Development and evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal tablet containing metronidazole for the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis

The current study was designed to evaluate mucoadhesive buccal tablet containing metronidazole [MTZ] for local action aided by Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K4M [HPMC] and Carbopol 940® [CP] as mucoadhesive polymers with other ingredients like sodium starch glycolate [SSG], polyvinyl pyrollidone K30 [PVP] as disintegrant and binders respectively. Formulations [F1-F8] were prepared by direct compression method and characterized for different physicochemical parameters. Results showed that the average weight and friability were within USP limits. Maximum mucoadhesive time was observed for F2 [14 hr] containing moderate amount of HPMC and CP used in the study. Up most mucoadhesive strength value was observed with F3 containing highest amount of HPMC used. Results indicated that high amount of HPMC was linked with the moderate to higher mucoadhesive strength and time. Maximum swelling index was observed in F7 [191.3%]. Only F1-F3 showed complete in vitro MTZ release within 3 hr. Formulations containing PVP released MTZ incompletely over time while SSG released earlier. Formulation F1 was considered best in terms of MTZ release [100.5%] with diffusion based Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics. Therefore, MTZ exhibiting best physicochemical characters in mucoadhesive buccal tablet was found in F1 containing HPMC and CP in amounts of 37.5 mg and 25 mg, respectively, for local action

Impact of pharmacist's intervention on disease related knowledge, medication adherence, HRQoL and control of blood pressure among hypertensive patients

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of educational intervention provided to the patients of hypertension through pharmacist with the goal to improve knowledge about hypertension, adherence to prescribed medicines, blood pressure control and HRQoL [Health Related Quality of Life]. A total of 384 patients were assigned randomly into 2 groups including intervention and control groups each having 192 patients. Urdu versions of knowledge questionnaire regarding hypertension, medication adherence scale [MMAS-U] by Morisky and EuroQol scale [EQ-5D] were utilized. Each patient's blood pressure was measured. After educational intervention, an increase was found in mean knowledge score about hypertension [18.18 +/- 4.00], adherence score [5.89 +/- 1.90], HRQoL score [0.73 +/- 0.12] and Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] score [69.39 +/- 5.90] among the IG. The blood pressure control also improved and lower systolic [131.81 +/- 10.98 mmHg] and diastolic blood pressures [83.75 +/- 6.21 mmHg] were observed among the patients of IG. This study showed that educational programs are useful for patients in increasing patient's levels of knowledge about hypertension, improving adherence to prescribed medication and enhancing blood pressure control. This increase is in turn accountable to improve HRQoL

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of colchicines and naproxen sodium sustain release tablets in combination for treatment of gout

Present investigation concern with combination of two drugs for the treatment of gout. One of these drug [naproxen sodium] is pain killer which is sustain their action within the body for 12 hours and the other drug [colchicine] is anti-gout, which release as conventional dosage. After oral administration naproxen will act as sustain release dosage and increase patient compliance about six batches of tablet were developed and evaluate .For the sustain release action polymers Methocel K4M and HPMCK15were used. These polymers were used in combination used with other inactive ingredients. Two methods were used for proration of final tablets. In 1[st] method only naproxen sodium granules were prepared which are sustained released. In second method these granules were mixed with colchicines powder and other all inactive ingredients. This method is easy and cost effective characterization of pallets and final tablets were performed. Final tablets were evaluated for all tests like appearance, friability, dissolution, hardness, assay, weight variation and in-vitro release study performed. The results obtained were satisfactory and complies with USP specification. Formulation containing combination of Methocel K4M and HPMC K15 showed good sustain release profile for 12 hours

Microbial and chemical analysis of illicit drugs samples confiscated from different areas of Pakistan

The microbial and chemical analysis of illicit drug samples from different areas of Pakistan i.e. Quetta, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad was conducted in a cross-sectional study at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. The drug samples were confiscated by Anti Narcotics Force [ANF], Pakistan. Microbial analysis was done by estimating bioburden which revealed the presence of gram negative and positive bacteria's, fungus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus species. Trypton soya agar was used for total aerobic count, MacConkey agar for gram-negative bacteria, Sabouraud dextrose agar for fungus and Vogel-Johnson agar for Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Colour tests were applied to identify the drug samples. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of suspected samples of Heroin, morphine, cocaine and acetic anhydride was made by employing different chromatographic techniques i.e. Thin-layer chromatography [TLC] and High-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. The samples were found to be adulterated with paracetamol, diazepam and Dextromethorphen. Acetic anhydride was adulterated with hydrochloric acid [HCl]. There is lack of information providing structured advice on responses to the consequences of illicit drug adulteration. Robust and rehearsed interventions and communication strategies would provide a basis for response for a wide variety of organisations. Research into the usefulness of media warnings about adulteration of illicit drugs is required

Comparative phytochemical, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of various samples of Swertia chirayita collected from various cities of Pakistan

Medicinal plants are crucial for about 80% of the world population in developing and developed countries for their primary and basic health care needs owing to better tolerability, superior compatibility with human body and having lesser side effects. The present study was conducted on various solvent extracts of three plant samples of Indian and Nepali origin Swertia Chirayita [Roxb.] Buch-ham [Chiratia] collected from various places to establish their comparative phytochemical analysis, chromatographic profile, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. Nepali Swertia Chirayita was found to have finest Chromatographic profile [TLC]. Phytochemical analysis revealed Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, ascorbic acid, glycosides, steroids and triterpenoids in all samples. Different solvent fractions of the methanolic plant extracts of Swertia chirayita were assessed for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. The grade of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase [SGOT/AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT/ALT] and total bilirubin. The in-vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts was also evaluated by the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] free radical scavenging assay. The methanolic and aqueous extracts, at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, produced significant [P<0.05] hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of the serum enzymes and bilirubin while there were marked scavenging of the DPPH free radicals by the fractions. Decreased observed in the biochemical parameters suggests that the plant extracts possesses hepatoprotective as well as antioxidant activities without any significant variation amongst them. These activities reside mainly in the methanolic extract of whole plant

Preparation and characterization of chloramphenicol niosomes and comparison with chloramphnicol eye drops [0.5%w/v] in experimental conjunctivitis in albino rabbits

Niosomes has gained tremendous popularity as ultimate drug carrier. Lot of research work is being carried out on preparation of niosomes for ophthalmic use having no significant effect on vision and its sustained release pattern. Chloramphenicol niosomes were prepared using two different ratios of cholesterol, drug and surfactant, termed as EIN-1, EIN-2 by ether injection method and their entrapment efficiency, particle size. The in vitro drug release pattern was observed for ten hours. The EIN-2 showed 90% entrapment and released 81% of entrapped drug after 10 hours. Zeta potential and viscosity were determined and in vivo comparison was made with Chloramphenicol eye drops where it exhibited Cmax of 15 microg/ml. Stability studies were done to determine shelf life. MIC of selected strain of S. aureus was also determined. EIN 2 niosomal suspension was compared with Chloramphenicol eye drops in experimental conjunctivitis in albino rabbits. In vitro studies are encouraging as niosomes released about 75% of total entrapped drug by EIN-1 and 81% of total entrapped drug by EIN-2. In vivo study shows that niosomes released the drug in eye in acceptable range and showed a sustained release pattern without affecting the vision. Niosomes were found ultimate ophthalmic drug carriers capable to release drug in sustained and determined pattern