The initial clinical trial data of these newer drugs are very encouraging for the long-term successful control of HIV in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. The existing therapeutic classes of antidiabetic drugs are not adequately effective in maintaining long-term glycemic control in most patients, even when used in combination. One emerging novel therapeutic class of antidiabetic drugs is sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 accounts for 90% of the glucose reabsorption in the kidney. The SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary excretion of glucose and lower plasma glucose levels in an insulin-independent manner. Dapagliflozin, the most prominent molecule in this class, is currently in a phase III clinical trial. Other members of this class (eg, sergliflozin, remogliflozin) are also in different phases of clinical trials. This class of novel agents can effectively control blood sugar level without producing weight gain or hypoglycemia. Results of ongoing phase III clinical trials are crucial to determine whether the risk-benefit ratio will allow approval of this new class of drugs for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background To compare the efficacy and safety of bioavailable turmeric extract versus paracetamol in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In this randomized, non-inferiority, controlled clinical study, patients of knee OA were randomized to receive bioavailable turmeric extract (BCM-95®) 500 mg capsule two times daily or paracetamol 650 mg tablet three times daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. The secondary outcome measures were WOMAC total, WOMAC stiffness, and WOMAC physical function scores. Responder analysis of individual patients at different levels (≥ 20%, ≥ 50%, and ≥ 70%) for WOMAC score was calculated. TNF alpha and CRP levels were evaluated and adverse events (AE) were also recorded. Results Seventy-one and seventy-three knee OA patients, respectively in bioavailable turmeric extract and paracetamol groups, completed the study. Non-inferiority (equivalence) test showed that WOMAC scores were equivalent in both the groups (p value < 0.05) in all the domains within the equivalence limit defined by effect size (Cohen’s d) of 0.5 whereas CRP and TNF-α were better reduced with turmeric extract than paracetamol. After 6 weeks of treatment, WOMAC total score, pain, stiffness, and function scores got a significant improvement of 23.59, 32.09, 28.5, and 20.25% respectively with turmeric extract. In the turmeric extract group, 18% of patients got more than 50% improvement and 3% of patients got more than 70% improvement in WOMAC pain and function/stiffness score and none of the patients in the paracetamol group met the criteria. CRP and TNF-α got significantly reduced (37.21 and 74.81% respectively) in the turmeric extract group. Adverse events reported were mild and comparatively less in the turmeric extract group (5.48%) than in the paracetamol group (12.68%). Conclusion The results of the study suggest that bioavailable turmeric extract is as effective as paracetamol in reducing pain and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and found to be safe and more effective in reducing CRP and TNF-α. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry – India CTRI/2017/02/007962. Registered on 27 February 2017

Objective:To evaluate antidepressant-like effect of tramadol in mice.Materials and Methods:Tramadol was administered at three different doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 7 days to Swiss albino mice of either sex. The immobility period of control and drug-treated mice was recorded in forced swim test (FST). The antidepressant effect of tramadol was compared to that of fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.), administered for seven successive days.Results:Tramadol produced significant antidepressant effect at all the three (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) doses, as indicated by reduction in immobility times of drug-treated mice compared to control mice. The efficacy of tramadol at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg was comparable to that of fluoxetine, but antidepressant activity in animals administered with tramadol 40 mg/kg was significantly less as compared to fluoxetine-pretreated mice.Conclusion:The results of the present study indicate antidepressant-like activity of tramadol.

Objective:To compare and study the dipeptidy1 peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in combination with metformin against established combination therapies.Materials and Methods:This 16-week study was designed to compare sitagliptin versus pioglitazone as add-on therapy in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin alone. Fifty-two patients were randomized into two groups to receive either sitagliptin 100 mg (group 1) or pioglitazone 30 mg (group 2) in addition to metformin. The primary efficacy end point was change in HbA1c. Secondary end points included change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight and lipid profile. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. Both the groups had a significant decrease in HbA1c.Results:There was no significant difference between mean reductions in FPG in both the groups. There was a significant decrease in the mean body weight and body mass index in group 1 in contrast to the significant increase in the same in group 2. Both the treatment groups reported a significant decrease in High-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and Triglyceride.Conclusion:Sitagliptin was well tolerated without any incidence of hypoglycemia. It was concluded that sitagliptin as an add-on to metformin is as effective and well tolerated as pioglitazone.