Gender-based differences in prevalence and effects of ADHD in adults: A systematic review.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts from childhood and lasts through adulthood. Historically thought as male dominant disorder, researches now emphasized that ADHD also effects females equally. Despite the ascending research on gender differences of ADHD, there is little known about its differences in prevalence and effects and there is a dearth of reviews that can draw a firm conclusion especially in adults. Data from the available medical literature published in English language literature of all time was reviewed systematically and tabulated to evaluate the gender-based differences in prevalence and effects of ADHD in adults. The studies revealed gender differences in adult ADHD in prevalence, and effects. Results showed that males have more prevalence as compared to females but females too have a significant presence of disorder. Females were more impaired as compared to men in most of the effects of ADHD like social functioning, time perception, stress tackling and mood disorder. Males were more impaired in working memory and educational functioning as compared to females. The review shows sufficient evidence of gender differences in adult ADHD in prevalence, and effects, that similarity across genders should not be assumed. It is concluded that there are plenty of conflicting evidence regarding gender differences in many areas of adult ADHD research, and to remove such discrepancies, the existing research is the need for more studies on gender differences and similarities in functioning of adults with ADHD.

Formulation and optimization of dimenhydrinate emulgels for topical delivery using response surface methodology.

Development of dimenhydrinate (DMN) emulgel formulation has been described in this work with enhanced permeation for transdermal delivery of DMN for effective management of motion sickness. Various DMN emulgel formulations were prepared using central composite design in response surface methodology. Propylene glycol and olive oil were used in varying ratios as permeation enhancers along-with carbopol-934 as gelling agent. Prepared formulations were evaluated by physico-chemical properties, stability and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. In-vitro drug release was studied using cellophane membrane. Formulation F2 showed maximum drug permeation following diffusion-based release mechanism and was used in further studies. Rat skin was used in Franz cell for ex-vivo studies to determine various permeation kinetic parameters. FTIR studies provided no evidence of chemical interaction between DMN and polymers used, whereas molecular docking revealed formation of a stable complex in the presence of aqueous environment with stable intermolecular binding and the complex was well hydrated. No evidence of skin irritation was observed in human volunteers following application of the optimized formulation. Histopathology data of the rat skin showed a decreased proliferation of the lymphocytes whereas monocytes were induced. In conclusion, combination of propylene glycol and olive oil was successfully employed for delivery of DMN through transdermal route with good permeability and prolonged release time that can be highly beneficial in treating motion sickness in unusual circumstances.

Formulation and in-vitro characterization of Capsaicin loaded ethosomes.

The ability of ethosomes to entrap capsaicin was evaluated using four methods of preparation that are; hot method, cold method, classic method and injection method. The ethosomes were prepared, optimized and characterized with the aim to identify a technique best suitable for their formulation. Vesicle shape, size and entrapment efficiency was determined by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and ultracentrifugation techniques, respectively. Vesicle sizes varied from an average of 15nm - 400nm depending on the concentrations of phospholipid, ethanol and method of preparation. The formulations demonstrated entrapment efficiency of 29-81% with maximum entrapment obtained in formulations prepared with hot method having high concentration of ethanol. The homogeneity index was measured with Zetasizer that showed formulation prepared with hot method to be more uniform in size distribution having PDI 0.162 while injection method of preparation yielded a moderately broad polydispersity of vesicles (0.276). Physical stability assessment done by storing the selected formulation samples at 4°C and 25°C indicated the refrigerator temperature to be the best for retention of drug in ethosomal vesicles. All formulations kept in refrigerator adequately retained capsaicin during the two months of stability studies while those at ambient temperature noticeably showed leaked drug from vesicles. FTIR analysis showed capsaicin and phospholipid to be compatible with each other with no sign of interaction. DSC studies evidently showed lowering of transition temperature of phospholipid from 327.13°C to 111.63°C in ethosomal formulation due to the presence of ethanol. It was concluded that capsaicin ethosomes can be successfully prepared to employ four different methods and their characterization parameters indicate hot method to be effective for preparation of nano-sized uniform, homogeneous and stable capsaicin ethosomes.

GC-MS profiling, FTIR, metal analysis, antibacterial and anticancer potential of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) leaves.

Monotheca buxifolia has traditionally been employed in folk medicines to cure of infectious diseases. Current study was aimed to standardize the M. buxifolia leaves extract and evaluate its antibacterial and anticancer activity. Phytochemical analysis was carried through GC, GC/MS, FTIR, and ICP-OES analytical techniques. Antibacterial assay of the crude extract was performed by using tetrazolium micro plates. The extract treated bacteria were observed under (AFM) atomic force microscope and PCR was used for DNA amplification. The anti-proliferative activity of M. buxifolia leaves extract was examined through MTT cytotoxicity assay. The bacterial strains employed in this study were S. epidermidis ATCC (13518), S. aureus ATCC (25923), P. aeruginosa ATCC (10145), and E. coli ATCC (10536). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) against gram positive bacteria was significantly (p<0.01) achieved at 50 and 75µg/mL. MIC50 against E. coli and P. aeruginosa was also significant at 100µg/mL (p<0.01). M. buxifolia leaves extract damaged the cell walls gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, while biofilm around gram positive bacteria was significantly damaged. The DNA decantation was also inhibited of S. aureus and S. epidermidis, however, no any impact was observed on E. coli and P. aeruginosa DNA decantation. The cytotoxicity findings suggested that the crude extract of M. buxifolia leaves at 1000µg/mL gives significant inhibition 73.96±2.0%, 83.76±1.2%, 77.66±1.2% and 72.67±1.6% against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HeLa and H460 cell lines respectively at (p<0.001). It may be concluded that M. buxifolia leaves extract have significant and promising antibacterial and anti-cancer activities which could be helpful to establish new antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Phytochemical and biological assessments on Lipidium meyenii (maca) and Epimidium sagittatum (horny goat weed).

The effects of Lipidium meyenii (maca, LM) and Epimidium sagittatum (horny goat weed, ES) have been investigated due to their involvement in fertilization. Both of the drugs showed good results before, during and after fertilization in male and female mice. The results revealed that the crude extract of Lipidium meyenii caused a significant decrease in the no. of writhes at 300 and 500mg/kg (p<0.05) as compare to control, Epimidium sagittatum and standard drug. The gross behavioral, open field, exploratory behaviour, forced swimming test for stress, diuretic activity, chronic toxicity with the effect on reproduction of both male and female and change in body weight were also studied. The phytochemical study showed the presence of tannin, alkaloid, carbohydrate, rich protein and absence of sterol in LM, whereas ES shows presence of sterol and less protein. LS improve in muscle activity and exploratory behaviours without any toxic effects on mice and their pups. It does not have diuretic effect for first two hour but act normally after initial phase of drug therapy. Epimidium sagittatum has dual action that is at low dose it has slight stimulation action and at high dose little depressive effect. ES also has some diuretic effect. Overall these results suggest that LM is highly effective remedy for treatment of impotency and reduces stress and depression, because of dual effect ES not only suggested as an anxiolytic medicine but also effective in female hormonal disorder.

Phytochemical screening and assessment of analgesic, Anti-inflammatory and hematological properties of the fruit of Berberis baluchistanica.

Traditionally Berberis species have been used as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drugs. This study was aimed to determine chemical constituents and to assess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hematological effects of the crude extract of the berries of Berberis baluchistanica to verify these folkloric claims. Phytochemical screening, carried out by using different chemical reagents and techniques like Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Fourier Transform infra-Red (FTIR) indicated presence of flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols and carbohydrates including reducing sugars. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed on mice by using acetic acid induced writhing method and formalin method. Potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were observed during these experiments. The extract also showed anti anemic effect as it increased the levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells significantly. Increase in the platelet count was also noted. The extract of the berries was used at oral doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg during experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were determined by comparing with the standard i.e. aspirin 300 mg/kg. Both doses produced significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities at P<0.05. These activities were seemingly attributable to flavonoid and saponin contents of the drug. These results justify the folkloric claims that the drug could be used as good anti-inflammatory, antirehumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drug. However, further chemical investigations on the drug are suggested for isolation and identification of compounds that could be safer and more effective than the currently available medicines in treating these disorders.

Comparative clinical evaluation on herbal formulation Pepsil, Safoof-e-Katira and Omeprazole in gastro esophageal reflux disease.

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of Unani herbal drugs Pepsil and Safoof-e-katira on the gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This was multicentre randomized case control study conducted at Matab Hakeem Muhammad Noor-ud-din, Burewala; Aziz Muhammad din Medical and Surgical Centre, Burewala and Shifa-ul-mulk Memorial Hospital, Hamdard University Karachi. The patients were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. In test group-1 the male female ratio was 40%, 60%; test group-2 was 42%, 58% and in control group was 44%, 56% respectively. The observed symptoms in the study were increased appetite (TG-1-95%, TG-2-95% and CG-89%), difficulty in swallowing (TG-1-93%, TG-2-96% and TC-94%), belching/burping (TG-1-97%, TG-2-97% and CG-95%), vomiting (TG-1-90%, TG-2-96% and CG-89%), heart burn (TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-98%), palpitation (TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-97%), epigastric pain (TG-1-97%, TG-2-97% and CG-90%), abdominal cramps (TG-1-97%, TG-2-98% and CG-95%), tenesmus (TG-1-100%, TG-2-100% and CG-97%), flatulence (TG-1-100%, TG-2-75% and CG-95%), wakeup during sleep (TG-1-94%, TG-2-87% and CG-94%). The p-value of the results of the symptoms was 0.000 except flatulence where the value was 0.001. The statistical results of the study prescribed that all the drugs studied (Pepsil, Safoof-e-katira and Omeprazole) are highly significant. The herbal coded drug Pepsil showed no side effects and unani herbal drug safoof-e-katira showed minimum result of 75% in the patients while Omeprazole resulted with some side effects. In the result it can be concluded that the herbal coded drug Pepsil is a potent herbal drug for gastro esophageal reflux disease.