Search

A validated self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge about isotretinoin and their awareness of isotretinoin dispensing practice. The majority were not able to recognize the initial dose of isotretinoin, the potential side effects such as dyslipidemia and liver toxicity, the potential interaction with tetracycline and Vitamin A and the contraindications of isotretinoin. Around 41.3 % of the pharmacists dispensed isotretinoin without a prescription, and the majority did not recognize that isotretinoin should be dispensed for only 30 days, should not be dispensed without an emphasis on the appropriate indication, and did not know the appropriate duration of isotretinoin therapy. Male gender and postgraduate degree were associated with better awareness, while increased work experience and postgraduate degree were associated with better knowledge about isotretinoin therapy. Nevertheless, both male and female pharmacists demonstrated equivalent knowledge levels. The current study demonstrates the need to implement educational programs to improve pharmacists' knowledge and awareness about isotretinoin and its dispensing practice.

Citronellol, a monoterpene found in the essential oils of Cymbopogo plants has been reported to possess various biological properties. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of citronellol against rotenone induced neurodegeneration by using rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our results demonstrated that oral administration of citronellol prevented rotenone induced reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation and enhanced Nrf2 expression, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels in the brain. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that citronellol reduced secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and decreased MMP-9 expression levels. Further, citronellol prevented rotenone induced microglia (Iba-1 staining) and astrocyte (GFAP staining) activation. Western blot analysis showed that citronellol significantly decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 that are key markers of neuroinflammation. We further evaluated the effect of citronellol on dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum (ST) which are key anatomical structures in PD. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity showed that citronellol preserved Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive dopaminergic neurons and enhanced TH striatal expression levels significantly compared to rotenone alone group. Further, to understand the effect of citronellol on apoptosis and proteotoxicity, we evaluated apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2), growth regulator (mTOR) and α-synuclein expression. Citronellol attenuated rotenone induced expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, reduced α-synuclein expression and enhanced Bcl-2 and mTOR levels. In addition, citronellol modulated autophagy pathway by decreasing LC-3 (Microtubule-associated proteins) and p62 levels. Taken together, our results demonstrate that citronellol protected dopaminergic neurons through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and autophagy modulating properties.