Chemical composition of Egyptian and USE propolis

The chemical composition of propolis samples obtained from Behera, Egypt and Dubai, UAE, have been investigated by GC-MS and thirty four compounds have been tentatively identified. Some of these compounds have not been reported previously in Egyptian propolis from different regions. The Egyptian sample contains a high amount of aliphatic [13.7%] and aromatic [14.4%] acids. The alcohols, phenols and esters account for about 17.0% of the total content analysed. Some anthraquinone and flavone derivatives have also been detected [10%]. The UAE sample is characterised by the presence of a high content of aliphatic acids [15.2%] and a low content of aromatic acids [4.3%]. The aldehydes, alcohols, phenols and esters amount to about 9%. In addition to these some other compounds [high molecular weight alkanes, sugar derivatives, anthraquinone derivatives and flavone derivatives] are also present to the extent of about 33%

Clinical evaluation of aceis in treatment of congestive heart failure

This trial was performed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] in the treatment of congestive heart failure [CHF]. The selected ACEIs were captopril [as an example of direct acting drugs with short duration], lisinopril [as an example of direct acting drugs with long duration] and ramipril [as an example of prodrugs]. The drugs were evaluated in sixty two patients with New York Heart Association functional class Ill and IV despite treatment with digoxin and diuretics. After baseline assessment and adjustment of digoxin and diuretic dosages to the optimal regimen, patients were randomly assigned to treatment with 25mg captopril [increased to 50mg] as 2 divided doses [20 patients], 5mg lisinopril [increased to 10mg] as a single dose [13 patients], 2.5mg ramipril [increased to 5mg] as 2 divided doses [18 patients] or placebo [11 patients] in a blind fashion for a period of 3 months. Lisinopril after the treatment period although, it improved dyspnea and fatigue, it didn't produce any significant changes as regards orthopnea or echocardiography. Both captopril and ramipril after the treatment period significantly improved dyspnea, fatigue and orthopnea. Also, they significantly increased each of the left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening fraction. Captopril didn't influence renal function, however, ramipril unlike captopril significantly increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. In conclusion, we prefer the short acting ACEI captopril as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of CHF as it was clinically effective and tolerable

Clinical Application of therapeutic drug monitoring for determining the effect of age, sex, smoking habits, liver impairment and cor pulmonale on serum theophylline levels in Egyptian patients

This study was carried out on 48 adult Egyptian patients suffering from either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. The study showed that old age, liver impairment and cor pulmonale significantly increased serum theophylline level, while cigarette smoking significantly decreases it and sex had no effect. The study showed a linear correlation between serum theophylline levels [STL] and SGOT levels, which could be used in rough prediction for theophylline dose [D] for each individual until serum theophylline level could be analyzed