Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
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Curr Pharm Biotechnol · Jan 2017
Therapeutic Use of Δ9-THC and Cannabidiol: Evaluation of a New Extraction Procedure for the Preparation of Cannabis-based Olive Oil.
Since 2013 Cannabis-based preparations, containing the two main cannabinoids of interest, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD), can be used for therapeutic purposes, such as palliative care, neurodegenerative disorder treatment and other therapies. The preparations may consist of a drug partition in sachets, capsules or through the extraction in certified olive oil. ⋯ The developed method was simple and fast. The extraction procedure proved to be highly reproducible and applicable routinely to cannabis preparations.
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Curr Pharm Biotechnol · Jan 2017
Interpretation of Cannabis Findings in the Hair of Very Young Children: Mission Impossible.
Hair has been suggested since the middle of the 90's to be a suitable matrix to document repetitive exposure to cannabis. Because it is possible to detect Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis smoke, the identification of the metabolite, 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) has been considered to allow the discrimination of active use. ⋯ Establishing a window of detection when testing for drugs in young children is a very complicated task. Hair from children is finer and more porous in comparison with adult (the risk of contamination from sweat and environmental smoke is higher than in adults). The final interpretation of cannabinoid findings in the children's hair is very complicated as this can result from in utero exposure (although none of the mother admitted cannabis use during pregnancy), oral cannabis administration by the parents to achieve sedation, close contact to cannabis consumers (hands, bedding, dishes) and inhalation of side-stream smoke. Over-interpreting cannabis findings in hair can have very serious legal implication in child protection cases. Practicing scientists have the responsibility to inform the child protection authorities, courts, etc. about these limitations.
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Curr Pharm Biotechnol · Jan 2017
Personalized Medicine and Adverse Drug Reactions: The Experience of An Italian Teaching Hospital.
The personalized medicine is a model of medicine based on inherent difference given by the genetic heritage that characterizes us, diversity that can affect also our response to administered therapy. Nowadays, the term "adverse drug reaction" is identified with any harmful effect involuntary resulting from the use of a medicinal product; pharmacogenomics, in this field, has the aim to improve the drug response and to reduce the adverse reaction. ⋯ This study highlights the great potential of pharmacogenomics in reducing adverse reactions and suggests the need for further pharmacogenomic clinical trials to better personalize drug treatment and to refine the current pharmacovigilance strategies.
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Curr Pharm Biotechnol · Jan 2015
Histomorphometric analysis of salivary gland in wistar rats treated chronically with two benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines (BZDs), the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs with anxiolytic action, may cause hyposalivation. Therefore, this study sought to quantify the acini (N) in parotid glands of Wistar rats treated chronically with two BZDs (Lorazepam and Midazolan) and to verify the action of the pilocarpine when administered with these drugs. Ninety male Wistar rats were distributed in 9 groups according to the administration of: a) S30 - saline solution for 30 days; b) S60 - saline solution for 60 days; c) P60 - pilocarpine for 60 days; d) L30 - Lorazepam for 30 days; e) M30 - Midozolam for 30 days; f) LS60 - Lorazepam for 60 days and, after this period, 30 more days of saline solution; g) MS60 - Midazolam for 30 days and, after this period, 30 more days of saline solution; h) LP60 - Lorazepam and Pilocarpine for 60 days; i) MP60 - Midazolam and Pilocarpine for 60 days. ⋯ No differences could be observed between the MP60 and S60 groups. The chronic administration of Midazolam and Lorazepam reduced acini, which may well have collaborated in the reduction of salivary flow previously verified. The association of Midazolam with Pilocarpine led to the reestablishment of acinar cells, which may have favored the restoration of the salivary flow formerly shown.
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Curr Pharm Biotechnol · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisThe optimal treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy: update of the role of nicardipine.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy remain a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure control is essential for maternal and neonatal outcome. Therefore, we analyzed the potency and side effects of two treatment options (nicardipine compared to labetalol) in order to gain insight in improved treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy and to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial. ⋯ Nicardipine is a potent drug to control hypertension during pregnancy with side effects including maternal headaches, nausea and tachycardia. Labetalol had more neonatal side effects including hypotension compared with nicardipine. These results support the justification and prove that it is safe to perform a randomized controlled trial comparing nicardipine to labetalol in the treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy.