Aluminum (Al) is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust and is omnipresent in our environment, including our food. However, with normal renal function, oral and enteral ingestion of substances contaminated with Al, such as antacids and infant formulae, do not cause problems. The intestine, skin, and respiratory tract are barriers to Al entry into the blood. However, contamination of fluids given parenterally, such as parenteral nutrition solutions, or hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or even oral Al-containing substances to patients with impaired renal function could result in accumulation in bone, parathyroids, liver, spleen, and kidney. The toxic effects of Al to the skeleton include fractures accompanying a painful osteomalacia, hypoparathyroidism, microcytic anemia, cholestatic hepatotoxicity, and suppression of the renal enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha hydroxylase. The sources of Al include contamination of calcium and phosphate salts, albumin and heparin. Contamination occurs either from inability to remove the naturally accumulating Al or from leeching from glass columns used in compound purification processes. Awareness of this long-standing problem should allow physicians to choose pharmaceutical products with lower quantities of Al listed on the label as long as this practice is mandated by specific national drug regulatory agencies.
Aluminum ; Anemia ; Antacids ; Calcium ; Eating ; Glass ; Heparin ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism ; Infant Formula ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Leeching ; Liver ; Osteomalacia ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parenteral Nutrition Solutions ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Renal Dialysis ; Respiratory System ; Salts ; Skeleton ; Skin ; Spleen

PURPOSE: Chronic use of topical hypotensive agents induces several side effects caused by preservatives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prostaglandin analogs with varying concentrations of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), preservative-free (PF), and alternative preservatives on mouse corneal tissue. METHODS: Thirty-five, 8- to 10-week-old female C57BL/6 mice (five mice for each group) were used for this study. To the control group, we applied normal saline, and to each drug-treated group we applied 0.02% BAC, bimatoprost 0.01% (with BAC 0.02%), latanoprost 0.005% (with BAC 0.02%), travoprost 0.004% (with 0.001% polyquad) or tafluprost 0.0015% with/without 0.001% BAC, once a day (9 p.m.) for 4 weeks. Corneal fluorescein staining was evaluated in all groups. After harvest, the corneal tissues were embedded in paraffin and then Hematoxylin-Eosin stain was performed for histopathological examination. Immunofluorescence staining was done against TNF-alpha, IL-6, HLA DR, pJNK, and pAkt. RESULTS: In corneal fluorescein staining, severe punctate epithelial keratitis was seen in the groups of 0.02% BAC, 0.02% BAC containing bimatoprost 0.01% and latanoprost 0.005%. The surface desquamation, irregular surface, loss of cell borders, anisocytosis and stromal shrinkage were observed in the groups of BAC-containing eye drops. Moreover, the groups treated with BAC-containing eye drops have high inflammatory markers, significantly decreased cell viability-related signal, pAkt, and higher apoptosis-inducing signal, pJNK, than the control group. On the other hand, travoprost 0.004% and PF tafluprost 0.0015% have less cellular morphologic changes, lower inflammation, and higher cellular viability than BAC-containing formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal damage, increased inflammation and apoptosis and low cell viability were observed in BAC-containing groups. PF or alternatively preserved glaucoma medications seem to be a reasonable and viable alternative to those preserved with BAC.
Animals ; Cell Survival ; Conjunctiva/drug effects/*pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epithelium, Corneal/drug effects/*pathology ; Female ; Glaucoma/*drug therapy/pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical ; Prostaglandins, Synthetic/*administration & dosage

Fluorescence enhancement reaction of flavoxate hydrochloride (FX) in strong alkali solution was studied, the mechanism of the reaction was investigated, and a novel fluorimetric method for analysis of FX in drug sample was established. FX has no intrinsic fluorescence, but it can slowly produce fluorescence in strong alkali solution. Heating can promote the fluorescence enhancement reaction. In 3D fluorescence spectra of the decomposition product of FX, two fluorescence peaks, located respectively at excitation wavelengths λex/ emission wavelength λem =223/410 nm, and 302/410 nm, were observed. Using quinine sulfate as a reference, fluorescence quantum yield of the decomposition product was measured to be 0.50. The structural characteriza- tion and spectral analysis of the decomposition product reveal that ester bond hydrolysis reaction of FX is firstly occurred during heating process, forming 3-methylflavone-8-carboxylic acid (MFA), then a cleavage reaction of the γ-pyrone ring of MFA occurred, producing α, β-unsaturated ketone. This product includes adjacent hydroxyl benzoic acid group in its molecule, which can form intramolecular hydrogen bond under alkaline condition, so that increase the conjugate degree and enhance the rigidity of the molecule, and thereby cause fluorescence enhancement. Based on this fluorescence enhancement reaction, a fluorimetric method was proposed for the determination of FX. A linear calibration curve covered the concentration range 0.020 3-0.487 µg · mL. The regression equation was I(F) = 23.9 + 5357.3 c, with correlation coefficient r = 0.999 7 (n = 8), detection limit D = 1.1 ng · mL(-1). The method was applied to the analysis of FX tablets, with a spiked recovery rate of 100.2%. The reliability of the method was verified by a UV-spectrophotometric method.
Alkalies ; Calibration ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Flavoxate ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Fluorescence ; Limit of Detection ; Reproducibility of Results ; Solutions ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo develop a UPLC method for the simultaneous determination of liquiritin, narirutin, hesperidin, ammonium glycyrrhetate, honokiol and magnolol in Huoxiang Zhengqi oral liquid.

METHODA Zorbax Eclipse C18 column was used with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0. 05% phosphate acid by gradient elution at the detection wavelength of 220 nm. The flow rate was 0.42 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curves were linear in the ranges of 0.001 7-0.034, 0.003 4-0.068, 0.006 4-0.128, 0.012 8-0.256, 0.003 2-0.064, 0.006 4-0.128 microg, respectively. The average recoveries were 103.3%, 98.39%, 98.29%, 102.1%, 98.45%, 102.2% with RSDs of 2.1%,1.0%, 0.50%, 2.3%, 0.9%, 2.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe UPLC method was simple, rapid and accurate, it could be used for quality control of Huoxiang Zhengqi oral liquid.

Administration, Oral ; Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Disaccharides ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Hesperidin ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; chemistry

BACKGROUND: Common warts are among the top causes of dermatologic consultations. Apple cider vinegar is an old time home remedy for various ailments including common warts.
Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of apple cider vinegar with salicylic-lactic acid solution in the treatment of common warts.
METHODS: Twenty-seven patients clinically diagnosed with a total of 88 common warts were assigned randomly for topical application of either apple cider vinegar or salicylic-lactic acid solution which were applied and occluded for 3 consecutive days. Clinical evaluation and curettage were conducted on day 3 and every 3 days thereafter until complete resolution of the lesion for a maximum of 4 weeks. The primary outcome measured in this study was complete clinical cure of the treated wart. One week post-treatment evaluation assessment was also graded as clinical cure, clinical improvement, clinical failure and side effect failure. Adverse events were monitored.
RESULTS: In the ACV group, 33 out of 44 (75%) common warts were completely cleared while in the salicylic-lactic acid (SA/LA) group, 26 common warts were completely cleared (59%). There was no significant difference in the cure rates between the two groups (p=0.112, chi-square test). There was no significant difference in the mean time to cure between the two groups, 11 days and 12 days in the apple cider vinegar and salicylic-lactic acid groups, respectively (p=0.090; log rank test). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (p=0.676; Fisher's exact test).
CONCLUSION: Apple cider vinegar is a safe and effective topical treatment that was comparable to salicylic-lactic acid solution in the treatment of common warts.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Acetic Acid ; Curettage ; Lactic Acid ; Malus ; Medicine, Traditional ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; Receptor Activator Of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; Salicylic Acid ; Warts

OBJECTIVE: To detect the impact of artificial cerebrospinal fluid lavage time on the edema of traumatic brain injury. METHODS: A total of 240 SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a traumatic brain injury model group, 3 artificial cerebrospinal fluid lavage groups (3 h, 6 h and 9 h). Each group was divided into 4 sub-groups by time of sacrifice namely 12 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d postoperatively. We detected the content of brain water, sodium, and potassium, and the VEGF expression to confirm whether the duration of lavage could reduce the traumatic brain edema. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group and the traumatic brain injury model group, brain water content and sodium content were decreased, while the potassium content and the VEGF levels were increased in the artificial cerebrospinal fluid lavage groups. Significant difference was found at 12 h, 1 d, and 3 d after the injury (P<0.05). With the increase of artificial cerebrospinal fluid lavage time, the difference was more obvious. CONCLUSION Artificial cerebrospinal fluid lavage can reduce the brain edema after traumatic brain injury. The longer the lavage, the more obvious the effect.
Animals ; Brain Edema ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Male ; Osmosis ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC method with the relative correction factors (RCFs) for quantification of five critical related substances (A, B, C, D and E) in puerarin and its injection.

METHODTaking puerarin as the internal standard, corresponding RCFs of the critical related substances were determined respectively. According to their RCFs, simultaneous determination of five related substances in puerarin and its injection was performed. The method was evaluated by comparison the quantitative results of external standard method and the method with RCFs correction.

RESULTThere were no significant differences in the results of five critical related substances in 38 batches of puerarin and its injection by external standard method and the method with RCFs correction.

CONCLUSIONThe HPLC method with RCFs was validated to be accurate and can be successfully applied to determine the critical related substances in puerarin and its injection.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; standards ; Drug Contamination ; Drug Stability ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injections ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Temperature ; Vasodilator Agents ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish the HPLC chromatographic fingerprint of Kumu injection and to simultaneously determine the contents of three beta-carboline alkaloids, comprehensively evaluating the immanent quality of Kumu injection.

METHODThe chromatographic analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 ( 4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with the gradient elution solvent system composed of methanol and 30 mmol x L(-1) aqueous ammonium acetate (adjusted with glacial acetic acid to pH 4.5). Similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (2004 A) was used in data analysis.

RESULTSixteen co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprints of Kumu injection, and 7 peaks were identified by chemical reference substances. There were good similarities between the standard fingerprint chromatogram and each fingerprint chromatogram from the eleven samples for their similarity coefficients were not less than 0.9. Three kinds of beta-carboline alkaloids were separated well. The correlation coefficients were 0.999 9. The linear ranges of three components were 0.020 0-0.300 0, 0.102 0-1.530 0, 0.015 2-0. 228 0 microg, respectively, and the average recoveries ranged were from 99.5% to 102%.

CONCLUSIONThe method of fingerprint combined with quantitative analysis is sensitive, selective, and provide scientific basis for quality control of Kumu Injection.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Carbolines ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Injections ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; Picrasma ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Treating the health problems of the community will treat those of the family. Juan de la Cruz and his son can be made well after proper treatment of their diarrhea, but adequate, proper and continuing management of the environmental problems of Barangay Jose Abad Santos (JAS), related to the development of disease, would be the more lasting solution to this important and common community health problem.

Diarrhea ; Nuclear Family ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; Public Health ; Solutions

The aim of study was to evaluate the function of modified platelet additive solution (PAS-IIIM) with trehalose as a substitute of plasma for the storage of platelet concentrates at low temperature (10 degrees C). Apheresis platelets from 6 donors were divided and added with different media (group A: 100% plasma; group B: 70% PAS-IIIM/30% plasma; group C: 100% plasma/trehalose). Groups A, B, C were stored at 10 degrees C, 22 degrees C and -85 degrees C separately. In addition, group D (platelet concentrates stored with 100% plasma at 4 degrees C) was set up as control group for scan electronmicroscopy. The samples of each platelets were collected on day 0, 1, 5, 7 and 9 after storage respectively, while samples of platelets stored at -85 degrees C (group C) were collected on day 20 after storage. CD62p, hypotonic shock response (HSR), platelet aggregation, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and morphology of platelets were evaluated. The results showed that the expressions of CD62p in groups A and B increased in a time-dependent manner, but HSR and platelet aggregations decreased. The expression of CD62p, LDH release, and platelet aggregation in group A were significant higher than that in group B (p < 0.05). HSR in group A was significant lower than that in group B (p < 0.05). LDH release was significant high in samples of group C and the expression of CD62p was lower than that in other two groups (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the protective effects of 70% PAS-IIIM/30% plasma (10 degrees C) and plasma platelets (22 degrees C) on morphology of platelets are similar, but better than those of plasma platelets (4 degrees C) and plasma/trehalose (-85 degrees C). In short, PAS-IIIM serves as a good substitute of plasma for platelet storage, and protects the chilled platelets.
Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cold Temperature ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Transfusion