Films comprising of ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), were investigated for their potential transdermal use. Placebo films were initially evaluated for their mechanical and physical properties. Single films and laminates (double layered films) cast on a backing membrane of polyvinyl alcohol and containing salicylic acid were evaluated for 'in vitro' and 'in vivo' drug release. The results indicate that the formulation studied appears promising.

1-Aryl-3-(2-methyl-4-(1H-indol-3-yl-methylene)-2-imidazolin-5-one-1-yl ) thiobarbituric acid (IIIa-b). prepared by cyclization of corresponding thiourea (IIa-b) with malonic acid and acetyl chloride yielded (IV and V) when subjected to Mannich and Knoevenagel reaction respectively. All the compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

A simple extractive photometric method for the determination of pyrithioxine from pharmaceutical preparation is described. The method involves extraction of drug-N-N-dimethyl-p-Phenylenediammonium dichloride and drug-paraphenylenediamine dihydrochloride complexes into chloroform after treatment with potassium ferricyanide in basic medium. The method also involves the determination of pyrithioxine with Folin and Ciocalteu's phenol reagent in basic medium. The absorbance of the coloured complexes were measured at the respective wavelengths of maximum absorbance. The methods are statistically validated and found to be accurate and precise.

Oil extracted from Artemisia vulgaris was characterised and its composition established by GLC. It is found to contain camphor (major component), d-limonene, alpha-and beta-pinene, Delta3 -carene, linalool, 1,8-cineole, thujone and citral.

Mannich bases of N-acetyl-2-phenylindole were synthesized using different secondary amines. The formation of the products was confirmed by analytical and spectral data. Anti-inflammatory activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated by carrageenan induced eodema of the rat paw method. All the compounds tested,showed fairly greater activity than the parent compound at a dose level of 100 mg/kg. Compound 3-(pyrrolidinomethyl)N-acetyl-2-phenyylindole showed greater activity in comparision to phenylbutazone.

Pet ether extract of Tridax procumbers gave several fatty acids. GLC analysis of the methyl esters of the fatty acids revealed the presence of C12 - C22 fatty acids.

2-Amino pyridine was converted into Schiff bases which were reacted with thioglycollic acid to yield the corresponding thiazolidinones. Under similar conditions, thioglycollic acid when reacted with chalkones, dihydro-3-(2H)-Thiophen-ones were obtained. The antibacterial activities of both the type of compounds were studied and compared.

A simple titrimetric method for the determination of chlorpropamide based on a precipitation reaction with a known excess of mercuric nitrate solution is reported. The precipitated product was further investigated by both IR and NMR techniwues. The stoichiometry of the reaction pathway was also studied. The proposed method can be adopted by quantities ranging from 30-120 mg authentic drug with a mean recovery of 100.23 +/- 0.96 and the results are comparable with those of the BP 1980 method.

Diazepam was microencapsulated with ethyl cellulose (EC), gelatin and calcium alginate by complex emulsion methods and the microcapsules were studied. Controlled drug release which depended on per cent coat material in the microcapsules and good linear relationships between per cent coat material and T50 values were observed with EC and gelatin. No such controlled release was observed with calcium alginate.

A GLC method for the estimation of diclofenac sodium is presented by converting it to its methyl ester and using a column packed with 1.5 OV-17 + 9.5 Qf-1 on Varaport 30, ECD detector and dieldrin as internal standard.

A simple and senstive spectrophotometric method for the determinations of adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NAD), isoxsuprine (IX), nylindrin (NY), pholedrin (PD), orciprenaline (OP), terbutaline (TB), salbutamol (SB) and oxymetazoline (OMZ) in bulk samples and pharmaceutical preparations, based on their oxidation with iron (III) and subsequent chelation of iron (II) with 2, 4, 6-tris (2-pyridyl)-S-triazine (TPTZ) to form violet coloured complex (lamda max : 595 nm) is described.

Comparative bioavailability of four different tablet formulation of ethambutol hydrochloride marketed in India was studied. The urinary excretion kinetics had a good correlation with bioavilability derived from plasma level data. The use of such non invasive method, would facilitate the ease of conducting bioavailability studies.

The antibacterial properties of the liquid antiseptic TCP against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were essentially similar. The activity of the antiseptic was 4-8 times that of equivalent concentration of pure phenol. Use-dilutions of the antiseptic had lethal effect and exhibited the logarithmic order of death. The MIC and MBC of the antiseptic increased in tap water to values similar to those obtained in the presence of serum. Tap water also adversely affected the death rates of the use-dilutions by about 50 percent. The usefulness of the product and the implication of the adverse effect of tap water on the activity are discussed.