INDIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY

Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-arm study to evaluate the efficacy of coadministration of garlic as a hydrogen sulfide donor and tadalafil in patients with erectile dysfunction not responding to tadalafil alone - A pilot study
Bhat GS and Shastry A
The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of coadministration of garlic (as a hydrogen sulfide [H2S] donor) and tadalafil for patients with ED using a placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized, two-arm pilot study in patients responding poorly to tadalafil alone.
A novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography detection method development and validation for paclitaxel and its major metabolite in human plasma
Kumar V, Vardhan G, Sehrawat A, Handu S and Dhamija P
Paclitaxel is a promising anticancer drug for patients with ovarian, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, prostate, and head-and-neck cancers. Paclitaxel follows nonlinear pharmacokinetics. The major metabolite of paclitaxel is 6-alpha-hydroxy paclitaxel, mediated by CYP2C8, while metabolism to two of its minor metabolites, 3'-p-hydroxypaclitaxel and 6a, 3'- p-dihydroxypaclitaxel, is catalyzed by CYP3A4. Therapeutic drug monitoring of paclitaxel could be a promising approach to improve the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel correct personalized doses and improve the overall benefit-risk ratio. A novel and highly sensitive chromatographic method for the detection of paclitaxel and its metabolite has been proposed that allows quantification in human plasma with 100% accuracy in terms of recovery without significant intraday or interday variations.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis following ceftriaxone
Shah MM, Dhanani S, Patel K and Nair P
Applying quantitative and systems pharmacology to drug development and beyond: An introduction to clinical pharmacologists
Ramasubbu MK, Paleja B, Srinivasann A, Maiti R and Kumar R
Quantitative and systems pharmacology (QSP) is an innovative and integrative approach combining physiology and pharmacology to accelerate medical research. This review focuses on QSP's pivotal role in drug development and its broader applications, introducing clinical pharmacologists/researchers to QSP's quantitative approach and the potential to enhance their practice and decision-making. The history of QSP adoption reveals its impact in diverse areas, including glucose regulation, oncology, autoimmune disease, and HIV treatment. By considering receptor-ligand interactions of various cell types, metabolic pathways, signaling networks, and disease biomarkers simultaneously, QSP provides a holistic understanding of interactions between the human body, diseases, and drugs. Integrating knowledge across multiple time and space scales enhances versatility, enabling insights into personalized responses and general trends. QSP consolidates vast data into robust mathematical models, predicting clinical trial outcomes and optimizing dosing based on preclinical data. QSP operates under a "learn and confirm paradigm," integrating experimental findings to generate testable hypotheses and refine them through precise experimental designs. An interdisciplinary collaboration involving expertise in pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, mathematics, and medicine is vital. QSP's utility in drug development is demonstrated through integration in various stages, predicting drug responses, optimizing dosing, and evaluating combination therapies. Challenges exist in model complexity, communication, and peer review. Standardized workflows and evaluation methods ensure reliability and transparency.
Pharmacological benefits of durva swaras (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) administration in APAP-induced liver injury model of mice - Assessment by metabolic and inflammatory markers
Sindhoora B, Singh V, Mungamuri SK and Bharatraj DK
Liver derangement underlies the development of metabolic syndrome in perimenopause. Previously, we have observed that durva swaras (DS) improved metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and abnormal liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) along with other complications of menopause in ovariectomized rats. We aimed to decipher the hepatoprotective mechanisms of DS in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury model, which is analogous to the pathophysiology of MAFLD.
Advancing pediatric drug development in South Asia: Current landscape and vision for the future
Krishna R, Jadhav M, Sivasubramanian R, Sunkara G, Gota V, Niranjan V, Dhote V, Sapkal N, Rege NN, Sethi S, Medhi B, Kshirsagar N and Parmar D
The manuscript summarizes the outcomes of a one-day conference by the South Asian College of American College of Clinical Pharmacology (SAC-ACCP) in July 2023, at Bhopal. The theme of the conference was "Advancing pediatric drug development in South Asia." SAC-ACCP organized this event in Bhopal to foster the discipline of clinical pharmacology and to motivate researchers and physicians in the in the central part of India. The conference featured presentations on regional approaches to pediatric drug development in Asia by pediatric scientific experts from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, as well as independent consultancies. The speakers highlighted several important aspects of the evolving regulatory landscape in India and proposed numerous actionable steps in acceleration of pediatric drug development. This commentary provides insights from presentations and the panel discussion at this conference and also makes an attempt to connect to similar discussions that occurred at the SAC-ACCP drug development conference in 2017.
Implementing pharmacogenetic testing to optimize proton-pump inhibitors use among Indian population based on CPIC-CYP2C19-PPI dosing guidelines: The need of the hour
Chenchula S, Atal S, Jhaj R and Uppugunduri CRS
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed to decrease stomach acid and treat various acid-related Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases. However, genetic variations, particularly in the CYP2C19 gene, affect PPIs metabolism and efficacy. Variants in CYP2C19 can result in different rates of PPI metabolism, influencing their effectiveness. Personalized medicine strategies, such as genotyping for CYP2C19, have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of PPI therapy and patient safety. This review aims to describe the relevance of CYP2C19 genetic profiling in the indian population, including normal function (e.g. CYP2C19*1, *11, *13, *15, *18, *28, and 38), decreased function (e.g., CYP2C19*9, *10, *16, *19, *25, and 26), loss of function (e.g., CYP2C19*2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *7, *8, *22, *24, *35, *36, and *37), and increased function (e.g., CYP2C19*17) variants. This review also examines the clinical pharmacogenomics implementation consortium (CPIC)-CYP2C19-PPI guidelines to highlight the importance of pharmacogenomics (PGx)-informed personalized PPI therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease treatment. On average, each person in India possesses eight pharmacogenetic (PGx) variants that can be clinically significant, underscoring the need for preemptive testing. Implementing CYP2C19 genetic testing in India requires expanding laboratory capacity, increasing accessibility in primary care, increasing public awareness, collaboration between pharmacovigilance and PGx programs, investing in advanced sequencing technologies, data management systems, and integration with electronic health records and clinical decision support systems. Addressing challenges such as genetic diversity, socioeconomic factors, health-care access issues, and shortage of trained professionals is essential for implementation. Due to the lack of definitive country-specific policies and PGx guidelines from Indian drug regulatory agencies, guidelines from international consortia such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and drug labeling offer crucial foundational evidence. This evidence can be used to enhance patient outcomes and ensure the safe and effective use of PPIs in India.
Anti-tubercular treatment-induced granulomatous acute interstitial nephritis
Maiti J, Mathew GG, Jayaprakash V and Sreedhar S
This case emphasizes the value of meticulous observation and regular follow-up of patients receiving rifampicin therapy. The prognosis for complete improvement in renal function in such cases was excellent, with prompt recognition and discontinuation of rifampicin. Teaching patients about these possible adverse effects and encouraging immediate reporting of signs and symptoms are likely to be beneficial because acute kidney injury can manifest itself very quickly after rifampicin is started. Even if renal failure can happen with any dose of rifampicin, primary physicians must have awareness about patients on intermittent or irregular therapy and those who have previously used this medication. It is challenging to determine the prevalence of adverse reactions to common antibiotics where a state- or country-wide reporting system is absent. Along with withdrawal of the causative agent patients were treated with corticosteroids (0.5-1 mg/kg/day) for an average period of 4-12 weeks showing significant recovery of renal function.
Can baxdrostat revamp resistant hypertension status in India?
Paikray E and Mohapatra S
Anecdotal and experimental observation of putative onco-regressive factors in urine: The need for detailed further investigation
Vaidya ADB
Pharmacomicrobiomics - Another frontier of precision medicine
Chenchula S, Atal S, Bhattacharyya A, Medhi B, Chavan M and Sarma P
Efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of biosimilars of bevacizumab in näive patients with diabetic macular edema
Virani S, Bhatiwal A and Rewri P
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy restores retinal architecture and enhances vision in diabetic macular edema (DME). Bevacizumab is an off-label anti-VEGF drug that effectively treats DME. The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab biosimilars, which are more affordable than the original medication, still need to be established. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and safety of biosimilars for treating patients with naïve DME across various price ranges that are accessible in the Indian market.
Correlation between essential metals and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection
Kumar A, Thakur M, Chaurasia M and Flora SJS
Thermoresponsive gel containing bilirubin nanoparticles exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and augmenting interleukin-10 levels in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema
Kamothi DJ, Kant V, Jangir BL, Ahuja M, Joshi VG and Kumar V
Topical corticosteroids treat cutaneous inflammation but have side effects. In earlier studies, bilirubin exhibited anti-inflammatory effect, but its hydrophobicity and poor absorption limit its potential.
Reevaluating the epinephrine myth: A comprehensive review
Krishnaprabhu S and Das JM
The combination of local anesthetic drugs with epinephrine has conventionally been contraindicated in acral regions due to concerns of potential necrosis caused by compromised blood flow. However, this belief has been challenged since 2001, when studies demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the combination. This review aims to analyze reported cases of acral area necrosis following the use of local anesthesia with epinephrine since 2001. A thorough search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar using specific keywords to identify articles reporting acral area necrosis caused using local anesthesia and epinephrine. Our search yielded eight publications describing a total of 13 cases of ischemic events in acral areas. These cases involved finger necrosis (five cases), scrotal skin necrosis (two cases), and eyelid necrosis (six cases), following the injection of a combination of epinephrine and lignocaine. The majority of affected patients were female who underwent surgical intervention and reconstruction. The use of epinephrine in local anesthesia offers significant advantages and is generally safe for acral areas. However, the risk of necrosis cannot be entirely eliminated, particularly in patients with compromised vascular function. Adhering to proper guidelines and selecting suitable patients can help mitigate the risk. Phentolamine serves as a potential rescue agent if vascular compromise occurs. Precautionary measures must be taken when using this combination in high-risk patients.
Characterization of missense nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism of runt-related transcription factor-2 gene - An in silico approach
Shiv R, Rakeswari , Farjana N, Subbiah U, Ajith A, Balaji A and Mohanasatheesh S
Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) codes for multiple amino acids, impacting protein functions and disease prognosis. Runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), a transcription factor linked to osteoblast differentiation, regulates cell proliferation in endothelium and osteoblastic cells. Understanding Runx2's role in nonosseous tissues is rapidly advancing. This study aims to identify harmful SNPs of the RUNX2 gene that may alter disease susceptibility using computational techniques.
Spice components as modulating agents of P-glycoprotein - An in silico study
Mukhopadhyay S, Roy C and Ghosh P
P-glycoprotein acts as a protective barrier against xenobiotics and cellular toxicants in the human body while playing an important role in drug transportation in many organs. Overexpression of p-glycoprotein can lead to a decrease in the absorption of many drugs. After screening, 33 phytochemicals from 25 spices were selected for docking with p-glycoprotein to detect some naturally occurring p-glycoprotein inhibitors to modulate multidrug resistance. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity prediction and drug-like properties of those ligands were investigated from pkCSM, Molinspiration, and SwissADME software, followed by molecular docking study and molecular dynamic simulation on BIOVIA Discovery Studio. These 33 phytochemicals met the criteria of p-glycoprotein inhibitor as much as the reference drug verapamil. Pandamarilactone-31 showed the highest binding affinity for p-glycoprotein, acting as the lead p-glycoprotein inhibitor, followed by α-D-fructofuranoside methyl, sesamolinol, and nigellidine.
Acitretin induced primary hypothyroidism in Darier's disease: A rare case report
Babu BS, Fernandes CZ and Bhat B
Acitretin is a synthetic, second-generation retinoid mainly used for the treatment of Darier's disease (DD), which impacts biological processes by binding to a nuclear receptor from the corticosteroid/thyroid receptor superfamily, thereby altering gene expression. Our report outlines the case of a 41-year-old male patient who has received a clinical diagnosis of DD and does not exhibit any other coexisting comorbidities, who developed hypothyroidism posttreatment with acitretin, an unusual and rare side effect of the drug. His baseline routine investigations fell within normal limits before the initiation of acitretin. Acitretin-induced hypothyroidism was treated with thyroxine. Although a good therapeutic response was seen with acitretin, it could not be continued due to the development of side effects and was continued on topical therapy. This case emphasizes the likelihood of adverse effects linked to therapeutic levels of acitretin in patients without any prior history and signifies the critical importance of consistent blood monitoring throughout drug therapy.
Ethics for artificial intelligence use in clinical pharmacology
Kleebayoon A and Wiwanitkit V
Overcoming hurdles: Side effects with old drugs and achieving success with novel drug in alopecia areata
Dhiman A, Daroach DM and Chauhan P
Bedaquiline-induced psoriasiform drug eruption in a patient of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Kowe P, Zatakia S, Chethan MV and Dhurat R