Pharmacy Education: Moving Early and Responding Strongly.

In a country with 1.3 billion population and about 1,000 universities and more than 50,000 higher education institutions and enrollment of 30 million students and a diverse demography, to find a single solution that can keep the teaching and learning process continued was a mammoth task. The focus was on engaging the students and completing the academic sessions. Having crossed the phase of teaching and learning, the institutions are now grappling as to how the examinations and progression of these students be considered. Learning from global experiences and a bit of innovation, this too has been overcome with methodologies that would have been unacceptable earlier. The challenge presently is the preparedness of higher education in the post pandemic period.

Biological activities of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives: a review.

2-Mercaptobenzothiazoles are an important class of bioactive and industrially important organic compounds. These compounds are reported for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities, and are subsequently highlighted as a potent mechanism-based inhibitor of several enzymes like acyl coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase, monoamine oxidase, heat shock protein 90, cathepsin D, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases. These derivatives are also known to possess antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, amoebic, antiparkinsonian, anthelmintic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antiulcer, chemoprotective, and selective CCR3 receptor antagonist activity. This present review article focuses on the pharmacological profile of 2-mercaptobenzothiazoles with their potential activities.

Oral targeting of protein kinase C receptor: promising route for diabetic retinopathy?

In patients with diabetes, hyperglycemia is known to promote high levels of diacylglycerol which activates protein kinase C (PKC) in the vascular tissues and leads to the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina. PKC activation and increased concentration of VEGF are likely to play a key role in diabetic microvascular complications, particularly change in vascular permeability, inflammation, fluid leakage and ischemia in the retina. PKC comprises a super family of isoenzymes that is activated in response to various stimuli. The PKC family consists of 12 isomers that possess distinct differences in structure, substrate requirement, expression and localization. PKC isomer selective inhibitors and VEGF trap are likely to be new therapeutics, which can delay the onset or stop the progression of diabetic vascular disease. A new promising therapy for diabetic retinopathy is undergoing Phase III trials, in which they proposed to target PKC ßII isomer using Ruboxistaurin by oral administration. Besides retina, PKC ßII isomer is found in higher concentration in brain, spleen, etc. So, oral targeting may be a questionable approach since generalized inhibitors may prove toxic in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and ocular delivery may be a better alternative approach.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some Novel 3,5-Disubstituted-1,2,4-triazole Incorporated 2-Mercaptobenzothiazoles.

Several 2-mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives 5a-i containing 1,2,4-triazole moiety incorporating two additional substituents were synthesized. All the newly synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro activity against certain strains of bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus coagulans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Compound 5a showed significant activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Compounds 5a-i were also screened for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans and compounds 5a, 5b, 5d and 5g displayed significant activity against this fungus. Some of these compounds were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, acute toxicity and ulcerogenic actions. Tested compounds 5g and 5h showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and significant gastrointestinal protection compared to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. Molecular modeling studies of the synthesized compounds are presented.

Chitosan nanoparticles as a new delivery system for the anti-Alzheimer drug tacrine.

Tacrine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by spontaneous emulsification. The particle size and zeta potential was determined by scanning probe microscopy and Zetasizer, respectively. The prepared particles showed good drug-loading capacity. The in vitro release studies showed that after the initial burst, all the drug-loaded batches provided a continuous and slow release of the drug. Coating of nanoparticles with Polysorbate 80 slightly reduced the drug release from the nanoparticles. Release kinetics studies showed that the release of drug from nanoparticles was diffusion-controlled, and the mechanism of drug release was Fickian. The biodistribution of these particles after intravenous injection in rats showed that of nanoparticles coated with 1% Polysorbate 80 altered the biodistribution pattern of nanoparticles. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this paper, chitosan nanoparticles are investigated in a pre-clinical study as an optimized delivery system for tacrin, a drug with potential significance in Alzheimer's disease. The preparation showed optimal pharmacokinetic characteristics in a rat model.

Significant delivery of tacrine into the brain using magnetic chitosan microparticles for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain characterized by a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function and behavior. As the disease advances, persons have a tough time with daily tasks like using the phone, cooking, handling money or driving the car. AD affects 15 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that AD affects 4.5 million Americans. Tacrine is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor used for treating mild to moderate AD. In the present study, an attempt was made to target the anti-Alzheimer's drug tacrine in the brain by using magnetic chitosan microparticles. The magnetic chitosan microparticles were prepared by emulsion cross-linking. The formulated microparticles were characterized for process yield, drug loading capacity, particle size, in vitro release, release kinetics and magnetite content. The particle size was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The magnetite content of the microparticles was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. For animal testing, the microparticles were injected intravenously after keeping a suitable magnet at the target region. The concentrations of tacrine at the target and non-target organs were analyzed by HPLC. The magnetic chitosan microparticles significantly increased the concentration of tacrine in the brain in comparison with the free drug.

Formulation and evaluation of dextromethorphan hydrobromide sustained release tablets.

Sustained release (SR) matrix tablets of dextromethorphan hydrobromide were prepared by wet granulation using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-K-100 CR) as the hydrophilic rate controlling polymer. The effect of the concentration of the polymer and different fillers on the in vitro drug release rate was studied. The studies indicated that the drug release can be modulated by varying the concentration of the polymer and the fillers. A complete cross-over bioavailability study of the optimized formulation of the developed sustained tablets and marketed immediate release tablets was performed on six healthy male volunteers. The extent of absorption of drug from the SR tablets was significantly higher than that for the marketed dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablet because of lower elimination rate and longer half-life.

Targeted delivery of tacrine into the brain with polysorbate 80-coated poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possibility of targeting an anti-Alzheimer's drug tacrine in the brain using polymeric nanoparticles. Rats obtained 1mg/kg of tacrine by intravenous injection in the form of three preparations: (1) a simple solution in phosphate buffered saline, (2) bound to poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles, and (3) bound to poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with 1% polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). After 1h of post injection the rats were killed by decapitation and tacrine concentration in brain, liver, lungs, spleen and kidneys was analyzed by HPLC. A higher concentration of drug tacrine was observed in liver, spleen and lungs with the nanoparticles in comparison to the free drug. The accumulation of drug tacrine in the liver and spleen was reduced, when nanoparticles were coated with 1% polysorbate 80. In the brain a significant increase in tacrine concentration was observed in the case of poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with 1% polysorbate 80 compared to the uncoated nanoparticles and the free drug. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the brain concentration of intravenously injected tacrine can be enhanced by binding to poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles, coated with 1% the nonionic surfactant polysorbate 80.

Poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with polysorbate 80 for the targeted delivery of rivastigmine into the brain to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder manifested by cognitive and memory deterioration, progressive impairment of activities of daily living, and a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms and behavioral disturbances. Alzheimer's disease affects 15 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that Alzheimer's disease affects 4.5 million Americans. Rivastigmine is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Central nervous system drug efficacy depends upon the ability of a drug to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach therapeutic concentrations in brain following systemic administration. The clinical failures of most of the potentially effective therapeutics to treat the central nervous system disorders are often not due to a lack of drug potency but rather shortcomings in the method by which the drug is delivered. Hence, considering the importance of treating Alzheimer's disease, we made an attempt to target the anti-Alzheimer's drug rivastigmine in the brain by using poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles. The drug was administered as a free drug, bound to nanoparticles and also bound to nanoparticles coated with polysorbate 80. In the brain a significant increase in rivastigmine uptake was observed in the case of poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with 1% polysorbate 80 compared to the free drug. In conclusion that the present study demonstrates that the brain concentration of intravenously injected rivastigmine can be enhanced over 3.82 fold by binding to poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with 1% nonionic surfactant polysorbate 80.

Synthesis, antiviral, antituberculostic and antibacterial activities of some novel, 4-(4'-substituted phenyl)-6-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(substituted imino) pyrimidines.

A variety of novel 4-[(4'-substituted phenyl)-6-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-substituted imino] pyrimidines were synthesized by reacting 4-(4'-substituted phenyl)-6-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-aminopyrimidines with different substituted aromatic aldehydes, with coumarin and with chloroisatin. The 4-(4'-chlorophenyl)-6-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-aminopyrimidines were synthesized by reacting 3-(4'-substituted phenyl)-1-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ones with guanine hydrochloride. The 3-(4'-substituted phenyl)-1-(4"-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ones were synthesized by reacting 4-hydroxyacetophenone with different para substituted aromatic aldehydes. Spectral data (IR, NMR, and mass spectra) confirmed the structures of the synthesized compounds. The synthesized compounds were investigated for their antiviral, antituberculostic and antibacterial activities. The results indicated that the synthesized compounds have mild to potent activities with reference to their appropriate reference standards. However, mechanism related studies could be carried out to predict the structure activity relationship for all the compounds.

Evaluation of anxiolytic potential of Celastrus oil in rat models of behaviour.

The Celastrus oil, extracted from seeds of Celastrus paniculatus tested at 2 dose levels (1 and 1.5 g/kg), exhibited significant anxiolytic activity and did not produce tolerance. The non-sedative nature and reversal of buspirone induced behaviour (in open field exploration) point to the serotonergic mechanism underlying the anxiolysis, inspiring further research.

Assessment of impact of medication counseling on patients' medication knowledge and compliance in an outpatient clinic in South India.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of patient medication counseling by comparing the levels of patient's medication knowledge and adherence achieved by medication counseling in an outpatient clinic. Ninety patients were randomized in the ratio of 1:2 into either counseled or usual care group. Their medication knowledge was assessed by a questionnaire and adherence was assessed by pill count method and self-assessment by the patients. Their medication knowledge was assessed at baseline and during their subsequent appointments. The average medication knowledge score of the counseled group versus usual care group was 13.82+/-1.8064 and 11.78+/-3.5037. Compliance score of the patients during their follow-up period was 92.29+/-4.5 and 84.71+/-11.80 for the counseled and control group, respectively. Statistical analysis of medication knowledge was carried out and all the demographic characters and number of medication were individually correlated with medication knowledge score and the difference observed was statistically significant. Compliance score of the patients was 92.29+/-4.5 and 84.71+/-11.8 % for the counseled and usual care group, respectively.