Pharmacology

Pattern of pharmacological research from the last six decades Rupa Joshi, Saniya Mahendiratta, Ajay Prakash, Bikash Medhi Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):85-87

Wound healing effects of topical Vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial Nader Pazyar, Gholamreza Houshmand, Reza Yaghoobi, Ali Asghar Hemmati, Zahra Zeineli, Behnam Ghorbanzadeh Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):88-92 BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute and chronic wounds has rapidly increased which treatment remains as health problem. Previously, we reported the healing effect of Vitamin K in experimental animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of topical Vitamin K on skin wound healing process in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with indication for high-frequency electrocautery were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided randomly into three groups. All the patients underwent high-frequency electrocautery treatment. Then, the patients in the A group received 1% Vitamin K cream, the patients in the B group received 1% phenytoin cream. Furthermore, the patients in the control group received Eucerin. The wound status (width and the time of recovery) and complications in the three groups were evaluated 2 weeks after procedure by a dermatologist. RESULTS: The effects produced by the topical Vitamin K showed a significant (P < 0.05) healing when compared with Eucerin group in parameters such as wound contraction and time to full recovery. Moreover, the healing time did not differ between phenytoin and Vitamin K groups (P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: A randomized, controlled trial suggests that topical application of Vitamin K significantly reduces healing time in patients.

Change in antiepileptic drug prescription patterns for pregnant women with epilepsy over the years: Impact on pregnancy and fetal outcomes Ramandeep Bansal, Vanita Suri, Seema Chopra, Neelam Aggarwal, Pooja Sikka, Subhas Chandra Saha, Parampreet Singh Kharbanda, Praveen Kumar Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):93-97 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine if there is a change in pattern of antiepileptic drug (AED) prescription during pregnancy in women with epilepsy (WWE) attending a tertiary care institute in North India and (2) to determine if change in AED prescription pattern has resulted in improved fetal and maternal outcomes in WWE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study was a retrospective analysis of records of WWE attending a medical and surgical disorder clinic of obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. We retrospectively collected data of all the patients during the 5-year period from 2011 to 2015 (Group A) (n = 177) and compared it with our previously published data during the years 1987–1994 (Group B) (n = 219). RESULTS: There was significantly higher use of (i) levetiracetam (LEV) in Group A compared to Group B when women on monotherapy were compared (P<0.0001) and (ii) LEV (P<0.0001), clobazam (P<0.0001) and lamotrigine (P=0.0004) in Group A compared to Group B when women on polytherapy were compared. A significantly higher (P=0.02) number of women were using more than two antiepileptic drugs simultaneously in Group A compared to Group B. There was a significantly higher incidence (P = 0.001) of small for gestational age babies in Group A. CONCLUSION: Although there is an increase in the use of newer AEDs in WWE during pregnancy in North Indian population, it has not resulted in improved maternal and fetal outcomes. (2) to determine if change in AED prescription pattern has resulted in improved fetal and maternal outcomes in WWE.

Antidepressant-like effect of a standardized hydroethanolic extract of Asparagus adscendens in mice Priyanka Pahwa, Rajesh Kumar Goel Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):98-108 OBJECTIVE: Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Liliaceae), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used as an aphrodisiac and brain tonic in Asian countries. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of standardized hydroethanolic extract of A. adscendens root and its possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice administered with vehicle, imipramine (15 mg/kg/day; i.p.), and A. adscendens extract (AAE) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day; i.p.) for 14 days were subjected to behavioral tests including forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open-field test (OFT) on the 14th day. In order to explore the underlying mechanism behind an antidepressant effect of AAE, the brain monoamine levels, oxidative stress parameters, and serum corticosterone levels were monitored. RESULTS: Our results indicated that pretreatment of AAE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 14 days statistically significantly (P < 0.01) demonstrated antidepressant-like effect as evidenced by reduced immobility time in both FST (105, 78.6, and 53.6 s) and TST (97.6, 73.5, and 54.67 s), with no significant change in spontaneous locomotor activities as observed in OFT. Further, the behavioral improvement was supported by the statistically significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced levels of monoamines and reduced corticosterone level along with amelioration of oxidative stress in AAE-treated animals as compared to vehicle control group. Conclusion: Our findings clearly demonstrated the antidepressant-like effect of AAE, which might have been mediated through the modulation of monoaminergic system and by regulating hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis with amelioration of oxidative stress.

Curricular adequacy on basics of clinical trials Sonu Gupta, Ravinder Nath Bansal Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):109-115 INTRODUCTION: Clinical trials are integral to innovation in the treatment modalities and are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of novel drugs. Clinical trials of modern era have evolved through stern consequences and tragedies in the past. This study was designed to know knowledge on ethics, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and tragedies in clinical trials among interns and postgraduates (PGs). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out on graduates undergoing internship (interns) and PG residents of a medical college and a dental college from Punjab. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 151 professionals of medical college and 100 professionals of dental colleges in Punjab with the help of a prevalidated questionnaire. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between dental and medical doctors regarding ethics and ADRs, but a significant difference was observed among interns and PG residents, with interns having higher awareness regarding ethics and ADRs. There was no significant difference (P = 0.941) in knowledge among dental and medical doctors as well as among interns and PG residents, with P = 0.264 about tragedies in clinical trials. CONCLUSION: From the study, it can be concluded that interns and PGs do not get enough exposure to basics in clinic research such as research ethics, ADRs, and tragedies in clinical trials. It is suggested that there is a requirement for suitable modifications in the teaching curriculum at undergraduate level and regular training must be provided to professionals.

Efficacy of oral terbinafine versus itraconazole in treatment of dermatophytic infection of skin – A prospective, randomized comparative study Anuradha Bhatia, Bimal Kanish, Dinesh Kumar Badyal, Prajakta Kate, Swati Choudhary Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):116-119 OBJECTIVES: Dermatophytic infections are the common fungal infections aggravated by hot and humid climate. Terbinafine and itraconazole are commonly used oral antifungal agents for the same. However, resistance to these drugs is being seen increasingly when used in the conventional doses and duration. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in increased dosages and duration in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized comparative study, patients of tinea cruris and tinea corporis were randomly divided into two groups of 160 each and were given oral terbinafine (Group I) and oral itraconazole (Group II) for 4 weeks. The scores and percentage change in scores of pruritus, scaling, and erythema were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of week 4, mycological cure was seen in 91.8% after 4 weeks in the itraconazole group as compared to 74.3% of patients in the terbinafine group. There was a significant improvement in percentage change in pruritus, scaling, and erythema in both the groups from 0 to 4 weeks. On comparing groups, the percentage change was significantly different in scaling from 0 to 2 weeks (5.4 vs. −4.8) and 2–4 weeks (16.7 vs. 29.6) between Group I and Group II, respectively. Clinical global improvement was better with itraconazole. Mild adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset, headache, and taste disturbances were observed which were comparable in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Itraconazole and terbinafine seem to be equally effective and safe in the treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis.

Phenytoin-induced bradycardia and hypotension Swetha Reba Mathews, Dinesh Kumar Badyal, Renji Mathew Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):120-122 Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant which is also a Class IB antiarrhythmic. Its common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) include gastrointestinal symptoms, psychiatric disorders, gingival hyperplasia, and rash. Bradycardia and hypotension following intravenous (IV) phenytoin are rare ADRs. We report the case of a 62-year-old female with subarachnoid hemorrhage and right bundle branch block, who developed sinus bradycardia and hypotension on administration of IV phenytoin. This case report serves as a note for caution on patient selection for the administration of phenytoin and highlights the need for specific guidelines on the same.

Levofloxacin-induced tactile hallucination and acute anxiety reaction B Maharani, A Lourdu Jafrin, K Vyshnavi Bai, G Sivagnanam Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):123-125 Fluoroquinolones are the commonly used antimicrobials in the treatment of urinary tract infection, bacterial diarrhea, and infections of soft tissue, bone, and joints. They may cause adverse effects ranging from gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, insomnia, and cutaneous reactions. Their rare adverse effects include phototoxicity, cardiotoxicity, arthropathy, and tendinitis. Among the fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin has more propensity to cause the central nervous system adverse effects such as headache, tremor, insomnia, dizziness, convulsions, psychosis, auditory, and visual hallucinations. A case of acute sinusitis in a young male treated with levofloxacin presented with tactile hallucination and acute anxiety reaction is reported for its rarity of occurrence. According to the Naranjo causality scale, the association of tactile hallucination and acute anxiety is a probable adverse drug reaction due to levofloxacin.

Time to take stock of Indian regulatory guidelines regarding drug use in pregnancy and lactation Aashima Arora, Amol Patil Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2019 51(2):126-127