Development of cetyl dimethicone based water-in-oil emulsion containing botanicals: Physical characteristics and stability

The aim of current research was to develop a water-in-oil emulsion containing grape seed extract for application in cosmeceuticals. Finally grinded dried grape seeds powder was extracted with hydro alcoholic mixture. Emulsions consisting of different concentrations of cetyl dimethicone [Abile EM90], the nonionic emulsifier, liquid paraffin as oily phase and water as aqueous phase were developed. Color, odor, pH, viscosity, liquefaction, phase separation, centrifugation and thermal stability of the formulated emulsions were observed at various storage temperatures i.e. 8 +/- 0.5[degree sign] C, 25 +/- 0.5[degree sign] C, 40 +/- 0.5[degree sign] C and 40[degree sign] C +/- 0.5[degree sign] C with 70% RH. The stable formulation consist of 16% mineral oil, 4% of ABIL EM 90[registered sign], 4% grape seeds extract, 1% rose oil and 75% distilled water. All the results derived from this study showed good stability over the three months study period which indicates w/o emulsion can be used as carrier of 4% grape seeds extract to enhance desired effects when applied topically

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ibuprofen controlled release matrix tablets using hydrophilic Eudragit® polymer and co-excipients

The present study was conducted to formulate controlled release dosage forms containing Ibuprofen with Eudragit® S 100 polymer. The tablets were formulated at three different ratios with the polymer to investigate the effect of different concentrations of polymer on in vitro drug release patterns/kinetics and in vivo absorption/pharmacokinetics. Pre-formulation studies were conducted including bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index, Hausner ratio and angle of repose. In vitro studies were conducted using phosphate buffer [pH 7.4] as dissolution medium. In vivo performance was evaluated using albino rabbits. Physico-chemical characteristics [i.e. dimensional tests, weight variation, hardness, friability and drug content determination] fell in the USP acceptable limits. The compressibility index was found to range between 12.02 +/- 0.01% and 18.66 +/- 0.03%, the Hausner ratio varied between 1.02 +/- 0.01 and 1.19 +/- 0.10 and the angle of repose ranged from 15.19 +/- 0.01 to 24.52 +/- 0.10, all indicating better flow properties than the bulk-reference standard. Both bulk and tapped densities also fell in the USP acceptable range. Ibuprofen market tablets showed T[max] of 2.1 +/- 0.4h, which was significantly [P-value <0.05] lower compared to that of the reference standard [i.e. 4.09 +/- 1.3h]. Ibuprofen test formulation has a half-life [T[1/2]] of 16.9 +/- 2.5h, which was significantly [P-value<0.001] higher compared to that of the reference standard [i.e. 9.23 +/- 2.9h]. Eudragit® S 100 polymers can be used efficiently to develop directly compressed prolonged release tablets

Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water [O/W] emulsion improves barrier function in healthy human subjects

This study aimed to investigate the changes in skin barrier function in human subjects, following long-term topical application of Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water [O/W] emulsion whereas effects were measred using non-invasive probes like tewameter and corneometer. For this purpose, two stable oil-in-water [O/W] emulsions were formulated one with 5% Hippophae rhamnoides extract and other without extracts. Thirteen healthy, male subjects with a mean age 27 +/- 4.8 years were enrolled after their informed consents. The subjects were instructed to apply either the active formulation or the base formulation over 84 days while they were not known with the contents of either formulation. Biometrological measurements of skin hydration and transepidermal water loss [TEWL] were performed on both sides of the face in each volunteer at baseline and on day 07, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84. The statistical analysis revealed formulation with 5% plant extract was superior compared to placebo [base formulation] as formulation with extract have shown extremely significant improvements in skin hydration [p=0.0003] and TEWL [p=0.0087] throughout treatment course. Moreover, a significant [p

Retrospective analysis of 68 cases of dengue fever

Dengue is a mosquito-borne febrile disease caused by any of the four serotypes of the dengue virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. To study the clinical manifestations and treatment practices of Dengue cases in Pakistan. Retrospective record based analysis of dengue cases was performed in 3 general hospitals of Punjab during the 2010 outbreak. Only confirmed dengue IgM [ELISA] cases were further analyzed. WHO guidelines were used to evaluate the method of diagnosis and treatment. A total of 125 suspected dengue cases were admitted in these hospitals out of which dengue IgM was positive in 68 cases. Out of 68 cases, 60[88.2%] were of dengue fever and 8[11.8%] were dengue hemorrhage fever. Tourniquet test was not performed in any case. Sixty [88.8%] cases were males. The ages of the patients ranged from 4-60 years. Sixty five patients [96%] had fever followed by myalgia in 48[70%], headache in 33[48.8%], vomiting in 30[44.8%], weakness in 48[38.4%] and abdominal pain in 25[20%] cases. Thrombocytopenia was present in 60 cases [88.8%]. In 54[43.2%] cases platelet count was below 50,000. Leucopenia was present in 45 cases [66.4%]. Analgesics were prescribed in 52 cases. Fluid replacement therapy was used in 59[87.2%] which consisted of either dextrose water or ringer's lactate or normal saline. Antibiotics were prescribed in 47 cases. WHO guidelines were not followed in the diagnosis and management of these cases. WHO guidelines for the diagnosis and management of dengue fever were not followed thus leading to unnecessary treatment and waste of resources