Sara

This short communication reports the pharmacokinetic differences of the glucuronide-conjugated metabolites of magnoflorine and jatrorrhizine between Chinese and African male volunteers. From an earlier report, glucuronidation was determined to be one of the main metabolic pathways and these two compounds were reported to differ significantly between the two races. Pharmacokinetic parameters of half-life,t1/2, time to reach maximum concentration, Tmax, maximum plasma concentration, Cmax, volume of distribution, Vd, area under the concentration-time curve, AUC and clearance, CL were considered. Statistically significant differences were observed in almost all the parameters studied in terms of their glucuronide-conjugated metabolites. The findings indicate the differences in hepatic metabolism of these two compounds between the two races.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) are three very important spices and essential flavoring agents in many cuisines, particularly in South-East Asia. The spices are available both as fresh and in commercial packages. The present study deals with the analyses of their in vitro antioxidant profile before and after thermal processing in water. The thermal processing resembled methods commonly practiced in India for cooking, viz. pressure cooking and microwave treatment. The assays performed included DPPH radical decolorization assay, reducing power assay and assay for total phenolic contents. It was observed that the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was different in the two types of spices, and the packaged spices were better than the fresh samples. Antioxidant activity improved in case of all the three spices after thermal processing, probably due to better solublization of the antioxidants in hot water by thermal treatment. Improvement in the total phenolic contents also substantiated the radical scavenging abilities of the spices after aqueous extraction. Among the different extraction procedures, microwave extraction was found to be most effective with respect to radical scavenging abilities.

A simple, cost effective and reproducible UV-spectrophotometric method has been developed and validated for the assay of Tolterodine in pure and dosage forms. This assay is based on measurement of absorption at maximum wavelength of 282nm. Beer’s law of this proposed method was obeyed in the concentration range of 60-120μg/mL with regression equation of y = 0.0068x-0.0117 and with correlation coefficient of 0.9988 respectively. The percentage recovery of tolterodine ranged from 99.93- 100.37 in pharmaceutical dosage form. The results of the analysis for linearity, accuracy (recovery), precision and specificity were validated statistically and by recovery studies in accordance with ICH norms.

To find out the secondary metabolites present in the ethanolic leaf extract of Ipomoea obscura (L.) by means of High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Ethanolic extract of the leaves were developed in the mobile phase of formic acid, water, n-hexane-ethyl acetate using standard procedures and scanned under UV at 366nm, 254nm and under visible light. The HPTLC fingerprinting of the ethanolic leaf extract of Ipomoea obscura (L.) showed the presence of 7 Flavonoids, 5 Alkaloids, 5 Terpenoids. From this analysis, it has showed that flavonoids are rich in Ipomoea obscura (L.). The intensive study on the out coming active constituents of Ipomoea obscura (L.) will lead to the discovery of a novel botanical drug.

Capsicum (Capsicum annuum) of different ripening stages contains different biochemicals that might be altered by the cooking processes practiced in the different part of this country. The present study was designed to analyze their in vitro antioxidant profile before and after thermal processing in water at different temperatures and pH. Thermal processing was done at 60oC, 80oC and 100oC, whereas pH 5.0 and 9.0 were also used for extraction. The assays performed included DPPH radical decolorization assay, reducing power assay and assay for total phenolic contents. It was observed that the reducing power and total phenolic content improved in case of all the three different maturity stages of the vegetable after thermal processing and pH dependent extraction. DPPH radical scavenging ability, however, was diminished. This indicated that non-polar antioxidants were not extracted in the extraction conditions. Improved antioxidant profile in aqueous assay systems was probably due to better solublization of the polar antioxidants in hot water and different acid-base conditions. Improvement in the total phenolic contents substantiated the radical scavenging abilities of the three variants after aqueous extraction.

To study the clinical spectrum of occurrence of Fixed Drug Eruptions (FDEs) to different classes of drugs in a tertiary care hospital. Study was conducted by department of Pharmacology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar for a period of two years. The data was collected from both in and out patients attending to the Dermatology. A total of 94 adverse drug reactions were collected of which 18 were diagnosed as FDEs. Among them 10 were males and 8 females aged between 2- 60 years. Thirteen FDEs were due to NSAIDs and 5 due to antimicrobials. In all these patients the lesions manifested over the extremities, and 10 of them also had it over the lips and 2 patients on genital and oral mucosa respectively. Diclofenac has caused most of the FDEs. Hyperpigmentation is the common presenting feature. Dechallenge and therapeutic rechallenge was observed in all the patients.

Diarrhoea is the most common cause of death among children, mainly below 5 years of age. Increase in the frequency of defecation, fluidity of stools, and abnormal consistency of stools are the main indications of diarrhoea. It can be managed by rehydrating the children with ORT like ORS, continuing the feed, breast feeding up to particular age group. ORS helps mainly in reducing the frequency, fluidity, consistency of stools. Now-a-days conventional ORS was replaced with low osmolarity ORS, which has reduced the IV infusion and prolonged hospital stay. Zinc supplementation along with ORS reduces diarrhoeal deaths. Children should be fed with Nutritious food i:e foods containing high micronutrients like folic acid, zinc, vitamin A which helps in controlling and reducing diarrhoeal episodes. Factors like maintaining hygiene, supplying adequate pure and safe water, washing hands with soap, proper sanitation and immunization mainly for Rota virus and measles helps in preventing childhood diarrhoea. Prevention of stunting also plays a main role in preventing diarrhoeal episodes in children. Educating the mother about the disease helps in reducing episodes and preventing childhood deaths.

The repellent activity of methanolic extract of flower buds (clove) of Syzygium aromaticum Linn. and its different fractions was screened against the dengue fever and yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. at 4% concentration under laboratory conditions using human subject. The extract and main ethyl acetate soluble fractions were the most effective and showed 80% repellency for 4 hours while petroleum ether soluble sub-fraction of latter fraction gave 72% repellency for 4 hours. These samples were 50-60% effective for 9 hours. The results were compared with standard mospel. Furthermore, in the present investigation toxicity of the extract and fractions of clove was determined against 4th instar larvae of Ae. aegypti by using WHO method. The extract, ethyl acetate soluble main fraction and petroleum ether soluble sub-fraction showed mortality with LC50 320, 240 and 160 ppm, respectively after 24 hours of exposure. It was observed that toxicity decreased with the increasing polarity of the fractions. These results were compared with standard neem formulation, biosal showing LC50 = 400 ppm against the same mosquito Ae. aegypti.

Mosquitoes are blood-feeding insects and serve as the most important vectors for spreading human diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and filariasis. The continued use of synthetic insecticides has resulted in resistance in mosquitoes. Synthetic insecticides are toxic and affect the environment by contaminating soil, water, and air then natural products may be an alternative to synthetic insecticides because they are effective, biodegradable, eco-friendly and safe to environment. Botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative bio control techniques in the future. The present study assessed the oviposition deterrent activity of acetone   leaf extract of Spathodea  campanulata against Aedes aegypti. For determining the influence of acetone leaf extract of S. campanulata on the ovipositional pattern of Ae. aegypti, the mosquitoes were subjected to choice – oviposition test and no – choice oviposition test.  The acetone   leaf extract of S.  campanulata were found to deter mosquitoes from oviposition. Oviposition Active Index and Oviposition Deterrent Index indicated a low preference of Aedes aegypti to leaf extract treated medium for egg laying. From the results, it can be conclude the acetone   leaf extract of S. campanulata was an outstanding potential for controlling the dengue vector mosquito Aedesaegypti. Key words: S.campanulata, leaf extract, Ae.aegypti,  oviposition deterrent activity

The objective of the present work was to develop modified release tablets of Isoniazid by using HPMC as a release-controlling agent. The different-viscosity grades of HPMC were used to prepare the matrix tablets. The tablets were prepared by direct compression. The prepared tablets were subjected to physical characterization and in vitro drug release studies. The in vitro drug release was carried out by using USP apparatus I in 900 ml of acidic dissolution medium (pH 1.2) for 2 h, followed by 900 ml alkaline dissolution medium (pH 6.8) at 50 rpm. The polymer type did not affect the flow of powder blend and crushing strength of Isoniazid tablets. The drug release rate was strongly influenced by the type of polymer and the concentration of polymer. Different proportion of HPMC was associated with decrease in the overall cumulative drug release rate. The initial burst release of Isoniazid was decreased by higher viscosity grade polymer. Thus, we conclude that from among all the developed formulations, F1 formulation sustained the drug release for longer period of time over 12 h when compared to other formulations. So, F1 was selected as best formulation and fulfills all the requirements for sustained release.