Variation of Heavy Metal Content of Market Variants of Ayurvedic Formulation - Lack of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Aim: The present study was conducted to estimate the heavy metal content in samples of Kutazghan Vati (a pill), from three different manufacturers to know about the quality control measures being followed by manufacturers for GMP. The study will also provide a platform for regulatory authorities to tighten the noose and upgrade the industry about high heavy metal levels in relation to international regulations. Methodology: Three variants of Kutajghan Vati coded as A, B, and C manufactured by different leading manufacturers was procured from local market. Heavy metals analysis was done according to AOAC (1995) for non volatile heavy metals. Results: Cadmium content of two variants A and C was within permissible limits where as cadmium content of variant B was 2.98 ppm about ten times higher than the permissible limits of 0.3 ppm set up by WHO and the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. The lead content of variant A was 36.33 ppm that was about four times against the permissible value set up by WHO. Despite very low detection limits, mercury and arsenic were not detectable in all the three variants depicting that the formulation were free from these heavy metals. Conclusions: Despite same guidelines issued by same regulatory authorities fo production of ayurvedic formulations for permissible limits of heavy metal content, three different manufacturers marketed the same formulation with different heavy metal content which reflects that industry seems to be negligent for maintaining proper quality control. This study suggests that periodic estimation of heavy metals is highly essential for single drugs, raw drugs as well as finished products for quality assurance and safer use of herbal drugs.

Disease Dynamics and Surveillance of Malaria in Malwa Region of Punjab and Evaluation of RDT Test.

Aim: Malaria remains an enormous public health problem. Regular and ongoing surveillance to detect changes in its trends to initiate the control measures is the need of the hour. The present study was undertaken to provide the malaria transmission dynamics using surveillance indicators through active and passive surveillance in district Faridkot. Usefulness of rapid malaria diagnostic test was also evaluated. Methodology: This retrospective study extended over a period of two years (2010-2011). Thick and thin blood smears were prepared from suspected cases of malaria complaining of fever and headache for the last three days (i) of 2 CHC’s, 8 PHC’s and 68 sub centers as a part of active surveillance and (ii) those who visited GGS Medical College & Hospital and civil hospital Faridkot as a part of passive surveillance. Out of all the samples collected during the passive surveillance 995 samples collected at GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot were also subjected to rapid diagnostic test (OptiMAL®). Results: The annual blood examination rate (ABER) was 9.0 and 9.7 in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Annual parasite incidence (API) recorded was < 2 (0.5) in both the years and slide positive rate (SPR) was 0.5 and 0.05 in the two respective years of study. Significant gap in the rate of case detection of active and passive surveillance systems was observed with predominance of passive surveillance. More than 96% of cases were of P. vivax. RDT’s showed an excellent correlation with conventional microscopy. Conclusion: Malaria (P. vivax) is a persistent problem in the Malwa region with variation in its transmission dynamics with in the year. P. vivax is the main species of malarial parasite in the Faridkot district with occasional cases of falciparum malaria. Prevention strategy should be targeted towards on the spot diagnosis by using RDT and hence prompt treatment. It could help to prevent spread of drug resistance and complicated malaria.

Isolation and characterisation of cathepsin-B from bovine pancreas.

Α simple procedure for the isolation of cathepsin B from bovine pan creas employing ammonium sulphate fractionation, DEAE cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G 200 gel filtration is described. The purified enzyme gave a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight as determined by gel filtration of the enzyme was 26,850. Its Km and Vmax values were 12·8 mM and 0·303 μmol/min/mg, respectively. The Ki for iodoacetamide was 0·16 mM.