Journal of Basic and Applied Pharmacology

Preclinical Investigation on the Antinociceptive, Antipyretic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Ananas comosus Leaf Extract

Chinedu Enegide — 2025-03-01

Ananas comosus is a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of pain, fever and inflammation. This study aims to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic leaf extract of A. comosus and the mechanism by which it produces its antinociceptive effects in mice. The antinociceptive activity of ethanolic leaf extract of A. comosus was evaluated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test and a formalin-induced pain test. The mechanism of anti-nociception was determined by pretreating mice with various antagonists (naloxone, glibenclamide, atropine, nifedipine and theophyline) before administration of the extract (800 mg/kg) during the acetic acid-induced writhing test. The antipyretic effect was evaluated using yeast-induced pyrexia in mice, while formalin-induced inflammation was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects. The extract demonstrated potent antinociceptive activity compared to the control group in the acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the formalin-induced pain models. Naloxone, glibenclamide, atropine and nifedipine did not block the antinociceptive activity. However, theophylline significantly reversed the antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. The extract also showed antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, while the results of the antioxidant study showed that it has high antioxidant properties. The study results showed that the extract has potent antinociceptive, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The Effects of Stocking Density on the Growth and Survival of Hybrid Catfish in Cage Culture Environments

Ekachai Duangjai — 2025-03-13

The cultivation of hybrid catfish at high stocking densities within cage environments is considered for its potential to enhance production efficiency. This study, employing a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications, was conducted to assess the impact of varying stocking densities on growth parameters and survival rates. The treatment (Trt) groups were established based on different stocking densities, defined as the number of fish/m³ of cage. These groups included Trt1 with 5 fish/m³, Trt2 with 10 fish/m³, Trt3 with 15 fish/m³, and Trt4 with 20 fish/m³. Measurements of specific growth rates and survival rates were analyzed using analysis of variance to determine the effects of stocking densities. The ANOVA results indicated that stocking density significantly influenced both growth rates in specific weight and survival rates. Employing the Duncan multiple range test, it was revealed that Trt1, with the lowest density, exhibited the highest specific growth rate at 615.6 ± 2.8 %/ day. Conversely, the lowest growth rate of 577.1 ± 84.0 %/day was observed in Trt4, which had the highest density. Additionally, the highest survival rate was recorded in Trt1 at 96.3 %, while the lowest was observed in Trt4 at 63.5%. These results demonstrate that lower stocking densities are associated with improved growth and higher survival rates in hybrid catfish, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal densities to enhance health and growth efficiency.

Evaluation of Weight-based Dosing of Vancomycin in Hospitalized Patients at a District Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat: A Descriptive Retrospective Study

Thanawat Khongyot — 2025-03-14

Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, is widely used to treat severe gram-positive infections, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Its narrow therapeutic index and variable pharmacokinetics make dosing challenging, especially in resource-limited hospitals where therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is unavailable. This study evaluates the appropriateness of vancomycin dosing and factors contributing to deviations from recommended regimens.

This retrospective study was conducted at a district hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, from January 2012 to August 2015. Seventy-one patients receiving vancomycin were included. Demographic, clinical, and dosing data were collected from medical records. Regimens were categorized as therapeutic, subtherapeutic, or supratherapeutic based on established guidelines. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations between dosing adequacy and patient characteristics.

Among 78 regimens analyzed, 55.1% achieved therapeutic levels, while 44.9% were outside the target range (16.7% subtherapeutic, 28.2% supratherapeutic). The 15–20 mg/kg/dose regimen, the most frequently used, showed significant subtherapeutic dosing (44.4%, p < 0.05), particularly in patients >67 kg. The 500 mg HD regimen exhibited the highest rate of supratherapeutic dosing (76.9%, p < 0.05), highlighting challenges in post-hemodialysis dosing. Pediatric patients on the 10–15 mg/kg/dose regimen achieved therapeutic levels in 75% of cases, though 25% had supratherapeutic levels (p < 0.05).

This study underscores the need for individualized vancomycin dosing, adherence to evidence-based protocols, and expanded TDM access, particularly for high-risk groups like pediatric and hemodialysis patients. Standardized guidelines and real-time monitoring could improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce toxicity risks.

Aquilaria crassna Leaf Extract Improves Memory Deficits in Ovariectomized Rats

Khachanan Inthiwong — 2025-03-31

Aquilaria crassna is one Aquilaria species which can produce agarwood. Most agarwood is processed into oil which is used in perfumes and in the production of traditional medicines for treating asthma, stress, and other diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of A. crassna leaf extract on learning and memory of ovariectomized rats, an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Following a full recovery, A. crassna leaf extracts (10, 100, 1000 mg/kg B.W.) were orally administered for 60 days. The negative control group received RO water and the positive control group received donepezil. Novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were employed to evaluate their cognitive functions. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus, were assessed. OVX rats receiving A. crassna leaf extract showed a significant improvement in both object recognition and spatial memories when compared to the OVX control group. Additionally, treatment of A. crassna leaf extract resulted in significant elevation in the activities of SOD and CAT, suppression of AChE activity, and reduction in MDA levels compared to the OVX group. A. crassna leaf extract could improve cognitive and memory impairment in OVX rats by increasing antioxidant activity and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Therefore, A. crassna leaf extract may be useful in reducing the risk of AD in postmenopausal women.