Title : The studies of N - Octyl - N - Arginine - Chitosan coated liposome as an oral delivery system of Cyclosporine

Piperine (PIP) is a phytopharmaceutical with reported neuroprotective potential in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oral PIP delivery suffers from its hydrophobicity and presystemic metabolism. In this article, mono-disperse intranasal chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were elaborated for brain targeting of PIP. Formula optimization was based on particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), % entrapment efficiency (% EE), release studies, and transmission electron microscopy. AD was induced in 48 male Wistar rats on which full behavioral and biochemical testing was conducted. Brain toxicity was assessed based on Caspase-3 assay for apoptosis and tumor necrosis factor for inflammation. Spherical NPs with optimum % EE (81.70), PS (248.50 nm), PDI (0.24), and ZP (+56.30 mV) were elaborated. PIP-NPs could significantly improve cognitive functions as efficient as standard drug (donpezil injection) with additional advantages of dual mechanism (Ach esterase inhibition and antioxidant effect). CSNPs could significantly alleviate PIP nasal irritation and showed no brain toxicity. This work was the first to report additional mechanism of PIP in AD via antiapoptosis and anti-inflammatory effects. To conclude, mucoadhesive CS-NPs were successfully tailored for effective, safe, and non-invasive PIP delivery with 20-folds decrease in oral dose, opening a gate for a future with lower AD morbidity. Database : Wiley Online Library Title : Reducing unacceptable missed doses: pharmacy assistant-supported medicine administration Author : Wasim Baqir, Kate Jones, William Horsley, Scott Barrett, David Fisher, Richard Copeland, David Campbell and Rosemary Stephenson Journal : International Journal of Pharmacy Practice: Article first published online, 28 JAN 2015 | DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12172 Abstract : Objectives The potential harm from omitted and delayed medicines for hospital inpatients was highlighted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). Despite evidence of omitted doses, few interventional studies have been reported on preventing the problem. This study aimed to assess the impact on omitted doses when medicine administration was supported by pharmacy assistants (PAs). Objectives The potential harm from omitted and delayed medicines for hospital inpatients was highlighted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). Despite evidence of omitted doses, few interventional studies have been reported on preventing the problem. This study aimed to assess the impact on omitted doses when medicine administration was supported by pharmacy assistants (PAs). Methods PAs were trained to support nurses on medicine administration rounds. Using stratified random sampling, two intervention and control wards were selected. Three study groups were defined: (A) intervention group (PA-supported medicine administration); (B) intra-ward control group; and (C) inter-ward control group. Primary outcome measure was number of patients with unacceptable omitted doses (UODs) in group A versus C. Secondary outcome measures were patients with critical UOD (cUOD), as defined by the NPSA, in groups A, B and C and UODs in group B versus A and C. Data were collected over 2 weeks (December 2011 and February 2012). Key findings Using aggregated data over 2 weeks, 778 patients were assessed; 308 were male (40%). The overall proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 12.4% (n = 96). The proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 1.1% (n = 2) in group A (intervention) and 18.5% (n = 68) in group C (control). There were significantly fewer patients with cUOD in group A (1.1%; n = 2) compared with group C (7.4%; n = 27).