Development and evaluation of immediate release diclofenac sodium suppositories

The objective of present study was to develop and evaluate polyethylene glycol [PEG] based diclofenac sodium suppositories. This study used water soluble PEG bases [1000, 4000 and 6000] in different combinations to formulate suppositories, which were further subjected for their physicochemical properties evaluation such as weight variation, average melting point, content uniformity and disintegration. Dissolution test was used to perform the in vitro release rate studies of the suppositories. The suppository [P3] containing PEG-6000 [50%] and PEG-4000 [50%] exhibited rapid in vitro release rate of diclofenac sodium. Moreover, homogeneous distribution of diclofenac sodium is found in all six formulations. The in vitro release patterns of diclofenac sodium from the marketed Voltral suppository [100mg] and formulated suppositories were also compared and found in standard limits

Development and validation of HPLC method for the determination of Candesartan in human plasma

Candesartan [CAN], an ARB-blocker, antihypertensive, was analyzed in human plasma by a simple, accurate and precise RP-HPLC [reverse phase-High performance liquid chromatography assay method which was then validated for its accuracy, specificity and precision. The mobile phase has a constitution of acetone, diethylamine and distilled water, while Phosphoric acid was used to adjust the pH to 2.5 +/- 0.1. This mobile phase was run at 1.1ml/min and the fluorescence wavelength was set to 392 nm. A C-18 HPLC, column particle size [5 [micro]m] Mediterranean Sea ® L x 1.D. 25cm x 4.6 mm [Supelcosil] , with auto sampler injection volume of 30[micro]l ,an internal standard Valsartan was utilized for chromatographic detection. Candesartan took a retention time of 6 +/- 0.5 minutes. This method was validated by the parameters of selectivity, accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, recovery, linearity and stability. Candesartan's calibration curves were found to be linear in the range of 200ng/ml to 3.125ng/ml and the coefficient of determination [r2] was found to be 0.99. Analytical recovery obtained was above 88%. Hence, this method has been found to be useful for determining Candesartan in plasma

Vitex negundo induces an anticonvulsant effect by inhibiting voltage gated sodium channels in murine Neuro 2A cell line

Vitex negundo [Vn] extract is famous for the treatment of neurological diseases such as migraine and epilepsy. These neurological diseases have been associated with abnormally increased influx of sodium ions into the neurons. Drugs that inhibit voltage gated sodium channels can be used as potent anti-epileptics. Till now, the effects of Vn on sodium channels have not been investigated. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of methalonic fraction of Vn extract in Murine Neuro 2A cell line. Cells were cultured in a defined medium with or without the Vn extract [100 microg/ml]. Sodium currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp method. The data show that methanolic extract of Vn inhibited sodium currents in a dose dependent manner [IC50 =161microg/ml]. Vn [100 microg/ml] shifted the steady-state inactivation curve to the left or towards the hyper polarization state. However, Vn did not show any effects on outward rectifying potassium currents. Moreover, Vn [100 microg/ml] significantly reduced the sustained repetitive [48 +/- 4.8%, P<0.01] firing from neonatal hippocampal neurons at 12 DIV. Hence, our data suggested that inhibition of sodium channels by Vn may exert pharmacological effects in reducing pain and convulsions

Cardamom extract induces cell proliferation by increasing potassium currents in NIH3T3 cell line

Amommum subulatum [Roxb.] or Cardamom extract is known to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects towards many gastrointestinal related problems. However, uptill now different fractions of cardamom extract on fibroblasts with respect to potassium channel activity have not been investigated. Therefore, present study investigated the effects of different tractions of cardamom extract on potassium channels in non-tumor NIH3T3 cell line. Phytochemical analysis of hydroalcoholic, n-hexane, butane and ethyl acetate fractions of cardamom extracts were purified and isolated by thin layer chromatography [TLC]. 3T3 cells were cultured and incubated with hydroalcohol [1-2 Hg/ml], n-hexane [1 microg/ml], butane [2 microg/ml] and ethyl acetate [1-2 microg/ml] for 5 hrs at 37°C. Modulation in potassium currents were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp method. The data showed two constituents Cineol [CioHigO] and Terpinyl acetate [CioHi[7]OOCCH[3]] by TLC method. The present study shows that the constituents in n-hexane, hydro alcohol [1 [microg/ml] and ethyl acetate [2 microg/ml] significantly increased [p<0.01] the potassium outward rectifying currents from NIH3T3 cells when compared to untreated controls cells. Where as, butanol fraction [2 microg/ml] significantly decreased [p<0.01] the inward rectifying currents when compared to controls. Moreover hydroalcoholic and n-hexane fractions have increased the proliferation in 3T3 cell line. On the other hand butanol and ethyl acetate did not induce proliferation in 3T3 cells. Taken together, our data suggested that cardamom extract contains constituents that increased K[+] currents, cell migration and proliferation and are involved in wound healing

Antimalarial and insecticidal activities of newly synthesized derivatives of Benzimidazole

The bioactive benzimidazole and corresponding substituted phenacyl halides has been synthesized [11] new derivatives out of three compounds 8, 10 and 11 were found to inhibit the Plasmodium falciparum moderately after 72 hours of incubation hence acting as antimalarial agents. While these derivatives were exhibited negligible insecticidal activity too when analyzed by impregnated filter paper method

In vitro biological activity of decoction of Joshanda

Joshanda is a polyherbal product, commonly practicing in inflammation of upper respiratory tract as tea. The present study was conducted to find out its antimicrobial, phytotoxic, leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities. The decoction of the product showed profound activity against Gram positive tested pathogens especially S. aureus 36.5 mm zone of inhibition at 8.0 micro g/ml. However, it was inactive against C. albicans. Closed correlation was observed between two methods in terms of results. It had potent phytotoxic activity [75%]. However, it was devoid of any activity leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity. Phytochemical studies of Joshanda showed the presence of various pharmacologically active groups

Impact of Training on Rural Chicken Production Reared By Women in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi Pakistan.

Aim: To study the impact of training given to female farmers under the poultry extension women worker on the status of rural chicken production in Islamabad/Rawalpindi area. Study Design: The data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedures. The statistical model was constructed to ascertain the effect of breeds, season, health coverage program and training received by female farmers on egg production and mortality in chicks. Place and Duration of Study: Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, between July 2011 and June 2012 Methodology: The study contained data collection (prior to and after getting training in rural chicken production over a one year period) from 100 female farmers who were willing to join female farmers groups and get training from extension workers. These one hundred female farmers were primarily selected from 150 farmers at random, keeping in view their zeal for joining female farmer groups. The training included skill development, production, and breeding of highly productive stock, care of the newly hatched chicks, housing, feeding, disease prevention, and hygienic measures, control of external and internal parasites, egg selection and storage, hatchability of eggs, and its requirements, selection and culling of birds, vaccination schedule. Results: Significantly lower flock size was maintained by female farmers before getting training (12.4 numbers) than after training (23.44 numbers). Egg production, per bird, was significantly lower prior to training (37.7 eggs) than after training (75.2 eggs). A significantly higher number of eggs per capita per year were available for farmers after training (140 eggs) than before training (87 eggs). However, per capita egg consumption was not improved by training. Mean overall mortality per flock were significantly higher before training (45.5%) than after training (13.5%). Eggs were stored for a longer duration in summer (6.80) and winter (15 days) for hatching prior to training than after training (4.09 and 7.75 days, respectively). A significantly higher number of eggs (18.0 eggs) were set under a broody hen before training than after training (12.6 eggs). Hatchability per number of eggs set was significantly lower before training (59.0%) than after training (75.5%). Ninety percent female farmers were adopted vaccination practice, whereas, 21.0 percent female farmers were already vaccinating their birds prior to training. Conclusion: Training significantly improved rural chicken production by female farmers. Overall training improved the poultry production practices through better adaptation of new techniques by female farmers. Most of female farmers adopted vaccination schedule after training.

Comprehensive nutrients analysis of rhizomes of Polygonatum verticillatum

The current study was undertaken to estimate the concentration of micronutrients [Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Sb and Mn], macronutrients [Na, Ca and K] and essential life nutrients [proteins, fats, carbohydrates and ascorbic acid] along with ash, fiber and moisture contents. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for the analysis of micronutrients while flame photometry for macronutrients. For proximate analysis [proteins, fats, carbohydrates, ash, fibers and moisture], Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods [AOAC] were used and titration method for ascorbic acid determination. It is evident from the results that the crude extract and its fractions accumulate significant concentrations of both micro and macro nutrients. The significant quantities of essential life nutrients like proteins, fats, carbohydrates and ascorbic acid along with ash, fiber and moisture contents were also found in extracts. It is concluded that the extracts of rhizomes accumulated significant quantities of life indispensible nutrients and validated the ethnobotanical uses of the plant as tonic and energizer

Antimicrobial activities of rhizomes of Polygonatum verticillatum: attributed to its total flavonoidal and phenolic contents

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the rhizomes of Polygonatum verticillatum against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Broad spectrum antibacterial activity was demonstrated by the crude extract of the plant and its subsequent solvent fractions; predominantly against Gram-negative bacteria. MICs of the extracts against Escherchia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella flexeneri were in the range of 1.5-40 micro g/ml, 03-06 micro g/ml and 03-40 micro g/ml, respectively. The only sensitive Gram-positive bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus with MICs in the range of 75-80 micro g/ml. The fungicidal activity was limited to Microsporum canis and Fusarium solani and the MICs were in the range of 350-360 micro g/mL and 190-290 micro g/ml respectively. The various fractions of rhizomes contained significant concentration of total flavonoidal and total phenolic contents that could be responsible for the current findings

Evaluation of Viola betonicifolia for its nutrition value

In the present study, Viola betonicifolia [whole plant] and solvent fractions obtained thereof were evaluated for various micronutrients such as lead, copper, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc, cadmium, cobalt and macronutrients such as sodium, potassium and calcium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flame photometry respectively. It was observed that cobalt and cadmium were not detectible in tested samples while remaining nutrients were present in variable concentrations. The concentrations of all metals were compared with the recommended limits for plants and the daily consumption of all the nutrients were calculated on the basis of dose [15 g/70 kg/day or 214 mg/Kg body weight] prescribed by hakims in their practice. The concentration of chromium was far beyond the recommended limits in almost all the samples. Proximate analysis was carried out in the powdered form of the plant. Viola betonicifolia appeared as a good source of life essential nutrients like fats [18.70%], proteins [15.70%], carbohydrates [21.42%], fiber [39.01%] and vitamin C [150 mg/100 g]. In conclusion, Viola betonicifolia is an excellent source of various micro and macronutrients for human being and can be used safely as a nutritional supplement