ABSTRACT
A study of the extraction of polymeric material and dyes from the pharmaceutical plastic containers using various organic solvents was conducted to evaluate the effect of polarity on the extraction process. The plastic containers used included semi-opaque, opaque, transparent and amber colored and the solvent used were acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, acetone, dichloroethane, chloroform and water. The determination of extractable material was carried out by gravimetric and spectrometric methods. The yield of extractable materials from containers in 60 h was 0.10-1.29% [w/w] and the first-order rate constant [kobs] for the extraction of polymeric material ranged from 0.52-1.50 × 10[-3]min[-1] and for the dyes 6.43- 6.74 x10[-3]min[-1]. The values of [kobs] were found to be an inverse function of solvent dielectric constant and decreased linearly with the solvent acceptor number. The extractable polymeric materials exhibited absorption in the 200-400 nm region and the dyes in the 300-500nm region. The rates of extraction of polymeric material and dyes from plastic containers were dependent on the solvent dielectric constant. The solvents of low polarity were more effective in the extraction of material indicating that the extracted material were of low polarity or have non-polar character. The dyes were soluble in acetone and chloroform. No plastic material was found to be extracted from the containers in aqueous solution
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. Preliminary studies have evaluated the association between innate immunity including Toll-like receptors [TLRs] and airway samples of patients with COPD. The role of TLRs in peripheral blood neutrophils is poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of TLR2 and TLR4 in peripheral blood neutrophils of COPD patients
Methods: A total of 101 COPD cases and an equal number of healthy controls participated in this case-control study. Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from all participants and cultured for 24 hours through lipopolysaccharide [LPS] stimulation. The gene expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of interleukin [IL]-8 and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-9 were measured in neutrophils cell culture supernatants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]
Results: The levels of IL-8 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls. Similarly, the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were increased in LPS stimulated peripheral blood neutrophils of patients with COPD. Smoke pack years was positively correlated with IL-8 levels and negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second % [r = -0.33; p = 0.023] and FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC] [r = -0.27; p = 0.011]
Conclusions: The increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4 suggests its role in disease pathogenesis of COPD. Smoke pack years was negatively associated with spirometric parameters in COPD patients. This may help to predict the smokers without COPD who risk developing the condition in the future
ABSTRACT
Ascorbic acid [vitamin C] is susceptible to light and air and forms various degradation products. A number of stabilizers have been used to study their effect on the degradation of ascorbic acid [AH2] in dark and light at pH 4.0 and 6.0 alone and in combination with citric and tartaric acids. The assay of AH2 in degraded solutions was performed by a specific UV spectrometric method. The degradation product of AH2 at pH 4.0 and 6.0 was identified as dehydroascorbic acid. The degradation of AH2 has been found to follow first-order kinetics. The apparent first-order rate constants, t90 and percent inhibition in rate in the presence of stabilizers and the second-order rate constants for the interaction of stabilizers with AH2 have been determined. The highest stabilizing effect on AH2 was found by sodium metabisulfite, followed by sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfate, sodium thiosulfate and thiourea. The pH of the solutions has also been found to influence the degradation of AH2 as the rates are higher at pH 6.0 compared to those of pH 4.0, probably due to the ionization of AH2. A synergistic effect has been observed when citric or tartaric acid was added to the solutions containing stabilizers where citric acid showed comparatively better effect
ABSTRACT
Menthol is the most commonly used substance in many cosmetics and pharmaceutical products either as an active ingredient or in the form of excipient. In the present study, different samples of commercially available peppermint oil were subjected to standardization by determination of physicochemical characteristics, acid value, and resinified oil content. Thin layer chromatography [TLC] has been used to confirm the presence of menthol. The result showed that the quality control test performed for the evaluation of the physicochemical parameters of peppermint oil can be considered useful in its standardization. The results of acid value and the resinified oil tests, carried out on the raw material, have found to be within the standard limits. The results indicated specified number of free fatty acids and absence of greasy impurities. The data obtained from the study would be useful in the authentication of the commercial peppermint oil samples. In TLC studies, the Rf value of the active constituent has been determined by comparison with its standard spot. This technique may be used as a tool for the correct identification of the active constituent which could help in the standardization of the peppermint oil samples
ABSTRACT
This study involves the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl metharylate [HEMA] [1-M], photoinitiated by safranin T [ST] / triethanolamine [TEOHA] system in the pH range 6.0â"9.0. The kinetics of the reactions during the initial stages of polymerization [tilde 5% HEMA conversion, within 150 s] has been evaluated to avoid the effects of any volume changes in the solution. The concentration of HEMA in polymerized solutions has been determined spectrometrically at 208 nm with a precision of +/- 3%. The apparent first-order rate constants [kobs] for the polymerization of HEMA by ST in the presence of 0.010 M TEOHA range from 2.57-6.08 [1 M], 2.14-5.44 [2 M] and 1.79-4.81x10[-4] s[-1] [3 M] at pH 6.0-9.0. The second-order rate constants for the interaction of TEOHA with HEMA [1-3 M] range from 1.79-6.08x10[-2] M[-1] s[-1] at pH 6.0-9.0. This indicates that the reactivity of TEOHA radicals increases with an increase in pH of the solution. The viscosity of HEMA solutions exerts an influence on the rates of polymerization and the values of kobs show a linear relation with inverse of solution viscosity. This could be due to the quenching of the ST excited triplet state with an increase in the viscosity of the solution
ABSTRACT
Paracetamol [PM] is an active metabolite of phenacetin and belongs to p-aminophenol derivatives. It is also termed as acetaminophen. PM is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] which is used as an analgesic and antipyretic agent. It is an OTC drug and is used as a common household analgesic. It is not used as a substitute of aspirin or any other NSAIDs. It is a weak cyclooxygenase [COX] 1 and 2 inhibitor but may inhibit COX-3 in the central nervous system. Many analytical techniques have been used for the assay of PM in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids. These techniques include spectrometry, chromatography, spectrofluorimetry, chemiluminescence, electrochemical techniques, flow injection spectrometry and chronoamperometry. In many pharmaceutical preparations PM is also used in combination with other drugs and these techniques have also been used for their simultaneous determination. A detailed review of various analytical techniques used for the assay of PM has been carried out which would be of great help to the chemists and pharmacists involved in the analysis and quality control of drugs
ABSTRACT
Müller glia (MG) are the primary support cells in the vertebrate retina, regulating homeostasis in one of the most metabolically active tissues. In lower vertebrates such as fish, they respond to injury by proliferating and reprogramming to regenerate retinal neurons. In mammals, MG may also react to injury by proliferating, but they fail to initiate regeneration. The barriers to regeneration could be intrinsic to mammalian MG or the function of the niche that cannot support the MG reprogramming required for lineage conversion or both. Understanding these mechanisms in light of those being discovered in fish may lead to the formulation of strategies to unlock the neurogenic potential of MG and restore regeneration in the mammalian retina.
Subject(s)
Homeostasis , Mammals , Neurogenesis , Neuroglia , Regeneration , Retina , Retinal Neurons , VertebratesABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Kabideen Syrup in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride. Methods: In hepatotoxic rats, liver damage was studied by assessing parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total proteins, and cholesterol and lipid peroxidation. Histopathological study of the liver in experimental animals was also undertaken. Results: Hepatic damage as evidenced by a rise in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin cholesterol and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased level of total protein in serum. Liver showed a tendency to attain near normalcy in animals co-administered with kabideen (50 ml/kg) significantly reduced the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cholesterol levels and increased the total protein levels when compared to the CCl4 group. The histopathological findings showed a significant difference between the Kabideen (50ml/kg) and CCL4 treated groups. Conclusion: The study substantiates the hepatoprotective potential of Kabideen.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] regarding elderly age health problems among adults of Rawalpindi
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Airport Housing Society Rawalpindi from July 2011 to Nov 2011
Material and Methods: A total of 200 households of age 50-59 years were included in the study by convenient sampling technique [115 males and 85 females]. Adult population of the age 50-59 years with physical and mental disabilities were excluded from the study. Data collected after taking informed consent was analyzed by SPSS 17
Results: Mean age of respondents was 54.78 +/- 3.41 years. Knowledge regarding age limit of senior citizens was 140 [70%]. A total of 174 [87%] knew about increased incidence of fall with increasing age but only 53 [26.5%] did any practical change. About 152 [76%] considered that prior knowledge about geriatric age problems can help plan for old age; efforts to get information about elderly age problems were reported by 170 [85%]. There was a significant association between level of knowledge and efforts to stay healthy [p<.001]. The difference between level of knowledge of males and females was significant [p=.007]
Conclusion: Prior knowledge among residents of the society was found to be a more preferred option to give people information about optimal aging, but this should be started at a much earlier time by facilitating information, to restore physical health to have a healthy and functional elderly individual in the society
ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacteria which forms colonies in gastric mucosa and is responsible for peptic ulcer diseases [PUDs]. The present review deals with the strategies employed in the diagnosis of H. Pylori infection. The diagnostic techniques for H. pylori infection are categorized into invasive and non-invasive. The invasive techniques include endoscopy, histological studies, culture and rapid urease test whereas 13C-urea breath test, stool antigen test, blood test, serology and PCR are included in non-invasive techniques. A brief outline of these techniques with their selection criteria has been discussed in this review
ABSTRACT
Total parenteral nutrition [TPN] replaces and maintains essential nutrients in patients in whom oral or tube feedings are contraindicated or inadequate. A nutritional assessment must be carried out before initiating TPN in order to determine nutritional needs and any metabolic changes due to the patient's underlying condition, medications or concurrent therapies. In addition to carbohydrates, proteins and fats, certain amounts of micronutirents are also added to TPN solutions. These micronutrients include electrolytes, vitamins, and trace minerals. This review highlights some basic concepts regarding the use and formulation of TPNs along with their advantages and disadvantages and the importance of water soluble vitamins B[2] and B[12] in human nutrition
ABSTRACT
One of the most hazardous diseases associated with the construction industry is silicosis, which is the outcome of dust inhalation. The prolonged breathing of silica [quartz] or silicon dioxide is considered as a potent irritant that causes the occurrence of this disease. The respiration of silica leads to the formation of scar tissue inside the lungs which diminishes the ability of lung to extract oxygen from air and hence leads towards the pulmonary fibrosis condition. In the present study, the workers engaged in bricks and tiles operation were examined and their percentage cell damage has been determined. According to the statistical analysis performed, there is no significant difference between the cell damage of the workers either employed in bricks or tiles operation and thus they are equally affected by the inhalation of silica. In addition, it has been found that there is a weak correlation between the length of the service of individual worker and the cell damage which signifies that intensity of silica exposure varies and is poorly correlated with the duration of work. However, when compared separately, the workers in both operations depict some interesting and surprising correlations
ABSTRACT
Formylmethylflavin [FMF] is a major intermediate product in the aerobic and anaerobic photolysis of riboflavin [RF] and is highly sensitive to light and hydrolysis. It is more sensitive to light as compared to RF. FMF is further degraded into lumichrome [LC], carboxymethylflavin [CMF] in acidic medium, and LC, CMF and lumiflavin [LF] in alkaline medium. When FMF is exposed to light it is degraded in to LC and LF via a photoreduction and CMF through photooxidation pathways. In aerobic and anaerobic conditions, RF when exposed to light is excited to singlet state [1RF] and from singlet to triplet state [3RF]. This is followed by the conversion of 3RF into a semiquinone radical [RFH] and this radical further disproportionate to form an oxidized RF and a cyclic intermediate, which is further oxidized to FMF and degradation products [LC, LF, CMF]
ABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease, characterized by motor dysfunction due to the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, is one of the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Given there is no current cure, the stem cell approach has emerged as a viable therapeutic option to replace the dopaminergic neurons that are progressively lost to the disease. The success of the approach is likely to depend upon accessible, renewable, immune compatible, and non-tumorigenic sources of neural progenitors from which stable dopaminergic neurons can be generated efficaciously. Here, we demonstrate that neural progenitors derived from limbus, a regenerative and accessible ocular tissue, represent a safe source of dopaminergic neurons. When the limbus-derived neural progenitors were subjected to a well-established protocol of directed differentiation under the influence of Shh and FGF8, they acquired the biochemical and functional phenotype of dopaminergic neurons that included the ability to synthesize dopamine. Their intrastriatal transplantation in the rat model of hemi-Parkinsonism was associated with a reduction in the amphetamine-induced rotation. No tumor formation was observed 6 weeks post-transplantation. Together, these observations posit limbus-derived neural progenitors as an accessible and safe source of dopaminergic neurons for a potential autologous ex-vivo stem cell approach to Parkinson's disease.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Dopamine , Dopaminergic Neurons , Models, Animal , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Parkinson Disease , Phenotype , Stem CellsABSTRACT
The herbal system of medicine has gained worldwide importance due to its safety and efficacy considerations. Herbal medicines have been used for treating various diseases since ancient times. The present article deals with the importance and method of standardization of herbal medicines in order to ensure their purity, safety and efficacy. A detailed introduction regarding various aspects of the herbal system of medicine and methods of achieving quality of herbal medicine has been presented The various quality control methods recommended by World Health Organization have been described. Effort has also been made to focus on the physical, chemical and biological evaluation to achieve a high standard of quality for herbal medicine
ABSTRACT
The simultaneous determination of cyanocobalamin [CC], hydroxocobalamin [HC] and ascorbic acid [AA] in aqueous solution has been achieved by a multicomponent spectrometric method. CC undergoes photolysis in acidic and alkaline media to form HC and the reaction is enhanced in the presence of AA. The method has been used to evaluate the kinetics of photodegradation reactions of the vitamin. CC, HC and AA present in the photolyzed solutions have been determined by absorbance measurement at 550, 525 and 265 nm at pH 4.0. These wavelengths correspond to the absorption maxima of the three substances and thus provide high specificity and sensitivity to the method. The method has been validated with respect to various parameters relating to the analytical performance characteristics. The recovery of the method for the three compounds ranges from 97.1-103.0% with a RSD value of +/- 3%. The accuracy of the method is shown by the linearity of the kinetic plots in the concentration range studied. The method is simple, rapid and convenient for the proposed work
ABSTRACT
Vitamin B[6] [pyridoxine] is closely associated with the functions of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. It also participates in the metabolic processes of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Pyridoxine deficiency may result in neurological disorders including convulsions and epileptic encephalopathy and may lead to infant abnormalities. The Intravenous administration of pyridoxine to patients results in a dramatic cessation of seizures. A number of analytical methods were developed for the determination of pyridoxine in different dosage forms, food materials and biological fluids. These include UV spectrometric, spectrofluorimetric, mass spectrometric, thin-layer and highperformance liquid chromatographic, electrophoretic, electrochemical and enzymatic methods. Most of these methods are capable of determining pyridoxine in the presence of other vitamins and complex systems in micro g quantities. The development and applications of these methods in pharmaceutical and clinical analysis mostly during the last decade have been reviewed
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Pyridoxine/deficiency , Chemistry Techniques, Analytical , Biomarkers/bloodABSTRACT
Ascorbic acid [AA], commonly known as vitamin-C, is used in the treatment of scurvy by the reversal of the symptoms associated with it and helps in the absorption of iron in the human body. It also helps in the prevention of hardening of arteries in old age patients and along with vitamin E, zinc and a-carotene supports the improvement of vision and reduces the excretion of protein in urine. Vitamin-C acts as an antidote in lead poisoning and reduces the development of cancer in the body. However, when used with zinc sulfate and bioflavonoids, AA also improves face wrinkles due to exposure to sun. A number of analytical techniques have been reported for the determination of AA in pharmaceutical systems, food and biological materials
These techniques include spectrometry, fluorimetry, chromatography, electrophoresis, flow injection, photochemical, electrochemical and titrimetric methods. These methods are used in the presence of other substances such as vitamins and medicinal compounds
ABSTRACT
Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds, that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids, among which beta-carotene is the most important. Most compounds within the vitamin A family are soluble in fat and are essential for numerous processes within the body. Vitamin A [retinol] and derivatives play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of carotenoids found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolk and the fat component of dairy products. It is required for normal vision, reproduction, embryonic development, cell and tissue differentiation and immune function in animals and humans. Vitamin A deficiency [VAD] is also known to be involved with different specific disease conditions such as xerophthalmia, polynephritis, keratomalacia and ulceration leading to irreversible blindness along with increased susceptibility to infections and abnormalities in reproduction. Vitamin A is sensitive to light and air and its ester forms are more susceptible to oxidation. The important analytical techniques used for the analysis of the vitamin A and its derivatives are high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], spectrophotometry and voltammetry. These methods have been found to be accurate and precise and have been applied successfully to the analysis of drug formulations
ABSTRACT
In the present work the photo degradation of riboflavin in the presence of acetate bulfer has been studied. The assay of riboflavin and its photoproducts in degraded solution has been carried out simultaneously using a multi component spectrometer method. Acetate buffer has been found to catalyze the photo degradation of riboflavin and the apparent first-order rate constants for the reaction at pH 4.2 in the presence of 0.125 -0.625 M acetate buffer range from 0.45 [pH 5.6] to 2.05 X 10-2 min-1. The k-pH profile for these reactions shows a maximum around pH 4.2 indicating the participation of different species of the molecule in the reaction. The decrease in the rate of the reaction after the maximum is due to a change in the redox behavior of riboflavin. The results indicate that acetate buffer at a low concentration is suitable for maintaining the pH of vitamin preparations