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Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of diseases with several neuropathological symptoms. Degenerative nerve diseases can be serious or life‐threatening. Because of the rise in the older population in recent years, these age‐dependent diseases are becoming more and more common. The WHO reports that within a few years, neurodegenerative diseases will overtake cancer to become the second leading cause of fatalities with cardiovascular diseases being the first. All neurodegenerative diseases have a common ground in that they are all associated with some sort of gene mutation leading to subsequent protein dysfunction. This review focuses on 6 neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, spinal muscular atrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, and prions disease. The study aims to provide a basic understanding of the onset, epidemiology, causes, and role of associated proteins of the neurodegenerative diseases and will also go over any treatments which are currently being employed for the specific diseases. This presented data will allow to establish a slight comparison between the mentioned diseases and highlight any similarities and dissimilarities they may possess, thus providing the scientific community with basic knowledge on these diseases to help future research.

Objective: Solubility of naproxen sodium is limited. In conventional dosage form it causes different gastro intestinal problems. To overcome these difficulties naproxen sodium loaded nano sponges were designed. Methodology: Nanosponges were formulated by using emulsion solvent evaporation technique. To obtain dispersion of nanosponges, homogenization of active drug, with specified quantities of polyvinyl alcohol, dichloromethane, ethyl cellulose and distilled, water was done. Compatibility among excipients and active drug was checked by FTIR and results didn’t show any interaction between them. 11 trial formulations were tested for poly dispersity, zeta potential, particle size and viscosity. Results: Results showed all formulations except NS9, NS10 and NS11 were in nano range. Formulation NS1 to NS6 fall in category of “mid poly dispersity” and formulation NS7 to NS11 were in the category of “very poly dispersity”. Values of Zeta potential of all formulations were in negative range -0.106 to -9.75 mV. The value of viscosity of all formulations were 0.8872. NS2 and NS3 were selected for further testing like Franz cell diffusion study, stability testing and drug loading efficiency. In Franz cell diffusion study, drug release for NS2= 89.62%, for NS3= 89.10% at 50 minutes’ time. Stability studies performed for the 21 days, NS2 and NS3 revealed slight change in percentage drug content at 4°C and 25°C, and major changes were observed at 45°C temperature. Drug loading efficiency was found in NS2= 97.659 % and for NS3= 98.901%. Conclusion: Nanosponges formulations loaded with naproxen sodium have successfully been prepared.

Large number of hypericum species have been found around the globe. One of which is the Hypericin, that is extracted from the Hypericum perforatum. This review focuses on the brief history of the hypericin, its various natural and semisynthetic sources, the precise pharmacokinetics of the hypericin as well as describes the detailed actions of hypericin as an antidepressant, antiviral and as a phytotoxic agent. In chemical synthesis, Emodin had been found to be the ultimate likely hypericin precursor. Hypericin is not a newly discovered agent to the community of research, nonetheless it has been accomplishing an innovative and a promising position as a very effective agent in the medical diagnostics as well as in the therapeutic applications. Hypericin had been investigated as a good candidate for the treatment of depression, cancer and also had an efficacy against various viral agents as well. Depression is treated by voltage dependent Ca2+ influx reduction. Photosensitizing property is due to hemoglobin absorption. Antiviral activity is through the deactivation of enveloped viruses in life cycle of virus. With relatively fewer side effects this agent can be utilized as an alternate of various semisynthetic medications.

Objective: To track the trends and patterns of psychoactive substance abuse among medical students. Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire based study. Place and Duration of Study: Medical Colleges and Universities of Lahore, from Aug to Sep 2019. Methodology: Total 200 medical students from Medical Colleges and Universities were included. The data wereanalyzed and computed using SPSS-21. Frequencies and percentages related to all the factors were computed. Results: Among study participants, 96 (48%) of males and 104 (52%) of females with 154 (77%) of these students belong to 21-25 years of age group. The observed prevalence of substance abuse among students was 42 (21%). Joy seeking and a friend’s offer was the initiation of psychoactive substance use among these students. Tobacco was the most highly consumed substance among students, followed by marijuana. Besides, the results also revealed that students also consumed cocaine and methamphetamine. Among 21% abusers, 4 (9%) and 5 (11%) of the students experienced side effects and withdrawal symptoms respectively. Conclusion: The increasing consumption of tobacco and indulgence in psychoactive drugs are concerning issues because of uncontrolled consumption can cause serious brain damage. Academic burden and stress are the mediators of drug abuse among students. Therefore, stress management training and workshops should be conducted in institutes.