Aim:To evaluate the antiamnesic and antidepressant effect of Foeniculum vulgare whole crushed seeds. Study Design: Laboratory based randomized control study. Place and Duration of Study: Methodology: Thirty swiss albino mice and wistar rats were divided equally in three groups. Control group was fed on standard rodent diet, group 2 was fed on 2% Foeniculum vulgare diet and group 3 was given 4% Foeniculum vulgare diet. Antidepressant activity was assessed using forced swimming test. Memory enhancement effect was evaluated by stationary rod test, passive avoidance test and water maze test. Abbas et al.; JAMMR, 32(1): 131-138, 2020; Article no.JAMMR.54564 132 Results: Increased duration of struggling time was noted in both group 2 and group 3 as compared to control in forced swimming test. Decrease in time to reach platform in both water maze and stationary rod test was recorded in both the study group (group 2 & 3). Increase in step through latency was also seen in group 2 and group 3 as compared to control group. Conclusion: The results showed the memory enhancing and antidepressant actions of Foeniculum. Original Research Article

Background Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of Vancomycin (VCM) is required to prevent inappropriate dosage-associated bacterial resistance, therapeutic failure, and toxicities in pediatrics. Anecdotal experience and studies show that many healthcare institutions confront barriers while implementing TDM services, this study aimed to assess a pharmacist-directed VCM–TDM service for optimizing patient care in our institution. Materials and methods Patients aged 1 month–18 years who received intravenous VCM were included in this quasi-experimental study. The pre-implementation phase (March–June 2018) consisted of retrospective assessment of pediatric patients, the interventional phase (July 2018 to February 2020) included educational programs and the post-implementation phase (March–June 2020) evaluated the participants based on pharmacist-directed VCM–TDM services as a collaborative-practice model including clinical and inpatient pharmacists to provide 24/7 TDM services. Outcomes of the study included the mean difference in the number of optimal (i) prescribed initial VCM doses (primary) (ii) dosage adjustments and (iii) VCM-sampling time (secondary). After ethical approval, data were collected retrospectively. Results A hundred patients were there in each phase. The number of cases who were correctly prescribed initial VCM doses was significantly higher in the post-implementation phase, mean difference of 0.22, [95% CI (0.142–0.0.358), p < 0.0001]. Patients who had correct dosage adjustments in the post-implementation phase also had higher statistical significance, mean difference of 0.29, [95% CI (0.152–0.423), p < 0.05]. More correct practices of VCM-levels timing were observed in the post-implementation phase, mean difference of 0.15, [95% CI (− 0.053–0.264), p = 0.079]. Conclusion This study showed the significant role of pharmacist-directed TDM services to optimize the correct prescribing of initial VCM doses and dose adjustments.

Aims: Coagulation profile shows the clotting ability of blood. Biochemical tests indicate health status of vital organs such as liver, heart and kidneys. Herbal products are being assessed for their role in affecting these parameters. We evaluated role of Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet on coagulation profile and some important biochemical parameters. Study Design:  Laboratory centred randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacology Department of University of Karachi, Karachi between June 2018 and September 2018. Methodology: After selecting 30 healthy rabbits of either sex, we placed them in three groups; Control, 2% Foeniculum vulgare and 4% Foeniculum vulgare group. Control group was given standard diet whereas; 2% and 4% Foeniculum vulgare groups were maintained on standard diet containing 2% and 4% Foeniculum vulgare crushed seeds. Coagulation profile and some biochemical parameters were done after interval of a month, for two months. Results: Platelet count and fibrinogen increased while activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) levels decreased in both the study groups animals as compared to control, while blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevation was noted both Foeniculum vulgare groups but within normal range. Conclusion: Foeniculum vulgare may have some role in affecting coagulation and biochemical profile These parameters, however, need clinical trial to validate reliability.

Aims: Anemia is prime health issue of the population in developing region of world mostly due to dietary deficiencies and poor sanitation. Supplementary medicines as well as iron rich foods are utilized to combat this problem. Herbal products also have value in such diets. We evaluated role of Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet on hemoglobin concentration and related indices. Study Design: laboratory centred randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacology Department of University of Karachi, Karachi between June 2018 and September 2018. Methodology: After selecting 30 healthy rabbits of either sex, we placed them in three groups; Control, 2% Foeniculum vulgare and 4% Foeniculum vulgare group. Control group, 2% and 4% Foeniculum vulgare groups were maintained on standard rodent diet, standard rodent diet containing 2% and 4% Foeniculum vulgare crushed seeds, respectively. Complete blood count of all rabbits was done twice after interval of a month. Results: In comparison to control group, hemoglobin levels increased in both the study groups, while leucocyte count (WBC) increase was noted only in 4% Foeniculum vulgare group. Conclusion: Foeniculum vulgare may have some role in maintenance of hemoglobin levels if not improving it.

Background Anecdotal experience and studies have shown that most pediatric patients fail to reach target therapeutic vancomycin trough levels (VTLs) and required higher total daily doses (TDD). This retrospective study aims to evaluate the frequency of hospitalized children who achieved target VTLs with a vancomycin (VNCO) dosing regimen of 40-60 mg/kg/d q6h and to assess the VNCO-TDD required to attain the target and their effects on clinical outcomes in pediatric patients. Methods After ethical approval, patients of 3 month-12 years were evaluated in this chart review study who received ≥ 3 intravenous-VNCO doses and appropriately drawn blood samples of VTLs between October 2019 to June 2020. Data were retrieved for demographic and clinical characteristics, culture reports, VNCO-regimen, subsequent steady-state VTLs, concomitant nephrotoxic medications, and serum creatinine. Clinical pharmacists made interventions in VNCO therapy and higher VNCO-TDD were used. Safety of higher vs standard daily doses and their clinical impact on duration of therapy, hospital stay, and survival were evaluated. Results A total of 89 (39.1%) patients achieved target VTLs (SD-group). The smallest proportion (18.2%) of 2–6 years patients achieved target VTLs and reported the lowest mean value of 10.1 ± 0.2 mg/L which was a significant difference (p < 0.05) from all subgroups. Subtherapeutic VTLs were observed in 139 (60.9%) cases (HD-group), who received higher VNCO-TDD of 72 ± 8.9 mg/kg/d q6h to achieve the targets. Duration of therapy in culture-proven septic patients was significantly (p = 0.025) longer in SD-group [18.4 ± 12.2 days] than HD-group [15.1 ± 8.9 days]. Nephrotoxicity and electrolyte imbalance were comparable in groups. Length of hospital stay was significantly (p = 0.011) longer [median 22 (range 8–55) days] in SD-group compared to HD-group [median 16 (range 8–37) days]. Number of patients survived in HD-group were significantly (p = 0.008) higher than SD-group [129 (92.8%) vs 75 (84.3%)]. Conclusion Initial Vancomycin doses of 72 ± 8.9 mg/kg/day q6h are required to achieve therapeutic target in 3 months to 12 years patients. High doses are not associated with higher nephrotoxicity than reported with low doses. In addition, efficient pharmacist intervention for the use of higher VNCO-TDD may improve clinical outcomes in terms of duration of therapy, hospital stay, and survival.