as the pharmacist knows more about drug doses and adverse drug reaction 98 (58.33%) and the to seek pharmacists help in general health illness (96 (57.14%)). Other reason for visiting the pharmacy to get free consultation (49 (29.17%)) and since there is no need to have an appointment for pharmacy visit (48 (28.57%)). Also, most of the healthcare professionals refused to utilize the pharmacy just for cosmetics (118 (70.23%)). Conclusion: Most of the healthcare professionals had a real perception towards the pharmacist and his role in preventing medication errors and sharing in the therapeutic plan. The pharmacist should expand clinical pharmacy services at all healthcare institutions in Saudi Arabia since there is an acceptance for such concept. Key words: Healthcare Provider, Perception, Attitude, Pharmacists, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the PSPSQ 2.0, an instrument to measure patient satisfaction with pharmacist services in a clinical setting. Methods: An observational study design was conducted in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia from February to April 2016. Permission to reuse the questionnaires was granted before testing of the same. Forward and backtranslation was conducted prior to the study for evaluating the equivalence of meaning between the original source and target texts across culture. The questionnaires were administered randomly to participants who have their subsequent visits with a pharmacist at any public or private hospital in Ipoh. Test-retest was carried out in order to evaluate the stability of test over time using Intra-Class Coefficient. Reliability of questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Collected data were analyzed for their consistency and validity using confirmatory factor analysis. Results: There were 130 respondents for the first time point and 80 respondents during retest. About 60% of the respondents were female; 51.5% were aged 47 and above; mostly Chinese and almost half of the respondents worked in the government sector. The ICC for most items tested for intrarater (test-retest) reliability was good with a majority of items exhibiting coefficients > 0.80. Conclusion: The results suggest that the PSPSQ 2.0 can serve as a reliable and valid instrument to measure patient satisfaction with clinical services provided by pharmacists. Key words: Patient satisfaction, Pharmacy services, Translation, Validation.
Objectives: Lawsone methyl ether (LME) is a naphtoquinone compound found in the leaf of Impatiens balasamina L. It has been semi synthesized by methylation of lawsone. This compound possessed several pharmacological properties including the use for the treatment of infectious diseases. This study was undertaken to determine of immunomodulatory effect of LME on immune response of human phagocytes. Methods: Trypan blue exclusion method was applied to determine cell viability. A modified 48- well Boyden chamber was used to assess chemotactic activity, luminolbased chemiluminescene assay was performed to evaluate the effect of compound on respiratory burst of human phagocytes, while myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was observed using colorimetric assay. Results: LME at 6.25 and 100 μg/mL were non-toxic against the phagocytes after 25 h incubation. This compound showed strong inhibitory effect on the migration of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) towards chemoattractant with IC50 value of 7.63 μg/mL and was comparable to ibuprofen as a positive control. This compound also inhibited MPO enzyme system on PMNs with IC50 of 24.6 μg/mL. Preliminary screening on whole blood, LME strongly inhibited respiratory burst with IC50 value of 8.51 μg/mL. Furthermore, this compound also demonstrated a high inhibition effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of PMNs and monocytes with IC50 of 9.43 and 6.49 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that LME was able to suppress human phagocyte at the different steps including chemotaxis and production of oxidative stress. This finding might emphasize that LME has potency as an anti-inflammatory agent by modulating innate response of human phagocytes. Key words: Chemotaxis, Chemiluminescence, Immunomodulatory, Lawsone methyl ether, myeloperoxidase.