Microbial spoilage, instability risk of antacid suspension in the presence of commonly used preservative system

Manifestation of microbial spoilage of any product by bacteria and to assess the effectiveness of the antimicrobial preservatives [parabens] used for the prevention and stability purpose. The aim of the present work is to study the effectiveness of preservatives used in the antacid suspensions and to analyze the effect of microbial growth on the quality of respective antacid suspensions. Samples of various antacid suspensions were randomly collected from local market and Government hospital pharmacies. Three different antacid formulations were prepared in the laboratory. All the formulations were preliminarily evaluated on the basis of organoleptic characteristics, pH, viscosity and assay. Efficacy of the preservative system in suspension formulation was determined by inoculating the samples in its final container, with specific strains of bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, taking samples from the inoculated preparation at specified intervals of time i.e. 0 time, 07 days, 14 days and 28 days, growing it on nutrient agar medium and colony forming units [CPUs] were scored by plate count. At the same time the samples were also subjected to qualitative and quantitative testing. The decrease in CPU and alteration in assay, pH and viscosity was observed in all the formulations except formulation M2 and F3 that showed stability throughout the study period

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of selected medicinal plants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

In present study, the anti-inflammatory potential of three medicinal plants, Xanthium strumarium, Achyranthes aspera and Duchesnea indica were evaluated, using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Carrageenan induced hind paw edema model was used to carry out the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, while for in vitro screening lipoxygenase inhibition assay was used. Crude extract of all the selected plants depicted significant [p

Anti-inflammatory activity of the topical preparation of Valeriana wallichii and Achyranthes aspera leaves

In vivo and in vitro screening of anti inflammatory activity of Valeriana wallichii and Achyranthes aspera leaves crude extract was performed, using standardized procedures. Methanolic crude extract topical formulation [cream] of Valeriana wallichii and Achyranthes aspera leaves [Family Valerianaceae and Amaranthaceae respectively], were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity, through "Carrageenan induced hind paw edema" test, for their effect on the acute and chronic phase inflammation models in male Wistar rats. Methanolic extract and its fractions were also evaluated for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using lipoxygenase inhibition assay. Leaves of Valeriana wallichii showed significant [p<0.001], dose dependant anti inflammatory activity, comparable with that of the standard, in animal model. The ethyl acetate fraction of Valeriana wallichii also showed considerable [IC 50=73 +/- 0.36] in vitro antiinflammatory activity as compared to standard [6.11 +/- 0.02]. Similarly Achyranthes aspera leaves showed relatively weak [p>0.05] in vivo anti- inflammatory activity. However, its activity was comparable with that of standard at 10% concentration after 5 hrs of carrageenan injection. This activity was present in ethyl acetate fraction during in vitro screening [IC 50=76 +/- 0.14] as compared to that of standard [IC 50=6.11 +/- 0.02]. The combined in vitro and in vivo Antiinflammatory screening shows that the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract of Valeriana wallichii and Achyranthes aspera can be used for the isolation of new Anti-inflammatory lead compounds

Metal analysis, phytotoxic, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of selected medicinal plants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In the present study four medicinal plants traditionally used in Pakistan for treatment of various ailments were evaluated for their heavy metals content, insecticidal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic actions. The metals like Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe and Co were determined in crude extract and various fractions. Soil samples were also tested for heavy metals to determine assimilation of any metal by the plant. Lead, chromium, copper, nickel and cobalt exceeded the permissible limit in most of the tested samples while the concentration of zinc, manganese and iron was within the permissible limit. Chloroform fraction from Achyranthes aspera and ethyl acetate fraction from Duchesnea indica showed significant phytotoxic activities. Crude extract and chloroform fraction from Xanthium strumarium showed insecticidal activity comparable to that of permethrin and thus could be a significant source of natural insecticide. The butanol fraction from X. strumarium showed significant cytotoxicity with LC[50] 1.9306 microg/ml, having mortality rate 93% at highest dose, while the crude extract from Valeriana wallichii showed 90% mortality rate [LC[50] 4.9730 microg/ml] at highest dose. However, the extracts from other plants were not effective against the brine shrimps tested

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of leaf extract of Valeriana wallichii DC

Valeriana wallichii DC [Valerianaceae] is one of the most widely used traditional remedies for various complications associated with nervous system and digestion. No antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory studies have so far been carried out on the aerial parts of the plant. The present work was focused to evaluate the antimicrobial [antifungal and antibacterial] and anti-inflammatory properties of Valeriana wallichii using reported methods. Chloroform fraction [VW-2] and hexane fraction [VW-3] exhibited significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilus, respectively. The chloroform fraction [VW-2] showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus with 0.27 mg/ml MIC, where 0.31 mg/ml MIC was deduced for hexaune fraction [VW-3] against Bacillus subtilus. Hexaune fraction [VW-3] was also found to be the most potent inhibitor of Microsporum canis, showing 70% inhibition with an MIC value of 0.19 mg/ml. Considerable inhibitory activity was also observed for Chloroform fraction [VW-2] and water fraction [VW-6] against Microsporum canis and Aspergillus flavus. A remarkable anti-inflammatory like activity was observed for the crude extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg at all observed durations. Other doses of the sample also showed excellent activity. Looking to these results it may be concluded that Valeriana wallichii may be a potential source for activity guided isolation of natural products with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory-like properties

Preparation and in-vitro in-vivo evaluation of sustained release matrix diclofenac sodium tablets using PVP-k90 and natural gums

Conventional dosage form is nowadays mostly replaced by sustained release formulation in order to increase drug efficacy and patient compliance. The sustained release properties of the PVP K90 alone and in combination with guar gum, xanthan gum and gum tragacanth were evaluated using diclofenac sodium [100 mg/tablet] as a model drug. Tablets were processed using wet granulation method and evaluated for sustained drug release properties. The drug release from the formulations was studied in relationship with Commercially available Diclofenac Sodium SR, used as a reference tablets and results were expressed as similarity [f1] and differential factor [f2]. The tablets prepared using PVP K90 160 mg/tablet sustained the release of diclofenac sodium for 12 hours. Formulations where the PVP K90 was partially replaced with different gums also sustained the release of drug for 12 hours. The release of the drug from these formulations mainly followed Higuchi model and super case-II and Non-Fickian diffusion. The in-vivo drug release was studied in healthy human volunteers using non-blinded cross over, two period design using Diclofenac Sodium SR Tablets as a reference drug. The relative bioavailability of the formulation containing PVP K90 and gum tragacanth was 0.91. The studies showed that the use of the PVP K90 in combination with gum tragacanth both in-vitro and in-vivo sustained the release of the drug