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Background Acne is an inflammatory condition principally affected by genetic and dietary factors. Investigation into functional polymorphisms of TNF-α gene and their association with acne vulgaris will be helpful in exploring genetic influence on skin immune mediated inflammatory events. In the present study, we analyzed association of TNF-α gene polymorphisms, its expression levels and lipid profiles in a large cohort of acne patients and controls. Methods We used PCR-RFLP to study association of TNF-α polymorphisms at -857C/T, -863C/A and -1031 T/C sites with acne vulgaris. Lipid profiles were measured using enzymatic end-point method. The serum levels of TNF-α and apolipoprotein a were measured using ELISA. NIH, LDlink was used to investigate patterns of linkage disequilibrium across south Asian reference genome (Punjabi from Lahore Pakistan). Results We found that TNF-α -863 polymorphism is strongly associated with acne in overall population as well as in gender and severity based groups of acne patients. Polymorphisms at -863 and -1031 position were in linkage disequilibrium. Importantly, TNF-α serum level was significantly increased in acne patients with severe disease symptoms. Furthermore, levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were significantly increased, whereas high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was significantly decreased in acne patients. The levels of apolipoprotein a varied widely in studied populations and no significant difference was found in the analyzed groups. Conclusion In conclusion, we found that TNF-α expression increases in acne patients affected by TNF-α polymorphisms, and that the lipid profile is specifically disrupted in acne patients.

The convenient synthetic strategy for the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles capped by tartaric acid with a controlled size is reported here. Their characterization is revealed through spectroscopic protocols, such as UV/Vis and FTIR, while SEM, DLS and a Zetasizer revealed the surface morphology, size distribution and surface charge on the nanoparticles. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band was observed at 406 nm with 1.07 a.u absorbance, the image for SEM shows that the particles were monodispersed and spherical in shape, while the z-average size distribution of AgNPs/TA in a colloidal solution was found to be 79.20 nm and the surface charge was monitored as −28.2 mV. The antibacterial activities of these capped nanoparticles alone and in synergism with selected fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and gemifloxacin) and macrolides (erythromycin and azithromycin) were assessed on selected Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive organisms by employing the disc diffusion method. Antioxidant activity against the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) was also evaluated using the standard assay method. The antibacterial activity of the antibiotics has been increased against studied microorganisms, showing the positive synergistic effect of the capped nanoparticles. A potential therapeutic application of AgNPs/TA in combination with antibiotics is determined from the results of the present research. These capped nanoparticles also possess good antioxidant activity and, therefore, can be used in various fields of biomedical sciences.

Experimental design is a significant tool for optimization and validation for the development of HPLC methods to determine API in both human serum and pharmaceutical formulations. In this study, RP-HPLC method is developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin and NSAIDs. In this experiment, Purospher STAR C18 column with optimum assay conditions (10:90, v/v, water: methanol, pH 2.75) used as mobile phase having flow rate of 1.5mL min

Seven new hydrazinyl thiazole derivatives of piperidin-4-one (PE3-PE9) have been synthesized by cyclization of intermediate thiosemicarbazone derivative (PE2). Parent molecule (PE1) was synthesized by one pot total synthesis using Mannich condensation reaction. Percent yield of most of the compounds found in between 70-85%. Compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis. In vivo analgesic activity was examined using tail flick method. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean latency time of synthesized derivatives with control and standard. Analgesic activity was discussed in terms of structural differences between compounds. Among allthe derivatives thiosemicarbazone derivative showed good analgesic activity (195.24%). Methoxy (-OCH3) and bromo (-Br) containing thiazole derivative also showed good pain reducing property (167.62%, 203%) at a dose of 30mg/kg.

As part of our continuous research to understand the interaction mechanism of drug and metallo-elements, heavy metal complexes of azithromycin (AZI) were synthesized with arsenic oxide, lead carbonate and silver chloride salts in molar ratio of 2: 1 (L: M). Synthesized heavy metal complexes have shown good percent yield and characterized through spectroscopic parameters including UV-Visible, TLC, FT-IR, NMR and elemental analysis (CHN). Spectroscopic characterization reveals the binding of ligand AZI with heavy metals in bi-dentate manner involving the hydroxide and 9a-NCH

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that results from regurgitation of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Treatment available for GERD includes lifestyle changes, antacids, histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and anti-reflux surgery. Aim: The aim of this review is to assess the cost-effectiveness of the use of PPIs in the long-term management of patients with GERD. Method: We searched in PubMed to identify related original articles with close consideration based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to choose the best studies for this narrative review. The first section compares the cost-effectiveness of PPIs with H2RAs in long-term heartburn management. The other sections shall only discuss the cost-effectiveness of PPIs in 5 different strategies, namely, continuous (step-up, step-down, and maintenance), on-demand, and intermittent therapies. Results: Of 55 articles published, 10 studies published from 2000 to 2015 were included. Overall, PPIs are more effective in relieving heartburn in comparison with ranitidine. The use of PPIs in managing heartburn in long-term consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has higher cost compared with H2RA. However, if the decision-maker is willing to pay more than US$174 788.60 per extra quality-adjusted life year (QALY), then the optimal strategy is traditional NSAID (tNSAID) and PPIs. The probability of being cost-effective was also highest for NSAID and PPI co-therapy users. On-demand PPI treatment strategy showed dominant with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$2197 per QALY gained and was most effective and cost saving compared with all the other treatments. The average cost-effectiveness ratio was lower for rabeprazole therapy than for ranitidine therapy. Conclusion: Our review revealed that long-term treatment with PPIs is effective but costly. To achieve long-term cost-effective approach, we recommend on-demand approach to treat heartburn symptoms, but if the symptoms persist, treatment with continuous step-down therapy should be applied.

The successful management of infections caused by human pathogenic bacteria is becoming a challenge for clinicians. Therefore, new strategies to circumvent the growth of pathogens need to be developed. The current study was therefore aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through chemical reduction process of silver nitrate by tri sodium citrate or sodium borohydride and evaluated their antibacterial activity. During the synthesis process, AgNPs were capped by malonic acid (a dicarboxylic acid). We have exploited two approaches of cold (reduction by NaBH4) and hot (reduction by trisodium citrate) process for the synthesis of AgNPs which revealed maximum absorbance of AgNPs at 412 nm and 397 nm respectively. The malonic acid (MA) functionalized AgNPs (AgNPs/MA) were systematically characterized for their size, surface changes and morphology. These colloidal AgNPs were stable and polydisperse in nature with an average diameter of 20 nm. The zeta potential (ZP) analysis showed stable AgNPs. The AgNPs synthesis was optimized in a set of different reactions where concentration of metal precursor, concentration of capping agent, temperature, time of stirring and duration of reaction were variable. The AgNPs/MA were found poly-dispersed in nature with predominantly spherical shape. The antibacterial potential of AgNPs was then assessed against both Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) by antimicrobial disc susceptibility assay with three replicates per treatment which showed promising antibacterial activity of AgNPs. The AgNPs/MA possessing remarkably smaller size exhibited encouraging antibacterial activity against human bacterial pathogens suggesting their potential application in controlling bacterial infections in clinical settings and can be utilized in further biomedical applications.

Background/aim Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare entity on the foot. This study aimed to reveal its clinical presentations, histopathology and treatment options. Materials and methods Seven cases of ALM involving foot were treated in our Institute in a 3-year period. Results The patients' age ranged from 38 to 84 years, with a mean of 65. The ratios of males to females and white to non-white were 4:3 and 5:2, respectively. Clinically, ALM presented as asymmetric, irregular shaped, black-brown, variegatedly discolored, papular, verrucoid, ulcerated or nodular lesions with or without pain. All ALMs were treated with either wide local excision (WLE) or toe amputation. Histologically, ALM was characterized by multiple single and nested atypical melanocytes growing along the dermal-epidermal junction, and extending into dermal layer in nodular growth pattern. Conclusion ALM is a rare, asymmetric, irregularly bordered, variegatedly pigmented lesion. WLE or toe amputation is the standard treatment option.

This study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of green tea administration on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression in CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Materials and methods: A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups as: Group 1, normal untreated rats; Group 2, CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats; Group 3: CCl4-induced cirrhotic + green tea treated rats. The beneficial effects of green tea were measured by alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin level, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). The genomic DNA was isolated from excised tissue to determine the ACE genotypes using specific primers. The ACE gene expression in liver tissue was assessed using the quantitative RT-PCR method. Results: Liver cirrhosis was indicated by high plasma ALT, direct bilirubin level, tissue MDA, and low SOD. The antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT were low (P < 0.01) in cirrhotic and green tea-treated rats. High activity (P < 0.01) of ALT was observed in green tea-treated cirrhotic rats. The total and direct bilirubin levels were high (P < 0.01) in CCl4-treated cirrhotic rats while they were low (P < 0.05) in green tea-treated cirrhotic rats. The tissue MDA was high (P < 0.01) in CCl4- and green tea-treated cirrhotic rats. ACE gene expression after 8 weeks of CCl4 treatment in cirrhotic rats was significantly high (P < 0.05), and was reversed in green tea-treated cirrhotic rats in comparison to controls. Conclusion: The administration of green tea tries to correct the deteriorative biochemical and genetic changes during CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. The long-term consumption of green tea has beneficial effects on abnormally increased ACE gene activity during liver cirrhosis caused by CCl4 administration in rats.

A simple reversed phase HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of sparfloxacin (SPFX), diclofenac sodium, meloxicam, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen and mefenemic acid in a relatively short time with high linearity in bulk material, pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. Purospher STAR C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was utilized with mobile phase, methanol and water (90:10, v/v pH 2.70 adjusted by phosphoric acid), was delivered at a flow rate of 1.5 mL.min–1. Eluent was monitored using UV detector at 240 nm. The proposed method is specific, accurate (98.42% - 102.75%), precise (intra-day and inter-day variation 0.011% - 1.85%) and linear (R2 > 0.999) with in the desired range 0.15 - 40 ug.mL–1 and the detection and quantification limit was 1.19E+08 – 0.150 ug.mL–1 and 3.62E+08 – 0.4574 ug.mL–1 respectively for SPFX and NSAIDs. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and student’s t-test were applied to verify the results. The anticipated method is applicable to routine analysis of SPFX and NSAIDs in pharmaceutical formulations as well as in human serum samples. It has also applied on interaction of SPFX with NSAIDs.

Simple, isocratic and rapid RP-HPLC method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of gemifloxacin and H2-receptor antagonists i.e. Cimetidine, Famotidine and Ranitidine, in bulk, pharmaceutical formulation and human serum. Separation was achieved on the RP-Mediterranea column [C18 (250 4.6 mm, 5 µm)] at ambient temperature using mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: methanol: water (20:28:52 v/v/v pH 2.8 adjusted byphosphoricacid).Flow ratewas1.0 mL/min with an averageoperating pressure of 180 kg/cm 2 . Gatifloxacin (GATI) was used as an internal standard (IS). Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 221, 256 and 267 nm, respectively. Linear calibration curves, at concentrationrangesof0.05-37.5gmL -1 withacorrelationcoefficientof±0.9994.Thedetectionandquantification limits were in the ranges of 0.023-0.250 µgmL -1 and 0.071-0.756 µgmL -1 , respectively. Friedman’s and Student’s t-test were applied to correlate these results. Method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision, robustness, recovery, limits of detection and quantitation and is applicable to the routine analysis of GFX and H2-receptor antagonists, alone or in combination.

An isocratic reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of gemifloxacin in bulk, dosage formulations and human serum at 270 nm. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Purospher STAR C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column using mobile phase methanol:water (90:10, v/v) adjusted pH 2.8 via phosphoric acid 85% having flow rate of 1.5 mL min-1 at ambient temperature. Calibration curves were linear over range of 5-100 µg mL-1 with a correlation coefficient 0.9998. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 0.015 and 0.045 µg mL-1, respectively. Intra and inter-run precision and accuracy results were 98.73-100.12% and then correlated through student'st-test. This method was further applied for in vitro interactions of gemifloxacin with essential and trace elements. Um método isocrático de cromatografia líquida de alta resolução de fase reversa (RP-HPLC) foi desenvolvido para determinação de gemifloxacin a granel, em formulações e soro humano a 270 nm. A separação cromatográfica foi adquirida em uma coluna Purospher STAR C18 (250 × 4,6 mm, 5 µm) usando a fase móvel metanol:água (90:10, v/v) ajustada para pH 2,8 com ácido fosfórico 85% em fluxo de 1,5 mL min-1 a temperatura ambiente. As curvas de calibração mostraram-se lineares dentro do intervalo de 5-100 µg mL-1 com um coeficiente de correlação de 0,9998. Os limites de detecção (LOD) e de quantificação (LOQ) foram 0,015 and 0,045 µg mL-1, respectivamente. Os resultados de precisão intra- e inter-corridas e de exatidão foram 98,73-100,12%, que foram correlacionados através do teste t student. Este método foi aplicado para interações in vitro do gemifloxacino com elementos essencial e traço.

Innovative, simple, economical, and rapid reverse phase HPLC method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of sparfloxacin (SPFX) and cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine (H2 receptor antagonists) in bulk material, pharmaceutical formulations, and human serum. Chromatographic system was consisting of schemed HPLC system having UV detector set at 232 nm for cimetidine and, 250 nm for famotidine and ranitidine. Purospher STAR C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was used, and the mobile phase (methanol, water and ACN 54:41:5 v/v/v pH 2.7 adjusted by phosphoric acid) was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 ml min−1. The proposed method is specific, accurate (98.02–102.136%), precise (intra-day and inter-day variation 0.501–2.179%) and linear (R 2 > 0.999) with in the desired range 0.3125–25 μg ml−1 concentration. The detection limit and quantification limit were 0.009–0.084 and 0.030–0.255 μg ml−1, respectively. Paired t test was applied to verify the results. The anticipated method is applicable to routine analysis of SPFX and H2 receptor antagonists in pharmaceutical formulations as well as in human serum samples. The proposed method is also applied to study interaction studies of SPFX with H2 receptor antagonists.

acid was delivered at a flow rate of 1 mL min -1 . The eluents was monitored using UV detector at 290 nm. The proposed method is specific, accurate (99.39-102.67%), precise (intra-day variation 0.04-0.86% and inter-day variation 0.12-0.94%) and linearity (R 2 > 0.999) within the desired range 0.39-25 gm L -1 concentration. The detection and quantification limit was 0.002-0.51 gm L -1 and 0.01-0.555 gm L -1 ,r espectively. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and student’s t-test were applied to verify the results. The anticipated method is applicable to routine analysis of MOX in pharmaceutical formulations and human serum samples. It is also applied on interaction of MOX with several essential and trace metals as well as interaction with antacids.

Metal complexes with the third-generation quinolone antibacterial agent sparfloxacin (SPFX) or 5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-6,8,di-fluoro-1-4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinocarboxylic acid have been synthesized and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques such as TLC, IR, NMR and elemental analyses. In these complexes, sparfloxacin acts as bidentate deprotonated ligands bound to the metal through the pyridone oxygen and one carboxylate oxygen. The antimicrobial activity of these complexes has been evaluated against four Gram-positive and seven Gram-negative bacteria. Antifungal activity against five different fungi has been evaluated and compared with reference drug sparfloxacin. Fe 2+ –SPFX and Cd 2+ –SPFX complexes showed remarkable potency as compared to the parent drug.

An isocratic reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of gemifloxacin and diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide) in bulk, dosage formulations and human serum at 232 nm. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Purospher Start C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column using mobile phase, methanol: water: acetonitrile (70:25:5 v/v/v) adjusted to pH 3.0 via phosphoric acid 85% having flow rate of 0.8 mL min -1 at room temperature. Calibration curves were linear over range of 0.5-10 µg mL -1 with a correlation coefficient ± 0.999. LOD and LOQ were in the ranges of 0.75-2.56 µg mL -1. Intra and inter-run precision and accuracy results were 98.26 to 100.9.

Azithromycin is a well-established antimicrobial agent which has been widely prescribed for the treatment of respiratory tract infections owing to its high efficacy and safety. Various essential metal complexes of azithromycin were synthesized and characterized by techniques as UV, FT-IR, NMR, atomic absorption and elemental analysis. Spectroscopic studies of complexes suggested that the –N(CH3)2 and hydroxyl group of desosamine sugar moiety present in azithromycin has been involved in complexation i.e., azithromycin ligand (L) behaves bidentately for complexation with different metal ions such as Mg (II), Ca (II), Cr (III), Mn (II), Fe (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II). These complexes were then subjected to in-vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies against several Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. ANOVA studies illustrates that all the tested complexes exhibited significantly mild to moderate antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains and highly significant against fungus C. albican.

Four new metal complexes (S12–S15) of SPFX (third-generation quinolones) via heavy metals have been synthesized in good yield and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods including TLC, IR, NMR, and elemental analyses. Sparfloxacinato ligand binds with metals through pyridone and oxygen atom of carboxylic group. The biological actives of complexes have been tested against four Gram-positive and seven Gram-negative bacteria and six different fungi. Statistical analysis of antimicrobial data was done by one-way ANOVA, Dunnett’s test; it was observed that S13, S14, and S15 were found to be most active complexes. Antifungal data confirm that all four synthesized complexes are most active and show significant activity against F. solani with respect to parent drug and none of complexes show activity against A. parasiticus, A. effuris, and S. cervicis. To study inhibitory effects of newly formed complexes, enzyme inhibition studies have been conducted against urease, α-chymotrypsin, and carbonic anhydrase. Enzymatic activity results of these complexes indicated them to be good inhibitors of urease enzyme while all complexes show mild activities against carbonic anhydrase enzyme. Further research may prove the promising role of these synthesized complexes as urease inhibitors.

Liver diseases are among the major health problems worldwide. Despite their increasing frequency, high morbidity and mortality, medical management is supposed to be insufficient; no therapy has successfully prevented the progression of hepatic diseases. Green tea is one of the commonly used beverages and considered as powerful antioxidant. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of green tea administration on CCl4 induced liver cirrhosis in experimental rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were selected and divided into 4 experimental groups (6 each) as: Group-1: normal healthy untreated rats; Group-2: CCl4 (0.8 mg/kg) induced cirrhotic rats; Group-3: treated with 5% green tea orally; Group-4: treated with CCl4 (0.8 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a week for 8 weeks+5% oral administration of green tea. The preventive effects of green tea were measured by means of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tissue catalase. Induction of cirrhosis by CCl4 was indicated by high levels of plasma ALT, direct bilirubin, tissue MDA and low levels of tissue SOD. Results showed that administration of green tea reduced these changes significantly in cirrhotic rats by putting beneficial effects on antioxidant and liver enzymes as well as total and direct bilirubin. This study convinced the possible protective effect of green tea in relation to antioxidant and liver enzymes. It is also conclusive that the chronic and sub chronic administration of green tea extracts has counter effects on hepatotoxicity caused by CCl4 administration. Key words: Green tea, total and direct bilirubin, cirrhosis, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

Simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin (MOX) and H2-antagonists was first time developed in bulk and formulations. Purospher STAR C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was used. The mobile phase (methanol: water: ACN, 60:45:5 v/v/v, pH 2.7) was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1, eluent was monitored at 236, 270 and 310 nm for cimetidine, famotidine and ranitidine, respectively. The proposed method is specific, accurate (98-103%), precise (intra-day and inter-day variation 0.098-1.970%) and linear (r>0.998). The LOD and LOQ were 0.006-0.018 and 0.019-0.005 μg mL-1, respectively. The statistical parameters were applied to verify the results. The method is applicable to routine analysis of formulations and interaction of MOX with H2-antagonist.