1.A survey on citizens’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pharmaceutical waste disposal
Myagmardulam Enkhbat ; Khongorzul Dovchinsuren ; Rentsen Badamjav ; Oyuntsetseg Gungeedondov ; Tsolmon Batchuluun
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2026;29(2):28-34
Introduction:
Improper disposal of unused and expired medicines poses severe threats to
environmental safety and public health, notably accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally,
pharmaceutical consumption rose by 14% between 2019 and 2023. Despite this surge, Mongolia
continuously lacks an established national pharmaceutical take-back framework, and public behaviors
regarding residential medical waste management remain insufficiently evaluated. This study aimed
to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adult residents in Ulaanbaatar concerning
medication disposal.
Methods:
A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2026
among 301 adult citizens across nine districts of Ulaanbaatar. Data were collected via a structured
questionnaire evaluating demographic parameters, knowledge (10 items), attitudes (10 items), and
practices (8 items). Statistical analysis was executed using IBM SPSS v26.0, applying descriptive
frequencies, percentages, and one-way ANOVA.
Conclusion
The findings reveal a prominent knowledge-behavior gap among citizens. While the
mean knowledge score was moderate (62.4%), with 92.2% recognizing the dangers of expired drugs,
practical behaviors were profoundly unsafe. Specifically, 86.4% of participants discarded medication
alongside ordinary household waste, 94.0% had never returned products to pharmacies, and 0% had
utilized a designated medical disposal point. Conversely, an overwhelmingly positive public attitude
was observed, as 88.4% expressed willingness to return unused medicines if a formal pharmacy-based collection system existed. This critical disparity underscores that public awareness campaigns
alone are inadequate. There is an urgent necessity to integrate pharmacy-led take-back programs
into national environmental and health policies, establish accessible urban disposal infrastructure,
and enforce rigorous pharmaceutical waste standards in Mongolia.
2.Formulation and technological study of a suspension containing Ursodeoxycholic acid
Densmaa Byambadorj ; Bujinlkham Batchuluun ; Sugarmaa Battulga ; Ganchimeg Gantur ; Rentsen Badamjav ; Khurelbaatar Luvsan ; Lkhaasuren Ryenchindorj
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2026;29(2):62-70
Introduction:
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used to treat liver and biliary disorders, including neonatal
jaundice. In neonatal practice, UDCA administered orally (10–30 mg/kg/day, divided doses) shortens
phototherapy duration and reduces serum total bilirubin. A suspension dosage form may mask bitter taste,
improve dissolution and bioavailability, and is not currently registered in Mongolia.
To develop and evaluate suspension formulations of UDCA and to identify an optimal composition and
manufacturing technology.
Methods:
UDCA drug substance was characterized according to the European Pharmacopoeia (EP 11.0). Five
suspension formulations (A1–A5) were prepared using wet-milling (size-reduction) technology and appropriate excipients. Physical, chemical and microbiological quality attributes of the suspensions were assessed per the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 2021) and microbiological methods of the Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (GOST 2018). Assays were performed by validated chromatographic methods; measurements were performed in triplicate (n=3).
The UDCA raw material met pharmacopeial specifications and was suitable for use. All five formulations were uniform and free of agglomerates by visual inspection. Formulation A5 met USP acceptance criteria for pH (4.5 ± 0.02), sedimentation volume (0.91 ± 0.20 mL), density (1.14 ± 0.005 g/cm3), viscosity (1583.5 ± 0.38 mPa·s), fill volume (150 ± 0 mL) and active substance content (96.6 ± 0.05%), and complied with microbiological limits. Other formulations failed one or more quality attributes (notably pH, assay or sedimentation).
Conclusion
The UDCA raw material complied with pharmacopeial quality standards. Among tested variants,
formulation A5 satisfied critical quality attributes for a stable suspension and was identified as the optimal
formulation with respect to composition and manufacturing process.
3.Comparative study on the quality of diclofenac sodium retard 100 mg tablets
Otgonchimeg Tumurbaatar ; Oyuntsetseg Gungeedondov ; Altantuya Tsegmid ; Rentsen Badamjav
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2025;26(1):5-10
Introduction:
Recently, there has been a significant focus on developing extended-release tablets that regulate
drug release at a predetermined rate to maintain optimal therapeutic plasma concentrations. Extended-release formulations offer several clinical advantages, including reducing the frequency of drug administration, minimizing fluctuations in plasma drug concentrations, decreasing adverse effects, and improving therapeutic outcomes.
According to Mongolia’s national pharmaceutical policy, it is essential to conduct quality assurance and safety monitoring studies on imported substitute products included in the national essential medicines list. The policy also mandates the quality control of pharmaceuticals in internationally accredited laboratories compliant with MNS ISO/ IEC 17025:2018 standards.
Methods:
The quality control parameters of Diclofenac Sodium Retard 100 mg tablets from three different
manufacturers were evaluated by the methodologies outlined in the United States Pharmacopeia USP32 and USP44.
The study assessed physical appearance, average weight, weight variation, friability, dissolution, and quantitative
drug content determination.
Results:
The average weight and weight variation of Diclofenac Sodium Retard 100 mg tablets from three different
manufacturers were as follows: Tablet A: (+3.60%, -2.84%), Tablet B: (+1.53%,-1.86%), Tablet C: (+2.53%,-1.96%). The friability and mechanical strength tests determined that all three tablets exhibited 99.9% friability resistance. The quantitative determination of Diclofenac Sodium content per tablet was: Tablet A: 0.098 g, Tablet B: 0.105 g, Tablet C: 0.104 g. Microbiological purity analysis showed that in all three tablets (A, B, and C), The total aerobic bacterial count was <101 CFU. The total mold and yeast count was <101 CFU and Escherichia coli was not detected. Dissolution test results showed the following percentage of drug released at different time points: Tablet A: 60 min: 16.1%, 120 min: 24.7%, 240 min: 39.6%, 360 min: 52.3%, 600 min: 73.6%. Tablet B: 60 min: 18.4%, 120 min: 26.1%, 240 min: 39.1%, 360 min: 55.8%, 600 min: 75.2%. Tablet C: 60 min: 18.6%, 120 min: 31.4%, 240 min: 52.9%, 360 min: 65.9%, 600 min: 77.0%. These results demonstrate that all tested tablets met the dissolution requirements of USP 44, 2021.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that the three manufacturers’ Diclofenac Sodium Retard 100 mg tablets
comply with the quality standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 32 and USP 44) and Mongolian
Pharmacopoeia 2011.
4.The effects of Isoorientin on modulating Keap1/Nrf2-HO-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in acute lung injury
Badamjav Rentsen ; Enkhjargal Naranchimeg ; Myagmar Narankhuu ; Batchuluun Tsolmon ; Fang Li
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2024;24(1):39-43
The process of ALI is associated with excessive pulmonary inflammation as undue activation of immune cells including macrophages and neutrophile granulocytes and subsequently increased cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) contribute to severe tissue damage and irreversible pulmonary pathological changes. NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a cytosolic receptor consisting of upstream sensor protein NLRP3, adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that neutralizes oxidative stress via initiating antioxidant response element-driven gene transcription.
Nrf2 is suppressed by kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) under physiological conditions, while Nrf2 dissociates from Keap1, stabilizes and accumulates in the nucleus with stimulation of oxidative stress. Thereafter, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) a downstream target gene of Nrf2 is activated to catalyze various detoxification reactions and exert anti-oxidative capacity.
ISO significantly promoted the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and down-regulated kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Simultaneously, it suppressed the over-expression of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin IL-1β (pro-IL-1β), and inhibited the expression of apoptotic related proteins induced by LPS challenge. Meanwhile, the results of molecular docking indicated the potential ability of ISO as a ligand binding with proteins Keap1, NLRP3 and cleaved-caspase-3 as well.
5.The effects of Isoorientin on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Badamjav Rentsen ; Enkhjargal Naranchimeg ; Myagmar Narankhuu ; Batchuluun Tsolmon ; Fang Li
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2024;24(1):50-56
Introduction:
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually result in
significant mortality and are featured by pulmonary edema, dysregulated inflammation, and alveolar/capillary
barrier destruction. ALI is derived from various lung injuries such as severe pulmonary infection, near
drowning, lung contusion, and pulmonary embolism.
Methods:
This research work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural
Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province. LPS (from Escherichia coli O55:B5) was purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, MO, USA). Dexamethasone (DEX) was supplied by Shenyang Guangda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The SOD, NO, MPO, and IL-6 assay kits were obtained from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute (Nanjing, China). The identification was performed by Professor Tserendulam Luvsandorj at the Mongolian University of Pharmaceutical Science and specimens were preserved in the School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University. TML was soaked with water for 30 min and decoction three times was conducted with the solid-liquid ratio of 1:10, 1:8, and 1:6, respectively. ICR male mice (8 weeks old, 22–25 g) were purchased from Henan Sikes’s Biotechnology Co., Ltd (Henan, China). Statistical tests were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 Software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and presented as mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables.
Conclusion
In summary, the effect of TML on acute lung injury has been studied with Isoorientin, one of its
biologically active compounds. Studies have demonstrated that Isoorientin has been shown to protect against pulmonary edema, inflammatory cells, and inflammatory cytokine mediator expression in acute lung injury caused by LPS. Therefore, we have a certain need to study the mechanisms by which this protective effect takes place further.
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