Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics Journal

Synergistic Activity of Cressa cretica Extract Combination with Ampicillin against Klebsiella pneumoniae

Zakaria Bameri, Mehdi Fattahi-Bafghie, Rahele Zareshahi, Mohsen Zabihi — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 12:57:33 +0000

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effect of ethanolic extract of Cressa cretica and ampicillin against the standard and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Method: The chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of C. cretica was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was used to evaluate the antimicrobial performance of the extract. The checkboard broth method was used to investigate the synergistic effect of the extract with ampicillin.

Results: The ethanolic extract of C. cretica inhibited the growth of the standard strain of K. pneumoniae with MIC 100 mg/mL and did not affect the MDR strains of K. pneumoniae. The Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) showed an additive effect of ampicillin in combination with C. cretica on the standard strain of K. pneumoniae. The MIC of ampicillin in combination with C. cretica was reduced eightfold.

Conclusion: C. cretica ethanolic extract is containing chlorogenic acid, rutin, and catechin. The extract in combination with ampicillin can reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration of ampicillin. C. cretica ethanolic extract can reduce the ampicillin dosage in the treatment of Klebsiella-induced infections.

A New Approach to the Investigation of Therapeutic Efficiency of Novel Carum copticum Nanoparticles against Leishmania major Promastigotes

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:04:14 +0000

Current therapies for Leishmaniasis are associated with several side effects as well as drug resistance. Sensitivity and resistance of Leishmania major to Glutamine are referred to as those isolates which are responsive or non-responsive to one or two full courses of treatment by Glucantime systematically and/or intra-lesionally, respectively. In this study, We assessed a new approach to the investigation of the therapeutic efficiency of novel Carum copticum Nanoparticles against Leishmania major Promastigotes. First, the Carum copticum Nanoparticles were synthesized and liposomal Carum copticum was applied as a new therapeutic approach substituted for current therapy. In this experimental study, liposomal Carum copticum was prepared using the thin film hydration method and characterized based on encapsulation efficiency, size, and zeta potential. Carum copticum was successfully loaded into the liposome. The surface charge of the nanoparticle was neutral and the size of the nanoparticle was 176.5 nm. Liposomal Carum copticum beared spherical shape without any agglomeration. Results revealed that liposomal Carum copticum carried a significant effect, compared to the control sample, on parasite growth in both logarithmic and stationary phases. The result of this study signifies that the Carum copticum Nanoparticles induces a better and more tangible effect on the survival of Leishmania major promastigotes.

Main Molecular Factors and Pathways in the Anti-cancer Act of Crocin

Marzieh Lotfi, Seyed Hossein Shahcheraghi — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:05:55 +0000

One of the herbal materials with several anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics is crocin, an effective component derived from saffron, which can be applied to cure a range of diseases. It has been demonstrated that crocin has an important impact on controlling pathological situations such as inflammation, oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Notch, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and cyclic-AMP response element-connecting factor pathways may all be involved in crocin's neuroprotective properties. With its inhibitory effect on toll-like receptors, crocin also preserves the cardiovascular system. Treatment of metabolic problems may be performed by crocin's regulatory influence on the PI3K pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and peroxisome proliferator-stimulated receptor pathways. This letter has investigated effective molecular factors in the anticancer act of crocin.

The Combined Effect of Donepezil and Lovastatin on the Electrical Activity of Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Azade Eskandary, Ahmad Ali Moazedi — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:07:30 +0000

Background: Donepezil, a noncompetitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is prescribed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease but it only has moderate performance. Therefore, combination therapies are more effective. There is much evidence suggesting that statins have neuroprotective effects on neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. The present study aimed to investigate the combined effects of Donepezil and Lovastatin on the activity of the pyramidal neurons of the CA1 hippocampus.

Methods: In the present experiment study, adult male rats were divided into 3 groups: Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis (NBM) lesion (which received electrically- induced lesion (0.5 mA, 3s) in NBM) group, NBM lesion + injection Donepezil 5mg/kg-Lovastatin 10mg/kg, NBM lesion+ injection Donepezil 15mg/kg-Lovastatin 30mg/kg. Spontaneous activity of pyramidal neurons in CA1 region to injection of Donepezil-Lovastatin was investigated in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Results: The results of this study showed that electrical lesion of NBM leads to a decrease in the activity frequency of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region. Administration of Donepezil 5mg/kg-Lovastatin 10mg/kg increased the frequency of pyramidal neurons in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that co-administration of Donepezil-Lovastatin (low doses) increases the activity of the CA1 pyramidal neurons in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Evaluation of the Effect of Gabapentin in the Management of Uremic Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients

Jalal Azmandian, Mosayyeb Kouhkan, Seyed Mojtaba Sohrevardi — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:09:21 +0000

Background: Gabapentin is an antiepileptic agent that has analgesic properties in neuropathic pain. Given that few studies have assessed the effect of the low dose of gabapentin on uremic pruritus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on pruritus of hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on dialysis patients who were referred to Shafa Hospital, Kerman. In this regard, 40 patients consumed 100 mg of gabapentin for one week. Then patients did not take any medication within the washout period and consumed a 100 mg placebo for one week. Assessment of pruritus severity was done by visual analog scale (VAS). Hematocrit, calcium, phosphor, creatinine, and albumin were evaluated. These measurements were done before and after treatments with placebo and gabapentin.

Results: The main places of pruritus location in dialysis patients were the back (90 %), abdomen (80%), shoulder (80%), and head (70%). The mean pruritus severity before treatment, and after treatment with placebo and gabapentin, was 8.3± 1.5, 6.73 ± 1.17, and 4.58 ± 1.50, respectively. Significant difference was seen before and after treatment, in terms of pruritus severity (p<0.1). In addition, there was a significant difference between gabapentin and placebo groups, regarding the severity of pruritus (p<0.1). No significant difference was seen before and after treatment, regarding biochemical parameters (p>0.05).

Conclusion: According to the findings, it seems that gabapentin can be an effective and safe treatment for pruritus in patients on hemodialysis. The therapeutic approach chosen for these patients is based on the neuropathic hypothesis.