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Pharmacological Aspects (pharmacological + aspect)
Selected AbstractsSwertia (Gentianaceae): Chemical and Pharmacological AspectsCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 11 2004Goutam Brahmachari A compilation of the constituents isolated from Swertia species covering the literature up to December 2003 is presented. The botanical classification and ethno-pharmacology of Swertia plants, as well as the biological activities and pharmacological applications of both distinct phytochemicals and medicinally acitve plant materials (formulations, extracts, etc.) are discussed in detail. [source] Thalidomide as an anti-cancer agentJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002S. Kumar Abstract Thalidomide is a glutamic acid derivative initially introduced as a sedative hypnotic nearly forty years ago. It was withdrawn following numerous reports linking it to a characteristic pattern of congenital abnormalities in babies born to mothers who used the drug for morning sickness. It has gradually been re-introduced into clinical practice over the past two decades, albeit under strict regulation, since it was found to be useful in the management of erythema nodosum leprosum and HIV wasting syndrome. Recognition of its anti-angiogenic effect led to its evaluation in the treatment of various malignancies, where angiogenesis has been shown to play an important role. Numerous clinical trials done over the past four years have confirmed the significant anti-myeloma activity of this drug. It has also shown promise in preliminary trials in the treatment of a variety of different malignant diseases. The mechanisms of its antineoplastic effects continue to be the focus of ongoing research. It has become clear that even though its anti angiogenic effects play a significant role in the anti-tumor activity, there are other properties of this drug which are responsible as well. It also possesses anti-TNF alpha activity, which has led to its evaluation in several inflammatory states. In this concise review, we briefly describe the historical background and pharmacological aspects of this drug. We have concisely reviewed the current knowledge regarding mechanisms of its anti-neoplastic activity and the results of various clinical trials in oncology. [source] Controlled drug delivery: therapeutic and pharmacological aspectsJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2000J. Urquhart Abstract. Urquhart J (Department of Epidemiology, Pharmaco-epidemiology Group, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands). Controlled drug delivery: therapeutic and pharmacological aspects (Internal Medicine in the 21st Century). J Intern Med 2000; 248: 357,376. Concerted work to develop human pharmaceuticals based on rate-controlled drug delivery systems began in 1970. Today there are over three dozen such products, plus a few for veterinary use. In addition, osmotic minipumps have been extensively used since 1978, resulting in over 6000 publications in the pharmacological, endocrinological and physiological literature. Rate-controlled delivery provides for drug entry into the bloodstream continuously at either a constant or a modulated rate. By this means, one avoids the usual peak and trough pattern of drug concentrations in plasma, with its echoing peak and trough pattern of drug actions, during the interval between successive doses. In contrast to the happenstance release kinetics of rapid-release dosage forms, rate-controlled delivery systems can be designed to provide specific temporal patterns of drug concentration in plasma, for the purpose of optimizing the selectivity of drug action, the interval between successive administerings of drug and the likelihood that the next administering will occur at the proper time. [source] Cichorium intybus L , cultivation, processing, utility, value addition and biotechnology, with an emphasis on current status and future prospectsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2001Harsh Pal Bais Abstract Cultivation of chicory plants for various applications, such as utilisation of the root biomass for preparation of a coffee adjuvant, utilisation as a vegetable and, recently, utility of the plants for important phytochemicals, has received global attention. Chicory is widely grown in countries of different geographical locations owing to the economic importance of this crop. This review addresses cultivation, utility, phytochemical studies and pharmacological aspects, with an emphasis on biotechnological developments in recent years and safety evaluation of genetically modified chicory crops. These aspects are dealt with in detail to bring out the current status and future prospects of cultivation and utility of this economically important crop. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Progress in the design of low molecular weight thrombin inhibitorsMEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 1 2005Stuti Srivastava Abstract Intravascular thrombosis and its complication, embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Past few decades have seen a great deal of progress in the development of antithrombotic agents, though the current treatment options are limited to heparin, LMW heparins, and warfarin. Detailed understanding of the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of activation and regulation of blood coagulation have helped in developing specific inhibitors of enzymes, especially thrombin, within the coagulation cascade. Thrombin plays a central role in the coagulation cascade and so has become the primary target for the development of antithrombotic drugs. The review covers the main pharmacological aspects of haemostasis and thrombosis and provides an update on low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors along with the limitations of the prevalent antithrombotic agents. Recent developments in small molecule inhibitors of Protease Activated Receptor-1 (PAR-1) which can be helpful for the treatment of thrombotic and vascular proliferative disorders, have also been discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Therapeutic drug monitoring of itraconazole and the relevance of pharmacokinetic interactionsCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 2006A. Domínguez-Gil Hurlé Abstract A review of the pharmacological aspects of greatest relevance in relation to the monitoring of itraconazole serum levels is presented in this article. The main causes of pharmacokinetic variability, e.g., poor aqueous solubility, the presystemic first-pass effect with the involvement of transporters such as P-glycoprotein, the high extent of metabolism mediated by the CYP450 system and a high probability of pharmacological interactions, are documented and discussed. The pharmacokinetic,pharmacodynamic criteria used to optimise antibiotic therapy, as well as their application to antifungal drugs, are also discussed. Data concerning the breakpoints established for the minimum serum concentrations of itraconazole are included, and the most relevant justifications for drug monitoring are cited. [source] | |||||||||||||