Capsules

OBJECTIVE: To study optimum ingredient of prescriptions of Gutianquan capsule. METHODS: The study was carried out with orthogonal design. The optimum ingredient were studied by anti-diuretic action on rats and sedative-hypnosis action on mice. RESULTS: The composition of Gutianquan capsules should be the best one of the original prescription of Sangpiaoxiao Pulvis. CONCLUSION: Orthogonal design can be used to study prescription of the traditional Chinese medicine.

Artemether is an efficacious antimalarial drug that also displays antischistosomal properties. Laboratory studies have found that artemether curtails the development of adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, and thus prevents morbidity. These findings have been confirmed in clinical trials for the former two parasites; administered orally once every 2-3 weeks, artemether significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of patent infections. Here, we present the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of artemether against S.

OBJECTIVES: Artemisinin-derivative drugs are widely used to treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria and very few studies have investigated the quality of these medicines in Africa. We analysed the active ingredient contents of artemisinin-derivative drugs marketed in Kenya and DR Congo. METHODS: We analysed tablets, capsules, dry suspensions and injections (IM) containing either artemether (AM), arteether (AE), artesunate (ARS) or dihydroartemisinin (DHA). The content of active ingredients and preservatives was determined quantitatively using validated HPLC-UV methods.

Artemether (AM) plus azithromycin (AZ) rectal co-formulations were studied to provide pre-referral treatment for children with severe febrile illnesses in malaria-endemic areas. The target profile required that such product should be cheap, easy to administer by non-medically qualified persons, rapidly effective against both malaria and bacterial infections. Analytical and pharmacotechnical development, followed by in vitro and in vivo evaluation, were conducted for various AMAZ coformulations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to confirm the connection between lead poisoning and the use of traditional Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics. METHODS: The study group comprised 29 subjects (26 adults and three children) who had previously taken Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics. All subjects were tested for lead absorption by blood lead, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and erythrocyte protoporphyrin. RESULTS: Eighteen samples of Ayurvedic preparations were obtained from 15 subjects and analyzed for lead content.

A reliable and reproducible protocol for contamination free plant recovery system from alginated encapsulated uninodal microcuttings of micropropagated Bacopa monnieri L. have been developed after storage at 18 degrees C for 45 days. Node segments excised from freshly micropropagated plants were encapsulated as single explant beads with 3.0% sodium alginate and 80 mM CaCl2 2 H2O. To find out the optimal concentration of fungicide bavistin for efficient plant recovery different concentrations of bavistin (1.0 - 15 mg l(-1)) were incorporated in to the encapsulation medium.

BACKGROUND: Drug treatment can defer surgical intervention in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disorder in elderly men, and is widely practiced. Various herbal formulations have been used for the treatment of BPH, but few have been compared with established modern medicines in head-to-head clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effectiveness and tolerability of an oral formulation, comprising standardized extracts of Murraya koenigii and Tribulus terrestris leaves being marketed in India under Ayurvedic license, versus tamsulosin in the treatment of symptomatic BPH.

Green tea extract is a widely used dietary supplement. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of a decaffeinated green tea (DGT; Camellia sinensis) extract on the activity of the drug-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P-450 2D6 and 3A4. Probe drugs dextromethorphan (30 mg, CYP2D6 activity) and alprazolam (ALPZ; 2 mg, CYP3A4 activity) were administered orally to healthy volunteers (n = 11) at baseline, and again after treatment with four DGT capsules/day for 14 days. Each DGT capsule contained 211 +/- 25 mg of green tea catechins and <1 mg of caffeine.

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in allergic airway inflammation. Supplementation with alpha-tocopherol (alone or combined with ascorbate/vitamin C) has been assessed as an intervention for allergic airway diseases with conflicting results. Enhancing levels of airway antioxidants with oral supplements has been suggested as an intervention to protect individuals from the effect of inhaled oxidants, although it is unclear whether supplementation changes tocopherol or vitamin C levels in both serum and airway fluids.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy and tolerability trial of Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy in patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We hypothesized that chamomile would be superior to placebo in reducing GAD symptoms with a comparable tolerability profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one outpatients with mild to moderate GAD were enrolled, and 57 were randomized to either double-blind chamomile extract (n = 28) or placebo therapy (n = 29) for 8 weeks.