Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Predicting skin permeation-enhancing effect of fixed oils using saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio content

2024-01-31T12:13:15+00:00

Background: Transdermal drug delivery is non-invasive and advantageous as it improves patient compliance.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of varying ratios of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in fixed oils on the permeation of ibuprofen across pig dorsal skin.

Methods: The solubility of ibuprofen in soybean oil, theobroma oil, and shea butter (fixed oils) was evaluated and in vitro skin permeation studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cells.

Results: A significant difference in permeability parameters, such as flux and effective skin permeability, in the different formulations was observed. Skin permeation depended on the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. It also depended on the type and concentration of individual saturated and unsaturated fatty acids present in the fixed oils. The skin permeation of ibuprofen increased with an increasing ratio of palmitic acid (PA) to oleic acid (OA) concentrations. The highest flux was obtained in the theobroma oil formulation, with a PA:OA ratio of 0.78. The lowest flux was obtained in the shea butter formulation, with a PA:OA ratio of 0.09. The PA:OA ratio was 0.46 in the soybean oil formulation.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in fixed oils could be used as a model for predicting the rate of skin permeation of drugs in oil-based formulations. Depending on the desired rate of drug permeation, different combinations of the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids can be used in formulations for transdermal delivery.

Administration of combined exogenous L-arginine and ascorbic acid attenuates potassium bromate-induced renal and hepatic toxicity

2024-01-31T12:16:57+00:00

Background: The use of potassium bromate (KBrO₃) as food additive is still widespread and there is need to search for agents with protective effect against KBrO₃-induced toxicity.

Objective: In this study, the protective effects of L-arginine, ascorbic acid, and their combined regimen on KBrO₃-induced renal and hepatic toxicity were investigated in Wistar rats.

Methods: Five groups of male rats were used for the study. Group A was given distilled water (control), and group B was treated with KBrO₃ only. In addition to KBrO₃, groups C, D, and E were given L-arginine, ascorbic acid, and combined L-arginine and ascorbic acid respectively. After 28-day treatment, blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis; liver and kidney were harvested for histological examination.

Results: KBrO₃ significantly (p < 0.05) raised serum levels of creatinine, urea, ALT, and AST compared to distilled water-treated control. Levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx were also significantly reduced. No significant changes in these parameters were observed with ascorbic acid and L-arginine given separately. Treatment with combined regimen of L-arginine and ascorbic acid resulted in significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the serum levels of creatinine, AST and ALT, and significant increase in the serum levels of SOD, CAT and GPx compared to the control. The distortions induced by KBrO₃ in the structural architecture of renal and hepatic tissues were largely reduced in rats treated with combined ascorbic acid and L-arginine.

Conclusion: The study showed that L-arginine and ascorbic acid synergistically attenuate KBrO₃-induced renal and hepatic toxicity.

Knowledge and treatment seeking behaviour for malaria among some undergraduate students of the University of Jos

2024-01-31T12:25:02+00:00

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria. Information on clients’ knowledge and treatment seeking behaviour might improve or sustain the rational management of the disease and treatment outcome.

Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge and treatment seeking behaviour for the disease among undergraduate students of two Faculties of the University of Jos.

Materials and Method: The study employed a cross-sectional strategy in which a self-administered questionnaire was administered to two hundred and two (202) four hundred (400) and five hundred (500) levels Veterinary Medicine and Pharmaceutical sciences Faculty students of the University. The collected data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS^® version 23 software.

Results: The total possible maximum correct knowledge score of the respondents was 10, and there mean (± SD) knowledge score was 7.77 (± 1.27), with majority (59.9%) having good knowledge of malaria and its management. Most of them either had moderate (38.1%) or good (36.1%) treatment seeking behaviour for the disease. Some factors including religion, level of education, patronage of healthcare facilities, and knowledge of the disease and its management were significant predictors of students’ treatment seeking behaviour for malaria.

Conclusion: Despite the fact that a high proportion of the students had good knowledge, their treatment seeking attitudes for the disease were not correspondingly high, implying the existence of a possible gap between the students’ theoretical knowledge on the disease and actual treatment seeking behaviour for the disease.

Toxic effects of clindamycin-hydrochloride in healthy rodents

2024-01-31T12:29:12+00:00

Background: Systemic administration of clindamycin-hydrochloride (an antibiotic) is mainly associated with gastro-intestinal disturbances and allergic reactions. Little is known of its haematological and biochemical toxicity.

Objective: To evaluate the haematological and biochemical changes associated with indiscriminate administration of oral clindamycin-hydrochloride in clinically healthy rodents.

Materials and Methods: Twenty Wistar rats (130-189 grams) divided into four groups (A-D) of five rats each were used. Rats in group A (control) were treated with distilled water. Groups B-D received 0.2mL (below normal dose), 0.4mL (normal dose) and 1.0mL (above normal dose) of clindamycin-hydrochloride (75mg/5mL) at 8 hourly intervals, three times daily for 14 days, respectively. Thereafter, blood was collected through both ocular and cardiac puncture into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and lithium heparin bottles for evaluation of haematological and biochemical parameters, respectively.

Results: Significant (P < 0.05) increases in total white blood cell (WBC) counts and decreases in eosinophil (Eos) counts occurred in clindamycin-treated rats. In addition, significant (P < 0.05) increases in concentrations of Total cholesterol, Triglyceride and High-density lipoprotein, respectively, as well as decreases in concentrations of Albumin, Alanine transaminase and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, respectively also occurred in clindamycin-treated rats.

Conclusion: Indiscriminate use of clindamycin-hydrochloride produces adverse haematological and biochemical changes in Wistar rats which may be a reflection of systemic toxicity, allergic reaction as well as liver and kidney dysfunction.