Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the flowers of Nelumbium speciosum

In present investigation aqueous and methanolic extracts of Nelumbium speciosum flowers were screened for phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity to ascertain their traditional use. Antimicrobial activity of both extracts was tested by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against four Gram positive strains, viz. Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC25923], Streptococcus agalactiae [13813], Bacillus subtilis [ATCC 6633], Staphylococcus epidermidis [ATCC 12228] and four Gram negative bacterial strains Escherichia coli [ATCC 8739], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ATCC 27853], Proteus mirabilis [12453] and Klebsiella pneumoniae [10031]. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponins and alkaloids in both extracts while flavonoids and steroids were present only in methanolic extract. Methanolic extract of Nelumbium speciosum flower showed concentration dependent antibacterial activity against all tested strains with maximum zone of inhibition [17.3 +/- 0.3mm] against P. aeruginosa. Aqueous extract showed concentration dependent activity against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. epidermidis with maximum antibacterial activity against E. coli [14.3 +/- 0.3mm]. MIC of methanolic and aqueous extracts was in the range of 0.015-0.251 and 0.0625-0.251 mg/mL, respectively. Results showed that methanolic extract of Nelumbium speciosum exhibits superior antibacterial activity than aqueous extract

Microbiological quality control of some non-sterile preparations commonly used in Pakistan

The quality of medicines in some developing countries including Pakistan is not very satisfactory regarding safety and efficacy. In addition to sterile preparations, the microbial contamination of non sterile preparations should also be monitored according to USP microbial limits for these preparations. This study was designed to check the microbial quality of some commonly used non-sterile preparations available in Pakistan. Total 133 samples containing national and multinational brands of different dosage forms were collected from retail setups of Sargodha, Khushab and Chakwal cities. The total aerobic bacterial count and fungal contamination was tested by pour plate method. The absence of objectionable microorganisms was confirmed by using selective media, biochemical testing and microscopy. Bioburden of these preparations was also tested after a storage period of six months. The bio burden varied among all the selected non-sterile preparations whether of local or multinational brands. The highest load was observed in syrups, among which syrup number 1 showed maximum aerobic count [8.4× 106]. Lowest count was observed in tablets, among which tablet preparation number 1 contained 1.5×103 aerobic bacteria. Creams and capsules produced no recovered bacteria. The fungal contaminants were also observed in all dosage forms except tablets. The isolated organisms included Gramnegative bacteria which contained objectionable ones such as Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas and E.coli and some airborne moulds including Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp. and Acremonium spp. Several measures such as GMPs, monitoring programs and SOPs should be followed by the pharmaceutical companies to reduce the microbial contamination level in the non sterile preparations. The regulatory agencies have to implement strict analysis strategy to check the microbial quality of the medicines before their release for sale in the market

Physicochemical characterization and evaluation of suspending properties of arabinoxylan from Ispaghula [Plantago ovata] husk

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of arabinoxylan as potential suspending agent, an effective alternative to commercially used excipients for the preparation of pharmaceutical suspensions. Alkali extraction was done to separate arabinoxylan from ispaghula [Plantago ovata] seed husk by alkali extraction its physicochemical characterization was done and the suspending properties of arabinoxylan isolated were evaluated comparatively with those of bentonite at different concentration ranges of 0.125,0.25,0.5 and 1% in Zinc oxide suspension. The parameters employed for evaluation were sedimentation volume, degree of flocculation, flow rate, density, pH, redispersibility, microbiological evaluation and particle size analysis. Physicochemical characterization of arabinoxylan indicates its suitability as excipient as it has fair flow properties, low moisture content and almost neutral pH. Arabinoxylan at low conc. 0.125% showed sedimentation volume comparable to commercially used suspending agents such as bentonite 1% while suspensions containing higher concentrations such as 0.25% [sedimentation volume 92%], 0.5% [sedimentation volume 94%] and 1% conc. [sedimentation volume 98%] of arabinoxylan remained almost completely suspended during study period of 7 days. Formulations containing 0.125% and 0.25% arabinoxylan as suspending agents are easily redispersible as compared to bentonite containing formulation while formulation containing 0.5% arabinoxylan are moderately redispersible while formulation containing 1% suspending agent gel upon storage and was not redispersible. Furthermore arabinoxylan produces stable, highly flocculated suspension, which fulfilled microbiological, and particle size specifications, however the formulations containing higher arabinoxylan 1% concentration gel upon storage. So it is concluded that arabinoxylan could be used as effective suspending agent at low concentrations in Zinc oxide suspension

Appraisal of multifarious brands of Cephradine for their in vitro antibacterial activity against varied microorganisms

The astounding and exceptional growth of generic pharmaceutical Industry in Pakistan has raised certain questions for drug regulatory authorities contemplating their efficacy and quality. The current study focuses on assessing the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of 24 brands of Cephradine 500mg capsules against 4 different strains by employing standardized methods. Disk diffusion method was performed on all brands to look into the susceptibility and resistance patterns. Standard disk of 5 micro g Cephradine powder were used during evaluation. The zones of inhibitions were ranged from 24-40mm against S. aureus, 24-40mm against E. coli, 20-25mm against K. pneumonia and 19-23mm P. mirabilis. On the basis of mean value, the multinational brands were found to have better zone of inhibitions and were better than local Pharmaceutical companies but ANOVA cooperative study showed that all brands of Cephradine showed similar comparable results. Further investigations by employing MIC method, quality of raw material with special emphasis on the shelf-life, excepients and method of manufacturing will be needed to obtain more authenticated results. The price of National and Multinational brands ranges from Rs.156.00-212.00 for 10 capsules. It is concluded that Public health is at risk because of noticeable growing widespread curse of the manufacture and trade of sub-standard or below par pharmaceuticals. The pecuniary accountability of management of pharmaceutical agents is additionally apparent. The results of the study need to be made public to boost the confidence of medical profession about the quality of locally manufactured pharmaceuticals. It will succor the foreign exchange being incurred on the trade in of medicines

Nephro-protective effect of vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil on gentamicin associated nephrotoxicity in rabbits

Oxidative stress causes the generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] that lead to nephrotoxicity. An aminoglycoside, gentamicin, has pronounced nephrotoxic effect in humans and animals and this study was planned to observe the nephro-protective effect of antioxidants, vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity were measured as indicators of nephrotoxicity for all the groups of rabbits. Results showed that vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil both had nephro-protective effect as they lowered the values of nephrotoxicity indicators [serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity] as compared to gentamicin control group values. When these two antioxidants were given as combination, they proved to have synergistic nephroprotective effect