Silymarin-laden PVP-PEG polymeric composite for enhanced aqueous solubility and dissolution rate: Preparation and in vitro characterization / 药物分析学报

The aim of this work was to develop, optimize and characterize a silymarin-laden polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymeric composite to resolve low aqueous solubility and dissolution rate problem of the drug. A number of silymarin-laden polymeric formulations were fabricated with different quantities of PVP K-30 and PEG 6000 by the solvent-evaporation method. The effect of PVP K-30 and PEG 6000 on the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate was investigated. The optimized formula-tion and its constituents were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Both the PEG 6000 and PVP K-30 positively affected the aqueous solubility and dis-solution rate of the drug. In particular, a formulation consisting of silymarin, PVP K-30 and PEG 6000 (0.25/1.5/1.5, w/w/w) furnished the highest solubility (24.3972.95 mg/mL) and an excellent dissolution profile (～100％ in 40 min). The solubility enhancement with this formulation was ～1150-fold as com-pared to plain silymarin powder. Moreover, all the constituents existed in the amorphous state in this silymarin-laden PVP-PEG polymeric composite. Accordingly, this formulation might be a promising tool to administer silymarin with an enhanced effect via the oral route.

Cotton productivity enhanced through transplanting and early sowing / Aumento da produtividade do algodão por meio de transplante de mudas e semeadura precoce

Due to high temperatures in arid regions, cotton crop emergence and early establishment ofseedlings are adversely affected. Field studies were undertaken to quantify the effects of transplantation ofcotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings during the early part of the growing season (March) and cropseason (May) for potential realization of cotton productivity under the harsh weather of the southern partof Punjab province, Pakistan. Treatments, consisting of (a) two planting dates (March and May), and (b)two sowing methods (transplanting of seedlings and direct seeding), were arranged in a randomizedcomplete-block design with four replications. Results showed that transplanting seedlings improved theproductivity of cotton by 14.2% over direct seeding. Productivity was also increased substantially (34.8%)by planting during March over May sowing. The practice of planting cotton by transplanting seedlings andearly sowing could be successfully adapted in areas where high temperatures coincide with the Mayplanting and peak blooming periods in different cotton growing areas.

Altas temperaturas, em torno de 48ºC, prevalecem durante os meses de maio na parte do sul da província de Punjab, no Paquistão. A esta temperatura a emergência da colheita de algodão e o estabelecimento precoce da plântula são adversamente afetados. Estudos de campo foram realizados paraquantificar os efeitos do transplante de mudas de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) durante a primeira parteda estação de crescimento (março) e da safra (maio) para a realização potencial da produtividade do algodãosob condições adversas da parte sul do Punjab Província-Paquistão. Os tratamentos, consistindo em(a) duas datas de plantio (março e maio), e (b) dois métodos de semeadura (transplante de mudas e semeadura direta), foram dispostos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os resultados mostraram que o transplante de mudas melhorou a produtividade do algodão em 14,2% em relação à semeadura direta. A produtividade também aumentou substancialmente (34,8%) com o plantioem março sobre a semeadura de maio. A prática de plantio de algodão por transplante de mudas e sua semeadura precoce poderia ser adaptada com sucesso, onde a alta temperatura coincide com o tempo de plantio durante o mês de maio e períodos de florescimento máximo em diferentes áreas de cultivo de algodão.

Cotton productivity enhanced through transplanting and early sowing

Due to high temperatures in arid regions, cotton crop emergence and early establishment of seedlings are adversely affected. Field studies were undertaken to quantify the effects of transplantation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings during the early part of the growing season (March) and crop season (May) for potential realization of cotton productivity under the harsh weather of the southern part of Punjab province, Pakistan. Treatments, consisting of (a) two planting dates (March and May), and (b) two sowing methods (transplanting of seedlings and direct seeding), were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with four replications. Results showed that transplanting seedlings improved the productivity of cotton by 14.2% over direct seeding. Productivity was also increased substantially (34.8%) by planting during March over May sowing. The practice of planting cotton by transplanting seedlings and early sowing could be successfully adapted in areas where high temperatures coincide with the May planting and peak blooming periods in different cotton growing areas.