[Comparison of therapeutic effects of finasteride jel and tablet in treatment of androgenic alopecia]

Finasteride, a type II- selective 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, that causes decreasing Dihydrotestestrone [DHT] levels, is effective in treatment of male androgenic alopecia. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of local finasteride on androgenic alopecia treatment in comparison with oral finasteride. This study was a double-blind clinical trial including 45 male patients involved with androgenetic alopecia according to history and physical examination and possessing the study criteria selected among patients referred to private clinics and departments of dermatology in Sari city. Patients were divided into two groups: patients in group A [finasteride jel and placebo tablet] and patients in group B [finastride tablet and placebo jel] and the eligible referred patients were gradually and randomly entered the two groups. The treatment period was 6 months. In order to evaluate the drug effects and progressive state of the patients and assessment of drug complications, the patients were followed up by clinical observation and recording of side effects before study and at the end of the first week and then every month after starting the treatment. The variables used to evaluate the therapeutic response were: size of defect, hair count and terminal hair count. The analysis was done using descriptive and Chi [2] statistical methods. Of the 45 patients enrolled, 38 completed the entire study period. The average period since the onder of hair loss was 18.8 +/- 23.10 months. Every month the size of alopecia area, hair count and terminal hair count between the two groups were compared and there were on significant statistical differences. In the third month of treatment an increase in terminal hair count were observed in group A [P=0.001], this phenomenon was observed in second months in group B [P=0.015]. During the therapeutic period, the size of alopecia area did not significantly change in group A, but in group B, the change in size of alopecia area was significant 4 months after the start of treatment [P=0.027]. Increased hair count in two groups were significant in the fourth treatment mouths [P=0.001 in group A and P=0.000 in group B]. In this study, treatment with%1 finasteride jel produced relatively similar moderate therapeutic effects with finasteride tablet [%54.5 against%56] in patients with male alopecia with no significant statistical differences [P=0.643]

effect of pH and polymer type on release of diltiazem HCI from hydrophilic matrices

Oral administrations have been used for many years as a main method comparing to other methods. Sustained release techniques have been a great interest recently. Matrix polymers are one of the ways used to prepare a sustained-release drug and are most widely used to prepare the controlled-release drugs. Cellulose derivatives are the most common ones. Solubilities of some drugs are pH-dependent due to their acidic or basic nature. Diltiazem Hydrochloride due to having a pH-dependent solubility is a suitable model to investigate the effect of pH and also to prepare pH-independent formulations. In the present study, an attempt was made to form pH-independent formulations using HPMC, lactose, CAP and organic acids in different ratios. The physicochemical properties of tablets prepared [including weight uniformity, hardness, tensile strength, friability and assay] were investigated. Rate of drug release was studied using USP I at pH 1.2 and 7.2, and sampling was done in the time of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The drug release data were analyzed according to four kinetics models. Drug release profile in acid free formulations showed that it was higher in the acidic medium. 50% replacement of HPMC with CAP and 1:1 ratio with drug release was pH-independent. Studying the formulations containing organic acids; citric acid and polymer with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios; -ascorbic acid and polymer with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios and tartaric acid with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios showed their pH independent release characteristics. These results showed the effect of combination of polymers and organic acids on drug release and its kinetic. Thus, the micro-environmental conditions for the dissolution and diffusion of diltiazem HCI were almost kept constant. The release of diltiazem HCI from tablets composed of HPMC and organic acids was found to be pH-independent

[ effects of garlic topical gel [5%] in the treatment of alopecia areata]

Alopecia areata is the rapid onset of total hair loss in a sharply defined round area. No definite cause is known for this disease but stress is an effective factor. Different treatments are available but no cure is yet known. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of garlic gel in treatment of alopecia areata. The method of study is placebo controlled. The study was performed during summer 2004-5. The subjects were recruited from dermatology clinics in the city of Sari, according to inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into 4 blocks and received gel and placebo. Garlic gel was used twice dayly with topical corticosteroid. The results were compared together after 3 months. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tuky-test using SPSS program. Twenty patients were given the garlic gel and placebo was administered to the other 20 patients. The average age of the patients [55% male] was 24 _ 15. Scalp was the most common affected area in patients [72.5%] and majority of them had one patch [70%]. Positive familial history was noted in 22.5% of the patients and 25% of them had the atopic. Stress was observed in 35% of the patients. There was no difference in decreasing the size of patches in the first two months, between the two groups. However, the increase in the number of hair between the two groups were significant in the third month[P<0.05]. The garlic gel can stimulate hair growth in patients with Alopecia areata. Therefor this effective and low cost treatment is recommended particularly for limited forms of the disease

[Formulation of herbal antiperspirant from parotia persica [DC.] C.A.Mey. [Hamamelis persica] and preliminary clinical study]

Parotia persica syn. Hamamelis persica [Hamamelidaceae] is indigenous in north province of Iran. Other species, Hamamelis virginiana, is grown in north of America and has a little distribution in the Europe. Plentiful investigation was performed on the Hamamelis virginiana and species but there is no study about Hamamelis persica and this study is the first report regarding the clinical and phytochemical study of the plant. Hamamelis persica leaves were collected in May, August and October of 1999 from Mazandaran. Extraction was accomplished from the leaves through percolation by ethanol 70. Tannins were measured by spectrophotometric method. For the clinical study as antiperspirant, a roll-on preparation was formulated on the extract by using of glycerol, propylene glycol, water, carbapol 934p, antioxidant and preservative. The dry extract was used in amount of 5% in the preparation. The formulation was prepared in suitable viscosity. The product stability was evaluated during 5 months. Then the product and placebo were given to volunteers. The clinical study was performed in a blind study by questionnaire. Results showed that the leaves contain mainly pyrogallol group tannins [6.11%]. The product had suitable stability in clinical study. Sweating was reduced in 85 percent of the volunteers that used product as roll-on in armpit