Therapeutic Implication of Terfezia claveryi Extract on Corneal Ulcer of Rabbit’s Eye.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Terfezia claveryi crude extract on induced corneal ulcer in rabbit’s eye. Study Design: Study was carried out in Rabbits eye. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in the experimental laboratories at College of Applied Medical Sciences of Qassim University during the period from March to June 2013. Methodology: Crude aqueous extract of this truffle, in different concentrations, was introduced through intraperitoneal injection to rabbits for their safety dose. Corneal epithelial wound was induced in different groups of rabbit’s eye with sodium hydroxide and later this wound was contaminated with some selected bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherchia coli to produce iatrogenic infection. The healing power of different concentrations of T. claveryi crude extract was observed by different clinical findings. Results: We observed that 1.5% crude extract of this desert truffle significantly healed the corneal ulcer almost within 9 days. Delayed response in healing was observed with 3% T. claveryi, while 5% extract developed some extra corneal complications. The healing response of corneal ulcer to topical application of different concentrations of T. claveryi extract was compared with a synthetic antibiotic (Vigamox 0.5%) as a reference standard drug. Conclusion: It was concluded that aqueous extract of T. claveryi has no significant toxic effects against liver and kidney function parameters. The antibacterial activity of this desert truffle recommends as an alternative medicine for some corneal infections. However, the therapeutic role of some specific ingredients present in this truffle needs further investigations.

Experimental Investigation on Rabbits Following Peritoneal Injection of Bacteria Isolated from Human Keratitis.

Aim: This work was aimed at studying the pathogenicity of bacteria causing infectious keratitis through experimental infection using different groups of rabbits that were inoculated with clinical isolates and assessed through biochemical and histopathological investigations. Study Design: This study was carried out on Rabbits. Place and Duration of the Study: this experiment was carried out at Med. Labs. Dept, Qassim Univ., in April 2013. Methodology: The isolated bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus from clinical corneal scraping swabs of patients suffering from infectious keratitis were experimentally inoculated through intraperitoneal injection in different groups of Original Research Article Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(26): 4470-4481, 2014 4471 rabbits (2.0-2.5kg) and were subjected to serum biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results: The experimental rabbits showed alterations in both liver and kidney function parameters that varied with the type of bacteria injected. The level of urea was nonsignificantly increased to a higher extent in rabbits within 3 and 7 days of infection. There was no marked change in the levels of uric acid and creatinine in all groups of rabbits. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed variable increased values but seemed also within limits of reference in all the groups of rabbits injected with either S. aureus or P. aeruginosa. Histopathologically, the internal organs (liver and kidneys) of the experimental rabbits showed inflammatory reactions with degenerative changes and/or necrosis while the cornea revealed oedema and leukocytic infiltration. The microscopic findings were varied in severity according to the type of the bacteria. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced infections revealed histopathologic lesions and disturbances in the functions of liver and kidneys of experimental rabbits together with proliferation of corneal epithelium and polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration in the corneal stroma. Therefore, strict measures are recommended to control and treat infectious keratitis to avoid visual complications and systemic disturbances among infected patients.

Preparation and Evaluation of Solid Dispersions of Ibuprofen Using Glucosamine HCl as a Carrier.

Aims: The aim of this study was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of sparingly soluble drug ibuprofen using glucosamine HCL as a carrier by solid dispersion technique. Methodology: As Ibuprofen is sparingly water-soluble drug and has low bioavailability, so to enhance its solubility and improve bioavailability solid dispersions with different drug to carrier ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) were prepared, as solid dispersion is the most effective method for enhancing the solubility and improving the bioavailability of poorly or sparingly water- soluble drugs. In this study Glucosamine HCl was used as a potential hydrophilic carrier to improve the solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug, Ibuprofen from physical mixtures and solid dispersions. Solid dispersions with different drug to carrier ratios were prepared, using solvent evaporation method. Physical mixtures of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine HCl were also prepared for comparison. Results: All solid dispersions of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine showed considerably higher dissolution rate than corresponding physical mixtures and pure Ibuprofen. Different techniques such DSC, FT-IR, XRD and SEM were used to study the properties of pure Ibuprofen, solid dispersions and physical mixtures. These results confirmed that Glucosamine HCl can increase the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug, Ibuprofen. Conclusion: The study shows that the dissolution rate and solubility of sparingly soluble drug Ibuprofen can be improved and enhanced to great extent by solid dispersion technique, using Glucosamine HCl as a carreir. The current study also showed that amino sugar could be used as new carrier for solid dispersion formulations of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Variations in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in Indian populations of different ethnic origins.

The pattern of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the Indian population is poorly known. In order to determine the status of the polymorphism, young unrelated male army recruits were screened. The population had cultural and linguistic differences and lived in an environment that varied significantly from one region to another. Analysis of the genotype, showed higher frequency of the insertion allele in four of the five groups i.e. I allele frequency was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Dogras, Assamese and Kumaonese. The deletion allele frequency was comparatively higher in the fifth group that belonged to Punjab. A correlation was observed between the genotype and enzyme activity. Involvement of a single D allele in the genotype enhanced the activity up to 37.56 3.13%. The results suggested ethnic heterogeneity with a significant gene cline with higher insertion allele frequency. Such population-based data on various polymorphisms can ultimately be exploited in pharmacogenomics.