ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of present investigation is to enhance in vitro dissolution of poorly soluble drug glimepiride by preparing solid dispersions using modified gum karaya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Solid dispersions of drug were prepared by solvent evaporation method using modified gum karaya as carrier. Four batches of solid dispersion (SD1, SD4, SD9, and SD14) and physical mixture (PM1, PM4, PM9, and PM14) were prepared and characterized by differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X-Ray diffraction (X-RD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Equilibrium solubility studies were carried out in shaker incubator for 24 h and in vitro drug release was determined using USP Dissolution Apparatus-II. RESULTS: Maximum solubility and in vitro dissolution were observed with Batch SD4. No significant enhancement of dissolution characteristics were observed in the corresponding physical mixture PM4. Low viscosity with comparable swelling characteristics as compared to GK of modified form of gum karaya may lead to improvement in dissolution behavior of solid dispersion batches. Also, the conversion of crystalline form of drug to amorphous form may be a responsible factor, which was further confirmed by DSC, FTIR studies, and X-RD studies. SEM photographs of batch SD4 revealed porous nature of particle surface. CONCLUSION: Modified forms of natural carriers prove beneficial in dissolution enhancement of poorly soluble drugs and exhibited a great potential in novel drug delivery systems.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Lovastatin is an antihyperlipidemic agent which has low bioavailability due to the extensive first pass metabolism. It was sought to increase gastric retention of lovastatin by development of a sustained release gastroretentive drug delivery system leading to reduced fluctuation in the plasma concentration and improved bioavailability. MEHODS: Floating microspheres were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion technique, using various polymers and their blends. The in vitro performance was evaluated for drug-polymer compatibility, percent yield, particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro onset and duration of floatation, in vitro drug release as well as in vivo determination of serum cholesterol level. RESULTS: The mean particle size of microspheres was observed to be between 6.9 to 9.5 µm and the maximum particle size was around 50 µm. In vivo studies of the selected batches indicated lower level of serum cholesterol compared to the marketed tablet at the same dose but was not significant. MAJOR CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this study suggested that a microparticulate floating dosage form of lovastatin can be successfully designed to yield controlled delivery with improved therapeutic efficacy.
ABSTRACT
In this world of specialization and globalization the pharmacy education in India is suffering from serious backdrops and flaws. There is an urgent need to initiate an academic exercise aimed at attaining revamping of curriculum, keeping in pace with current and emerging trends in the field of pharmacy. Unfortunately all these years, enough emphasis was not laid on strengthening the components of Community Pharmacy, Hospital and Clinical pharmacy, while designing curriculum at diploma and degree levels of teaching. The curriculum followed by almost all universities in India are no were up to the world standards and students are still getting the 20-30 yrs older compounding practical exposure in labs during the graduation level. The article emphasises the concept of innovation ecosystems and quality management. Application of TQM to the educational system improves the present situation. The counseling system which serves to be the gateway of the students for entry into the profession should be brought under the scanner. Introducing specializations at the graduation level will result in professional expertise and excellence. Education is a customer focused industry and every student should be capable of evaluating themselves for continuously improving their quality and professionalism. Teacher focused mastery learning should give away to student focused smart learning. An educational institution should provide the student with a stress-free atmosphere for learning and developing his intellectual capabilities. Every college should have a counseling centre to address the problems of students in their academic and personal life. An emphasis on the concept of quality teacher is included. Revival of the pharmacy education in India is the need of the hour which in turn will pave the way for the up gradation of the pharmacy profession in the country.
ABSTRACT
The aim is to evaluate the effect of ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol on anti-BSA antibody production triggered by bovine albumin encapsulated in non-ionic surfactant vesicle, niosomes. Reverse phase evaporation method was adopted to entrap the antigen in colloidal carrier composed of Span 80 and Span 85 followed by simultaneous characterization for particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. The protein content was determined by Bradford method using UV Visible Spectrophotometer at 595 nm. Humoral immune response was measured in terms of systemic IgG antibody titre by ELISA method. Experimental data indicated that 7 : 3 molar ratio of Span 80 and cholesterol based niosomal formulation possessed maximum (39.8 +/- 2.9)% of soluble protein. Ciprofloxacin markedly (P < 0.05) decreased the antibody titre. In contrast, chloramphenicol did not reduce the antibody titre significantly in comparison to control group (P > 0.05). It is necessary to explore the effect of a vaccine antigen when a candidate is medicated with a therapeutic agent, which might help in programming a new drug management and vaccination programme.
