Development of pioglitazone hydrochloride lipospheres by melt dispersion technique: Optimization and evaluation.

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate pioglitazone hydrochloride loaded lipospheres for treatment of diabetes. Pioglitazone hydrochloride lipospheres were formulated by using melt dispersion (homogenization) technique using compritol®888 ATO as lipid matrix and Phospholipon 90G (P 90G), PVA, Poloxamer 188 as surfactants. Formulation was optimized by using 32 full factorial design where entrapment efficiency and particle size were dependent variables and lipid and surfactant concentration were independent variables. Optimized formulation of pioglitazone hydrochloride (PLS 5) shows 79.69± 1.35% entrapment efficiency, 94.63± 2.10% drug content and particle size was found to be 23.74± 0.35μm with spherical shaped free flowing particles. In vitro release was carried out using dissolution apparatus in 0.1N HCl and optimized formulation shows 96.06 ± 0.54 % drug release within 8 hrs. which follows quasi-fickian type of transport and was characterized by the Korsmeyer- Peppas model. Formulation was stable at 5 oC ± 3 oC for two months. Developed liposphere formulation was able to sustain the drug release and entrap the pioglitazone hydrochloride drug at high level.

Review on Molecular Diagnostic Techniques in Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Friedreich’s ataxia is a commonly inherited neurodegenerative disease with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, and was described by Nikolaus Friedreich first in 1863. Friedreich’s ataxia is caused due to hyperexpansion of the intronic GAA trinucleotide repeats or mutations in the FXN gene on chromosome 9q13. This gene codes for a mitochondrial protein, frataxin, which is highly conserved in many species and has functions in iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis. Friedreich’s ataxia mainly results from a deficiency of the frataxin protein, due to mutations in the FXN gene. Formation of sticky DNA, formation of DNA-RNA hybrid and epigenetic changes, including methylation of DNA and histone modifications, are the proposed mechanisms for disruption of FXN gene expression. Most cases of Friedreich’s ataxia are homozygous and caused due to expansion of the GAA trinucleotide repeat in the first intron of the FXN gene, however, some cases can be heterozygous, with GAA expansion in one allele and point mutation or deletion in the FXN gene on the other allele. Therefore, diagnosis of the disease based on only the clinical symptoms becomes difficult. Molecular diagnosis is, therefore, important, in order to detect GAA repeat expansions as well as mutations in the FXN gene. This review represents an overview of the molecular diagnostic studies in Friedreich’s ataxia, including an overview of the disease, as well as the gene and protein involved in the disease and techniques that can be useful in diagnosis of the Friedreich’s ataxia. The described methods include tools that are based on analysis of DNA as well as analysis of mRNA and protein levels. A brief description of mutations found in compound heterozygous Friedreich’s ataxia patients, is also provided.

A Comprehensive Review on Ethosomes.

Ethosomes are noninvasive delivery carriers that enable drugs to reach the deep skin layers and the systemic circulation. Although ethosomal systems are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in their preparation, safe for use a combination that can highly expand their application. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles tailored for enhanced delivery of active agents. Because of their unique structure, ethosomes are able to encapsulate and deliver through the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as cannabinoids, testosterone, and minoxidil, as well as cationic drugs such as propranolol, trihexaphenidyl, Cyclosporine, insulin, salbutamol etc. Enhanced delivery of bioactive molecules through the skin and cellular membranes by means of an ethosomal carrier opens numerous challenges and opportunities for the research and future development of novel improved therapies. Ethosomes are gaining popularity in designing drug delivery systems for topical and transdermal use for their capability to reach deep skin layers and systemic circulation. Although ethosomes are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in preparation and safe for use. Although with their high efficiency, the ethosomes show potential for expansion of their applications. The aim of the review to make a comprehensive account on properties and preparation of ethosomes followed by the characterization and the list of drugs encapsulated in ethosomes in last 15 years.

In-vivo and in-vitro screening of medicinal plants for their anti-inflammatory activity: an overview.

Despite the progress made in medical research for the past decades, the treatment of many serious diseases is still problematic. Inflammation is the response of living tissues to injury. It involves a complex array of enzyme activation, mediator release, extravasations of fluid, cell migration, tissue breakdown and repair. Inflammation has become the focus of global scientific research because of its implication in virtually all human and animal diseases. As a result of adverse effects such as gastric lesions caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), tolerance and dependence induced by opiates, the use of these drugs as antiinflammatory agents have not been successful in all cases. Therefore, new anti-inflammatory drugs lacking these side effects are being researched as alternatives to NSAID and opiates. Attention is being focused on the investigation of the efficacy of plant-based drugs used in the traditional medicine because they are cheap, have little side effects. Hence, in the present review the various animal models used for preclinical screening anti-inflammatory activity herbs was compiled.

Adsorption of arsenic from aqueous solution on naturally available red soil.

In the present study arsenate and arsenite removal from naturally available red soil in and around Western Ghats of Maharashtra near Mumbai has been investigated. The parameters like adsorbent dose, operating pH, contact time, initial arsenite concentration, adsorbent particle size, etc. on the removal of arsenite and arsenate are examined. Kinetic study in centrifuge vessel reveals that uptake of As (III) ions is rapid in the first two hours and slows down thereafter. Maximum removal efficiency of As (III) achieved is 98% at an adsorbent dose of 45 g l-1 with initial As (III) concentration of 1000 1g l-1 in batch studies and 95% at 25 g l-1 absorbent dose under the same conditions. Equilibrium time is almost independent of initial arsenite concentration. Equilibrium studies show that As (III) ions have high affinity towards red soil even at very low concentration of arsenite. In speciation study, about 25% conversion to As (V) from As (III) is observed, with initial As (III) concentration of 1000 1gl -1 and at 25 g l-1 adsorbent dose. The results suggest that red soil could be used as effective filter medium for removal of arsenic from water.

Frequency of major affective disorders in first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: A genetic link between diabetes and depression has been proposed, but hardly explored. Data on family studies exploring relation between depression and diabetes are scanty. This study attempted to assess the prevalence of major affective disorders in first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T 2 DM). METHODS: Fifty probands with T 2 DM, in whom other psychiatric disorders had been excluded, were chosen. Morbid risks and prevalence figures for depression and mania were estimated in 481 first-degree relatives of these 50 probands using the family interview for genetic studies. RESULTS: Of the 481 first-degree relatives of probands, only six had affective disorders. The morbid risk for depression in first-degree relatives was 2.99 and 3.87 per cent, assuming age of risk at 15-60 and 15-50 yr respectively, while the morbid risk for mania was 0.59 and 0.77 per cent in these age groups. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The morbid risks/prevalence rates among first-degree relatives of probands with T2 DM were not higher than those of the general population rates derived from earlier Indian and western studies. This study did not demonstrate a family aggregation of affective disorders in patients with T 2 DM. Increased prevalence of affective disorders in diabetes could be due to non-genetic factors.