Peptic ulcer disease: pathogenesis and diagnosis

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacteria which forms colonies in gastric mucosa and is responsible for peptic ulcer diseases [PUDs]. The present review deals with the strategies employed in the diagnosis of H. Pylori infection. The diagnostic techniques for H. pylori infection are categorized into invasive and non-invasive. The invasive techniques include endoscopy, histological studies, culture and rapid urease test whereas 13C-urea breath test, stool antigen test, blood test, serology and PCR are included in non-invasive techniques. A brief outline of these techniques with their selection criteria has been discussed in this review

Total parenteral nutrition [TPN]: role of riboflavin [vitamin B[2]] and cyanocobalamin [vitamin B[12]]

Total parenteral nutrition [TPN] replaces and maintains essential nutrients in patients in whom oral or tube feedings are contraindicated or inadequate. A nutritional assessment must be carried out before initiating TPN in order to determine nutritional needs and any metabolic changes due to the patient's underlying condition, medications or concurrent therapies. In addition to carbohydrates, proteins and fats, certain amounts of micronutirents are also added to TPN solutions. These micronutrients include electrolytes, vitamins, and trace minerals. This review highlights some basic concepts regarding the use and formulation of TPNs along with their advantages and disadvantages and the importance of water soluble vitamins B[2] and B[12] in human nutrition

Ascorbic acid: clinical uses and method of analysis

Ascorbic acid [AA], commonly known as vitamin-C, is used in the treatment of scurvy by the reversal of the symptoms associated with it and helps in the absorption of iron in the human body. It also helps in the prevention of hardening of arteries in old age patients and along with vitamin E, zinc and a-carotene supports the improvement of vision and reduces the excretion of protein in urine. Vitamin-C acts as an antidote in lead poisoning and reduces the development of cancer in the body. However, when used with zinc sulfate and bioflavonoids, AA also improves face wrinkles due to exposure to sun. A number of analytical techniques have been reported for the determination of AA in pharmaceutical systems, food and biological materials

These techniques include spectrometry, fluorimetry, chromatography, electrophoresis, flow injection, photochemical, electrochemical and titrimetric methods. These methods are used in the presence of other substances such as vitamins and medicinal compounds

Photodegradation of riboflavin in the presence of acetate buffer

In the present work the photo degradation of riboflavin in the presence of acetate bulfer has been studied. The assay of riboflavin and its photoproducts in degraded solution has been carried out simultaneously using a multi component spectrometer method. Acetate buffer has been found to catalyze the photo degradation of riboflavin and the apparent first-order rate constants for the reaction at pH 4.2 in the presence of 0.125 -0.625 M acetate buffer range from 0.45 [pH 5.6] to 2.05 X 10-2 min-1. The k-pH profile for these reactions shows a maximum around pH 4.2 indicating the participation of different species of the molecule in the reaction. The decrease in the rate of the reaction after the maximum is due to a change in the redox behavior of riboflavin. The results indicate that acetate buffer at a low concentration is suitable for maintaining the pH of vitamin preparations

Stabilization of drugs in pharmaceutical preparations

Drug substances may undergo chemical degradation which may result in the loss of potency and therapeutic activity. Drugs are often sensitive to environmental and chemical factors such as oxygen, temperature, humidity, light, pH, ionic strength, solvent, buffers and excipients. The degraded products may produce undesirable effects as well as toxic effects on the body. The delivery of stabilized formulated products is a necessary requirement for the optimum efficacy of the active drug. The drugs are usually stabilized by chelating agents, complexing agents, bio-polymers, naturally occurring protectors, encapsulation of drugs and use of antioxidants. It has been found that hydrolytic and oxidative degradation are the main routes of loss of active ingredients. Solid preparations are usually stabilized by complex formation while in some liquid and semi-solid preparations there is a need to consider other factors such as pH, solvents for the stabilization of the drugs

Helicobacter pylori: a major causative organism for peptic ulcer and its eradication

Peptic ulcer is one of the most common diseases in the third world countries. This review illustrates the understanding of the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. The theories and concepts regarding the onset of peptic ulcer have changed by the discovery of Helicobacter pylori. The discovery of H pylori, which proved that it plays a major role in causing ulcer. It has also been reported that H pylori has a tendency to cause non-ulcer dyspepsia and gastric carcinoma. The unique features of H pylori play an important role in the diagnosis of this infection and the establishment of diagnostic procedures for its eradication. The ideal treatment for the peptic ulcer is to focus on the relief of the pain, healing of ulcer and delay in its reoccurrence. These treatments are targeted on the cytotoxic factors and also on the enhancement of the activity of cytoprotective factors

Ascorbic acid as an effective agent in cancer therapy

Ascorbic acid [vitamin C] is a cofactor for a number of metabolic enzymes and is an undeniable essential vitamin C for humans. However, the prospects of ascorbic acid as an anticancer agent have been a topic of argument. A number of earlier reports have addressed both the positive aspects and restrictions of ascorbate in cancer therapy. In this review, we briefly sum up the potential antitumor effects of ascorbate have been described and its prospects for clinical use have been discussed. The biological role of ascorbic acid has been highlighted and its advantages in cancer therapy have been discussed

Influenza virus: infections and their treatment

Influenza virus is responsible for a number of pandemics. Its various subtypes have been identified such as HINI, H2N2, H3N2, H3N2v, etc. that is responsible for infections like swine and bird flu. WHO has confirmed the incidences of bird-human infections in people who had a record of close contact to poultry? Similarly, human to human transmission can also take place. Various drugs have been employed to guard against these infections but recently some drug resistant strains of influenza virus have also been identified. Therefore, vaccines are found to be the most reliable source for the prevention of such flu infections. However, the right use of antiviral medicines, vaccines and public health interventions can result in better progress against the viral disease