Rp-Hplc Method Development And Validation For The Combination Of Imiquimod And Salicylic Acid

Objective: The present study was undertaken to develop and validate an RP-HPLC method for the combination of imiquimod and salicylic acid Methods: The method was carried out on Nucleodur C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 ????m) using low-pressure gradient elution mode. The mobile phase was used as 30M potassium dihydrogen phosphate and acetonitrile (45:55) pH 6.5 adjusted using ortho-phosphoric acid. The concentration of solvents was 1-20 µg/ml and the volume of injection was 20 mcl with the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The absorption maxima of salicylic acid and imiquimod were found 234 nm and 226 nm, respectively. Results: The method was validated and showed the linearity greater than 0.99% and with precision (RSD%<1). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of salicylic acid was found to be 0.09756 µg/ml and 0.2956 µg/ml, respectively, and imiquimod was found to be 0.044031 µg/ml and 0.13334 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The method developed in the present study was found to be sensitive, specific, and can be applied for the simultaneous estimation of imiquimod and salicylic acid.

Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: Comparison between ante-mortem and post-mortem cultures in trauma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ante‑mortem tracheal aspirates for diagnosis of ventilator‑associated pneumonia (VAP). Trauma victims represent an otherwise healthy population, who are on multiple invasive life‑support devices, which predispose them to severe infections like VAP. The diagnosis of VAP is challenging, due to the difficulty in obtaining a representative sample from lungs. We studied the diagnostic utility of tracheal aspirates by comparing its results with the post‑mortem lung cultures. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 fatal trauma patients were included in the study. Lung samples and cardiac blood were taken for culture at the time of autopsy. The results of ante‑mortem and post‑mortem cultures were compared. Results: Septicemia was the cause of death in 51 (48%) of the fatal cases and VAP was identified in 36 (34%) cases. A total of 96 (90.5%) cases had pathogens isolated from lung samples. In 62 (58%) cases, the same organism was isolated from ante‑mortem and post‑mortem respiratory samples. Conclusions: Culture results of a properly collected tracheal aspirate should be taken into consideration along with Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) diagnostic criteria to maximise the diagnosis of VAP.

Preparation, Characterization and In-vitro Evaluation of Microcapsules for Controlled Release of Diltiazem Hydrochloride by Ionotropic Gelation Technique.

The problems of frequent administration and variable low bioavailability after oral administration of conventional dosage forms of diltiazem can be attenuated by designing it in the form of microcapsules which would facilitate intimate contact with the absorption surface and thereby improve and enhance the bioavailability. Diltiazem-loaded microcapsules were successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique employing Sodium carboxy methylcellulose, Xanthan gum as rate controlling polymers and Aluminium chloride as cross linking agent. Microcapsules obtained were discrete, spherical, free flowing and showed a maximum encapsulation efficiency of 91.20 ± 0.08%. Particle size of the microcapsules was found to be in the range of 1009 – 1311 μm. Interaction studies performed using FTIR spectroscopy revealed that there were no drug and polymer interactions. The drug remained dispersed in the polymer matrix in amorphous state, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro drug release follows matrix-diffusion controlled release and the release mechanism was non-Fickian type controlled by swelling and relaxation of polymer. There was no significant change in drug content and cumulative drug release of drug-loaded microcapsules stored at different storage condition after 90 days. From the study, it was concluded that diltiazem loaded microcapsules could be successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique with high entrapment efficiency and prolonged release characteristics.

Free radical scavenging and metal chelation by Tinospora cordifolia, a possible role in radioprotection.

Aqueous extract of T. cordifolia inhibited Fenton (FeSO4) reaction and radiation mediated 2-deoxyribose degradation in a dose dependent fashion with an IC50 value of 700 microg/ml for both Fenton and radiation mediated 2-DR degradation. Similarly, it showed a moderate but dose dependent inhibition of chemically generated superoxide anion at 500 microg/ml concentration and above with an IC50 value of 2000 microg/ml. Aqueous extract inhibited the formation of Fe2+-bipiridyl complex and formation of comet tail by chelating Fe2+ ions in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 150 microg/ml for Fe2+-bipirydyl formation and maximally 200 microg/ml for comet tail formation, respectively. The extract inhibited ferrous sulphate mediated lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 1300 microg/ml and maximally (70%) at 2000 microg/ml. The results reveal that the direct and indirect antioxidant actions of T. cordifolia probably act in corroboration to manifest the overall radioprotective effects.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in blood donors: screening by micromethaemoglobin reduction test.

500 blood donors were screened for G6PD deeiciency using micromethaemoglobin reduction (microMRT) test. Most of the blood donors were young adult males (95.8%). The overall incidence of G6PD deficiency was found to be 0.8%. There, was apparently decreased frequency of G6PD deficient blood donors with increasing age, and no relation could be ascertained between G6PD) deficiency and blood groups.

Iron chelation and related properties of Podophyllum hexandrum, a possible role in radioprotection.

Aqueous extract of Podophyllum species has been reported to render significant protection against radiation induced mortality, cytogenetic damage and cell death. In view of this, present study was undertaken to investigate its antioxidant properties. Chelation, oxidation and reduction of Fe2+ and Fe3+ were measured using chelating agents 2-2' bipiridyl and potassium thiocyanate respectively. Podophyllum extract, in a dose dependent manner, chelated Fe2+ more efficiently than Fe3+ and also modulated Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio. Homogenate of mouse liver was used to measure TBARS for estimating lipid peroxidation. Podophyllum extract also inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner and maximum inhibition (92%) was achieved at 1000 micrograms/ml concentration. These results demonstrates that Podophyllum exhibits antioxidant properties as seen through chelation and modulation of redox state of iron ions and these may primarily contribute towards its radioprotective manifestation.