The widespread use of gastrointestinal drugs like ranitidine, famotidine, and cimetidine has led to their emergence as persistent environmental contaminants, while their monitoring in biological fluids remains crucial for clinical toxicology. This study presents the development of a sensitive and efficient analytical method based on dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (d-μ-SPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for their determination. A novel magnetic adsorbent, NH2-bimetallic MIL-88(Fe/Ni)@SiO2/Fe3O4, was synthesized and characterized. The unique bimetallic system and amine functionalization of the metal-organic framework (MOF) provided specific interactions with the target analytes, while the silica shell ensured stability, and the magnetic core facilitated separation. The critical factors affecting the d-μ-SPE efficiency were optimized using a two-stage experimental design: a definitive screening design (DSD) identified pH, sorbent dose, desorption time, and solvent volume as significant, and a subsequent central composite design (CCD) modeled their quadratic effects. Under optimal conditions, the method demonstrated low limits of detection (0.02-0.07 ng mL[-][1]), high enrichment factors (59.3-72.5), and good precision (RSD < 5%). The method was successfully applied to tap, river, and well water, as well as human urine samples, achieving excellent relative recovery rates (89.8-95.3%), even in samples from individuals who had ingested the drugs. The adsorbent could be reused for three cycles without significant loss in performance.

The current study explored the gastroprotective mechanisms of Dactyloctenium aegyptium hydroalcoholic extract against stomach ulcers in rats caused by ethanol (EtOH) and aspirin (AS). Phytochemical analysis revealed high contents of total phenolics (162.42 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract) and total flavonoids (87.34 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry extract). Additionally, quercetin (1), naringenin (2), catechin (3), gallic acid (4), and chlorogenic acid (5), were also isolated and identified. The administration of AS or EtOH caused severe gastric lesions; the AS group had ulcers with a number of 21.0 and a marked severity of 65.0. Pretreatment with D. aegyptium extract (400 mg/kg b.w.), similar to ranitidine, dramatically decreased the number and severity of ulcers in both AS- or EtOH-induced ulcers. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels decreased to 0.7 and 0.63 times normal, respectively, whereas serum malondialdehyde (MDA) rose 1.6 and 2.3 times (AS and EtOH) as a result of ulcer induction. The extract restored GSH by 40% and 54.74%, respectively, and considerably reduced MDA by 35.6% (AS) and 55.7% (EtOH). While extract pre-treatment preserved stomach architecture and decreased inflammatory infiltration, histopathological analysis revealed widespread mucosal necrosis, edema, and bleeding in ulcer groups. Mallory trichrome staining showed less collagen accumulation, and PAS testing verified the resumption of mucous secretion. COX-1 expression was restored and caspase-3 and COX-2 were downregulated, according to immunohistochemistry. These results show that D. aegyptium uses anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and mucosal defense-preserving pathways to produce strong gastroprotective effects.

Introduction The purpose of prescription patterns is to collect valid data, which would help in formulating appropriate guidelines to ensure the rational use of medicines. Unfortunately, information about the use of medicines in patients visiting orthopedic clinics in tertiary care hospitals in India, especially in Maharashtra, is scanty. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the primary objective to evaluate the current drug-prescribing trend of antimicrobials in the management of inpatients of the orthopedic department and secondary objectives to assess group-wise distribution of antimicrobials prescribed to inpatients of the orthopedic department and to assess additional drugs prescribed to these patients. Methods This study was a cross-sectional observational study done on 99 patients who were admitted to the wards of the orthopedics department of the hospital. The drug utilization assessment was done by using the WHO core drug prescribing indicators. The assessment of the drugs prescribed according to the essential drug list was done using the National List of Essential Drugs Medicines (NLEM) 2022 of India. Results The study population was predominantly elderly (47.5% ≥60 years) with male predominance (62.6%), and falls (58.6%) as the leading cause, followed by road traffic accidents (35.3%). Antimicrobial use was dominated by broad-spectrum agents, particularly ceftriaxone (43.4%), ciprofloxacin (47.5%), and metronidazole (54.5%), with moderate use of aminoglycosides (35.4%). Fixed-dose combinations were led by Cefuroxime + Sulbactam (25.2%). Supportive therapy was extensive, including ranitidine (62.6%), tramadol (59.6%), antihypertensives, insulin, and nutraceuticals. Combination therapies such as Bromelain + Trypsin + Rutoside (37.4%) were frequently used. Conclusion This study reflects a pattern of polypharmacy characterized by extensive use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and adjunctive therapies, emphasizing the need for rational prescribing practices and antimicrobial stewardship to optimize clinical outcomes and minimize resistance.

We reviewed the case report by Shrestha et al. describing ranitidine-induced anaphylactic shock. Although the clinical management of the case is clearly presented, the report appears to have limited novelty and originality, as similar cases have already been extensively documented in the literature, spanning a wide clinical spectrum from mild hypersensitivity to fatal outcomes. Moreover, while ranitidine has been withdrawn in many high-income countries, it remains in use across numerous low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. We therefore argue that for such a report to make a meaningful scientific contribution, its discussion should more explicitly address regional pharmacovigilance gaps, disparities in drug regulation, and the responsibility of national regulatory authorities regarding the continued availability of this agent.

Nitrosamines were first identified in the 1950s as carcinogenic contaminants in food, tobacco, and industrial chemicals. Among them, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is particularly dangerous due to its high carcinogenicity and frequent occurrence in drugs, such as ranitidine hydrochloride. Recent studies indicate that NDMA formation in solid-state ranitidine hydrochloride is driven by solid-state reactive species (SSRS), such as crystal defects, amorphous regions, and other high-energy sites within the drug crystal. In this paper, we demonstrate that NDMA formation in ranitidine hydrochloride can be essentially stopped by reducing the presence of SSRS in the drug substance through recrystallization. Well-controlled recrystallized ranitidine hydrochloride that resulted in high-quality crystals exhibited significantly lower NDMA formation compared to as-received material when stored at 60 °C and <2% relative humidity. Cryoground samples showed substantially increased reactivity, whereas subsequent well-controlled recrystallization restored stability, confirming the critical role of crystal quality. In contrast, poorly controlled recrystallization produced low-quality crystals with elevated SSRS, leading to higher degradation rates. These results eventually motivated us to test the role of oxygen in the degradation process for ranitidine hydrochloride. Cryoground ranitidine hydrochloride samples exhibited minimal reactivity under vacuum or nitrogen, elevated reactivity in air (∼21% oxygen), and the highest nitrosamine formation in an oxygen-rich environment. These results suggest that well-controlled crystallization that produced high-quality crystals may be an extremely effective method to inhibit nitrosamine formation, as SSRS are needed to promote reactivity, and could be an alternative and/or complementary approach to the current strategy of adding antioxidants and/or pH modification to formulations to minimize nitrosamine formation.

Since the 2018 valsartan recall, the genotoxic impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been frequently detected in various pharmaceuticals. Matrix variability often complicates routine testing, requiring customized analyses. We developed a universal LC-MS/MS method enabling consistent NDMA detection across diverse pharmaceuticals. Separation utilized a C30 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 µm), offering superior retention and shape selectivity for polar nitrosamines compared to conventional reversed phases. Unlike C18 or pentafluorophenyl phases, which often exhibit limited retention for NDMA, the C30 phase provides exceptional shape selectivity and enhanced hydrophobic interactions. This structural advantage, supplemented by its resistance to phase dewetting under highly aqueous conditions further ensures robust resolution between NDMA and complex drug matrices. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% v/v formic acid in water and methanol under gradient elution at 1.0 mL/min. Detection used atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in positive ion mode. The method demonstrated a linear range of 2.0-100.0 ng/mL (r2 > 0.999), with a limit of detection of 1.0 ng/mL and a limit of quantification of 2.0 ng/mL. Validation per International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines confirmed accuracy (87.7%-115.5%) and precision (coefficient of variation, CV ≤ 10.7%). Application to 30 diverse pharmaceutical products, including sartans and ranitidine, showed robust resolution (> 2.0) between the analyte and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Notably, NDMA was quantified in historical batches of ranitidine (164.83 ± 5.68 ng/mL), nizatidine (10.25 ± 0.52 ng/mL), and amitriptyline (2.28 ± 0.19 ng/mL). While the histamine type 2 receptor antagonists significantly exceeded the acceptable daily intake limit, the remaining 27 products showed no detectable NDMA. These findings highlight the method's effectiveness for real-world surveillance and the critical risk of post-manufacturing NDMA generation during prolonged storage. This universal C30-based method provides a practical, reliable tool for routine screening, facilitating regulatory compliance and improved patient safety without drugspecific method development.

A heavy-atom-free and non-toxic spirocyclic C-BODIPY singlet oxygen photosensitizer was successfully incorporated into electrospun polymeric nanofibers. Optimization of the material composition revealed that polycaprolactone (PCL), an FDA- and EMA-approved, biodegradable, easily accessible, and cost-efficient polymer, doped with BODIPY at a concentration of only 0.15 wt %, is an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of the pharmaceutical agents ranitidine, propranolol, and cimetidine, selected as model water pollutants. The obtained nanofibers showed smooth and uniform morphology along with very high durability and resistance toward oxidation, remaining active even after 20 reaction cycles. EDX, ToF-SIMS and XPS analyses confirmed the homogenous distribution of BODIPY within the polymeric matrix. Furthermore, the materials showed significant photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus under white light irradiation compared to the control experiment performed without irradiation. These findings highlight the potential of the electrospun PCL nanofibers as optimal matrix for the immobilization with singlet oxygen photosensitizers and subsequent application in the decontamination of water from pollutants and pathogens.

While hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a promising plant-based alternative to gelatin, its industrial application is limited by poor mechanical properties and high production costs. In this study, high-performance HPMC-based hard capsules were developed using an HPMC/gellan gum/ι-carrageenan ternary system. The formulation and preparation process were optimized via single-factor experiments, response surface methodology, and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to characterize the microstructural evolution during disintegration. The optimized capsules exhibited rapid disintegration within 15 min across four pH media and satisfied the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025). Drug dissolution profiles using cefradine and ranitidine hydrochloride showed over 85% cumulative release within 30 min, with similarity factors higher than 50 relative to commercial gelatin capsules under the tested conditions. This work provides a feasible and low-cost strategy for the industrial production of plant-based capsules and promotes the high-value utilization of polysaccharide-based capsule materials.