Chemical Sciences Journal

Asthma is defined as the chronic inflammation of the large airways that is characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness. On the other hand, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammation that is marked by progressive and irreversible airflow obstruction. Both conditions are manifested by symptoms of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Similarity in symptoms between these two conditions could lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Although inflammation is present in both conditions, there are some marked differences. The main difference is that inflammation in asthma is an IgE mediated and involves the release of histamine while it is absent in the case of COPD. There is now a new trend for measuring the content of exhaled nitric oxide as a marker for assessing airway inflammation and especially for asthma diagnosis and monitoring. This study aimed at utilizing biomarkers to differentiate between the different types of respiratory inflammations. In this study, 23 patients with asthma, 20 with allergic rhinitis, 10 with COPD, and 17 healthy controls were recruited into the study at a local hospital clinic and assessed based on the level of their exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), serum specific IgE antibodies, and relative blood eosinophilia count. The results demonstrated that the many asthmatics (74%) had high eNO levels, while only 25% of patients with allergic rhinitis, 10% of those with COPD, and 6% of the healthy individuals similarly had elevated eNO levels. The results confirmed the fact that exhaled nitric oxide could be an effective parameter for differentiating asthma from other allergic diseases (e.g. allergic rhinitis) and other respiratory inflammations (COPD).

Green tea (Camellia sinesis) is a known traditional medicinal plant that has been consumed for its putative nutritional and health benefits for centuries. The polyphenols found in green tea are epicatechin, epicatechin-3- gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), comprise 30-40 percent of the extractable solids of dried green tea leaves. Green tea polyphenols have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. In the present study aqueous extract of green tea (10 ml/kgp.o), methanolic extract of green tea (5 ml/kg p.o) and standard Piracetam (150 mg/kg body weight p.o) were used to evaluate the Nootropic activity. Its behavioral studies on mazes like Elevated plus Maze, Morris Water Maze and avoidance behavior on step down type passive avoidance models were performed, whole brain acetyl cholinesterase enzyme activity was also estimated. For evaluating the analgesic activity, analgesic models like hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing were performed. Methanolic extract of green tea showed significant (p<0.01) change in evaluation parameters like transfer latency and step down latency when compared with the aqueous extract of green tea. Methanolic extract of green tea showed better antinociceptive activity in acetic acid induced writhing model (41.6%) when compared to hot plate method (6.64%). Whole Brain acetyl cholinesterase enzyme activity was performed and the results indicated that the methanolic extract of green tea (p<0.01) has better nootropic activity than aqueous extract. The results proved that the methanolic extract of green tea has better Nootropic and anti-nociceptive activity when compared with the aqueous extract of green tea. Methanolic extract of green tea also proved to be superior to the marketed product, Medha rasayana as a memory enhancer.

1-anilinocyclohexanecarboxamides 2a-c were found to be a versatile precursors for the synthesis of five-, six- and seven-membered ring spiroheterocycles compounds 3-14. A general high yielding protocol for the synthesis of many functionalized spiro heterocyclic systems was presented.

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) has attracted much attention owing to its multiple health benefits. OXC is an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing drug, used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy. This study developed and validated a simple, specific, sensitive and reliable stability indicating UV-Spectrophotometric method for the quantitative determination of oxcrbazepine in pure and in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Analysis was performed using methanol: aceonitrile (50:50) as diluents. UV detection was performed at 254 nm. The calibration plot was linear over a concentration range of 0.0-15 μg ml-1 with correlation coefficient values >0.9986. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. The forced degradation studies were performed by using HCl, NaOH, H2O2, thermal and UV radiation. Oxcarbazepine is more sensitive towards alkaline conditions and very much resistant towards acidic, oxidative and photolytic degradations. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines. The RSD for intra- and inter-day precision were found to be lesser than 3%. The percentage recovery was in good agreement with the labeled amount in the pharmaceutical formulations and the method is simple, specific, precise and accurate for the determination of oxcarbazepine in pharmaceutical formulations

Microbiological tests were carried out against fungal spores (Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria alternate, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Aspergillus Niger and Geotrichium candidum). Nanosilver suspension at a concentration of 5-15 ppm was used as a biocidal agent. It was a component of various kinds of tested paint coatings. Studies Geotrichium candidum confirmed the high biocidal efficacy thus nanosilver additive for paints and coatings makes it possible to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe cannabis poisoning of children.
Methods: 36 pediatrics patients with cannabis intoxication from January 2011to January 2013 reviewed retrospectively in the descriptive study.
Results: cannabis poisoning represent 8, 5% of general intoxications hospitalized in our emergency unit, Children between 3 and 10 years old are the most exposed to poisoning (41%) with male’s predominance. The poisoning is accidental except for teenagers. Cardiovascular signs and neurological signs were commonly found. Two deaths were noted.
Conclusions: The purpose of this study was to assess about this new child‘s poisoning in our country and its danger.