A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of Piperazine Citrate in bulk drug and dosage forms is described. The method is based on the reaction between piperazine and 2,3-dichloro-1, 4-naphthoquinone in presence of acetaldehyde to give a violet colored product having lmax at 580nm. The results are comparable with those obtained by official method.

Substituted chalcones (IIa-j), prepared by the treatment of 3’(p- chlorophenylsulphonamido) acetophenone (I) with araldehyde, on condensation with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol furnished desired pyrazolines of the type (IIIa-j) and (IVa-j) respectively. The structure of the products have been assigned on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data. The products were evaluated for their in-vitro growth inhibiting activity against several microbes. Some of the compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity.

The effect of the type of matrix on the bio conversion of Benzyl penicillin to 6-Amino penicillanic acid (6-APA) using immobilized E.coli cells was studied. The E. coli strains selected were MTCC 476, MTCC 448, MTCC 521 and MTCC 66. The matrices selected for entrapping these cells were polyacrylamide, calcium alginate, K-carrageenin and agarose. Bioconversion was performed with free cells as well as immobilized cells, afterwards continuous production of 6-APA was carried out using a packed bed column.

Blemocyin was encapsulated in niosomes and administered to tumor bearing mice. The plasma kinetics and tissue distribution of niosomal bleomocycin was studied in tumor bearing mice. The noisome encapsulated bleomycin was cleared from the plasma much more slowly than was the free drug. A significant increase in plasma concentration of bleomycin was achieved in mice when it was administered niosomes as compared to free drug. The tumour bleomycin level enhanced significantly.

The petroleum ether extract of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera and its fractions were administered orally to sexually immature female rats and mature male rats on alternate day for 15 days. The treatment caused a remarkable delay in sexual maturation in prepubertal female rats as evidenced from age of vaginal opening and first estrus (cornified smear) and a significant reduction in the sperm count and motility in mature male rats. In both the cases treatment resulted in accumulation of cholesterol and ascorbic acid and reduction in D5-3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the ovary and testis of female and male rat respectively. These results indicate suppression of steroidogenesis in both ovary and testis.

One steroidal constituent, daturasterol, and a tricyclic diterpene, daturabietatriene, have been isolated for the first time from the steam bark of Datura metrel Linn, along with b-sitosterol and atropine. The structures of the new compounds have been elucidated as 24b-methylcholest-4-ene-22-one-3a-o1 and 15, 18-dihydroxyabietatrienc, respectively, on the basis of the spectral data analyses and chemical ractions.

Plasticized free films of cellulose acetate (CA) alone and in combination with different concentrations of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared and evaluated for transermal use. Adaptation of mercury substrate method and incorporation of dibutyl phthalate [40% w/w of polymer(s)] yielded thin, uniform and flexible films. Tensile strength of films decreased with increase of PVP fraction in the film. Both water vapour transmission and drug diffusion through the free films followed zero order kinetics and decreased with increase in film thickness. Permeability of films increased with increasing PVP concentration and this may be due to leaching out of PVP fraction, which leads to improved porosity and permeability. Free films composed of CA:PVP (2:1) can be used as rate of controlling membranes for the development of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS) systems using a suitable drug reservoir.

Feasibility studies were carried out to develop a transdermal delivery system for terbutaline sulphate. Eight non-ionic surfactants were used as permeation enhancers. The flux of terbutalline sulphate from transdermal patches containing any of the selected non-ionic surfactants or without surfactants were determined using Keshary – Chein cell. Among the Spans used, Span 80 produced the highest permeation of the drug. Of the Tweens used, Tween 80 produced the highest permeation of the drug. Adequate levels of transdermal permeation were observed.

A spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of oxytetracycline (OTC) in pharmaceutical formulations based on a colour reaction with uranium (VI). A well defined peak is observed at 413 nm. Oxytetracycline can be determined even in microgram quantities.

Four millions children die annually due to diarrhoea and many others causes that are aggravated by diarrhoea. An attempt was made to adopt Rice based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) with a formulation of Rice. Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) in tablet form. Commercially available ORS products are not in accordance with WHO-ORS formula, a wide variation in composition was observed. Analysis of marketed ORS reveals that the active constituents are within the label claim. Finally, the analysis of formulated Rice based ORS tablet revels that the Sodium ion (Na+) concentration, which causes hypernatremia in children, was less i.e., 60 mM from that of WHO formula of 90mM. This rice based ORS avoids the risk of hypernatremia and also reduced the stool volume and intensity of diarrhoea.

A sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, prochlorperazine maleate and trifluoperazine hydrochloride based on the formation of chloroform extractable complexes exhibiting maximum at 405 nm with chlorophenol red in acidic medium is described. A study of the effect of commonly associated excipients revealed that they did not interfere. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that the method is precise and accurate.