Currents in Pharmaceutical Research

Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, and DNA Protection Assays of Eclipta alba, Ageratum conyzoides, Calendula officinalis, and Conyza bonariensis

Waheed Ullah Hafiz — 2025-04-28

Asteraceae is the most famous family of ornamental flowering plants. Most of the plants included in this family have medicinal properties. The current research aimed to investigate the pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards of Eclipta alba L., Ageratum conyzoides L., Calendula officinalis L., and Conyza bonariensis L. to ensure their purity, safety, and efficacy as medicinal agents. The investigated parameters included pharmacognostic characterization, that is, powder microscopy, preliminary phytochemical analysis, physicochemical analysis, and in vitro DNA protection assay. The pharmacognostic characteristics evaluated via microscopy included the presence of fibers, linear covering trichomes, and glandular trichomes. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of different classes of phytoconstituents, such as glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, and triterpenoids. The DNA damage protection assay revealed that the crude methanolic extracts of these plants effectively protected human DNA from oxidative stress generated by free radicals of the oxidizing agent (Fenton’s reagent).

Validation of an RP-HPLC Method to Determine Rupatadine as a Fumarate in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

Qazi Amir Ijaz — 2025-04-28

Rupatadine (RUP) is a second generation antihistamine drug and an agonist of platelets activating factor. Literature does not report any specific method for the determination of RUP. Therefore, a Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed in this research for the quantitative determination of RUP in pharmaceutical dosage form. For this purpose, a mixture of monosodium phosphate buffer and acetonitrile 80:20 v/v was used as mobile phase, flowing at a rate of 1.0 ml/min. A well-characterized reference material of RUP with a potency of 99.68% (as is basis) was used throughout the study. RUP for system suitability chemical related substances (CRS) (containing impurities A and B) was also used in this study for the identification of fumaric acid, impurity A, impurity B, and RUP in the pharmaceutical dosage form. Method validation was performed by the preliminary analysis of the standard sample and by performing recovery studies. The method was found to be linear with regression line y = 95464x -6164, having correlation 1.0000, in the range of 17.04-85.20 µg/ml. Moreover, percentage recovery of RUP was found to be in the range of 99.08 to 100.25. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.63 µg/ml and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 1.91µg/ml. It can be inferred from the obtained results that the developed method is simple, linear, precise, accurate, and robust. Therefore, it can be employed for the quantitative determination of RUP in the pharmaceutical dosage form.

Physicochemical Evaluation of Streptomycin Sulphate using Simple and Newly Developed Spectrophotometric Methods

Ubed-Ur-Rehman Mughal — 2025-05-26

Streptomycin sulphate (STP), an antibiotic that belongs to the aminoglycoside class, works by blocking the protein synthesis of the bacteria. This research presents a simple, fast, and cost-effective method for the analysis of the physicochemical parameters of STP used by three brands. The current study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, physical properties such as color, pH, and weight variations of brands containing STP were evaluated using simple aesthetic procedures. In the second stage, chemical analysis was carried out using derivatization approach, followed by analysis with spectrophotometer. The derivatization of STP was carried out using vanillin as derivatizing agent. Beer’s law was followed in the range of 10-50 µg/ml, while calibration curve was obtained in the same range with R² value of 0.9993, which shows the linearity of the method. The analysis was carried out using the recovery method. There was 99-101% recovery of the drug using the new method with relative standard deviation ranging between 0.19-0.22%. The results showed that the new method is accurate and precise.

Optimizing Surgical Prophylaxis: An Audit of Antibiotic Use and Guideline Adherence in a Tertiary Care Hospital with Focus on Antimicrobial Stewardship

Junaid Naeem — 2025-05-28

Inappropriate antibiotic use, particularly in surgical prophylaxis, contributes to increasing antibiotic resistance and surgical site infections (SSIs). This study aimed to evaluate pre- and post-operative antibiotic prescribing practices and compliance with surgical prophylaxis guidelines in a tertiary care hospital, identifying areas for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention. A prospective study was conducted, collecting data on 250 surgical patients. After excluding 6 patients based on pre-defined criteria, data from 244 patients was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. The audit assessed patient demographics, pre- and post-operative antibiotic regimens, duration of antibiotic administration, and incidence of SSIs. Analysis revealed widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis, often deviating from established guidelines. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics were commonly administered for extended durations (24–72 hours) post-operatively. A significant proportion of patients (n=167) received oral antibiotics upon discharge to complete a 5-day course. The SSI incidence rate was 2.0%, with all infections occurring in patients who underwent open surgical procedures (laparotomies). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (including methicillin-resistant strains), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Most isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, although they remained sensitive to antibiotics, such as vancomycin, linezolid, meropenem, and colistin. Management was guided by culture and sensitivity in most cases; however, one instance of irrational antibiotic use was observed. These findings emphasize the role of surgical type, duration, and appropriate microbial management in SSI prevention. In conclusion, the study highlighted significant deviations from surgical prophylaxis guidelines and irrational antibiotic use. The presence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and inappropriate antibiotic selection further stressed the urgent need for targeted AMS interventions. These should include the development and implementation of hospital-specific prophylaxis protocols aligned with the best national or international practices. Ongoing monitoring is needed to assess AMS effectiveness.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Community Pharmacists Regarding Vitamin D and Calcium Products: A Qualitative Study in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Muhamad Masoom Akhtar — 2025-05-28

The current study explored the level of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists concerning the usage of vitamin D and calcium products, employing a qualitative approach in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Calcium, an equally important mineral, contributes to various physiological processes, including blood pressure regulation, prevention of hypertensive complications during pregnancy, and reduction in cholesterol levels. According to the Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2018, a significant proportion of urban women of reproductive age suffer from hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency. This qualitative investigation involved semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, selected through purposive sampling technique. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the collected data. Pharmacists exhibited mixed levels of awareness regarding the benefits and side effects of calcium and vitamin D supplements. While most acknowledged their role in maintaining bone health and potential side effects, only about half were familiar with drug interactions. A generally favorable attitude was observed towards supplementation. The study highlighted that, although community pharmacists in Pakistan have a basic understanding of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, their knowledge and communication practices vary. They show a positive attitude towards their roles, however, often rely on reactive patient engagement. Strengthening pharmacist training, policy support, and public awareness is essential to effectively address widespread micronutrient deficiencies.

Preparation and Evaluation of Nanoemulsion-based Aerosol Formulation for the Pulmonary Delivery of Azithromycin

Bisma Kiran — 2025-05-28

Azithromycin (AZM) is an effective macrolide antibiotic against pathogenic microorganisms causing respiratory tract infections. AZM is not only effective in the exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) caused by bacteria but has also shown antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2, making it an ideal candidate to empirically treat the coronavirus disease. The drug is a lipophilic molecule which belongs to BCS class II with a relatively low oral bioavailability of 37%. This brings forth the need to formulate a novel drug delivery system to directly target the respiratory tract by aerosolization. The aerosolization of AZM improves its antibacterial efficacy, lowers the dose, and avoids systemic side effects. These traits reduce the likelihood of antibiotic resistance. Three nanoemulsions (NEs) of AZM were made using eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint oil as solvents, distilled water as aqueous phase, and Tween 20 as surfactant. All the formulations were made using a similar technique, that is, shake flask method. The characterization of all formulations was performed including visual inspection, number of flask inversions, percent transmittance, emulsification efficiency, thermodynamic stability (heating-cooling cycle, centrifugation, freeze-thaw cycle, cloud point measurement), pH, refractive index, viscosity, droplet size analysis and PDI, spray efficiency, and spray acuity/capacity. Then, the NE formulations were aerosolized. These aerosolized NEs of AZM can help to deliver the drug directly to the infected lung cells. The therapeutic effect can be achieved rapidly at a relatively low dose using an aerosol formulation. This study suggests that optimized aerosolization of NEs can be used to effectively deliver AZM to the respiratory tract.

Impact of Drug Information Centers on Healthcare Outcomes: A Narrative Review of Pre- and Post-implementation in South Asian Countries

Tharsika Kanthasamy — 2025-04-23

Drug Information Centers (DICs) play a vital role in the provision of accurate, reliable, and updated information on medications to healthcare professionals as well as the general public. These centers are now taking a step forward in the healthcare field. This narrative review aimed to analyze the evolution and impact of DICs on South Asian countries, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Furthermore, it also discussed the role of DICs in healthcare as well as the barriers in the establishment of such services in developing countries. The established DICs in these South Asian countries improves rational drug use and enhances patient safety even though there are significant challenges to establish and expand these centers in South Asia. The DICs established in India, Nepal, and Pakistan have significantly contributed in the enhancement of patient safety and rational use of medications. However, there are challenges in establishing DICs in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Innovative strategies, such as telemedicine services and collaboration with healthcare institutes, academics, and regulatory authorities would expand the services of DICs across South Asia.

Therapeutic Potential of Graphene Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer: Insights from the Past Ten Years

Ishrat Younus — 2025-07-31

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women all over the world and its prevention is still a challenge. There are various systemic and local therapies used in the treatment of breast cancer. These therapies, including chemotherapy, endocrine treatment, and tissue-targeted therapies, complement definitive local treatments including surgery or radiation, leading to a significant reduction in both cancer recurrence and disease-related mortality. However, traditional cancer therapies are limited in their specificity and systemic toxicity. In this scenario, nanomaterials may prove to be valuable in providing effective cancer treatments, while reducing unwanted side effects and providing precise diagnosis. Graphene nanoparticles and its derivative reduced graphene oxides (RGO), which belong to a category of carbon nanomaterial, have captured significant interest for their matchless utility as fundamental components in breast cancer treatment. This review focuses on different types of graphene-based nanomaterials which exhibit significant potential in drug delivery applications due to their unique properties, including high drug-loading capacity, pH-dependent release, and enhanced cellular uptake. A thorough search of a bibliographic database during the last decade (2013-2023), was conducted to find the research articles focused on nanotechnology using graphene for cancer treatments to gather the relevant information.