Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Calligonum polygonoides stem and buds

In the present study we demonstrate the identification of phenolic compounds and the phenolic contents of the methanol extracts from stem and buds of Calligonum polygonoides with antioxidant activity. Eleven and nine phenolic compounds were identified and quantified from stem and buds, respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. p-Coumaric acid was predominant in stem and gallic acid in buds. In general, the samples with the highest phenolic contents had the highest antioxidant activities. Stem and buds sparked attention due to their high phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. The Results from present study reveal that the C. polygonoides could be considered as a promising source of antioxidant phytochemicals

Comparison of chemical composition of aerva javanica seed essential oils obtained by different extraction methods

Aerva javanica [Burm.f.] Juss. ex Schult. seed essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation [HD] and dry steam distillation [SD] extracting methods and analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry[GC-MS]. Twenty and eighteen components representing 90.5% and 95.6% of the seed essential oil were identified, using hydrodistillation and dry steam distillation, respectively. The major constituent identified from seed essential oil obtained by HD were heptacosane [25.4%], 3-allyl-6-methoxyphenol [14.1%], pentacosane [12.1%], 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone [7.9%], nonacosane [7.1%], tricosane [3.6%], alpha-farnesene [3.5%], dodecanal [2.7%] and octacosane [2.1%]. Whereas the major constituent identified from seed essential oil obtained by SD were heptacosane [41.4%], pentacosane [21.2%], nonacosane [14.8%], tricosane [6.3%], octacosane [4.2%] and tetracosane [3.0%]

Synthesis, characterization and biological screening of N-substituted derivatives of 5-benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2yl-2''-sulfanyl acetamide

A series of new N-substituted derivatives of 5-benzyl-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2yl-2''-sulfanyl acetamide [6a-n] were synthesized in three phases. The first phase involved the sequentially converting phenyl acetic acid into ester, hydrazide and finally cyclized in the presence of CS[2] to afford 5-benzyl-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-thiol. In the second phase N-substituted-2-bromoacetamides were prepared by reacting substituted amines with bromoacetyl bromide in basic media. In the third phase, 5-benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol was stirred with N-substituted-2-bromoacetamides in the presence of N,N-dimethyl formamide [DMF] and sodium hydride [NaH] to get the target compounds. Spectral techniques were used to confirm the structures of synthesized compounds. Synthesized compounds were screened against butyrylcho linesterase [BChE], acetylcholinesterase [AChE], and lipoxygenase enzymes [LOX] and were found to be relatively more active against acetylcholinesterase

Synthesis, characterization and biological screening of sulfonamides derived form 2-phenylethylamine

In the present study, a series of N-substituted derivatives of 2-phenylethylamine has been synthesized. The reaction of 2-phenylethylamine [1] with benzene sulfonyl chloride [2] yielded N-[2-phenylethyl] benzenesulfonamide [3], which further on treatment with alkyl/acyl halides [4a-i] in the presence of sodium hydride furnished into Nsubstituted sulfonamides [5a-i]. These derivatives were characterized by IR, [1]H-NMR and EI-MS and then screened against acetyl cholinesterase [AChE], butyryl cholinesterase [BChE] and lipoxygenase enzyme [LOX] and were found to be potent inhibitors of butyryl cholinesterase only

Cotinus coggyria: a rich source of antioxidants

Methanolic extract of Cotinus coggyria Scop. was mixed in distilled water and partitioned first with the n-hexane, then with chloroform, then ethyl acetate and at the end with n-butanol. The phytochemical screening of plant showed presence of the phenolics, cardiac glycosides and flavonoides in large amount in the chloroform, n-butanol and ethyl acetate soluble fraction. Antioxidant activity of these four fractions and the left behind aqueous fraction was measured by four methods such as: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] free radical scavenging activity, ferric thiocyanate assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] assay and total antioxidant activity. Total phenolics were also measured. Noteworthy antioxidant potential was shown by the chloroform, n-butanol and ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed. Ethyl acetate fraction showed highest% inhibition of the DPPH radical when compared with the other studied fractions i.e. 81.64 +/- 1.29% inhibition of the DPPH radical at the concentration of 30 microg/ml. Its IC[50] value was found to be 15.58 +/- 0.09 microg/ml, comparative to the butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT], which has IC[50] value 12.6 +/- 0.85microg/mL. This fraction also showed the highest lipid peroxidation inhibition [61.41 +/- 1.16%], as well as highest values of FRAP [697.76 +/- 1.98 microg of trolox equivalents] total antioxidant activity [1.02 +/- 0.09] and total phenolic contents [229.34 +/- 0.57] comparative to the other studied fractions. The chloroform and n-butanol soluble fraction also showed good results for all the studied antioxidant assays

Formulation and evaluation of olanzapine matrix pellets for controlled release

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic used in treatment of schizophrenia. This research was carried out to design oral controlled release matrix pellets of water insoluble drug Olanzapine [OZ], using blend of Sodium Alginate [SA] and Glyceryl Palmito-Stearate [GPS] as matrix polymers, micro crystalline cellulose [MCC] as spheronizer enhancer and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate [SLS] as pore forming agent. OZ formulations were developed by the pelletization technique by drug loaded pellets and characterized with regard to the drug content, size distribution, Scanning Electron Microscopy [SEM], Differential Scanning Calorimetry [DSC], Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy [FTIR] and X-ray Diffraction study [XRD]. Stability studies were carried out on the optimized formulation for a period of 90 days at 40 +/- 2°C and 75 +/- 5% relative humidity. The drug content was in the range of 93.34-98.12%. The mean particle size of the drug loaded pellets was in the range 1024 to 1087 micro m. SEM photographs and calculated sphericity factor confirmed that the prepared formulations were spherical in nature. The compatibility between drug and polymers in the drug loaded pellets was confirmed by DSC and FTIR studies. Stability studies indicated that pellets are stable. XRD patterns revealed the crystalline nature of the pure OZ. Loose surface crystal study indicated that crystalline OZ is present in all formulations and more clear in formulation F5. Drug release was controlled for more than 24 hrs and mechanism of the drug release followed by Fickian diffusion. It may be concluded that F5 is an ideal formulation for once a day administration

Copper-t presenting as vesical calculus

Intrauterine contraceptive devices [IUCD], in various forms have been in use since the time immemorial. Perforation of the uterus and migration of IUCD to adjacent structures is not an unusual occurrence but their intra vesical migration with secondary stone formation is a unique complication. We present an interesting case of a 3 5 years old lady who met with this complication. This lady had intrauterine contraceptive device [Copper-T] placement 9 years back and a few days earlier presented to us with lower urinary tract symptoms. She underwent ultra-sonographic scan and stone bladder was detected as the cause of her symptoms. Open cystolithotomy was performed and a T-shaped vesical calculus retrieved

Visual outcome after penetrating keratoplasty

Background: penetrating keratoplasty [PKP] is a surgical procedure in which surgical replacement of the host cornea with a donor cornea is performed. The term "allograft " is used if the donor is another person, and "autograft" if the tissue is taken from same subject. The important optical indications include keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, corneal degenerations, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, corneal scarring and corneal opacities resulting from infective and non-infective causes

Objectives: to evaluate visual outcome after penetrating keratoplasty [PKP]

Patients and methods: this interventional, quasi-experimental study was conducted at corneal unit of Lyton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust [LRBT] Eye Hospital Lahore from March 21st 2005 to January 21st 2007. 50 eyes of 50 patients were selected. Best corrected Visual acuity [BCVA] was checked and compared preoperatively and postoperatively with Snellen acuity charts

Results: 11 [22 %] treated eyes had visual acuity >/= 6/18, 32[64%] eyes had between 6/60 to 6/24 and 7[14%] eyes had

Conclusion: PKP is a good surgical procedure to restore visual acuity of selected patients with corneal opacities utilizing proper material and optimal surgical techniques

Post operative sore throat

Sore throat is a common post-operative complaint in patients whose trachea has been intubated for the surgery and this problem can be further aggravated if pharyngeal packs are used, 50 adult patients scheduled for intranasal surgery were included in the study. They were randomly allocated into one of two groups. Mallenckrodt cuffed endotracheal tubes were used in all the patients. For group A patients K-Y Jelly was used with moistened pharyngeal packs, whereas group B patients had only moistened pharyngeal packs. On comparing the results, there was no significant difference in the incidence of sore throat between two groups. K-Y Jelly with moistened pharyngeal packs is therefore ineffective in the prevention of post-operative sore throat