Pharmacology Commons^™

Classification Of Plants According To Their Heavy Metal Content Around North Mara Gold Mine, Tanzania: Implication For Phytoremediation, N. Mganga, Mlk Manoko, Z. K. Rulangaranga

Tanzania Journal of Science

Plants like other living organisms respond differently under different environmental conditions. An elevated level of heavy metals is one of the stresses which results into three classes of plants depending on their heavy metal content. The classes of plant species according to their accumulated heavy metals around North Mara Gold Mine were not known. To study such classes, a line transect of 700m long was established opposite the gold mine wastes. A total of eight sampling points were systematically established each after every 100m in that transect. Fifteen plant species were sampled; at least one species per sampling point. Approximately …

Modelling Β2ar Regulation, Sharat J. Vayttaden

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) regulates smooth muscle relaxation in the vasculature and airways. Long- and Short-acting β-agonists (LABAs/SABAs) are widely used in treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and asthma. Despite their widespread clinical use we do not understand well the dominant β2AR regulatory pathways that are stimulated during therapy and bring about tachyphylaxis, which is the loss of drug effects. Thus, an understanding of how the β2AR responds to various β-agonists is crucial to their rational use. Towards that end we have developed deterministic models that explore the mechanism of drug- induced β2AR regulation. These mathematical models …

Store-Operated Calcium Channels In The Function Of Intracardiac Neurons, Timetria Bonds

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Proper autonomic regulation of mammalian cardiac function is dependent upon very complex and precise communication among the intracardiac ganglia and individual neurons within the ganglia. An array of neuromodulators is found within the ganglia that direct neuronal activity by modulating the movement of calcium. The current study determines that opioidergic agonists, which have been found to contribute to severe cardiac disease states and intracellular calcium mobilization, are also responsible for changes in the function of the intracardiac neuron via their effects on store-operated calcium channels (SOCs).

Previous studies suggest that phosphorylation plays a role in SOC regulation. Using Fura-2 calcium …

Minimal Structural Requirements Of Alkyl Γ-Lactones Capable Of Antagonizing The Cocaine-Induced Motility Decrease In Planarians, Debra Baker, Sean Deats, Peter Boor, James Pruitt, Oné R. Pagán

Biology Faculty Publications

We recently reported that the natural cyclic lactone, parthenolide, and related analogs prevent the expression of behavioral effects induced by cocaine in planarians and that parthenolide’s γ-lactone ring is required for this effect. In the present work, we tested a series of alkyl γ-lactones with varying chain length (1–8 carbons) to determine their ability to antagonize the planarian motility decrease induced by 200 μM cocaine. Alkyl lactones with up to a 4-carbon alkyl chain did not affect planarian motility or antagonized the cocaine-induced motility decrease; only the compound γ-nonalactone (a γ-lactone with a 5-carbon chain) was able to prevent the …

Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling For Predicting Drug-Drug Interactions, David M. Ng, Ali Navid

STAR Program Research Presentations

Dynamics of interactions between the drugs caffeine and ciprofloxacin are predicted using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. Pharmacokinetic means the model determines where the drugs are distributed in the body over time. Physiologically-based means the anatomy and physiology of the human body is reflected in the structure and functioning of the model. Multiple drugs can interact to increase or decrease their beneficial and/or undesired effects. This is important because some common substances, such as caffeine in coffee and soft drinks, are actually drugs that affect the body. By implementing the model as a computer program, it is relatively straightforward to perform …

Role Of Dopamine In Impulse Control, Paul Rafael Sabandal ^, Young-Cho Kim, Kyung-An Han *

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Summer 2011

No abstract provided.

Formulation And Characterization Of Lipid-Based Drug Delivery System Of Raloxifene-Microemulsion And Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System, Hetal Thakkar, Jitesh Nangesh, Mayur Parmar, Divyakant Patel

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Raloxifene, a second-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is administered orally in the form of a tablet. The absolute bioavailability of the drug is only 2% because of extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. Lipid-based formulations are reported to reduce the first-pass metabolism by promoting its lymphatic uptake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present investigation, microemulsion and Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) formulations of Raloxifene were prepared. The prepared formulations were characterized for drug loading, size, transparency, zeta potential, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and in vitro intestinal permeability. RESULTS: The results indicated that high …

Physician Perceptions Of Risk Regarding Mood Disorders And Pharmacological Management During Pregnancy: What Is Current Practice?, Laura G. Hendon

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Mood disorders are the most common form of mental illness and one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide.  Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder have a lifetime prevalence of 16.2% and 4.4%, respectively.  Women comprise a substantial proportion of this population, and an estimated 500,000 pregnancies each year involve women with a psychiatric condition.  Management with psychotropic medications is considered standard of care for most patients with mood disorders.  However, many of these medications are known human teratogens.  Because pregnant women with mood disorders face a high risk of relapse if unmanaged, the obstetrician faces a unique challenge in …

Parthenolide Blocks Cocaine’S Effect On Spontaneous Firing Activity Of Dopaminergic Neurons In The Ventral Tegmental Area, David Schwarz, Damaris Bloom, Rocío Castro, Oné R. Pagán, C. A. Jiménez-Rivera

Biology Faculty Publications

Chronic cocaine administration leads to catecholamine reuptake inhibition which enhances reward and motivational behaviors. Ventral Tegmental Area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neuronal firing is associated with changes in reward predictive signals. Acute cocaine injections inhibit putative VTA DA cell firing in vertebrates. Parthenolide, a compound isolated from the feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium), has been shown to substantially inhibit cocaine’s locomotion effects in a planarian animal model (Pagán et al., 2008). Here we investigated the effects of parthenolide on the spontaneous firing activity of putative VTA DA neurons in anesthetized male rats (250-300g). Single-unit recordings were analyzed after intravenous (i.v.) parthenolide administration …

Hedgehog Signaling: A Potential Therapeutic Target For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ma'in Yehya Maitah

Wayne State University Dissertations

The American Cancer Society estimated that 222,520 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer and 157,300 died of lung cancer in 2010 (Jemal et al. 2009, 225-249;Jemal et al. 2011, 69-90). The clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the major lung cancer sub-types, is very poor, which calls for innovative research for finding novel therapeutic targets and agents for better treatment outcome.

Emerging evidences have suggested that a phenomenon called Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which shares similar molecular characteristics with cancer stem-like cells, contributes to lung cancer treatment failure. In view of the fact that EMT process …

Compensatory Renal Hypertrophy, Mitochondria And Redox Status, Bavneet Benipal

Wayne State University Dissertations

A reduction in functional renal mass occurs in humans during aging and severe kidney damage from diseases, injuries, infections and congenital conditions and after nephrectomy. Nephrectomy, or surgical removal of a kidney or a section of a kidney, is performed for treatment of unilateral secondary renal cancer, infections and for kidney transplantation. As a result, the remaining renal tissue undergoes compensatory growth due primarily to hypertrophy, in which both the size and functional capacity of the remaining kidney are increased. Renal compensatory hypertrophy is associated with a series of physiological, morphological and biochemical changes that also have toxicological implications.

Previous …

An Overview Of New Psychoactive Substances And The Outlets Supplying Them, Cathy Kelleher, Rachel Christie, Kevin Lalor, John Fox, Matt Bowden, Cora O'Donnell

Reports

This report represents the outcome of a review of new psychoactive substances2 within the Irish context, including a review of the outlets that supply these substances. The review was commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in accordance with Action 14 of the National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009–2016. Action 14 provides for the monitoring of ‘head shops’3 and other outlets for the sale of psychoactive substances, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2007. Researchers at the Centre for Social and Educational Research (CSER) within the School of Social Sciences and …

The Role Of Androstane Neurosteroids In Alcohol-Mediated Social Behavior, Jason J. Paris

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Androgenic steroids, such as testosterone, may influence the propensity for aggression in both people and animals. Some of testosterone's effects on aggression may be due, in part, to its metabolic products that are 5á-reduced and 3á-hydroxylated to form, 3á-androstanediol (3á-diol), which can also enhance aggression in mice. Notably, alcohol (EtOH) consumption facilitates aggression in people and animals, particularly among those predisposed to act aggressively. In rats, EtOH can increase 3á-diol in prefrontal cortex, which may facilitate aggression. The present work aimed to elucidate the role of 3á-diol for EtOH-enhanced aggression. We hypothesized that EtOH would enhance inter-male aggression, social dominance, …

In Vitro And In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Characterization Of The Novel Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitor Pf-04886847, Dhaval Sanjeev Kolte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plasma kallikrein plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and thrombosis. Kallikrein cleaves high molecular weight kininogen (HK) to liberate the potent pro-inflammatory peptide bradykinin (BK). BK upon activation of its constitutive B2 receptors on endothelial cells leads to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ level and subsequent production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), ultimately leading to vasodilation, hypotension, increased vascular permeability and vascular leakage. Further, kallikrein activates the complement system and stimulates neutrophil chemotaxis, aggregation and elastase release. Furthermore, kallikrein mediates the conversion of factor XII (FXII) to activated factor XII (FXIIa) thereby potentiating the intrinsic …

Electro-Gene Transfer To Skin Using A Noninvasive Multielectrode Array, Siqi Guo, Amy Donate, Gaurav Basu, Cathryn Lundberg, Loree Heller, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Because of its large surface area and easy access for both delivery and monitoring, the skin is an attractive target for gene therapy for cutaneous diseases, vaccinations and several metabolic disorders. The critical factors for DNA delivery to the skin by electroporation (EP) are effective expression levels and minimal or no tissue damage. Here, we evaluated the non-invasive multielectrode array (MEA) for gene electrotransfer. For these studies we utilized a guinea pig model, which has been shown to have a similar thickness and structure to human skin. Our results demonstrate significantly increased gene expression 2 to 3 logs above injection …

The Effects Of Protein Kinase C Inhibitors On Blood Nitric Oxide And Hydrogen Peroxide Release In Ischemia And Reperfusion Injury, Kyle D. Bartol

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a key component initiating oxidative stress in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). Previous studies using protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Gö 6983 or PKC Beta (β) II inhibitor improved cardiac function in myocardial I/R, decreased leukocyte-endothelial interactions and leukocyte superoxide (SO) release and increased endothelial-derived NO release in vitro. This study examined the effects of Gö 6983 or PKC β II inhibitor on realtime H2O2 and NO release in femoral vein I/R in vivo. NO or H2O2 microsensors …

Feedback From Malaysian Pharmacists Who Underwent A 3-Year Period Of Compulsory Service With The Government, Ong Aik Liang, Thomas Paraidathathu

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Since 2004, it is mandatory for all new pharmacy graduates in Malaysia to serve the government for a period of 4 years, before they are free to work as registered pharmacists in a sector of their choice, either public or private. With the enactment of th...

Sensitive, Selective And Extraction-Free Spectrophotometric Determination Of Lamotrigine In Pharmaceuticals Using Two Sulphonthalein Dyes, K. B. Vinay, H. O., N. Rajendraprasad, K. Basavaiah

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Two direct, simple, sensitive and rapid extraction-free spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of lamotrigine (LMT) in pure form and in its dosage forms. The methods are based on formation of ion-pair complex between the dru...

Pharmacotherapy Safety And Efficacy In Adolescent Smoking Cessation, Jennifer Lincoln

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not pharmacotherapy is a safe and effective treatment option for smoking cessation in adolescents

Small Gtp-Binding Proteins In Insulin Secretion, Bhavaani Jayaram

Wayne State University Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is marked by a substantial beta-cell failure which is characterized by defective insulin secretion and resistance to insulin. Understanding the molecular events leading to Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion [GSIS] might serve as therapeutic potential towards diabetes. GSIS involves interplay between small G-proteins and their regulatory factors. Herein, I tested the hypothesis that Arf nucleotide binding site opener [ARNO], a guanine nucleotide exchange factor [GEF] for the small G-protein Arf6, mediates the activation of Arf6, and that ARNO/Arf6 signaling axis, in turn, controls the activation of downstream effectors. Salient features of my study are: [i] ARNO/Arf6 is expressed …

Mechanisms Of Regulation Of Islet Function By Nadph Oxidase, Ismail Syed

Wayne State University Dissertations

Glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) involves a series of metabolic and cationic events, leading to translocation of insulin-laden secretory granules from a distal site toward the plasma membrane for fusion and release of insulin into circulation. Vesicular transport and fusion events are tightly regulated by signals which coordinate between vesicle- and membrane-associated docking proteins. It is now being accepted that reactive oxygen species [ROS] plays a second messenger role in islet â-cell function. Further, evidence from multiple laboratories suggests a tonic increase in ROS generation is necessary for GSIS and fatty acid-induced insulin secretion. On the other hand, excessive ROS …

Synthesis And Cytotoxicity Study Of Magnetoliposomes Loaded Doxorubicin, Surachai Ngamratanapaiboon, Issara Sramala, Wichet Leelamanit

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The limitation of clinical use of doxorubicin is its side effects especially a cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. To overcome this, doxorubicin can be targeted to accumulate on the site of action and limit dispersion in healthy tissue. Magnetic li...

Effects Of Marmin Isolated From Aegle Marmelos Correa On L-Histidine Decarboxylase Enzyme In Rbl-2h3 Cells, Agung Endro Nugroho, Novrizal Abdi, Sugeng Riyanto, Kazutaka Maeyama, Zullies Ikawati

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Marmin or (7-(6’,7’-dihydroxygeranyl-oxy) coumarin is a compound isolated from Aegle marmelos Correa, in the study, we investigated the effects of marmin on the L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC), a rate-limiting histamine synthesizing enzyme, in rat ma...

Rapid Titrimetric And Spectrophotometric Assay Of Tramadol In Bulk Drug And In Formulation Using N-Bromosuccinimide And Methyl Orange As Reagents, K. B. Vinay, H. D., N. Rajendraprasad, M. S. Raghu, P. J. Ramesh, M. X. Cijo, K. Basavaiah

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic used for prevention and treatment of moderate to severe pain. Two simple, rapid and sensitive methods by titrimetric and spectrophotometric techniques are described for the determination of tramadol hydrochloride ...

Allylmercaptocaptopril Attenuates Sodium Selenite Induced Experimental Cataractogenesis: An In Vitro And In Vivo Study, K. S. Lakshmi, Shrinivas Sharma

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The present study sought to assess the efficacy of the allylmercaptocaptopril เท preventing seleniteinduced cataractogenesis in an experimental setting. The first, in vitro phase of the study was performed on lenses from Wistar rats incubated for 24 ...

Design And Characterization Of Bioadhesive Ophthalmic Films Of Flurbiprofen, Rashi Saroot, Ritu Mehra Gilhotra

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

An attempt has been made to formulate sustained release ophthalmic films of flurbiprofen along with bioadhesive polymers. Ocular films were prepared by using polymers; sodium alginate, chitosan and HPMC; alone and in different combinations. Glycerol was ...

Influence Of Surfactants On Crystal Form Of Mefenamic Acid, Kaival P., Kulkarni P.K., Mudit Dixit, Ashwini G. Kni

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mefenamic acid is an anti inflammatory and poorly water-soluble drug. Since the drug powder can stick to any type of surface, and is not easy to handle in granulation and tabletting process, it is more desirable to recrystallize the mefenamic acid in suc...

Acute And Sub-Chronic Toxicity Studies Of A Standardized Extract Of Centella Asiatica Eca 233, Songpol Chivapat, Pranee Chavalittumrong, Mayuree H. Tantisira

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Acute toxicity study of Centella asiatica standardized extract ECa 233 was conducted by an oral administration of 10.0 g/kg extract into 10 male and 10 female mice. The extract at the given dose did not cause any toxic signs and death within the observat...

Hptlc-Densitometric Method Development And Validation For Simultaneous Determination Of Lamivudine, Nevirapine And Zidovudine In Fixed Dose Combinations, Gebremedhin Solomon, Ariaya Hymete, Abdel-Maaboud I. Mohamed, Adnan A. Bekhit

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In this study an HPTLC-densitometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of lamivudine, nevirapine and zidovudine in pharmaceutical dosage forms which are used widely as first line HIV/AIDS treatment. Chromatographic separation of the...

Ion-Pair Titrimetric Assays Of Quetiapine Fumarate In Pharmaceuticals Using Sodium Tetraphenylboron And Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, N. Rajendraprasad, K. Basavaiah, Kanakapura B. Vinay

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Two simple, rapid, precise and accurate titrim etric methods employing sodium tetraphenylboron (STPB) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as titrants are described for the quantitative determination of quetiapine fumarate (QTF) in bulk drug and tablets. The...