• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2010

Radiofrequency ablation (RA) is being used to manage atrial fibrillation (AF) with patients failed at the $1^{st}$-line anti-arrhythmic medications. Patients undergoing this procedure are at increased risk of thromboembolism after ablation, and anticoagulation management surrounding the ablation remains controversial. Although no conclusive recommendations can be made, published guidelines and data support therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin. The purpose of this study was to analyze effectiveness of current therapy and to find factors fluctuate International Normalized Ratio (INR) values in patients undergone RA followed by anticoagulation service (ACS). Retrospective review was conducted utilizing database in a hospital. Among 110 patients under warfarin around ablation between January 2006 to September 2007, 54 patients were selected and allocated into 2 groups: Group A included 47 who discontinued warfarin after ablation, while 7 in B continued the medication. Information on demographics, amount and length of warfarin dosing, INR values and measuring frequencies, and the causing factors on INR fluctuation were abstracted. Differences were analyzed using chi-squared test, Fisher's Exact test, and unpaired Student t-test. Mean amount of warfarin before and after surgery was 4.0 mg, 4.1 mg in Group A and was 5.1 mg, 4.6 mg in Group B, respectively. Average duration of warfarin doing before ablation was 73.7 days in Group A, 129.9 days in B with no significant difference (p = 0.312). The duration time of warfarin on groups after ablation lasted several months. The number of checking INRs was 4.1 and 7.6, respectively. Inter-individual variability of INR fluctuations were $2.1{\pm}0.6$ in Group A and $2.2{\pm}0.7$ in B which were not significantly different (p = 0.062). 164 cases of decreased INR were: 'omission in taking medication, stressfulness and headache, 'increased intake of high vitamin K foods', 'lifestyle change of increased physical activities', and 'increase of food-intakes'. To the contrary, 36 cases of increased INR were: 'reduce of food-intake', 'use of non-prescription drugs', 'reduction in physical activities', and 'excessive restriction on food-intake', consecutively. In conclusion, the study validated therapeutic outcomes of RA patients who we treated with standard guideline and demonstrated 9 factors of INR fluctuations in the patient. A well-trained, pharmacist-monitored anticoagulation service could reduce the risk of adverse effects and prevent complications in patients with AF around RA operation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Objective: This study aims to assess the following issues - acquisition level in terms of the information on frequently used drugs of youth, access paths for the information, actual status of the use of drugs frequently used by youth, types of the used drugs, drug abuse among youth, and the consequent drawbacks. This study also takes aims at suggestion of correct role of pharmacists in consideration of drug abuse among youth. Methods: During the period from August 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012, a research design and a question development have been conducted. To the students of the schools that were randomly selected (elementary school's N=99, middle school's N=106, high school's N=115 and university's N=115), it was asked to complete given questionnaire from August 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012. During the period from September 1, 2012 to October 30, 2012, the questionnaires were collected back and the analysis and evaluation of them were carried out. Results: Drugs known to the respondents were a total of 115 different medicines and most of the drugs belonged to over-the-counter drugs. The most well known drug was pain reliever and the second most familiar drug was wound ointment. Most of the respondents found the drugs through direct use and advertisement. In everyday life, more than half of the respondents were using over-the-counter drugs as well as health supplements. The most commonly used drug was analgesic drug. It was showed that the respondents also frequently used the drugs for improving their grades and appearances. It was shown that among the cases of drug use, there were also the cases of misuse and abuse of drugs for the respondents or people around them. Reliability of pharmacists was shown to be high and many students were also satisfied with the pharmacists' guidance for medication. Conclusion: Currently many students are using different kinds of drug in daily life, and there is a possibility that the risk of misuse and abuse of drugs will be increased. Those age groups can easily engage in bad habit of drug use. Thus, promotion on accurate drug information has to be strengthened, and pharmacists are required to conduct correct guidance for drug user's medication in terms of use amount, usage, interactions among different drugs, and potential risks.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 1993

In vitro dissolution test and pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers were conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 150 mg furbiprofen sustained-release capsule (FPSR-150). As a reference product, 50 mg flurbiprofen conventional-release capsule (FPCR-50) was used. Dissolution tests of two products were run using the paddle method in 450 : 540 (v/v %) mixture of simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (K.P. VI) by adjusting medium pH according to time. FPCR-50 was dissolved very rapidly, and it took about 1.5 hr for FPCR-50 to be dissolved over 90%, whereas 15 hr for FPSR-150. Also, in pharmacokinetic study, ten healthy male volunteers were administered one capsule of FPSR-150 or two capsules of FPCR-50 (FPCR-l00) with randomized two period cross-over study. Significant differences between FPCR-l00 and FPSR-150 were found in mean times to reach peak concentration, mean resident times and mean terminal phase halflives, while not in AUC/Dose (Student's t-test). In ANOVA for AUC/Dose to compare the bioavailabilities of two FP products, there was no significant difference. From the comparison of the simulated steady-state plasma concentration-time curves following multiple medications of FPCR-50 (3 capsules a day, dosing interval=8 hrs) and FPSR-150 (1 capsule a day) based on the above results obtained from single doses of two FP products, it was noted that the medication of FPSR-150 is more useful in clinical application rather than FPCR-50.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.179-193
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• 2017

Objectives: Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties. Among its many active constituents, thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds, and it is the constituent to which most properties of this herb are attributed. Methods: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effects of N. sativa and/or TQ. In this review, we investigated the clinical uses of N. sativa and TQ in the prevention and the treatment of different diseases and morbidity conditions in humans. Results: Black seed and TQ are shown to possess multiple useful effects for the treatment of patients with several diseases, such as inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, as well as metabolic syndrome. Also, other advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-epileptic properties, have been documented. The side effects of this herbal medicine appear not to be serious, so it can be applied in clinical trials because of its many advantages. Conclusion: Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.241-245
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• 1999

Bioequivalence study of two cefpodoxime preparations, the test drug ($Banan^{\circledR}$: Hanil Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and the reference drug ($Podox^{\circledR}$: Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen healthy male volunteers, $23.8{\pm}2.13$ years old and $63.34{\pm}4.84kg$ of body weight in average, were divided randomly into two groups and administered the drug orally at the dose of 200 mg as cefpodoxime proxetil in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. Plasma concentrations of cefpodoxime were analysed by HPLC method for 12 hr after administration. The $AUC_{0-12hr}$ was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule method. The $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$ were compiled directly from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Student's t-test indicated no significant differences between the formulations in these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were no differences in AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$ between the formulations. The apparent differences between the formulations were far less than 20% (e.g., 4.31, 1.99 and 4.30% for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). Minimum detectable differences (%) between the formulations at ${\alpha}=\;0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=\;0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 13.89, 13.88, and 16.97% for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals for these parameters were also within ${\times}20%$ (e.g., $-5,58{\sim}14.20$, $-7.89{\sim}11.88$, and $-7.78{\sim}16.38%$ for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). These results satisfied the bioequivalence criteria of KFDA guidelines, indicating that the two formulations of cefpodoxime were bioequivalent.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.189-196
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• 2022

When cationic basic compounds are chromatographed using hydro-organic mobile phase, the presence of anionic free silanols in the silica-based stationary phases results in broad and asymmetrical peaks. The addition of an ionic reagent to the mobile phase prevents analytes from accessing free silanols, improving peak shape. In this study, the chromatographic behavior of salbutamol sulfate as a basic compound was investigated under various conditions, including the use of different columns, mobile phases, and ion-pair reagents such as triethanolamine (TEA) and sodium heptane sulfonate (SHS). The retention and peak shape of chromatograms were both evaluated. The results show that pre-conditioning the column with TEA and including it in the mobile phase can prevent cationic analytes from accessing anionic silanols, resulting in improved peak shape. Furthermore, buffering the mobile phase is an important factor in keeping the pH constant throughout the process. The chosen method was validated in part. This study could be helpful for researchers and analyst to solve such problems with cationic basic components.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 1998

Lovastatin, one of the potent cholesterol-lowering agents, is an inactive lactone prodrug which is metabolized to its active open acid, lovastatin acid (LVA). Bioequivalence study of two lovastatin preparations, the test drug ($Mevacor^{\circledR}$: Chungwae Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and the reference drug ($Lovaload^{\circledR}$: Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), was conducted according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Fourteen healthy male volunteers, $23.9{\pm}3.9$ years old and $67.6{\pm}8.0$ kg of body weight in average, were divided randomly into two groups and administered the drug orally at the dose of 160 mg as lovastatin in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. Plasma concentrations of lovastatin acid were analysed by HPLC method for 12 hr after administration. The extent of bioavailability was obtained from the plasma concentration-time profiles of total lovastatin acid after alkaline hydrolysis of the plasma samples. By alkaline hydrolysis, trace amounts of unmetabolized lovastatin were converted to lovastatin acid. The $AUC_{0-12hr}$ was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule method. The $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were compiled directly from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Student's t-test indicated no significant differences between the formulations in these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were no differences in AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$ between the formulations. The apparent differences between the formulations were far less than 20% (e.g., 7.07, 5.77 and 1.18% for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). Minimum detectable differences(%) between the formulations at ${\alpha}=0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 17.2, 15.1, and 15.9% for AUC, Cmax, and Tmax, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals for these parameters were also within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g.. $-5.20{\sim}19.3$, $-5.00{\sim}16.5$, and $-10.2{\sim}12.5%$ for AUC, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively). These results satisfied the bioequivalence criteria of KFDA guidelines, indicating that the two formulations of lovastatin were bioequivalent.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2022

Background: Cupressus arizonica Greene is a coniferous tree with great importance in fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Essential oils from C. arizonica (EC) have shown potential antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. This study aimed at investigating the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects/mechanisms of EC. Methods: The EC was evaluated for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities on male Wistar rats using a formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. Also, we pre-treated some of the animals with naloxone and flumazenil in the formalin test to find out the possible contributions of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors to EC anti-nociceptive effects. Finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was used to identify the EC's constituents. Results: EC in intraperitoneal doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg significantly decrease the nociceptive responses in both early and late phases of the formalin test. From a mechanistic point of view, flumazenil administration 20 minutes before the most effective dose of EC (1 g/kg) showed a meaningful reduction in the associated anti-nociceptive responses during the early and late phases of the formalin test. Naloxone also reduced the anti-nociceptive role of EC in the late phase. Furthermore, EC at the doses of 1, 0.5, and 0.25 g/kg significantly reduced paw edema from 0.5 hours after carrageenan injection to 4 hours. GC/MS analysis showed that isolated EC is a monoterpene-rich oil with the major presence of α-pinene (71.92%), myrcene (6.37%), δ-3-carene (4.68%), β-pinene (3.71%), and limonene (3.34%). Conclusions: EC showed potent anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities with the relative involvement of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.108-108
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• 2003

The current study was performed to observe the effects of Panax ginseng (PG) and P. quinquefolia (PQ) on hemodynamics such as blood flow rate (BF), blood flow velocity (BV), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, and body temperature (BT) in healthy young men. After testing equality of variance, Student's t-test using PROC TTEST was examined to. prove statistical differences between control and ginseng conditions at each time point. It was found that the BF data were fluctuated by personal deviation. In order to minimize the deviation, the results obtained for 6 hrs were reconstituted after dividing them into two periods of the first half from 1 to 3 hrs and of the latter half from 3.5 to 6 hrs. And then the reconstitution data and dose-response curves were obtained. Blood flow such as BF and BV shows significant increases both two periods in the dose of PG 2.25 and PG 9.0, whereas significant decrease in the dose of PG 4.5. However, in the PQ groups, the middle dose PQ 4.5 shows the highest significant increase among the three doses. Except for PG 2.25 in HR, other doses show significant decreases both in the first half and latter half. SBP of PQ 9.0 shows only a significant decrease in the first half; on the other hand, in the latter half, PG 4.5, PG 9.0 and PQ 9.0 significantly increase SBP. In addition, DBP of PG 2.25 and PG 4.5 show significant increase in the both periods. In the BT, PQ groups show gradual decrease from PQ 2.25 to PQ 9.0; however, PG groups show differently. PG 4.5 shows significant decrease, but PG 9.0 shows a increase without statistical meanings. In summary, PG is more effective in respect to keeping homeostasis of hemodynamics.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2017

Objectives: Study of the mechanisms involved in cancer progression suggests that cyclooxygenase enzymes play an important role in the induction of inflammation, tumor formation, and metastasis of cancer cells. Thus, cyclooxygenase enzymes could be considered for cancer chemotherapy. Among these enzymes, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is associated with liver carcinogenesis. Various COX-2 inhibitors cause growth inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but many of them act in the COX-2 independent mechanism. Thus, the introduction of selective COX-2 inhibitors is necessary to achieve a clear result. The present study was aimed to determine the growth-inhibitory effects of new analogues of chalcone epoxide as selective COX-2 inhibitors on the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. Methods: Estimation of both cell growth and the amount of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production were used to study the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitors on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell. Cell growth determination has done by MTT assay in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, and PGE2 production has estimated by using ELYSA kit in 48 h and 72 h. Results: The results showed growth inhibition of the HepG2 cell line in a concentration and time-dependent manner, as well as a reduction in the formation of PGE2 as a product of COX-2 activity. Among the compounds those analogues with methoxy and hydrogen group showed more inhibitory effect than others. Conclusion: The current in-vitro study indicates that the observed significant growth-inhibitory effect of chalcone-epoxide analogues on the HepG2 cell line may involve COX-dependent mechanisms and the PGE2 pathway parallel to the effect of celecoxib. It can be said that these analogues might be efficient compounds in chemotherapy of COX-2 dependent carcinoma specially preventing and treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas.