Thai Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY CHEMICAL PROFILING AND ANTIOXIDATION ACTIVITY OF THE THAI HERBAL FORMULA “PIKAD TRISUKKHATI SAMUTHARN” EXTRACT

Nattiya Chaichamnong — 2024-02-21

Pikad Trisukkhati Samutharn (PTS) is a medicinal formula used in Thai traditional medicine for treating severe fever, inflammation, and diarrhea, as well as for general health promotion. This herbal formula was made from the roots of three plants: Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers and Ficus racemosa L. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidation activity and chemical profiling of PTS and its herbal components. The antioxidation activity of the extracts was determined using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, as well as the Folin-Ciocalteu method, to investigate the total phenolic contents. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBAR) assay was used to test lipid peroxidation activity. The chemical profiling of PTS was demonstrated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed that the total phenolic content of the ethanolic extract (79.57 ± 2.33 mg GAE/g extract) was greater than that of the aqueous extract (12.55 ± 2.83 mg GAE/g extract) of the PTS. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the PTS ethanolic extract (IC₅₀ value 80.69 ± 0.40 mg/mL) was also stronger than that of the PTS aqueous extract (IC₅₀ value
650.10 ± 98.20 mg/mL). Lipid peroxidation of the PTS ethanolic extract was moderate with 32.47 ± 0.71% inhibition. GC-MS revealed the presence of several phenolic compounds contained in the PTS ethanolic extract in which the identified compounds had previously been reported to have several pharmacological activities such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial. In conclusion, the antioxidation and chemical constituents of the PTS extract were demonstrated for the first time, and more pharmacological activities of PTS should be explored to confirm its traditional use.

DEVELOPMENT OF ADMISSION MEDICATION RECONCILIATION IN SONGKLANAGARIND HOSPITAL

Piengjai Kiettanawattana — 2024-03-03

Hospitalized patients are prone to medication errors (MEs) which usually occur at transition points during care. Communication problems or the transfer of information between patients and healthcare professionals are among the causes of MEs. This study developed a medication reconciliation system with pharmacists who were specifically responsible for identification of medication discrepancy and intervention. This action research on patient admissions at Songklanagarind Hospital between October 2018 - September 2022 is divided into 4 phases: 1. Designed and developed medication reconciliation system with pharmacists in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. 2. Conducted trial with one pharmacist and piloted it among patients with a previous history of using warfarin. 3. Developed medication reconciliation program. 4. Expanded the program to patients who are at risk of MEs by increasing the number of pharmacists to two. 70-78% of patients had medication reconciliation processed by a pharmacist within 24 hours of hospital admission. Pharmacists found MEs of 11-17%, with the most common being the incorrect dosage or frequency of medication (50-70%), followed by omission (15-45%). In 70-77% of the MEs, the medication did not reach the patient. Pharmacists have an important role in preventing MEs by reconciling medications. Through the medication reconciliation process, pharmacists can assess the completeness and accuracy of medication lists to reduce MEs and prevent those errors from affecting patients.

INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEUROLOGICAL ADVERSE REACTIONS IN FOCAL EPILEPSY PATIENTS USING LEVETIRACETAM

Mores Sribanphai — 2024-05-09

Levetiracetam is commonly prescribed as an anticonvulsant drug to treat epilepsy, but it may also cause neuropsychiatric adverse events such as drowsiness, aggression, and depression. However, the incidence and risk factors associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events to levetiracetam among patients with focal epilepsy in Thailand remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events in focal epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam. For this purpose, we retrospectively collected data from the medical chart review of patients with focal epilepsy between January 2018 and December 2021 who received treatment in the epilepsy clinic at Chulalongkorn Hospital. The results revelaed that of the total of 220 patients included in the study, 78 patients (35.3%) experienced neuropsychiatric adverse events. Females, persons of young age, and patients with drug-resistant epilepsy have risk factors associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events. Therefore, it can be concluded that the incidence of neuropsychiatric adverse events in this study was not different from that of previous studies. The female gender, persons of young age, and patients with drug-resistant epilepsy should be closely monitored.

DEVELOPMENT OF A PAPER-BASED DEVICE USING INDOXYL ACETATE AS A CHROMOGENIC SUBSTRATE FOR RAPID QUALITATIVE DETERMINATION OF LIPASE INHIBITOR

Papitchaya Charoenkijmongkol — 2024-06-21

An improved paper-based device using indoxyl acetate as a chromogenic substrate was developed for rapid qualitative determination of lipase inhibitory activity. Colorless indoxyl acetate can be catalytically hydrolyzed by lipase to produce the blue-colored indigo dimer on the paper device. In the presence of a lipase inhibitor, enzyme activity diminishes, resulting in reduced hydrolysis of indoxyl acetate. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in the intensity of the blue coloration, which can be visually observed across a range of blue shades and analyzed using image analysis. Orlistat was used as the representative lipase inhibitor in the assay. The LODs obtained from visual detection and the image analysis were comparable. The paper-based device using indoxyl acetate for lipase inhibition assay was simple and convenient. It could be useful as a simple screening method for the detection of orlistat adulteration in weight loss supplements.

DETERMINATION OF EXTRACTIVE VALUES BY UV/VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY COUPLED WITH CHEMOMETRIC METHODS: CASE STUDIES OF TURMERIC, ANDROGRAPHIS AND ROSELLE

Tasamaporn Sukwattanasinit — 2024-06-28

An extractive value is a quality control parameter of herbal raw materials. Its determination process requires patience and consumes a lot of electrical energy. This study explored the correlation between the extractive values and UV/Vis spectral data. The spectroscopic data was analyzed using partial-least square regression and multiple linear regression to estimate the extractive values. Turmeric, andrographis, and roselle were selected as case studies due to the diverse polarities exhibited by their chemical components. The predictive models for the ethanol-soluble extractives of all herbs, as well as the water-soluble extractives of andrographis and roselle, were effectively developed. Nevertheless, the model for the water extractive of turmeric did not yield successful results. The effectiveness of the chemometric approach relied on the chemical composition of the individual herbs. The reliability of the developed models was assessed by the acceptable root mean square error of cross-validation and root mean square error of prediction. The accuracy of each model was greater than 94%. This study presented an innovative concept that had the potential applicability to other herbs.