Bioadhesion may be defined as the state in which two materials, at least one of which is of a biological nature, are held together for extended periods of time by interfacial forces1. For drug delivery purposes, the term bioadhesion implies attachment of a drug carrier system to a specific biological location. The biological surface can be epithelial tissue, or the mucous coat on the surface of a tissue. If adhesive attachment is to a mucous coat, the phenomenon is referred to as mucoadhesion2.

The roots of Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn. (Moringaceae) in powder and extract form were studied for their anti-inflammatory and antihepatotoxic activities. Among these, the methanolic extract showed significant (P<0.01) oedema suppressant activity against carrageenan-induced paw oedema similar to that of indomethacin. The aqueous extract against carbon tetrachloride, total aqueous extract against paracetamol and methanolic extract against rifampicin treatments showed significant (P<0.01) antihepatotoxic activity.

Two new sterols, coccupendulusterols A and B, and an unknown aliphatic hydrocarbon have been isolated along with two reported alkaloids, pendulinin and cucsulinine and hexacosane from the stem of Cocculus pendulus. The structures of the new phytoconstituents have been established respectively as 7,8-seco-stigmast-11,20(22)-diene-3b-ol.stigmast-5,20(22)-diene-9 a-ol and 25-methyl tritriacont-21-ene-11-one-1-ol on the basis of spectral data analyses and chemical means.

The pharmacodynamic effects of Cedrus deodara wood essential oil were investigated in mice and rats. The oil was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced oedema in rats. It was devoid of analgesic, sedative and motor incoordinating activities in mice. However, it caused a significant increase in pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis which may be due to inhibition of drug metabolising enzymes.

Trimethoprim (TMP) crystals exhibit poor flow properties, compressibility as well as slower dissolution rates. Spherical agglomerates (SA) of TMP were prepared by simple spherical crystallisation process. The crystallisation system consisted of water-methanol-chroform with PEG (SA-I) and PEG-PVP (SA-II). Agglomerates were characterised using TLC, XRD, IR and evaluated for micromeritic, mechanical, compressional, wetting and dissolution behaviour. SA-II has shown reduction in crystallinity and high 'a' and low 'b' values of Kawakita constants. Change in friability index was lowest for SA-I. But SA-I and SA-II both have very low crushing strength. TMP showed poor compressibility. SA-I exhibited lower Py value and contact angle compared with SA-II, Cumulative release was higher from SA-II but D5 min for SA-I is significantly higher than SA-II.

Various plant parts of Cassia italica and C. siamea were successively extracted in petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, alcohol and water. Similarly, the callus cultures of C. italica were also extracted in alcohol only. All these extracts and reference antibiotics (gentamycin/mycostatin) were screened against the select bacteria and fungi, and resultant inhibition zone (s) and activity index of crude drugs were measured.

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of root and flower of M. oleifera were screened for antihepatotoxic activity in paracetamol treated albino rats. Liver function was assessed based on liver to body weight ratio, serum levels of transaminase (SGPT, SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and bilirubin. All extracts were found to have antihepatotoxic activity.

Inclusion complex of drug with hydroxyl propyl betacyclodextrin (HPbCD) was prepared with a view to increase the efficacy and solubility of plumbagin. The complex was entrapped in the aqueous layer of niosomes and evaluated for antifertility activity. This in turn was compared with niosomes of the plain drug where entrapment was possible in the lipid layer. Given intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg /kg the niosomes of the drug complex showed promising antifertility activity when compared to the control and niosomes with lipid layer entrapment. Although complex showed lower entrapment efficiency over the plain drug the stability and antifertility activity was markedly increased.

Centchroman, a non-steroidal contraceptive was formulated as biodegradable microspheres using alginate, chitosan, albumin and poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid polymers. They were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, in vitro release profile in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) and stability on storage at different conditions. All the formulations exhibited a prolonged drug release with significant (P<0.05) increase in stability at specified conditions of storage. It was observed that PLGA microsphere was the best biodegradable carrier for Centchroman amongst the others studied.

Withaferin A was entrapped in niosomes. The release of the drug from the niosome was slower compared to plain withaferin A dispersed in phosphate buffered saline. The mean survival time (MST) of the animals treated with withaferin A entrapped in the niosome was enhanced compared to the plain drug.

HPLC and TLC-densitometric methods for the estimation of L-tyrosyl-D-alanyl-glycyl-L-N-methyl pyhenyl alanyl glycinyl-N-isopropyl amide [compound 82/205] in bulk samples and formulations are described. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 4-40 mg/ml for HPLC and in the range of 0.5 - 20 mg for TLC-densitometric method.

Evaluation of tamarind seed polyose as a binder for tablet dosage forms was taken up for the wet granulation as well as direct compression methods. The drug release sustaining properties of tamarind seed polyose polymer were also studied using 5 mg of terbutaline sulphate matrices. The results indicated that tamarind seed polyose could be used as binder for wet granulation and direct compression tableting methods as well as a suitable polymer for sustained release formulations of low drug loading.

A spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of atenolol and timolol as bulk drug and in dosage forms by complexation of the drug with choranilic acid. Job's method revealed a 1:1 complexation between the drug and choranilic acid. Quantitative recoveries were obtained from commercially available dosage forms.

Four simple and sensitive visible spectrophotometric methods have been described for the determination of pentazocine, based either on the formation of chloroform soluble, coloured ion-association complex between pentazocine and the dye [Alizarine Red S, λmax : 435 nm or Tropaeolin 000, λmax : 490 nm] or by finding the oxidant (N-bromosuccinimide or potassium permanganate) reacted with pentazocine using a dye [Celestine Blue λmax : 540 nm or Fast Green FCF, λmax : 625 nm].

From the stems of Cassia grandis three compounds palmitic acid, bsitosterol and emodin-9-anthrone have been isolated. All of these are being reported for the first time from this plant.