Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Leaves and peels of pawpaw bought from open market within Port Harcourt metropolis were examined for metals and qualitative phytochemical compositions with the intent or aim to examine their phyto and ethno medical importance as agricultural waste products. The metals examined in the leaves and peels of the pawpaw were; manganese (Mn), potassium (K), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se). Their concentrations were in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Mg > K >Cu > Ca > Ni > Na > Pb> Ar = Se in the leaves, while those of the peels were in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Mg > Cu > Ca > K > Ni = Na > Pb> Ar = Se. The results of heavy metals in leaves and peels were not significantly different from each other, but were slightly higher in the peels than the leaves. The phytochemicals examined in the leaves and plants were flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenol, terpenoids, tannins, carboxylic acids, quinones and xanthoproteins. The phytochemicals detected in the aqueous extracts of the leaves and peels were; flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, caboxylic acids and xanthoprotein, while methanolics extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids and xanthoproteins. The presence of micronutrients and phytochemicals in the pawpaw plant might be the reason for its utility in the cure of different diseases and ailments.

Background: Patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and the mortality risk is associated when Creatine Kinase isoenzyme MB and Troponin I values are increase.

Objective: The present study was oriented to study the modification of cTnI and CK-MB sensitivity in the arterial hypertension and its association with drugs in the antihypertensive treatment.

Methods: A descriptive and random study included 35 hypertensive patients of both sexes, admitted to the coronary unit of the “Reina Fabiola “Clinic”. The patients were stratified without associated pathologies (Control group), n = 13; and with only hypertension, n = 22 treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n= 15), beta-blockers (n = 7). Samples of blood were collected and cardiac markers analyzed at the entrance to the coronary care unit (0 hs) and after 8, 12, 24 hs.

Results: Creatine Kinase MB activity decreased at 8 hs and Troponin I sensibility showed a decrease in hypertensive patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors respect control group at 0 hs. Optimal cut points of CK-MB were 13.50, 17.00, 19.50 and 14.00 UI/L, and to cTnI 0.08, 0.17, 0.16 and 0.42 ng/ml at 0, 8, 12, and 24 hs respectively.

Conclusions: The remodeling and ventricular hypertrophy states are conditions that could be modify biomarkers levels and sensitivity by the use of antihypertensive drugs. We propose an algorithm incorporating changes in cTnI levels and CK-MB activity to increases the diagnostic sensitivity in AHT patients.

Diabetes, a major metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycaemia and plagued by numerous side effects including amnesia has posed a huge burden on the sufferers for ages. This remains to be unraveled as adequate treatment has been largely unavailable. This study therefore evaluated the effect of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glucose level. A total of 63 rats were used for the study. The rats after acclimatization were grouped into seven (7) comprising nine (9) rats in each group. Control 1 served as negative control, control 2 served as diabetic positive control while Test group 1 served as diabetic group treated with 0.0128 mg/kg b.w of Glibenclamide drug. Four diabetic groups labelled test group 2,3,4 and 5 were treated with varying doses of 50 mg/kg b.w, 100mg/kg b.w, 150 mg/kg b.w and 200 mg/kg b.w of the plant leaf extract respectively for 1 week, 3 weeks and 5 weeks. BDNF was estimated using rat Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Blood glucose was estimated using glucose oxidase method. Amnesia study was done using passive avoidance test. Data obtained were analyzed using Fischer’s least significance test. Results showed a dose dependent increase (p<0.05) in BDNF in diabetic treated rats in week 5. Blood glucose level decreased significantly (p< 0.05) as dose of extract increased across the diabetic groups. Histopathological slide of the brain showed up-regulatory activity of the plant leaf extract thus indicating that the plant leaf extract Jatropha tanjorensis can be used to ameliorate diabetic induced cognitive dysfunction.

Many drugs, specifically macromolecules - molecules with low bioavailability and low solubility - are generally not suitable for oral delivery, particularly for protein and peptide drugs. This results in difficulty in delivery of drugs when taking medication, leading to great ineffectiveness. Improving safety efficacy ratio of drugs has been attempted using different methods such as individualizing drug therapy, dose titration, and therapeutic drug monitoring. There are also various routes of doses being developed for a more effective way to deliver drugs, such as dermal, buccal, nasal mucous membrane delivery and so on. Despite new drug delivery method being developed, there are still limitations. Therefore, the penetration enhancers, chemical compounds that facilitate drug penetration into skin more easily are reinforced for decreasing the barrier resistance. The objective of the study was to establish an invertebrate animal model using L. terrestris for screening penetration enhancers for intraoral buccal drug delivery system. 

In this study, an electrical potential was induced across the skin of L. terrestris and the change of electrical potential was monitored, while replacing the initial aqueous medium into the solutions dissolved with penetration enhancers such as SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate), Laurocapram, alcohol and DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide) and L. Menthol. The result showed a highly linear relationship of the decreasing slopes with solution concentrations of all the penetration enhancers examined in the study, with which it demonstrated the feasibility of an appropriate screening model of L. terrestris. Considering their maximum slope comparison, the order of penetration enhancing capability was laurocapram>DMSO>SDS>l-menthol>ethanol. For now, the L. terrestris model suggested these relative orders might be meaningful if the study was performed for screening purposes. More study might be needed to convert the relative capability into more quantitative evaluation for understanding the mechanism of enhancing capability among penetration enhancers.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the critical public health issue in Pakistan, unfortunately according to 2018 report of WHO Pakistan hold 5^th place in the TB high burden countries and estimated to be on fourth position for MDR prevalence. Currently Pakistan sharing 61% of case burden of TB in EMRO region. There is slight decline in case incidence 231/100,000 in 2015 as compared to 270/100,000 cases in 2014 as declared by Worldbank in the report of 2016.

Methods: Polynomial regression model was used to predict the tuberculosis incidence prevalence in AJ&K for the year 2019. Prediction based on tuberculosis data from 2014 to 2018 that was analyzed for the estimation of incidence prevalence of tuberculosis in AJ&K for 2019.

Results: Polynomial regression technique was used to predict the tuberculosis incidence prevalence for the year 2018 that was obtained 118/100000. At the end of 2018 actual data reported shows that averagely incidence prevalence of TB remains 124/100000 with minor difference from the predicted value for 2018. Further data from 2014 to 2018 analysis; predicted that averagely 130/100000 cases will be reported in 2019.

Conclusion: It is predicted that the Incidence Prevalence for the year 2019 will remain 130/100000 for the AJ&K on base of data 2014-2018. This shows that AJ&K is so far from the target (270/100000) set by WHO. If a TB case produce 10 cases in community annually then within a few years, there will be the disaster of TB cases in the AJ&K.