Background: Numerous international studies have established that the antibacterial activity of honey is attributed to its key components, including hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, peptides, polyphenolic compounds, high sugar content, and acidic pH. Despite the vast consumption of different types of honey in Mongolia, there is a lack of sufficient scientific evidence on their antibacterial properties, which served as the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: A study comparing the antibacterial activity of honey commonly traded in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using an experimental research design. Eight standard pathogenic bacterial strains were utilized: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 1706, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 700699, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, Salmonella enterica ATCC 13076, and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606. A total of 14 honey samples were selected for the study, comprising 11 samples sourced from the Uvs, Tuv, Sukhbaatar, Khentii, Dornod, Darkhan, Selenge, and Khuvsgul provinces of Mongolia, and 3 Manuka-type honey samples from Australia. The samples were serially diluted in broth using a 96-well U-bottom microtiter plate. One microliter of each bacterial suspension was added, and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours. Subsequently, the cultures were spread onto Mueller-Hinton agar and incubated under the same conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by evaluating bacterial growth inhibition and bactericidal activity, respectively. Result: Among the tested samples, the Manuka honey with MGO 570 and the honey collected from Tumentsogt soum in Sukhbaatar province exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against MRSA, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5% (v/v) and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 25% (v/v). In contrast, the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey with UMF 5 and the honeys sourced from Tuv, Uvs, and Khalkhgol soum in Dornod province demonstrated MIC and MBC values of 25% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), respectively. The Manuka honey with MGO 30, as well as the honeys collected from Selenge, Darkhan, Sukhbaatar, Khentii, and Rashaant and Tarialan soums in Khuvsgul province, showed comparatively weaker activity against MRSA, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion 1. The antibacterial activity of natural and cultivated floral honeys was assessed by determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against eight standard bacterial strains. 2. All seven natural floral honey samples exhibited measurable antibacterial effects against the tested strains, whereas some of the cultivated floral honey samples showed no observable activity against certain bacterial strains.

Background: Maintaining the concentration of a drug in the blood at a therapeutic level is crucial for enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse effects. Conventional dosage forms are rapidly absorbed, causing a quick rise in the drug concentration in the blood, but it soon declines. As a result, frequent dosing is required in chronic or acute conditions. This can lead to drug concentrations exceeding therapeutic levels, increasing toxicity, or failing to reach the required level. To address these limitations, drug delivery systems (DDS) have been intensively developed over the past few decades. Among these systems, microencapsulation technology enables targeted delivery of the drug within the body, maintains stability, controls release, improves bioavailability, reduces side effects, and protects the active pharmaceutical ingredient from degradation or elimination, delivering it specifically to the necessary tissues. These characteristics provided the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: Select a suitable polymer for microcapsule formation, develop a production technology using the emulsion solvent evaporation method, and evaluate certain morphological characteristics of the resulting microcapsules. Materials and Methods: The microcapsules were prepared using an O/W emulsion solvent evaporation method. Dichloromethane (DCM) was used as the solvent, and the wall materials were solutions of chitosan (2% w/v) and gelatin (5% w/v), which are polymers combining biodegradability and biocompatibility. These solutions were mixed in a total of eight different ratios and emulsified into an aqueous phase containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 1% w/v) using a high-speed homogenizer at 8000–10000 rpm to form the emulsion, followed by solvent evaporation. The resulting microcapsules were freeze-dried to obtain dry microcapsule forms. The morphology and surface structure of the microcapsules were characterized using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while their size and distribution were analyzed using the ImageJ software. Result: To determine the optimal wall material for the microcapsules, a total of eight formulation ratios were prepared, and the emulsion stability and viscosity were evaluated. Chitosan-dominant formulations (F1, F7, F8) exhibited excessively high viscosity and a tendency for the system to thicken, which reduced the uniformity and stability of the emulsion. In contrast, formulations with low or imbalanced gelatin content (F2, F3) failed to achieve complete emulsion stabilization and showed significant phase separation. The F5 formulation demonstrated the best stability, minimal phase separation, and appropriate viscosity, making it the optimal choice for microcapsule wall preparation. The chitosan-to-gelatin ratio of 1:2 (F5 formulation) was found to be the most suitable in terms of complete microcapsule formation, spherical shape, uniform surface, and proper viscosity. Microcapsules of the F5 formulation had an average diameter of 290±30 µm, were spherical, and maintained shape stability even after freeze-drying. A microcapsule preparation technology based on the emulsion method was developed experimentally, and the most suitable conditions were established. Conclusion 1. The results of the study indicated that a chitosan-to-gelatin ratio of 1:2 was the most suitable formulation for microcapsules in terms of complete formation, spherical shape, and uniform surface characteristics. 2. When the gelatin content increased, microcapsule morphology deteriorated and aggregation tendencies were observed, whereas higher chitosan content increased the viscosity of the solution, which affected the stability of the emulsion and resulted in non-uniform microcapsule sizes. 3. The 1:2 chitosan-gelatin ratio is therefore crucial for microcapsule preparation, and this wall composition can be applied in further studies involving drug-loaded microcapsules.

Background: Vitamin E is an oil-soluble compound with antioxidant properties against free radicals. It has been used in cosmetic practice since long time ago. However, it is unstable to light and heat, and even when formulated into pharmaceuticals, it has poor skin penetration, which can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, by encapsulating Vitamin E in liposomes and forming a gel, it is possible to produce a highly therapeutically effective drug form that supports skin homeostasis and provides moisturizing benefits. To this reason, it is necessary to determine the appropriate methods and conditions for encapsulation in liposomes, which is the basis for conducting this study. Aim: The goal of the research is to develop a technology for preparing vitamin E-loaded liposomes and incorporating them into a gel formulation. Materials and Methods: Liposomes were formed using thin film hydration, ethanol injection, and heating methods, each with 5 different concentrations, and liposome formation was determined spectrophotometrically for each sample. The size of the formed liposomes was determined using a Nanophox instrument. Six gel models were prepared and compared for quality parameters. Results: The highest yield was obtained when 75 mg of phospholipids were used in the thin film hydration method, which is 82.3%; the highest yield was obtained when 50 mg of phospholipids were used in the ethanol injection method, which is 86.75%; and the highest yield was obtained when 50 mg of phospholipids were used in the heating method, which is 58.8%. The average size of liposomes prepared by ethanol injection and dissolved in distilled water was 106 nm. The gel bases were prepared using models F1-F6, and the pH values of models F4 and F5 were suitable. Conclusions 1. Among the three methods for liposome formation, the ethanol injection method had the highest yield. 2. The ethanol injection method had the highest encapsulation when prepared with a phospholipid:vitamin E ratio of (1:10). 3. For gel base model F5 was suitable which is carbomer 1.0%, preservative propylparaben 0.02%, pH adjuster sodium hydroxide, and permeability enhancer propylene glycol 10%.

Background: Liposomes have been widely studied in the field of medicine in recent years for they can reduce side effects and regulate drug release by delivering active ingredients to target tissues and cells through active or passive routes. There are many types of methods for formulating liposomes, and comparing those methods and choosing the most suitable one will allow the delivery of active ingredients and their incorporation into pharmaceutical forms, so this research was carried out. Aim: To compare liposome formation methods. Materials and Methods: The research work was carried out with the support of “Drug Design Laboratory” and “Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory” of the School of Pharmacy of MNUMS. To formulate liposomes, 5 different concentrations of samples were prepared using thin-film hydration, ethanol injection, and heating methods. Phospholipid concentration and light absorption were determined by spectrophotometer in each sample. The size of the resulting liposome was determined using a Nanophox. Results: Phosphatidilcholines were dissolved in distilled water at concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg/ml and a standard curve was established by spectrophotometry to determine the concentration of phospholipids in liposome samples. The highest formulation was 76.98% when 75 mg of phospholipid was used in the preparation by thin film hydration method, when 50 mg of phospholipid was used in the preparation by ethanol injection method, the highest formulation was 85.17%, and for when 50 mg of phospholipid was used in the preparation by heating method, the highest formulation was 58.45%. The mean liposome size by ethanol injection method was 115 nm. Conclusions 1. Ethanol injection method for liposome formulation is more efficient compared to thin-film hydration method and heating method. 2. Liposome size was 115 nm when prepared by ethanol injection.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and usually curable disease. Yet in 2022, TB was the world’s second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, after coronavirus disease (COVID-19)1. Aim: By reviving strains isolated at specific years over a 10-year interval and performing next-generation sequencing, we can analyze their strain genotype, epidemiology, drug resistance, and dynamicsTherefore, this study was conducted to examine the historical trends and dynamics of strain genotype, variants, and drug resistance of tuberculosis preserved in the culture bank. Materials and Methods:: Using a retrospective, laboratory-based research approach, 200 strains were randomly selected from over 1,000 diagnostic isolates preserved in the NTRL culture collection from 2010 and 2020. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using GridION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT, Oxford, UK) to analyze these strains. The FastQ file was submitted to the International Mycobacterial Database. Strain genotypes, subtypes, gene mutations of drug resistance, and resistance profiles were identified using TBprofiler, MTBseq, IQ-Tree (version 1.6.12), and EPI2me software. Results: Of the tuberculosis strains selected for the study, 66.5% were from eight out of nine districts of Ulaanbaatar, while 33.5% were sampled from 16 out of 21 provinces. Out of the strains analyzed, 83.9% (95% CI 78.7–89.1) belonged to lineage 2 or the Beijing genotype, while 16.1% (95% CI 10.9–21.3) were lineage-4 or Euro-American genotype. While the proportion of Beijing lineage strains was slightly higher and the Euro-American lineage strains slightly lower in rural populations compared to urban populations, the difference in strain distribution between urban and rural areas was not statistically significant (p=0.485). Among the Beijing lineage strains, only the modern Beijing sublineage (100%) was identified. In contrast, the Euro-American lineage exhibited various sublineages: 4 (0.5%), 4.5 (1%), 4.1.2.1 (Haarlem, 3%), Latin American-Mediterranean (LAM, 7.5%), mainly T (3.5%), and S type (0.5%). Notably, the proportion of Lineage 2 strains increased from 80% in 2010 to 86% in 2020. The overlap of the confidence intervals for 2010 (72.16%–87.84%) and 2020 (79.20%–92.80%) indicates that there has been no significant change in the distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages over time. The study revealed that among the selected Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, resistance rates to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs were as follows: isoniazid (39%), rifampicin (21%), ethambutol (19%), and streptomycin (34%). Genotypic analysis indicated that the Beijing lineage was predominantly associated with drug-resistant tuberculosis cases, including multidrug-resistant (MDR), poly-drug-resistant, and mono-drug-resistant TB. Notably, the Beijing lineage accounted for 100% of pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) TB cases. Within the Haarlem lineage, 33% were MDR-TB. In the Latin American-Mediterranean (LAM) lineage, 13.3% were MDR-TB, 6.6% were poly-drug-resistant, and 13.3% were mono-drug-resistant. Among the mainly T lineage, 42.8% exhibited mono-drug resistance. These findings suggest that the distribution of M. tuberculosis lineages in the Mongolian population has remained relatively stable over time, with no significant temporal changes. Conclusion The distribution of M. tuberculosis genotypes circulating among the population of Mongolia has remained relatively stable over time, with no significant time-dependent changes. Additionally, no mutations associated with resistance to newly introduced anti-TB drugs were detected.

Background: The continuous annual increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) poses significant challenges not only within our nation but also globally in the control and management of tuberculosis. Aim: This study aimed to determine the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) residing in six central districts of Ulaanbaatar and to investigate associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Participants aged 18 years and older diagnosed with T2DM and receiving care at endocrinology clinics in six central districts of Ulaanbaatar were selected using systematic random sampling. Presumptive TB cases were identified through a structured questionnaire and chest X-ray. Sputum specimens were collected and subjected to smear microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for tuberculosis detection. Cases confirmed by laboratory diagnosis, currently undergoing tuberculosis treatment and previously treated cases as per questionnaire data were classified as tuberculosis cases, and prevalence was calculated. Results: A total of 1,644 individuals with T2DM were enrolled in the study, of whom 836 (50.9%) were female, with a mean age of 58 years (range 19–89). The overall prevalence of presumptive TB cases was 10.5% (n=172; 95% CI, 9.0–12.0). Among 112 suspected cases from whom sputum samples were obtained, 10 (8.9%; 95% CI, 4.9–15.7) were laboratory-confirmed for M.tuberculosis. Notably, 7.2% (6 cases; 95% CI, 3.4–14.9) of asymptomatic individuals with abnormal X-ray findings were diagnosed with tuberculosis. According to questionnaire responses, 9 participants (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3–1.0) were undergoing tuberculosis treatment, and 53 (3.2%; 95% CI, 2.5–4.2) reported a previously treated TB cases. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis among individuals with diabetes was 4.4% (n=72; 95% CI, 3.5–5.5). Stratification by age and sex revealed a significantly higher prevalence among males (5.9%; n=48; 95% CI, 4.5–7.8) compared to females (2.9%; 95% CI, 1.2–4.2) (p=0.002), indicating a twofold increased risk of tuberculosis in males. Although no statistically significant differences in tuberculosis prevalence were observed across age groups (p>0.05), a declining trend in prevalence with older age was noted. Conclusion The prevalence of tuberculosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes was 4.4% (n=72; 95% CI, 3.5–5.5), with a significantly higher rate in males (p=0.002) and a decreasing trend with increasing age. Among asymptomatic individuals exhibiting radiographic abnormalities, 7.2% were confirmed to have tuberculosis via laboratory testing

Background: According to the First National Tuberculosis (TB) Prevalence Survey in Mongolia the prevalence of bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB among adults was 559.6 (95% CI: 454.5–664.7) per 100000 population in 2014–2015. This was three times as high as previously estimated. Nationwide anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance survey was conducted in 1999 and 2007 in Mongolia. Share of multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases among newly notified TB cases increased from 1.0% in 1999 to 1.4% in 2007. Accordingly, we aimed to perform drug susceptibility test on strains isolated from TB Prevalence Survey and to determine the prevalence of drug resistant TB. Material and Methods: All 242 MTB strains isolated from the survey TB cases were tested GenoTypeMTBDRplus test and conventional 1st line DST on solid medium. Result: Conventional DST and GenoTypeMTBDRplus tests done for 93.8% (227/242) of them and 6.2% (15/242) were tested by GenoTypeMTBDRplus only. A 61.6% (95%CI 55.3-67.4) of all cases were susceptible to first line anti-TB drugs, any drug resistance and MDR-TBdetected as 38.4% (95% CI 32.5-44.7)and 9.5% (95% CI 6.4-13.9), respectively. Prevalence of MDR-TB was7.8% (95% CI 4.9-12.4) among new and 17.9% (95% CI 9.0-32.7) among previously treated cases. The 64 strains were identified as a resistant to isoniazid, 32.8% (42/64) and 65.6% (21/64) were katG, and inhAmutation, respectively. One isolate (1.6%) was mutations in both the inhAand katGgenes.The predominant mutations detected in therpoB were S531L (91.3%) among rifampicin resistant isolates and the mutation in inhAwas C–15T (100%) and katG mutation was S315T1 (100%) among isoniazid-resistant isolates. Conclusion Prevalence of cases with DR-TB is high among prevalent TB cases, especially prevalence of MDR-TB among new cases. In comparison to previous studies, DR-TB cases seem to be increased. Rifampicin resistant strains have a mutation of the rpoBand resistance to isoniazid is predominantly associated with the inhA mutation.

Background During the last ten years cardiovascular disease has became one of the priority cause of death in Selenge province, while 23.9 cases in 10.000 population. Studying cause of increasing cardiovascular disease by year and year, connecting with arterial hypertension control and influenced factors is our research work background.GoalTo determine uncontrolled arterial hypertension and evaluate its influenced factors among the population with arterial hypertension in Selenge province.Objectives:1. Research uncontrolled arterial hypertension among the population2. Determine factors that influence uncontrolled arterial hypertensionMaterials and Metods: Research model: Population based moment model of analitic research is used to survey control of population with arterial hypertension. Research coverage and Sampling: Eruu, Zuunburen, and Khutul soums were chosen from 23 soums including center of Selenge province through the random sampling. And then 480 people with arterial hypertension, aged above 18 years were participated in the research. Data was analysed by SPSS 17 program. Collecting information method: Situation of arterial hypertension control is taken by questionnaire method developed by collaboration with WHO and International Association of Arterial Hypertension, and whether follow the drug treatment instruction of physicians is evaluated by MMAS questionnaire method developed by Association of Control Case Managment of America. Arterial hypertension, weight and height of participants were measured. Although people with arterial hypertension under 140-90 mm.Hy are reported “people who are controlling their arterial pressure in normal rate”.ResultsTotally 480 people with arterial hypertension, aged above 18 years were chosen from of Eruu, Zuunburen, and Khutul soums and center of Selenge province. Approximetly, 29.1 percent were male, 70.8 percent were female and average age was 52.43. About 34 percent were high education, 85.8 percent were married and 34.4 percent were retired people. According to the survey, 68 people or 14.1 percent were controlled their arterial pressure/hypertension in normal rate, 412 people or 85.8 percent were uncontrolled their arterial pressure/hypertension in normal rate. Because of the arterial hypertension 59 percent of the participants were under control of physicians. Also there was difference on age and gender with statistical benefit. (p=0.001) People who can control arterial pressure in normal rate were 12.7 percent of people under control of physicians.Conclusions:About 85.8 percent or 412 people with arterial hypertension were uncontrolled, 90 percent were male and 84.1 percent were female. Because of the arterial hypertension, 59 percent of the participants were under control of physicians. But 87.3 percent of them cannot control their arterial pressure/ypertension in normal rate. Physicians control, employment, body mass index and following drug treatment instruction were the factors influence on arterial hypertension control.