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London, May 3 : A new study has found growing evidence that nerve cells that make us itch can also make us feel pain.

Itch and pain researcher Diana Bautista, an assistant professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley, said that the interactions between itch and pain are only partly understood.

The skin contains some nerve cells that respond only to itch and others that respond only to pain. Others, however, respond to both, and some substances cause both itching and pain.

Bautista''s new research shows that two specific irritants induce itching by way of the wasabi receptor, a pain receptor familiar to sushi lovers.

Other recent studies have shown that some itch inducers, called pruritogens, lead to activation of the capsaicin receptor, a pain receptor named for the incendiary chemical in chili peppers.

"It''s starting to look like many pain receptors are linked to the itch system. Both itch and pain use some of the same molecules to send signals to the brain," she said.

Bautista has genetically altered mice so that they don''t produce the wasabi receptor, and hopes that the mouse strain will help lead to a better understanding of forms of itch that do not respond to antihistamines.

Five years ago, Bautista showed that allyl isothiocyanate, the sinus-clearing ingredient in wasabi, hot mustard and garlic, causes pain solely by activating a receptor called TRPA1 on sensory nerves.

The receptor is one of a group of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels in sensory nerves under the skin, including the mouth and mucus membranes, which detect temperature, mechanical abrasion and irritating chemicals.

The capsaicin and heat receptor, dubbed TRPV1, is another such ion channel, as is TRPM8, a cold-activated channel targeted by menthol and other cooling agents.

When these receptors are activated, they open up and depolarise the nerve cell, which transmits an attention-grabbing pain signal through the spinal cord to the brain.

Bautista''s colleague Xinzhong Dong in the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore recently identified two new itch receptors, both of them Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors.

One, MrgprA3, is stimulated by chloroquine, while the second, MrgprC11, is stimulated by BAM8-22, a peptide released by immune cells, including mast cells, during inflammation.

If sensory nerves contain pain receptors like TRPA1 and TRPV1, and itch receptors like MrgprA3 and MrgprC11, how does the cell distinguish between itch and pain? Bautista asked.

Bautista tested both chloroquine and the mast cell chemical BAM8-22 on cultured mouse cells and found that both activate the wasabi receptor, TRPA1, causing a depolarisation of nerve cells.

In addition, knock-out mice that lack the receptor do not respond to either chemical, while a chemical that blocks the receptor also stops the itch.

Her interpretation of the results is that in sensory nerves with both the chloroquine itch receptor and the wasabi pain receptor, when chloroquine binds to its receptor, it subsequently opens the wasabi receptor, which depolarises the nerve cell and sends an itch signal to the brain.

Similarly, in the cells that have both a BAM8-22 itch receptor and a wasabi receptor, BAM8-22 triggers opening of the wasabi receptor. Both itch inducers trigger the pain receptors through G protein couplings inside the cell.

"These experiments provide a wonderful demonstration that chloroquine and BAM8-22 cause itch only through the wasabi receptor," she said.

"If both pathways converge on the same ion channel, perhaps other molecules that cause itch also use this channel," she added.

The findings have been published in this week''s print edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

–ANI

Family meals benefit health of children

A study in the journal Pediatrics finds that children and adolescents who share meals with their families at least three times per week are less likely to be overweight, eat unhealthy foods or be at risk for eating disorders.

"It tells parents what they can do to help in those nutritional issues with their children," said lead study author Amber Hammons, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

"We understand that parents are really busy, and that's definitely one of the biggest problems that's cited by parents- that it's just so difficult to manage time to prepare it and then to get all the family members to be present," she said. "What this study is suggesting is that sitting down for three meals out of the week tends to show this significant benefit." The researchers examined 17 previous studies, which involved 182,836 children aged 2 to 17.  Their findings reinforced the recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as part of its campaign to prevent childhood obesity. 

The researchers found that three or more family meals per week were associated with a 12% reduction in the odds for being overweight, a 20% drop in the odds of eating unhealthy foods regularly and a 35% reduction in disordered eating- including purging, the use of diet pills, skipping meals or the use of smoking cigarettes as a way to control weight.

Unhealthy foods included soda, fast food, fried food and sweets or candy.

In addition, the kids were 24% more likely to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, breakfast and also more likely to take a multivitamin.

"One study asked children how they would like their parents to be involved with food, and they said mainly they would like their parents to serve healthier types of foods at home and sit down and have their mealtimes together," Hammons said.

"I think that that really shows that there's an adolescent interest in eating healthy foods with the family and knowing that when they sit down to eat with their families, they're more likely to be eating healthy."

She noted that adolescents who sit and eat with their families are less likely to be eating fast food with friends or junk food by themselves.

Hammons suggested future studies include observing families at mealtimes by going into homes

Two Indians get death sentence in Malaysia for drug trafficking

Global threat: 60% of deaths caused by chronic diseases

According to lady specialist Dr. Sandhya Charles, Dr. Jain was very punctual and concerned about his diet but a little bit of negligence led him to death.

Chikitsa Sansar gives Dr. Jain our deepest condolences. We request you to very careful when you take medicines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zuplenz (ondansetron) oral soluble film for the prevention of postoperative, highly and moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy-induced, and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, Strativa Pharmaceuticals announced.

Zuplenz is the first oral soluble film approved by the FDA as a prescription medication.

The FDA approval was granted based on clinical study data comparing the bioequivalence of Zuplenz 8 mg to Zofran ODT (orally dissolving tablet) 8 mg.

The pharmacokinetic results of these studies demonstrated that a single dose of Zuplenz, taken with or without water and under fed and fasting conditions, was comparable to Zofran ODT.

�The FDA approval of Zuplenz marks an important milestone for Strativa as it reinforces our commitment to enhancing prescription products to meet the different needs of patients,� stated John A. MacPhee, president, Strativa Pharmaceuticals.

Zuplenz offers an innovative and convenient, easy-to-take formulation for patients who have trouble swallowing tablets, while providing the trusted efficacy expected from ondansetron.

Zuplenz uses proprietary PharmFilm oral soluble film technology from MonoSol Rx to rapidly dissolve on the tongue without the need for water, which can cause additional discomfort for some patients suffering from nausea and vomiting.

Zuplenz will be offered in 4 mg and 8 mg dosage strengths, and is expected to be available in retail pharmacies in the third quarter of 2010.

Nausea and vomiting is a common side effect associated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Left untreated, nausea and vomiting can have serious consequences such as exhaustion, dehydration and undernourishment, which can interfere with treatment and healing.

In June 2008, Strativa and MonoSol Rx entered into an exclusive licensing agreement under which Strativa acquired the U.S. commercialization rights to Zuplenz oral soluble film. Under the terms of the amended agreement, the FDA approval triggered Strativa�s payments to MonoSol Rx of a $4.0 million approval milestone and a $2.0 million pre-launch milestone.

Shionogi-ViiV Healthcare LLC reported data from two Phase IIb studies showing that its once-daily, unboosted investigational integrase inhibitor, S/GSK1349572 (�572), exhibited potent antiviral activity in treatment-na�ve HIV subjects as well as in treatment-experienced subjects resistant to raltegravir.

The first study involving 205 patients who had not previously received treatment, more than 90 percent of patients on �572 plus other older drugs had undetectable levels of virus after 16 weeks, compared with 60 percent of those receiving a combination containing Sustiva.

The effect of the new drug was also much faster, with 66 percent of patients achieving viral suppression after four weeks against 18 percent with Sustiva.

�572 was also better tolerated than Sustiva, with fewer moderate or higher intensity side effects, and there were no major signs of resistance problems in the study.

These clinical results and additional findings on the virologic profile of �572 were presented at the XVIII International AIDSConference in Vienna, Austria.

�572 is the only once-daily, unboosted integrase inhibitor in Phase IIb clinical development.

�There remains a significant need for additional medicines that can help address the complex treatment issues for HIV, and also help simplify treatment regimens for patients. As a once-daily,unboosted integrase inhibitor, �572 could provide an important therapy for patients living with HIV,� stated Dr. John Pottage, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ViiV Healthcare.

Phase III studies of the new drug are expected to begin by the end of the year.�

�572 is the lead compound in Shionogi-ViiV Healthcare LLC. It is currently the only once-daily,unboosted integrase inhibitor in Phase IIb clinical development. Shionogi-ViiV Healthcare LLC is also developing second-generation integrase inhibitors, including S/GSK1265744, currently in Phase II development.

ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established by GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV.

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. is a major research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to placing the highest value on patients.

Shionogi�s Research and Development currently targets three therapeutic areas: Infectious Diseases, Pain, and Metabolic
Syndrome.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking to ban the sales of over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pills such as i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 in India as they can lead to widespread misuse and dangerous consequences to the public.

Emergency contraceptive pills also known as `morning after pills�, which are used to prevent soon after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy, are currently available in the Indian drug stores as OTC and they don�t require a prescription from the physician.

Emergency contraceptive pills including i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 contains levo norgestrel -a synthetic version of female sex hormone � may cause dangerous side-effects to the users, alleged the PIL.

Citing scientific evidence from studies published in international peer-reviewed journals, the PIL argues that the use of levo norgestrel will result in various side effects and seeks a ban on the sale of i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 over the counter (OTC) s could result in serious consequences on the public.

Levo norgestrel containing i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 are promoted through commercial advertisements in TVs and other mass media claiming that these emergency contraceptive pills if consumed within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse can stop the occurrence of pregnancy.

There are, however, ample evidence supporting the fact that pregnancies happen within the first 24 hours after sexual intercourse. In such circumstances, the side effects of i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 will be more serious, the petitios argue with the backing of studies.

The massive publicity campaign created by the promotional ads on i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 and increased accessibility of these pills OTC in retail drug stores will lead to misuse of the products by public, the PIL alleges.

Acting on the petition the High Court has send notices to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) asking him to provide details about the marketing permission given to some of the pharma companies on the levo norgestrel products.

Earlier, the High Court ordered the Andhra Pradesh state drug controller to file technical data on the product, such as the safety of the medicine, reports said.

The promotional ads i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 are temporarily banned from airing by DCGI following public outcry and has been left to DTAB for technical advice in this regard.

DTAB, the highest authority under the Union health ministry on technical matters concerning medicines, is yet to submit its report. But the ads have already reappeared on screen, reports said.

Various organisations and gynaecologists in India have been expressing concern on the no-holds-barred ad campaign for the emergency contraceptives i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 through TV and the possible misuse of the pill by the young generation.

The easy availability of emergency contraceptives in a closed society like India would only encourage promiscuity among the millions of youngsters.

OTC sales of these pills could also promote unsafe sex among younger generation and may result in the increase of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, civil society groups argued.

The emergency contraceptives i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 have already become highly popular in Indian cities and among the rural youngsters who seek sexual freedom, the barrack of ads.

Buying emergency contraceptives has become like buying candy bars. They sell fast and many drug stores often run out of stock in cities like Bangalore, reports said.

But most of the youn women show a carefree attitude toward contraception owing to the cheap availability of the pills.

Young girls are increasingly approach gynecologists with problems such as irregular menstruation and pelvic infections because of the wrong use of the emergency contraceptive pills i-pill, Unwanted 72 and Option 72 as a primary method of contraception.

Several young women use the emergency pill much after the �safe� time and have had to abort fetuses, expert said.

Unwanted-72 is marketed by Mankind Pharma Ltd, �Option-72? is promoted by New Delhi-based Morepan Laboratories in India. I-Pill, which was earlier sold by Cipla Ltd, is now being promoted by Piramal Healthcare.

The caterpillar fungus, which is known scientifically as Cordyceps sinensis, is often designated as Himalayan Viagra for its unproven quality as an aphrodisiac for men.

Locally, the fungus is known as Yartsa Gunbu or �summer grass winter worm�, named after the transformation that takes place as it devours its host, the ghost moth caterpillar, from inside out during the latter�s hibernation on the mountain grasslands.

The caterpillar fungus is a slim, brownish yellow, 2cm long plants, they protrude stem-like and stick out of the earth.

Clinical studies using the caterpillar fungus has shown it to be completely ineffective.

The claims that caterpillar fungus or the `himalayan viagra� can cure impotence or enhance the libido in men has no scientific basis but it might be helping to boost men�s sexual confidence through placebo effect, studies have found.

Caterpillar fungus is also believed to be an effective cure for cancer and a lot of other illnesses.

Depending on the size and quality, the caterpillar fungi are sold for 25 to 35 yuan each, or about 40,000 yuan per kilogram.

When it reaches the end consumer, the best fungi can fetch up to 360,000 yuan per kilogram, which is costlier than gold.

Higher returns have turned the caterpillar fungi a rarity in sheer contrast to its prevalence everywhere in the Tibetan plateau of the Himalayan ranges till a few years ago.

Now the caterpillar fungi are seen only in high altitudes and the collectors often spend 12 hours a day scouring the hillsides.

Increasing hunt for caterpillar fungi has driven it almost on the verge of extinction. Indian government has made it illegal to collect or trade in this fungus.

Illegal smugglers of the caterpillar fungi could face jail terms of between seven years and life imprisonment according to the provisions of Indian Wild Life Act.

Recently, a huge amount of �himalayan viagra� has been seized by the police in Kashmir. In all around �2 million worth of it weighing over 90kg was impounded by the Indian police and four men were arrested.

The four men were allegedly trying to smuggle the himalayan viagra into China. In China the caterpillar fungus can fetch a lot of money from Chinese men with erectile dysfunction problems.

Impotent men are so desperate that they will try anything that promises to their libido, reports said.

The cases that were filed include, one under Spurious Drugs Act, and another one under Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1955.

Inspectors from the Drugs Control Directorate of Kerala Government has been warning Kunnath Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Musli Power Xtra in Kerala, against illegal promotion of the herbal product flashing labels that it is an aphrodisiac while the claims are not scientifically validated.

The state drug authorities had warned Kunnath Pharmaceuticals not to advertise or put on label the term �aphrodisiac� directly or indirectly on Musli Power Xtra with any other word or phrase to mislead people.

Despite this, Kunnath Pharma continued giving wide publicity through promotional advertisements claiming that Musli Power Xtra has the potential to increase the sexual prowess of both men and women and can be even a reliable remedy for infertility related problems.

Musli Power Xtra is currently enjoying extensive sales not only across Kerala but in other places across India as well as abroad, sources said.

However, Musli Power Xtra has been using a different ingredient for the licence was not granted and is illegally promoted for indications which has been approved, drug department said.

According to the drug officials, the approval granted for production of Musli Power Xtra formulation, the main ingredient indicated was the seed of �Nilappana� (Curculigo orchioides), but Kunnath Pharma made the formulation with the extracts of diffrent plant called Safed Musli for which no licence had been given.

Kunnath was using extracts of raw Safed Musli which is violation of the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act which clearly states such raw ingredients cannot be used for making any kind of medicine formulations.

Moreover, the herb Safed Musli was not included in the Indian Pharmacopoeia � the authorised mannual specifying standards of raw materials in medicinal products �at the time of granting licence for Safed Musli.

Kunnath Pharma, however, secured a licence for using Safed Musli as a raw material to produce Musli Power Xtra subsequently following the inclusion of the herb in Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Therefore, the state drug regulator has booked Kunnath under Section 33 EE A (d) of D&C Act says any drug which has been substituted wholly or in part by any other drug or substance could come under the provisions of Spurious Drugs Act.

A second lawsuit has also been initiated against Kunnath Pharma with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Moovattupuzha for promoting Musli Power Xtra with the proclaimed label as �aphrodisiac� for increasing sexual potency in both men and women stating that such is claim is a clear violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act.

The Act clearly specifies the prohibition of advertisement for certain drugs, especially in the category of drugs described as aphrodisiac.

Drug authority of Kerala raided the factory godowns of Kunnath Pharma for illegal manufacturing practices last year following complaints from consumers and media reports,and seized stocks of Musli Power Xtra worth over Rs 27 lakh.

The seized stocks were produced in the court and 600 cases of the drug were withdrawn from the market, reports said quoting senior drug officials.

The punishment for illegal promotion of Musli Power Xtra can involve upto three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000, experts said.