A prototype formula, which is amenable to Spheronization, was designed for the drug cores of Nitrofurantion. Effect of excipient variables and process variables to obtain a product giving desired drug release for a period of 8-10 hours was studied. The successful formulation was subjected to in vitro and in vivo evaluation and stability.

Evaluation of polyacrylate polymers synthesized from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethylhexyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate using solubility evaluation, IR-spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity determination, differential scanning calorimetry, free film studies as well as release of the drug from coated pellets are presented. Highly flexible internally plasticized films were obtained from two of the three polymers.

The therapeutic efficacy of higher plants viz. Camellia sinensis L. (Theaceae) and Chamaesyce hirta Millsp. (Euphorbiaceae) was studied against experimentally-induced shigellosis in guinea pigs. The aqueous extract of black tea, polyphenon 60 (mixture of catechins), quercetrin (flavonoid glycoside) and quercetin (aglycone of quercetrin), the two latter compounds being obtained from Chamaesyce hirta showed promising in vitro antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri 2452 and when tested in the in vivo model of experimental shigellosis, all of them completely cured the guinea pigs within three days. In the untreated group, all the guinea pigs died within 24 h.

The antitumour activity of plumbagin (2-methyl 5-hydroxy, 1,4 napthoquinone) has been evaluated against Dalton's ascitic lymphoma (DAL) in Swiss albino mice. A significant enhancement of mean survival time of Plumbagin treated tumour bearing mice was found with respect to control group. Plumbagin treatment was found to enhance peritoneal cell counts. When these Plumbagin treated animals underwent I. p. inoculation with DAL cells, tumour cell growth was found to be inhibited. At 14 days after transplantation, Plumbagin treated groups were able to reverse the changes in the haemotological parameters, protein and PCV consequent to tumour inoculation.

The antihepatotoxic activity of different fractions of the ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruit, administered orally to different groups of rats was evaluated using the CCl4- Induced hepatotoxicity test. All fractions tested, in a dose of 250 mg/kg showed significant activity, with the petroleum ether fraction exhibiting comparatively higher activity. Two steroids were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction and they were identified as fucosterol and campesterol.

From the aerial parts of the medicinal plant Herniaria mauritanica Murbeck, were isolated for the first time five flavonoid derivatives. They were identified as isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, astragalin and isoquercitrin.

A new simple method is described for the rapid and quantitative estimation of propyphenazone and ketoprofen in drug preparations by high performance liquid chromatgraphy (HPLC). The mobile phase consisted of methanol, acetonitrile and water in the ratio of 10:20:30 using a m Bondapack C-18 column and an UV detector. Phenobarbitone was used as an internal standard.

A simple spectrophotometric method requiring no prior separation has been developed for the simultaneous determination of Rifarnpicin, lsoniazid and Pyrazinarnidc in combination in pharmaceutical formulations. The method described in precise, accurate, reproducible and rapid.

Stability and skin permeation of salbutamol base from adhesive rnatric transdermal patches containing antioxidants and skin permeation enhancers was studied. Skin permeation was enhanced with increase in salbutamol content and oleic acid content in the patches. Accelerated stability testing indicated that patches containing butylated hydroxy toluene and thiourea had an adequate stability profile.

A simultaneous spectrophotometric procedure for mefenamic acid and paracetamol in two component tablet formulations has been developed. The method is based on two-wavelength method of calculations. The difference in absorbances at 217 nm and 285 nm was used for determination of mefenamic acid and the difference in absorbances at 257 nm and 308.8 nm was used for determination of paracetamol. Beer's law is obeyed by both the drugs within the concentration ranges employed for analysis. The method has been statistically validated and was found to be satisfactory.