Saeed A. Khan

HPLC analysis of water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) in in vitro and ex vitro germinated chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.)

In the present communication, a comparative HPLC analysis of water-soluble vitamins (B-group) was carried out in in vitro and ex vitro germinated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds. Quantitative analysis of ex vitro and in vitro germinated seedlings showed significant differences in vitamin contents. Maximum amount with a linear increase in B1 (thiamine HCl), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (nicotinamide) contents was noticed up to 9 days old ex vitro grown seedlings. However, B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6 (pyridoxine HCl) were higher in in vitro germinated seedlings. Thus, vitamin production was age and culture conditions dependent, which is discussed in detail. The study revealed that the germinated chickpea grains can be used for human consumption with value addition of vitamin B-group in the diet of vegetarians.

Refining knowledge, attitude and practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) among pharmacy students for professional challenges.

Practicing evidence based medicine (EBM) is a professional need for the future clinical pharmacist in UAE and around the world. An attempt was made to evaluate pharmacy student’s knowledge, attitude and proficiency in the practice of EBM. A within-subject study design with pre and post survey and skill test were conducted using case based practice of EBM through a validated questionnaire. The results were tabulated and there was a statistically significant increase in pharmacy students’ perceived ability to go through steps of EBM, namely: formulating PICO questions (95.3%), searching for evidence (97%), appraising the evidence (81%), understanding statistics (78.1%), and applying evidence at point of care (81.2%). In this study, workshops and (Problem Based Learning) PBLs were used as a module of EBM teaching and practices, which has been shown to be an effective educational method in terms of improving students’ skills, knowledge and attitude toward EBM. Incorporating hands on experience, PBLs will become an impetus for developing EBM skills and critical appraisal of research evidence alongside routine clinical practice. This integration would constitute the cornerstone in lifting EBM in UAE up to the needed standards and would enable pharmacy students to become efficient pharmacists that rely on evidence in their health practice.

Evaluation of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of different solvent extracts of leaves of Citrullus colocynthis

Background: Citrullus colocynthis is a folk medicinal plan of United Arab Emirates. Several studies on this plant reported and focused on the biological and toxicological profile of fruits pulp. The present study focused on the antioxidant potency of leaf extract of this plant. Aim: To evaluate the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of C. colocynthis by chemical method. Materials and Methods: Four different solvent extracts (methanol-CCM, methanol: water (1:1)-CCMW, chloroform-CCC and hexane-CCH) of leaves of C. colocynthis were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity using DPPH radical as a substrate, lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibitory activity using a model system consisting of β-carotene-linoleic acid, superoxide radical scavenging activity (enzymatically/nonenzymatically) and XO inhibitory activity. A dose response curve was plotted for determining SC50 and IC50 values for expressing the results of free radical scavenging activity and XO inhibitory activities respectively. Results: The high polyphenolic content of CCM and CCMW extract showed highest antioxidant activity irrespective the method used for this investigation. The overall results decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. CCH extract was inactive towards chemically generated superoxide radical and poor DPPH radical scavengers. The results of LPO inhibitory activities of leaves extract (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) also decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. Overall 1.0 mg/mL leaves extract showed highest antioxidant potency amongst the studied concentration. Conclusion: CCMW and CCM extract of C. colocynthis exhibited promising antioxidants and XO inhibitory activities.

Lead, cadmium and nickel contents of some medicinal agents

Thirty nine brands of pharmaceutical dosage forms (28 tablets, 4 syrups, 6 suspensions and one chewing gum) that are available in United Arab Emirates pharmaceutical markets were investigated for the presence of three heavy metals; lead, cadmium and nickel. Amongst the samples, 13 products were manufactured locally in United Arab Emirates and 26 products were imported from around the world. The samples were prepared by acid digestion procedure and the resultant solutions were analyzed for heavy metals by using a validated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method. Calibration curves were achieved using different concentration of lead, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.001 to 0.05 μg/ml. The mean recoveries of metals from the samples were 86.4 to 97%. The %relative standard deviation for the intraassay and interday precision for the metals were <5%. Amongst the 39 samples of pharmaceutical dosage form all exhibited a positive response for lead, cadmium and nickel except three products whose Ni levels were below quantification level. The products contained variable amounts of heavy metals as of 0.0017 to 11.88 μg lead; 0.0011 to 0.5559 μg cadmium and 0.0011 to 2.6428 μg nickel, respectively. Based on maximum recommended daily dose (g) of these products, maximum daily ingested mass of lead was 0.0034 to 11.88 μg/d, 0.0013 to 0.56 μg/d for cadmium and 0.0011 to 2.64 μg/d for nickel, respectively. The results were compared with those of oral permitted daily exposure levels of United State Pharmacopeial National Formulary 2013. All the products were safe to consume and contained lower level of lead, cadmium and nickel than Oral Permitted Daily Exposure levels, except three products which showed higher level of lead than oral permitted daily exposure levels. Hence the raw materials used in manufacturing of these medicinal agents might be responsible for the presence of higher level of lead.

In-vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Potency of Organic Extracts of Leaves of Corchorus depressus Linn.

Aim: Evaluation of free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities of commercially available leaves of Corchorus depressus Linn. by in-vitro chemical analysis. Methodology: Four different solvent extracts methanol-CDM, ethanol-CDE, ethyl acetate-CDEA and hexane-CDH were studied for their free radical scavenging activities using 1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay method and the results were expressed as SC50 values. The lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities of three different concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) were evaluated using β-carotene-linoleic acid model system and the results were expressed as oxidation rate ratio (ROR), antioxidant activity (AA) and antioxidant activity coefficient (CAA). L-Ascorbic acidAA, α-tocopherol-TOC and BHT were used as reference compounds. The total polyphenol contents of these extracts were also determined using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. Results: The total polyphenol contents of extracts were decreased in the order of: CDM > CDE > CDEA >> CDH. In DPPH radical assay, CDM exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity Original Research Article Nessa and Khan; EJMP, 14(4): 1-13, 2016; Article no.EJMP.26006 2 (SC50: 216.27 μg/mL) than CDE (327.84 μg/mL) and CDEA (544.28 μg/mL). In comparison with natural antioxidants AA and TOC, the overall ranking was decreased in the order of: AA > CDM > TOC > CDE > CDEA >> CDH. In β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, CDM also exhibited higher protective activity against lipid peroxidation than other extracts as it exhibited lower ROR (0.4903 to 0.2752) and higher AA (50.96 to 72.47) and CAA (280.58 to 513.13) respectively amongst the studied extract. In comparison with BHT and TOC, CDM exhibited promising potency than TOC. Amongst the studied concentration 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL were the mostly potent antioxidant against oxidation of linoleic acid. Conclusion: CDM exhibited most propitious antioxidant activities irrespective of the method undertaken in this study. CDM and CDE had protective activity against oxidation of fatty acid as well as both efficiently scavenged free radicals.

Pharmacist Knowledge & Ability to Use Inhaled Medication Delivery Systems in UAE

Objective: This study was designed to compare knowledge & ability to use different inhaling devices among both educated & non-educated pharmacists. Method: A questionnaire was constructed & piloted to be used as a tool for this study. The sample was divided into two groups educated pharmacists & non-educated pharmacists. Education was in term of receiving the brochures of demonstrating how to use the different inhaled devices before assessing the pharmacists. The pharmacists were asked to demonstrate usage of placebo devices & assessment was done based on checklist designed following companies instructions. Results: Statistics have shown significant (P<0.05) higher scores; have been achieved by educated pharmacists when compared with non-educated pharmacists in term of ability to use the inhalers correctly, pharmacists’ knowledge of cleaning MDI, inhalers induced mouth irritation side effect and their place of storage. Conclusion: Pharmacists in UAE are not sufficiently aware of the steps to demonstrate correct use of different inhalers. The instructions supplied by the pharmaceutical companies are not sufficient. Appropriate and continuous educational programs concerning pharmacists’ ability and knowledge of using different inhaled devices is recommended.