Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy

Background: 1,4-dioxane (DX) was first discovered in 1863 and has been made accessible for commercial purposes around the 1930s as a solvent for cellulose and in the production of plastics. Aim: The purpose of this review was to highlight the chemistry of DX as well as its various reported pharmacological and toxicological attributes. Methods: The reviewed data was abstracted by using some scientific platforms, such as Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, with no limitation to the publishing date. Results: Chemically, DX is an organic heterocyclic molecule that can be described as an ether and found as a colorless liquid with a slightly sweet smell, akin to diethyl ether. Also, this old molecule is usually referred to as dioxane because its other structural isomers (1,2- and 1,3-) are seldom encountered. Given its pharmacokinetic profile, DX is quickly and entirely absorbed after oral intake and inhalation exposure, with the cutaneous route accounting for substantially less absorption. The main product of the metabolism of DX in humans and rats is β-hydroxy ethoxy acetic acid, which is a urine-eliminated metabolite. Pharmacologically, it has been found that DX and its derivatives have therapeutic benefits against cancer in general and hematologic malignancies in particular. Also, the studied molecule can function as an antimicrobial prospect against various pathogenic microbes. Depending on the dose and time frame, DX can cause two types of toxicity, including acute and chronic, with various attributes for each. Conclusion: Based on the examined information, it is possible to employ DX as a bioactive scaffold for developing potent antitumor and antimicrobial agents that can serve better in therapeutics.

Background and objective: Although methotrexate has been utilized over many years, adverse effects are frequent throughout therapy, especially among cancer patients. The study examined the efficacy of bosentan as a protective therapy against tongue toxicity induced by methotrexate. Methods: This study employed twenty-four 300–400 g Wister-albino rats. The animals were categorized into three groups: methotrexate (80 mg/kg), methotrexate (80 mg/kg) plus bosentan (60 mg/kg), and control healthy (distilled water). The tongue mucosa was subjected to biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. The animals\' tongue mucosa was dissected immediately following they were euthanized on day 16. Results: In contrast to the control group, the Methotrexate group had significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA (p < 0.05). However, the Methotrexate+Bosentan group displayed considerably lower levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA in contrast to the Methotrexate group, (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that bosentan protect considerably against methotrexate-induced tongue toxicity in rats.

Background and objectives: Yerba Mate is commonly used as a popular tea due to its delicious taste and bright colour after preparation. It contains active ingredients that might have therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to identify and quantify active ingredients present in Yerba Mate extract (YME). Methods: To do so, YME was prepared by wet digestion and the extract was dried at room temperature. Vitamin E and C were determined using the UV-visible spectrophotometer, minerals were determined by atomic absorption and organic polyphenols were determined using "high-performance liquid chromatography". Results: The contents disclosed the presence of vitamin E (9.8 mg/gm), vitamin C (12.5 mg/gm), phosphate (145.9 µg/gm), iron (80.9 µg/gm), calcium (80.6 µg/gm), magnesium (66.3 µg/gm), and zinc (41.9 µg/gm). Additionally, gallic acid (98.8µg/gm), ferulic acid (60.5µg/gm), caffeic acid (55.9 µg/gm), apigenin (30.5 µg/gm), chlorogenic acid (24.8 µg/gm), and kaempferol (12.9 µg/gm). Conclusion: the concentration and active ingredient present in YME enable its use in some diseases including diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and bone diseases due to their antioxidant, lipid-lowering and bone-strengthening effects.

Background: Recently, the consumption of pharmaceutical preparations and health products has increased to treat various diseases, such as urinary tract infections, treatment of some skin conditions, burns, Alzheimer's disease, streptococcal infection, bronchitis, and eye infections. Many of these preparations have the potential to harm patients or act as emergency pollutants in the environment. Sulfadiazine is one of the most commonly used antimicrobials for both human and animal infections. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to show how important it is to keep an eye on sulfadiazine using simple, accurate, precise, selective, and repeatable methods for estimation. Methods: For measuring pharmaceutical preparation amounts, spectrophotometry, chromatography, and electrochemical methods are best. Spectrophotometric techniques possess ease, accuracy with precision, and repeatability. Conclusion: Chromatographic techniques are selective, and they are more than their predecessors in that they possess speed and safety, but their drawback is that they are expensive. When compared to other methods, electrochemical techniques have very high sensitivity and selectivity. However, they are not very precise, and the sensors are affected by the current. Also, the supporting medium needs to be maintained all the time before it can be used.

Background: α-thalassaemia is mostly caused by deletions in the alpha-globin gene complex, which result in either reduced or absent α-globin chain synthesis. β-globin chains are either absent or decreased in ß-thalassemia. Analyzing the regulatory genes (foxO1 and hepcidin) for iron and ferritin, in thalassemic patients was the goal of this study. Methods: Fifty individuals were selected for this study. Ten participants (5 females and 5 males) were healthy when they were recruited from general community and visited Al-Hadba'a Hospital (Mosul City) for blood withdrawal, while the forty patients (20 females and 20 males) have thalassaemia and ranged in age from 8 to 17. Results: Male participants had higher levels of iron and ferritin than female participants. Furthermore, there were notable differences in between male and female thalassaemic subjects. Additionally, ferritin and HbF were directly correlated with iron level and sex. Hepcidin expression analysis in healthy rather than thalassaemic participants found both down- and up-regulation; forkhead box O1 (foxO1) expression analysis demonstrated the reverse hemoglobin types pattern. Conclusion: In both thalassaemic and healthy subjects, gender was associated with the serum levels of iron, ferritin, and the genes that regulate them. Hepcidin and foxO1 synchronized with iron and ferritin in the human body.

Background and Objectives: Drug abuse has become a worldwide problem associated with increased addiction and death, which led to encouraging the Food and Drug Administration and many companies to develop formulations that can prevent or decrease abuse. This study aimed to develop abuse-deterrent formulations using chlorpheniramine maleate as a model drug. The formulations were evaluated for their ability to resist crushing and injection, which are common methods of drug abuse. Method: The direct compression method was used to prepare tablets. Polyethylene oxide was used as a polymer at two concentrations (40% and 80%) and two molecular weights (300,000 and 4,000,000). Neusilin US2 and microcrystalline cellulose were added as tablet diluents. Half of the formulations were heat-treated in an oven at 80 °C. A full factorial experimental design was developed using Minitab software, resulting in 16 formulations. Results: The results showed that both the grade and concentration of Polyethylene oxide, along with oven heating, significantly affect almost all the tested properties of the tablets. However, altering the type of diluent only impacts some tablet properties, such as hardness. Conclusion: This study has shown the feasibility of using polyethylene oxide at a different grade to prepare abuse-deterrent dosage forms. Furthermore, the utilization of a diluent such as neusilin in the preparation of tablets introduces challenges in terms of crushing; this could help reduce drug abuse.