Formulation and Dissolution enhancement of Meloxicam tablets using Polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and Povidone in combination

Meloxicam is a poor water soluble drug mostly prescribed in various rheumatic diseases. The present research study was design to formulate and increase the solubility of meloxicam in the tablet dosage form. A 32 full factorial design was employed to optimize meloxicam formulations. Polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer [PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer] and Povidone were taken as independent variables while cumulative drug release at 90 minutes was selected as dependent variable. All trial formulations complied with official standards. Multiple regression by Microsoft Excel on cumulative drug release of the selected formulations [F1, F2, F6- F9] showed the positive effect of PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer [[alpha] = 0.05] and a negative effect of Povidone [[alpha] = 0.05]. Formulation six [F6] [PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer 3 mg and Povidone 22.5 mg / tablet] was considered as the optimal formulation based on its cumulative drug release. Dissolution kinetics by model dependent analysis predicted Weibull [R[2]=0.99] as the best fit model in describing meloxicam dissolution kinetics. The role of PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer should be explored with other solubilizers in future studies

Levels of trace elements in commercial fruit juieces in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Potable water, fruit juices and soft drinks are some of the most widespread beverages in the habitual diet, and they can contribute to trace element dietary intake. Heavy metals 'toxicity is the result of their interactions with the enzymatic systems from the animal cells or some constituents of cells' membranes. Population can be contaminated with heavy metals by ingestion of contaminated or polluted food and water. The concentration of heavy metals in food products is varied, depending on their origin, storage conditions and processing technologies

Studies on the quantification and comparison of dissolution profiles of two brands of meloxicam tablets

A simple model independent approach using a similarity factor [f2] and a difference factor [f1] to compare dissolution profiles as proposed by Moore and Flanner was used to evaluate the in vitro equivalence of two brands of meloxicam tablets. Our results showed that the two meloxicam formulations are not equivalent in vitro. Thus it is recommended that the same formulations should be evaluated to in vivo studies in order to find whether a co-relation exists between in vitro dissolution and in vivo bioavailability

Concentration of trace elements in human and animal milk in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Human milk is the first food human encounter and it serves as the sole source of all nutrients required for the biological functions and growth during the early stages of life. Trace elements contents are therefore of importance from nutritional point of view. Moreover, accurate data on the concentrations of trace elements in human milk throughout early lactation are important for developing milk formula substitutes. Raw milk as it comes from cow is the natural substitute to human milk for infant feeding. It is now recognized that both too little and excessive amounts of minerals pose health hazards for the infants. This study was directed to measure the concentrations of zinc [Zn], iron [Fe], copper [Cu], chromium [Cr], Cadmium [Cd], manganese [Mn] and lead [Pb] in human milk and in cow milk samples available in and around Jeddah city. A total of 108 human milk samples and 80 fresh cow milk samples were analyzed after wet digestion for the seven trace elements using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu and Fe in human milk are higher than the corresponding values in cow milk while the mean concentrations of Cr, Mn, Pb and Cd in human milk are lower than the corresponding values in cow milk. The concentrations of all elements in human milk collected in the afternoon are higher than those in samples collected in the morning. The experimental results show that there is an apparent decline in the mean elemental concentration levels as the stage of lactation progressed. Our results for human milk are also compared with the corresponding values of different countries available in literature

Screening of antibacterial activity of different brands of co-trimoxazole paediatric suspension available in the local market

Sulfonamides are the drug of choice for number of infections like pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, nocardiosis, urinary tract infections. Sulfonamides are most commonly used in combinations such as [Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole] [TMP+SMZ] or co-trimoxazole. Sixty five isolates belonging to five different species, E. coli [22], S. aureus [18], Klebsiella [05], Pseudomonas [16] and Proteus [04] were used for screening antibacterial activity against different brands [A-G] of Co-trimoxazole by disc diffusion method. Brand G exhibited highest activity against E. coli with mean zone of inhibition 41mm +/-2.3 standard deviation. The antibacterial activity against other species S. aureus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas were found as: [mean +/- standard deviation] observed as 39.73 mm +/- 10.59 mm +/- 38 mm +/- 2 and 24.93 mm +/- 5.32. However all isolates of Proteus were found resistant against different brands of co-trimoxazole