International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archive

Exploring Evidence-based Therapies for Ocular Manifestations in Bardet–Biedl Syndrome

Aamir Jalal Al-Mosawi — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Laurence-Moon syndrome are rare autosomal recessive disorders that share a similar clinical phenotype. These syndromes are characterized by progressive features including cone-rod retinal dystrophy, obesity, and hypogonadism in males. Additional clinical manifestations can include learning disabilities, renal abnormalities, and polydactyly. Despite their similarities, Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Laurence-Moon syndrome are distinguished by certain clinical features. Ocular Manifestations in BBS: Ocular involvement in BBS primarily manifests as rod-cone dystrophy, a form of retinal degeneration that leads to progressive blindness. The pathophysiology of retinal degeneration in BBS is linked to ciliary dysfunction, affecting the photoreceptor cells in the retina. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in preserving vision in affected individuals. Therapeutic Strategies: Current evidence-based therapies for ocular manifestations in BBS focus on genetic therapies, retinal implants, and pharmacological interventions. Gene therapy approaches, including gene replacement and gene editing technologies, show promise in preclinical models, aiming to restore or replace defective proteins involved in retinal function. Additionally, retinal implants, such as the Argus II retinal prosthesis, offer partial restoration of vision in patients with advanced retinal degeneration. Pharmacological treatments, such as retinoid derivatives and anti-inflammatory agents, have shown mixed results in slowing disease progression but are not yet universally effective. Conclusion: While promising, therapeutic options for managing ocular manifestations in BBS are still in the experimental stages. Continued advancements in gene therapy, retinal prostheses, and pharmacological approaches may offer hope for improving the quality of life and preserving vision in individuals with BBS. Further clinical trials and research are essential to validate these therapies and develop effective treatment protocols.

Exploring the Detection of Undeclared Sibutramine in Botanical Weight Loss Products, Black Slim

Sajjad Sadeghi — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Currently, a significant number of individuals rely on herbal medicines for their healthcare requirements despite the lack of screening for efficacy and safety in traditional drugs. Regrettably, undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have been found in traditional medicines that claim to be natural. This study aimed to identify undeclared APIs in weight loss herbal supplements obtained from an online herbal shop in Iran. Materials and Methods: A packet of herbal supplements consisting of 30 capsules was acquired from an online herbal store in Iran. The product is advertised as a weight loss aid. To identify any concealed APIs, a sample of the supplement was analyzed using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry device. Results: Sibutramine was found in herbal supplements at a concentration of 13.43 ± 0.291 mg/capsule. Conclusion: Although synthetic drug production requires authorization from licensing authorities, the manufacture of herbal supplements in Iran is not regulated. Consequently, guaranteeing the quality and safety of these herbal supplements is vital for patient health.

Valorization of the Biological Activity of Euphorbia hirta

Nadir El Mostafa — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: The main objective of our study it to valorization of the biological activity of euphorbia hirtathe. Material & Methods: Phytochemical analysis of Euphorbia hirta revealed a variety of compounds, including saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, coumarins, and cardiac glycosides. Quantitative measurements indicated that the methanolic extract from the roots is particularly rich in phenolic compounds, with a concentration of 128.45 ± 5.1 micrograms GAE/mg of extract. Conversely, the methanol extract from the stems had the highest flavonoid content, at 36.11 ± 0.45 micrograms QE/mg of extract. Result: The antioxidant capacity of the polar extracts was evaluated using the DPPH method, showing that the root methanol extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 07.04 ± 0.14 micrograms/ml. Conlusion: Additionally, a correlation was noted between the levels of polyphenols and the concentration of phenolic compounds present.

Some Ecological Studies of Detritus as a Major Component of Lotic Ecosystem

Rakhi Kumari — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Detritus, the decomposing organic matter found in lotic (flowing water) ecosystems, plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem function. It serves as a primary energy source for many organisms within these ecosystems, influencing nutrient cycling and food webs. This abstract summarizes recent ecological studies on the significance of detritus in lotic environments. Role of Detritus in Lotic Ecosystems: Ecologists now believe that particulate detritus is the food resource that supports, directly or indirectly, well over half the animal production in most ecosystems. Most animals wait until plants die and partly decompose before using this material food. Invertebrates such as shredders, collectors, and detritivores rely on detritus as a food source, while microorganisms decompose it into simpler compounds, contributing to nutrient cycling. Studies have shown that the quality and quantity of detritus are influenced by factors such as vegetation cover, hydrology, and land use (Wallace et al., 1997; Graça et al., 2001). This interaction supports a complex food web, with primary producers and consumers depending on the energy and nutrients released from detritus. Detritus Decomposition and Ecosystem Function: At Station 1, the minimum quantum (0.012 g/m2) of the dry detritus was recorded in August, 2022; whereas the maximum (0.363 2 g/m2) in April, 2022 during the first year. In the second year, the minimum (0.027 g/m2) was observed in September, 2023 and maximum (0.568 g/m2) during January, 2023. At Station 2, the dry detrital content was slightly higher as compared to Station 1: but the quantum of variation showed similar seasonality, at both the lolic stations, in which (0.043 g/m2) was recorded in August and highest (0.782 g/m2) in March, during the first year. In the second year the minimum detrital content (0.0:36 2 g/m2) was observed in September, 2023 and the maximum (0.331 g/m2) in January, 2023. Conclusion: Detritus is a crucial component of lotic ecosystems, influencing energy flow, nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity. Understanding its role in ecosystem processes is essential for managing freshwater habitats and mitigating the impacts of human activities on these environments.

Fructosamine: An Essential Biomarker in the Diabetes Landscape

G. Vigneswaran — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder that can lead to severe complications if left untreated, largely due to chronic hyperglycemia. Effective diabetes management requires accurate blood glucose monitoring and reliable diagnostic tools. While hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is the gold standard for assessing long-term glycemic control, it has limitations, particularly in individuals with conditions affecting red blood cell turnover. Fructosamine offers an alternative, reflecting average blood glucose levels over the previous 2–3 weeks, providing short-term glycemic management insights. This review explores the role of fructosamine in diagnosing and managing diabetes, comparing its effectiveness to the widely used HbA1c test. It focuses on its applicability in specific patient groups, such as those with hemoglobinopathies, chronic kidney disease, and pregnant women. A comprehensive literature review of clinical studies and guidelines was conducted to evaluate fructosamine’s diagnostic accuracy, its comparison with HbA1c, and its utility in these special populations. Fructosamine effectively measures glycemic control when HbA1c may be unreliable, offering a cost-effective tool that captures short-term glucose fluctuations. However, its accuracy can be influenced by factors like serum protein levels and inconsistencies in testing methods, indicating a need for further standardization. It concludes that fructosamine is a valuable biomarker for short-term glycemic monitoring, particularly in cases where HbA1c may not provide reliable results. Although it is not yet widely adopted as a primary diagnostic tool, fructosamine holds promise as a complement to HbA1c in the diagnosis and management of diabetes, especially in cases requiring rapid assessment of glycemic changes.