K. Khokhlova, O. Zdoryk, N. Sydora, V.I. Shatrovska
Abstract It was known that hawthorn - Crataegus L. is a polymorphic genus. Two hawthorn species and their hybrids are included in the European Pharmacopoeia, twelve – in Ukrainian pharmacopoeia. Determination of chromatographic profiles of hawthorn fruits species native to Ukraine and other countries that are non-pharmacopoeial, but have sufficient plant raw material base, is essential for quality control of drugs. Aim. To analyze and compare the chromatographic profiles of fruits of 23 Crataegus L. species on phenolic compounds, evaluated by means of high-performance thin-layer chromatography procedure (HPTLC), and determine the specific features of chromatographic fingerprints. Materials and Methods. A total of 39 samples of fruits of 23 hawthorn species that are native to Europe, Asia and North America, such as Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata/C. oxyacantha, C. leiomonogyna, C. curvisepala, C. pseudokyrtostyla, C. fallacina, C. subrotunda, C. ambigua, C. pentagyna, C. sanguinea, C. chlorosarca, C. almaatensis, C.pseudoheterophylla subsp. turkestanica, C. pinnatifida, C. pentagyna subsp. pseudomelanocarpa, C. punctata, C. pringlei, C. festiva, C. douglasii, C. holmesiana, C. submollis, C. flabellata, C. canadensis were investigated. The analysis has been done following the TLC method from European Pharmacopeia modified into HPTLC, using automated HPTLC herbal system (CAMAG, Switzerland). The results have shown that chromatographic profiles of phenolic constituents of nine Crataegus L. species of Europe, both pharmacopoeial and non-pharmacopoeial, were quite similar, despite the significant morphological distinctions. The chromatographical profiles of three species of Asia were similar to the pharmacopoeial species; three other species looked different and had specific marker zones. In addition, eight Crataegus L. species of North America had specific markers helping for discriminative analysis from pharmacopoeial species. Conclusion. The findings could help to identify the possible adulterations and prevent the falsification of finished products. The results will be taken into consideration during revision of the Ukrainian national pharmacopoeial monograph for hawthorn fruits.
摘要山楂属(hawthorn - Crataegus L.)是一个多态属。欧洲药典收录了两种山楂及其杂交种,乌克兰药典收录了12种。乌克兰等国原产的山楂属非药典品种,但具有充足的植物原料基础,其色谱图谱的测定对药品质量控制至关重要。的目标。采用高效薄层色谱法(HPTLC)对23种山楂果实中酚类化合物的色谱图谱进行分析比较,并确定其色谱指纹图谱特征。材料与方法。本文收集了原产于欧洲、亚洲和北美的山楂(Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata/C.)等23种山楂的39份果实样本。氧棘、扁桃花、曲叶花、假柱头花、fallacina、圆底花、双歧花、五角花、血根花、绿根花、almaatensis、假异叶花。土耳其,山裙花,五角草亚属。调查了假黑桫椤、斑点桫椤、春花桫椤、假日桫椤、道格拉斯桫椤、美洲桫椤、亚mollis、flabellata和加拿大桫椤。采用全自动HPTLC草药分析系统(CAMAG,瑞士),将欧洲药典的TLC方法修改为HPTLC。结果表明,欧洲9种山楂属植物(药典种和非药典种)的酚类成分色谱图谱基本一致,但形态上存在显著差异。3个亚洲种的色谱图谱与药典种相似;另外三个物种看起来不同,有特定的标记区。另外,北美8种山楂属植物具有特异性标记物,可用于药典种间的鉴别分析。结论。研究结果可以帮助识别可能的掺假,防止成品伪造。在修订乌克兰山楂果国家药典各论时将考虑到这些结果。
{"title":"Chromatographic Profiles Analysis of Fruits of Crataegus L. Genus by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography","authors":"K. Khokhlova, O. Zdoryk, N. Sydora, V.I. Shatrovska","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract It was known that hawthorn - Crataegus L. is a polymorphic genus. Two hawthorn species and their hybrids are included in the European Pharmacopoeia, twelve – in Ukrainian pharmacopoeia. Determination of chromatographic profiles of hawthorn fruits species native to Ukraine and other countries that are non-pharmacopoeial, but have sufficient plant raw material base, is essential for quality control of drugs. Aim. To analyze and compare the chromatographic profiles of fruits of 23 Crataegus L. species on phenolic compounds, evaluated by means of high-performance thin-layer chromatography procedure (HPTLC), and determine the specific features of chromatographic fingerprints. Materials and Methods. A total of 39 samples of fruits of 23 hawthorn species that are native to Europe, Asia and North America, such as Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata/C. oxyacantha, C. leiomonogyna, C. curvisepala, C. pseudokyrtostyla, C. fallacina, C. subrotunda, C. ambigua, C. pentagyna, C. sanguinea, C. chlorosarca, C. almaatensis, C.pseudoheterophylla subsp. turkestanica, C. pinnatifida, C. pentagyna subsp. pseudomelanocarpa, C. punctata, C. pringlei, C. festiva, C. douglasii, C. holmesiana, C. submollis, C. flabellata, C. canadensis were investigated. The analysis has been done following the TLC method from European Pharmacopeia modified into HPTLC, using automated HPTLC herbal system (CAMAG, Switzerland). The results have shown that chromatographic profiles of phenolic constituents of nine Crataegus L. species of Europe, both pharmacopoeial and non-pharmacopoeial, were quite similar, despite the significant morphological distinctions. The chromatographical profiles of three species of Asia were similar to the pharmacopoeial species; three other species looked different and had specific marker zones. In addition, eight Crataegus L. species of North America had specific markers helping for discriminative analysis from pharmacopoeial species. Conclusion. The findings could help to identify the possible adulterations and prevent the falsification of finished products. The results will be taken into consideration during revision of the Ukrainian national pharmacopoeial monograph for hawthorn fruits.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43977496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Physiological functions of cardiovascular system (CVS) are exhibiting circadian patterns regulated by complex system of endogenous factors. Preserving this rhythmicity is important for its normal function, whereas disturbing the synchronization with natural day–night cycle can increase the risk of cardiovascular damage. Cardiovascular pathophysiology also follows cyclic variation; time susceptibility and period with maximum risk associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) can be predicted. Given this rhythmic nature, significant changes in efficacy between morning and evening administration of the drug may occur; appropriate timing of pharmacological intervention in therapy of hypertension may affect the efficacy of the treatment.
{"title":"Chronopharmacology of high blood pressure—a critical review of clinical evidence","authors":"P. Potúček, J. Klimas","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Physiological functions of cardiovascular system (CVS) are exhibiting circadian patterns regulated by complex system of endogenous factors. Preserving this rhythmicity is important for its normal function, whereas disturbing the synchronization with natural day–night cycle can increase the risk of cardiovascular damage. Cardiovascular pathophysiology also follows cyclic variation; time susceptibility and period with maximum risk associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) can be predicted. Given this rhythmic nature, significant changes in efficacy between morning and evening administration of the drug may occur; appropriate timing of pharmacological intervention in therapy of hypertension may affect the efficacy of the treatment.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46984630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Peráček, B. Mucha, P. Brestovanská, Ľ. Strážovská
Abstract The question of drug availability is a key requirement for each country. Their deficiency can cause fatal consequences for the health of the population. For this reason, the production and distribution of medicines represents the economic potential of the state, which is also protected and regulated in the Slovak Republic. Drug distribution is also part of every market economy as it is the primary form of business-to-customer (B2C) offering. At first glance, the promotion of drugs might seem to be just marketing. But this area is under the scrutiny of the Slovak legislations. From the point of view of the systemic nature of law, advertising of medicinal products is regulated both in public law and private law. This is particularly the area of administrative law, commercial law and civil or criminal law, which must respect the often complicated penetration of European law into national law. The issue of ad management and the associated availability of medicines, in our terms, is at the centre of public interest. The main aim of the authors in this paper is to examine not only the European but especially the national legal regulation of the advertising of medicines in the context of the decision-making activity of the Slovak authorities supervising compliance with the legal restrictions on the promotion of pharmaceutical products. Another goal is to identify the problems in application practice and to propose ways to eliminate identified shortcomings by specific procedures. The authors, through scientific and doctrinal interpretation, examine selected statutes of the Law on Advertising and related legislation pertaining to the issue of drug advertising. Through expert literature, jurisprudence and the decision-making processes of the administrative authorities, they seek answers to practical application problems. At the end of the contribution, they critically analyse the identified shortcomings and propose appropriate measures to eliminate them.
{"title":"Legal regulation of drug advertising and its restrictions in the conditions of the Slovak Republic","authors":"T. Peráček, B. Mucha, P. Brestovanská, Ľ. Strážovská","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The question of drug availability is a key requirement for each country. Their deficiency can cause fatal consequences for the health of the population. For this reason, the production and distribution of medicines represents the economic potential of the state, which is also protected and regulated in the Slovak Republic. Drug distribution is also part of every market economy as it is the primary form of business-to-customer (B2C) offering. At first glance, the promotion of drugs might seem to be just marketing. But this area is under the scrutiny of the Slovak legislations. From the point of view of the systemic nature of law, advertising of medicinal products is regulated both in public law and private law. This is particularly the area of administrative law, commercial law and civil or criminal law, which must respect the often complicated penetration of European law into national law. The issue of ad management and the associated availability of medicines, in our terms, is at the centre of public interest. The main aim of the authors in this paper is to examine not only the European but especially the national legal regulation of the advertising of medicines in the context of the decision-making activity of the Slovak authorities supervising compliance with the legal restrictions on the promotion of pharmaceutical products. Another goal is to identify the problems in application practice and to propose ways to eliminate identified shortcomings by specific procedures. The authors, through scientific and doctrinal interpretation, examine selected statutes of the Law on Advertising and related legislation pertaining to the issue of drug advertising. Through expert literature, jurisprudence and the decision-making processes of the administrative authorities, they seek answers to practical application problems. At the end of the contribution, they critically analyse the identified shortcomings and propose appropriate measures to eliminate them.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41407400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Hypomethylating agent decitabine is being used in the treatment of certain types of leukaemia in combination with other anticancer drugs. Aberrant DNA methylation has been suggested to occur in pathological states including depression. Scarce data in male rats suggest antidepressant effects of decitabine. The main aim of our studies is to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of DNA methylation results in antidepressant effects in female rats. Before doing so, we decided to verify the effects of decitabine on DNA methylation in females. The findings demonstrate that the treatment with decitabine at the dose shown previously to inhibit DNA methylation in males, had no effect on total DNA methylation in two brain regions, namely the hippocampus and frontal cortex of female rats. In conclusion, the present study allows us to suggest that the effect of decitabine on DNA methylation in the brain is sex dependent.
{"title":"Total DNA methylation in the brain in response to decitabine treatment in female rats","authors":"L. Balagova, K. Buzgoova, P. Karailiev, D. Jezova","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Hypomethylating agent decitabine is being used in the treatment of certain types of leukaemia in combination with other anticancer drugs. Aberrant DNA methylation has been suggested to occur in pathological states including depression. Scarce data in male rats suggest antidepressant effects of decitabine. The main aim of our studies is to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of DNA methylation results in antidepressant effects in female rats. Before doing so, we decided to verify the effects of decitabine on DNA methylation in females. The findings demonstrate that the treatment with decitabine at the dose shown previously to inhibit DNA methylation in males, had no effect on total DNA methylation in two brain regions, namely the hippocampus and frontal cortex of female rats. In conclusion, the present study allows us to suggest that the effect of decitabine on DNA methylation in the brain is sex dependent.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47352062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Göböová, I. Vano, V. Kissova, Tomas Fazekas, M. Kuzelova
Abstract Introduction A gentamicin dose, which the physicians select, frequently does not take any pharmacokinetic parameters into consideration. Aim To analyse the results of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of gentamicin for those patients who have not had the gentamicin dose adjusted at the beginning of therapy (first group) and for those patients who had the gentamicin dose adjusted at the beginning of therapy (second group). Methods We acquired the basic data about patients from the requests for laboratory examination of levels of gentamicin. We measured all the gentamicin concentrations mentioned in this work using the FPIA method. Results The monitored set included 379 hospitalized patients during a 4-year period. We divided the monitored set into 2 groups. First group was composed of patients without dose adjustment of gentamicin at the beginning of therapy, and the second group was composed of patients with dose adjustment of gentamicin by the clinical pharmacist at the beginning of therapy. In addition, the patients in each group were divided according to the body mass index (BMI). In the first group of patients, a low percentage of patients had both optimal levels (trough, peak levels). As for patients with BMI > 25 m2/kg, there were only 17 % such cases, and the patients with BMI ≤ 25 m2/kg were only 18.8 %. In the second group, the patients had all trough and peak levels in optimal therapeutic range at obese patients, overweight patients and also at patients with normal weight (p < 0.001). Conclusion Adjustment of dosage regimens immediately at the beginning of therapy will provide for administering sufficient doses of antibiotics at the beginning of therapy, which is a pre-condition for a successful anti-infective therapy. Therapeutic monitoring of levels allows for administration of sufficient dose of gentamicin without fear of any undesirable effects.
{"title":"Is gentamicin administered to individual patients in optimal doses already at the beginning of therapy?","authors":"M. Göböová, I. Vano, V. Kissova, Tomas Fazekas, M. Kuzelova","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Introduction A gentamicin dose, which the physicians select, frequently does not take any pharmacokinetic parameters into consideration. Aim To analyse the results of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of gentamicin for those patients who have not had the gentamicin dose adjusted at the beginning of therapy (first group) and for those patients who had the gentamicin dose adjusted at the beginning of therapy (second group). Methods We acquired the basic data about patients from the requests for laboratory examination of levels of gentamicin. We measured all the gentamicin concentrations mentioned in this work using the FPIA method. Results The monitored set included 379 hospitalized patients during a 4-year period. We divided the monitored set into 2 groups. First group was composed of patients without dose adjustment of gentamicin at the beginning of therapy, and the second group was composed of patients with dose adjustment of gentamicin by the clinical pharmacist at the beginning of therapy. In addition, the patients in each group were divided according to the body mass index (BMI). In the first group of patients, a low percentage of patients had both optimal levels (trough, peak levels). As for patients with BMI > 25 m2/kg, there were only 17 % such cases, and the patients with BMI ≤ 25 m2/kg were only 18.8 %. In the second group, the patients had all trough and peak levels in optimal therapeutic range at obese patients, overweight patients and also at patients with normal weight (p < 0.001). Conclusion Adjustment of dosage regimens immediately at the beginning of therapy will provide for administering sufficient doses of antibiotics at the beginning of therapy, which is a pre-condition for a successful anti-infective therapy. Therapeutic monitoring of levels allows for administration of sufficient dose of gentamicin without fear of any undesirable effects.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48549718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Bittner*, C. Harris, V. Ordsmith, M. Nagy, F. Jonas, P. Mučaji
Abstract Peppermint belongs to one of most popular medicinal plants in pharmacy as well as in the food industry. Aim: For the conventional usage, the aerial part, especially leaves, is used. This investigation was aimed at the determination of phenolic compound in peppermint rhizomes infusion and the comparison with the phenolics in leaves infusions. Methods: For the separation and identification of the phenolic compounds, the Sykam HPLC-DAD connected with Microsaic 4500MiD®, a single quadrupole mass spectrometer, was used. Results: Three compounds in rhizomes and eight compounds in leaves were identified and quantified. In rhizomes, rosmarinic acid was determined as the main secondary metabolite, but its content was three times lower than that in leaves. Infusion of peppermint leaves was richer in flavonoids content with eriocitrin as a major phenolic compound. Conclusion: Rhizomes of peppermint may also be used as a potential source of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives.
{"title":"Polar Phenolic Compounds in Peppermint Rhizomes and Leaves","authors":"S. Bittner*, C. Harris, V. Ordsmith, M. Nagy, F. Jonas, P. Mučaji","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Peppermint belongs to one of most popular medicinal plants in pharmacy as well as in the food industry. Aim: For the conventional usage, the aerial part, especially leaves, is used. This investigation was aimed at the determination of phenolic compound in peppermint rhizomes infusion and the comparison with the phenolics in leaves infusions. Methods: For the separation and identification of the phenolic compounds, the Sykam HPLC-DAD connected with Microsaic 4500MiD®, a single quadrupole mass spectrometer, was used. Results: Three compounds in rhizomes and eight compounds in leaves were identified and quantified. In rhizomes, rosmarinic acid was determined as the main secondary metabolite, but its content was three times lower than that in leaves. Infusion of peppermint leaves was richer in flavonoids content with eriocitrin as a major phenolic compound. Conclusion: Rhizomes of peppermint may also be used as a potential source of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48370221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Background: Homeopathy is being increasingly practiced within different medical areas of use. Homeopathic medicines are sold in German pharmacies, whereas the assortment of Swedish pharmacies does not include homeopathic medicines. Despite differences between Sweden and Germany, homeopathic medicines are classified as drugs in both countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacy employees’ self-rated knowledge, use and attitudes toward homeopathy in Sweden and Germany. Methods: A quantitative web-survey was sent to 30 pharmacies in Sweden and 30 pharmacies in Germany, which were selected by using a multi-stage clustering sampling. The questionnaire contained closed-ended rating scales. To compare the self-rated knowledge, use and attitudes toward homeopathy of Swedish and German pharmacy employees, chi-square tests and Mann-Whitney tests were performed in SPSS. Results: A total of 209 pharmacy employees answered the survey (108 in Sweden and 101 in Germany). German participants estimated their knowledge higher than the Swedish participants (p < 0.01). In both countries, most participants thought that pharmacy employees should have knowledge about homeopathy. Although most Swedish participants stated that they receive questions about homeopathy, the German pharmacy employees receive questions about homeopathy more frequently (p < 0.01). Swedish participants reported less experience of own use of homeopathic medicines and less belief in their effectiveness as compared to the German participants (p < 0.01). However, in both countries, most participants stated that homeopathic medicines should be sold in pharmacies. Conclusion: As pharmacy employees should act professionally to advice customers on all drugs, increased homeopathic knowledge in pharmacy employees could potentially improve pharmaceutical practice.
{"title":"Pharmacy employees’ self-rated knowledge, use and attitudes toward homeopathy: A comparative survey in Sweden and Germany","authors":"E. Essling, A. Khalaf","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2018-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2018-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Homeopathy is being increasingly practiced within different medical areas of use. Homeopathic medicines are sold in German pharmacies, whereas the assortment of Swedish pharmacies does not include homeopathic medicines. Despite differences between Sweden and Germany, homeopathic medicines are classified as drugs in both countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacy employees’ self-rated knowledge, use and attitudes toward homeopathy in Sweden and Germany. Methods: A quantitative web-survey was sent to 30 pharmacies in Sweden and 30 pharmacies in Germany, which were selected by using a multi-stage clustering sampling. The questionnaire contained closed-ended rating scales. To compare the self-rated knowledge, use and attitudes toward homeopathy of Swedish and German pharmacy employees, chi-square tests and Mann-Whitney tests were performed in SPSS. Results: A total of 209 pharmacy employees answered the survey (108 in Sweden and 101 in Germany). German participants estimated their knowledge higher than the Swedish participants (p < 0.01). In both countries, most participants thought that pharmacy employees should have knowledge about homeopathy. Although most Swedish participants stated that they receive questions about homeopathy, the German pharmacy employees receive questions about homeopathy more frequently (p < 0.01). Swedish participants reported less experience of own use of homeopathic medicines and less belief in their effectiveness as compared to the German participants (p < 0.01). However, in both countries, most participants stated that homeopathic medicines should be sold in pharmacies. Conclusion: As pharmacy employees should act professionally to advice customers on all drugs, increased homeopathic knowledge in pharmacy employees could potentially improve pharmaceutical practice.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2478/afpuc-2018-0006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46692239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Michalikova, B. Kaprinay, M. Sasváriová, K. Švík, L. Slovák, R. Sotníková, T. Stankovičová, Z. Gasparova
Abstract The aim of our study was to evaluate the possibility of influencing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic cognitive syndrome. As a model of MetS, we used high-fat-fructose diet (HFFD) fed hypertriacylglycerolemic (HTG) rats. Control group included HTG rats fed with HFFD during 8 weeks (HFFD8). Furthermore, we tested the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Non-pharmacological therapy, which we chose, was a change in diet from HFFD (5 weeks) to standard one (3 weeks) and thus caloric restriction (HFFD5+3). The drug we used was rosmarinic acid (RA; 100mg/kg), which we administered to rats after 5 weeks of HFFD once a day for consecutive 3 weeks with current change in diet to standard one (HFFD5+3+RA) or during lasting last 3 weeks of HFFD (HFFD8+RA). After 8 weeks of experiment, lipid peroxidation markers, lipid profile of blood serum, and neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation [LTP]) in hippocampal sections were evaluated in vitro. We observed a significant effect of dietary change in lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-cholesterol] and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-cholesterol]). The combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments caused a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation in blood serum. Change in HFFD to standard diet without treatment resulted in slight improvement in neuronal transmission in the hippocampus and caloric restriction alone also had positive effect on LTP maintenance. Our results suggest that combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches had better impact on the biochemical parameters of MetS in blood serum, but weak impact on neuronal functions in the hippocampus, where the expected positive effect was achieved only by caloric restriction.
{"title":"Hippocampal electrophysiological responses and changes in oxidative stress marker and serum lipid profile to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of high-fat-fructose diet induced metabolic syndrome","authors":"D. Michalikova, B. Kaprinay, M. Sasváriová, K. Švík, L. Slovák, R. Sotníková, T. Stankovičová, Z. Gasparova","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2019-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2019-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of our study was to evaluate the possibility of influencing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic cognitive syndrome. As a model of MetS, we used high-fat-fructose diet (HFFD) fed hypertriacylglycerolemic (HTG) rats. Control group included HTG rats fed with HFFD during 8 weeks (HFFD8). Furthermore, we tested the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Non-pharmacological therapy, which we chose, was a change in diet from HFFD (5 weeks) to standard one (3 weeks) and thus caloric restriction (HFFD5+3). The drug we used was rosmarinic acid (RA; 100mg/kg), which we administered to rats after 5 weeks of HFFD once a day for consecutive 3 weeks with current change in diet to standard one (HFFD5+3+RA) or during lasting last 3 weeks of HFFD (HFFD8+RA). After 8 weeks of experiment, lipid peroxidation markers, lipid profile of blood serum, and neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation [LTP]) in hippocampal sections were evaluated in vitro. We observed a significant effect of dietary change in lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-cholesterol] and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-cholesterol]). The combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments caused a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation in blood serum. Change in HFFD to standard diet without treatment resulted in slight improvement in neuronal transmission in the hippocampus and caloric restriction alone also had positive effect on LTP maintenance. Our results suggest that combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches had better impact on the biochemical parameters of MetS in blood serum, but weak impact on neuronal functions in the hippocampus, where the expected positive effect was achieved only by caloric restriction.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41560729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Z. Kmecová, E. Malikova, B. Zsigmondova, M. Radik, J. Vetešková, M. Marušáková, P. Krenek, J. Klimas
Abstract Aim: Nitric oxide signalling pathway showed to be one of the crucial factors in the treatment and pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of administration of inorganic nitrate, NaNO3, on the expression of caveolin-1 and its phosphorylated isoform (pTyr14Cav-1) in lungs in the experimental model of monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 10 weeks old male Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with 60 mg/kg dose of monocrotaline (MCT) or vehicle (CON). Twelve days after the injection, part of the MCT group was receiving 0.3 mM NaNO3 (MCT+N0.3) daily in the drinking water and rest was receiving 0.08% NaCl solution. Four weeks after MCT administration, the rats were sacrificed in CO2. Protein expression in lungs was determined by western blot. Results: We observed a significant decrease in the caveolin-1 expression and a significant shift towards the expression of pTyr14Cav-1 in the group treated with nitrate (p < 0.05). Conclusion: NaNO3 administration affected the expression of caveolin-1 and the ratio of its active (phosphorylated) isoform increased.
{"title":"Impact of nitrate therapy on the expression of caveolin-1 and its phosphorylated isoform in lungs in the model of monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertension","authors":"Z. Kmecová, E. Malikova, B. Zsigmondova, M. Radik, J. Vetešková, M. Marušáková, P. Krenek, J. Klimas","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2018-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2018-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Aim: Nitric oxide signalling pathway showed to be one of the crucial factors in the treatment and pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of administration of inorganic nitrate, NaNO3, on the expression of caveolin-1 and its phosphorylated isoform (pTyr14Cav-1) in lungs in the experimental model of monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 10 weeks old male Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with 60 mg/kg dose of monocrotaline (MCT) or vehicle (CON). Twelve days after the injection, part of the MCT group was receiving 0.3 mM NaNO3 (MCT+N0.3) daily in the drinking water and rest was receiving 0.08% NaCl solution. Four weeks after MCT administration, the rats were sacrificed in CO2. Protein expression in lungs was determined by western blot. Results: We observed a significant decrease in the caveolin-1 expression and a significant shift towards the expression of pTyr14Cav-1 in the group treated with nitrate (p < 0.05). Conclusion: NaNO3 administration affected the expression of caveolin-1 and the ratio of its active (phosphorylated) isoform increased.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44716449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Vetešková, M. Obsivan, Z. Kmecová, M. Radik, J. Srankova, E. Malikova, Jan Klimas, P. Krenek
Abstract Aim: Chemokine stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) plays an important role in many processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, and these effects are mediated mostly by the receptor CXCR4. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the ventricles of rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 10–12 weeks old male Wistar rats were injected with monocrotaline (s. c., 60mg/kg; MON) or vehicle (CON). Rats were sacrificed 1 week (1W-MON, 1W-CON), 2 weeks (2W-MON, 2W-CON) and 4 weeks after monocrotaline administration (4W-MON, 4W-CON). Gene expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 was determined by qRT-PCR. Results: We observed a decrease in the SDF-1 expression on mRNA level in the right ventricle in 2W-MON and 4W-MON rats without any changes in the left ventricles and a decrease in CXCR4 expression in 1W-MON in both ventricles with an increase of CXCR4 expression in 4W-MON in the left ventricle (*P ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: SDF-1/CXCR4 axis is affected in both ventricles of rats with monocrotaline model of pulmonary hypertension.
{"title":"SDF-1 and its receptor in the ventricles of rat with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension","authors":"J. Vetešková, M. Obsivan, Z. Kmecová, M. Radik, J. Srankova, E. Malikova, Jan Klimas, P. Krenek","doi":"10.2478/afpuc-2018-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2018-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Aim: Chemokine stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) plays an important role in many processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, and these effects are mediated mostly by the receptor CXCR4. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the ventricles of rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 10–12 weeks old male Wistar rats were injected with monocrotaline (s. c., 60mg/kg; MON) or vehicle (CON). Rats were sacrificed 1 week (1W-MON, 1W-CON), 2 weeks (2W-MON, 2W-CON) and 4 weeks after monocrotaline administration (4W-MON, 4W-CON). Gene expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 was determined by qRT-PCR. Results: We observed a decrease in the SDF-1 expression on mRNA level in the right ventricle in 2W-MON and 4W-MON rats without any changes in the left ventricles and a decrease in CXCR4 expression in 1W-MON in both ventricles with an increase of CXCR4 expression in 4W-MON in the left ventricle (*P ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: SDF-1/CXCR4 axis is affected in both ventricles of rats with monocrotaline model of pulmonary hypertension.","PeriodicalId":12070,"journal":{"name":"European Pharmaceutical Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46687221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}