Advancements in Nano-Mandoor Bhasma: Unravelling the Particle Size-Ascorbic Acid Synergy for Enhanced Iron Bioavailability for Anemia Treatment.

Mandoor Bhasma (MB) medicine, based on classical Indian Ayurveda, was size- and surface-modified to improve its therapeutic efficiency for treating iron-deficient anemia. Physical grinding reduced the size of MB to the nanoparticle (nano-MB) range without changing its chemical composition, as measured by particle size distribution. The surface of nano-MB was modified with ascorbic acid (nano-AA-MB) and confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Enhanced iron dissolution from the surface-modified nano-AA-MB under neutral-to-alkaline pH conditions, and in the intestinal region of the simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion model was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. GIT digestae of MB microparticles and nano-AA-MB were found to be biocompatible in human colon epithelial (Caco-2) cells, with the latter showing threefold higher iron uptake. Subsequently, a dose-dependent increase in cellular ferritin protein was observed in the nano-AA-MB digestae-treated Caco-2 cells, indicating the enhanced bioavailability and storage of dissolved iron. Overall, the study showed that reducing the size of centuries-old traditional Mandoor Bhasma medicine to nanoscale, and its surface-modification with ascorbic acid would help in enhancing its therapeutic abilities for treating iron-deficient anemia.

Effect of pectin and attapulgite filler on swelling, network parameters and controlled release of diltiazem hydrochloride from polyacrylic copolymer gel.

Pectin grafted polyacrylic copolymer hydrogels were made by free radical crosslink copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) in an aqueous solution of pectin. N'N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) was used as a crosslinker. During the polymerization reaction the attapulgite (APG) filler was also incorporated in situ into the network of the copolymer gel. Several filled hydrogels were prepared by varying the amount of pectin and APG filler. These hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, 13C NMR, XRD, TGA, SEM, mechanical properties, DMA, swelling, diffusion characteristics and network parameters. The release kinetics of a model drug diltiazem hydrochloride (DT) was studied with these hydrogels. The wt% of pectin, APG and MBA was optimized with a central composite design (CCD) model of response surface methodology (RSM) with equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR), drug adsorption (mg/100 mg gel) and drug release% in 16 h as response. Accordingly, the hydrogel prepared with 5:1 AA:AM molar ratio, 25 wt% monomer concentration, 1% each of initiator and MBA concentration, 18 wt% pectin and 2 wt% APG showed an optimized ESR of 17.75, drug loading of 27.58 and a drug release % of 92.5 in 16 h at a solution pH of 7.4.

Controlled release of tinidazole and theophylline from chitosan based composite hydrogels.

Several composite hydrogels were synthesized by free radical crosslink copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N' methylene bis-acrylamide (MBA) in the presence of chitosan (CS). During polymerization CS was incorporated in situ in the crosslinked polyacrylic acid gel to produce composite hydrogels. The structure and properties of the hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, (13)C NMR, DTA-TGA, XRD, swelling and diffusion characteristic and also network parameters. The loading and the in vitro release behaviours of theophylline and tinidazole model drugs were studied with these hydrogels. The wt% of CS and MBA and pH of the medium was found to strongly influence the drug release behaviour of the gels. Accordingly, the release rate of these two drugs was much faster at pH of 7.6 than at pH 1.5.

Synthesis, characterization, swelling and drug release behavior of semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels of sodium alginate and polyacrylamide.

Several semi interpenetrating network (SIPN) type hydrogels were synthesized by in-situ free radical crosslink copolymerization of acrylamide and crosslinker N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) in aqueous solution of sodium alginate (SA).These SIPN hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, NMR SEM, DTA-TGA, XRD, PZC and also by swelling characteristics and network parameters. Adsorption (loading) and release of acetaminophen drug were studied with these hydrogels. Solution pH, crosslinker concentration and monomer to SA weight ratio of the hydrogels were found to have a strong effect on adsorption and in vitro release profile of the drug from the gel matrix.