This article describes the prospects of gene tharapy of blood disorders, cancer, HIV infection and cystic fibrosis. The article outlines the approaches currently explored for gene therapy of these diseases and experimental details are not mentioned except for their conclusion. The Sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia have been cured in mice and rabbits by gene therapy. The monkey virus is the gene transfer vector and kidney cells are the target cells. The clinical trials for the gene therapy of hemophilia B have been carried out in human beings with some success. In the gene therapy of cancer, cytokine genes, specific drug activating genes, and alteration of immune response to the cancer are the major approaches, currently explored. The gene therapy for HIV infections appears to be cotherapy, to be used in lower magnitudes of infections with other therapies. The causative mutation for the cystic fibrosis has been identified and the research is directed towards construction of an artifical chromosome which will act as a vector for transfer of therapeutic gene.

Pharmaceutical polymeric controlled-release membranes have caught many researchers' attention because of the rapid development of controlled-release preparations. Several researchers investigated the controlled-release polymeric membranes from various points of view. The present article reviews the progress in the studies of membrane-forming materials, methods of preparation and mechanical properties of the controlled-release membranes. The main purpose of this review is to provide foundations for drug release mechanism investigation and formulation design of membrane controlled release formulations.

The effect of temperature on protein binding of aztreonam was investigated at pH 7.4 by equilibrium dialysis method using bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the temperatures ranging between 25° and 42°. Binding parameters like albumin-bound fraction (b), number of binding sites (n), association (binding) constant (K) and the thermodynamic parameters like standard free energy (DG°), enthalpy (DH°) and entropy (DS°) were computed on an in-house PC using PROBE software developed by the authors. The binding of aztreonam was found to decrease with an increase in temperature, the effect being more pronounced at temperatures above 37°. The subsequent factorial analysis on the computed b values, confirmed the effect of temperature on binding to be statistically significant. The magnitude and sign of the thermodynamic parameters indicated the interaction between aztreonam and BSA to be predominantly ionic in nature.

The 4-thiazolidinone is choosen as a lead molecule as its structure has the common denominator present in majority of the anticonvulsants. Molecular modifications at 2-and 5-positions are made in order to increase the lipophilicity.The dialkylaminoalkyl group (pharmacophore) present in a number of commonly used drugs, is introduced at 3.position by Mannich reaction to enhance the anticonvulsant activity and to reduce toxicity. Based on these observations, a series of twenty five 3- (dialkylaminomethyl)-5-arylidene-2-phenyimino-4 thiazolidinones have been synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity and preliminary toxicity. Some compounds have displayed significant anticonvulsant activity with out much toxicity.

Mannich bases of ciprofloxacin and lomefloxacin with isatin and its derivative were synthesized by condensing acidic ‘NH’ group of isatin with formaldehyde and the secondary amino group (piperazine moiety) of ciprofloxacin and lomefloxacin and screened for antibacterial activity. Mannich bases of ciprofloxacin are equipotent or more potent than cirprofloxacin against certain pathogenic microorganisms. Mannich bases of lomefloxacin are equipotent to that of lomefloxacin.

2-Methyl-3-arylidenamino-4 (3H)-quinazolinones (la-le) on cyclocondensation with thiolactic acid and diazomethane are converted into thiazolidinyl quinazolinones (IIa-IIe) and triazolidinyl quinazolinones (IIIa-IIIe) respectively. Their structures have been delineated by IR, 1HNMR and mass spectroscopy. The compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity.

Two new aliphatic constituents, characterized as 6-methyl tritriacont-5-on-28-ol and 8-methyl hentriacont-3-ene, have been isolated for the first time form the fruit rind of Momordica dioical along with the known sterol pleuchiol. Momodicaursenol, an unknown pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the seeds, has been identified as urs-12, 18(19)-dien-3β-ol on the basis of spectral data analyses and chemical means.

It is known that microbial model systems can be employed as good predictors of mammalian drug metabolism. Metabolites of phenytoin, a model drug for aromatic hydroxylation were isolated and characterized using HPLC and TLC after pre-incubation with some microbial cultures. Among different organisms screened, pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris were found to metabolize phenytoin. Both produced a phydroxylated derivative of phenytoin which was the main metabolite observed in rabbits. Pseudomonas aeruginosa also produced one unknown metabolite of phenytoin which was not observed in mammalian systems. These two organisms could be used as microbial models of metabolism of other drugs whose metabolism is expected to be similar to that of phenytoin.

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods (A and B) in the visible region have been developed for the determination of salmeterol xinafoate (SX) in bulk and in dosage forms. Method A is based on the reaction of SX with hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite under alkaline conditions to form a stable yellow colored chromogen with absorption maximum of 430 nm and method B is based on the reaction of SX with ferric alum reagent to form a stable blue colored chromogen with the absorption maximum of 620 nm. The color obeyed Beer's law in the concentration range of 0-32 μg/ml for method A and 0-200 μg/ml for method B respectively. When pharmaceutical preparations (Laboratory prepared tablets) were analysed, the results obtained by the proposed methods are in good agreement with the labelled amounts and are comparable with the results obtained using a UV spectrophotometric method. Recovery in both the methods is 98-101%.

Spectrophotometric studies on the interaction of three triphenylmethane dyes, bromophenol blue, coomassie brilliant blue R250 and thymol blue with bovine serum albumin have been reported. Data has been analyzed for spectral shifts, extent of combination, composition of complexes, association constants and number of binding sites. Spectral shifts indicated that dyes interact with cationic groups on the protein molecule. Association constants varied between 2.7x104 to 2.3x105, consistent with non-covalent interactions. The number of binding sites varied between 2 and 3 for different dyes. All basic amino acid resdues in protein were not accessible to the dye at pH 2.5.

Four simple and sensitive visible spectrophotometric methods have been described for the determination of pyrantel based on the formation of coloured charge-transfer complex between drug and chloranilic acid (method A, λmax : 540 nm) or by the reduction of Folin-Ciocalteau reagent (method B, λmax : 760 nm) or by finding the oxidant [N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) or potassium permanganate (KmnO4)] reacted with pyrantel using a dye [celestine blue λmax : 540 nm (method C) or cresyl fast violet acetate λmax : 600 nm (method D)]. The results obtained are reproducible with coefficient of variation of less than 1.0%.

Purified fraction (ethyl acetate:chloroform; 3:1) of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica seed coat showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Curvularia lunata with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 250 ppm. Among the four extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of leaves of Azadirachta indica, petroleum ether extract was found to be antifungal at 1000 ppm.

A simple, rapid, and sensitive differential pulse polarographic method is developed for the determination of 1,4-benzodiazepine psychotropic drugs such as pinazepam, prazepam and temazepam in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples, by the aid of universal buffers of pH 2.0 to 12.0.The developed procedure has been applied for the determination of these drugs in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples as well as simultaneous determination in a single run.

Three simple, sensitive and accurate extractive colorimetric methods for estimation of Amlodipine besylate from tablet formulation have been developed. The developed methods involve formation of coloured chloroform extractable ion pair complexes of the drug with bromocresol green (BCG), bromophenol blue (BPB) and methylene blue (MB) in acidic medium. Extracted complexes showed absorbance maxima at 409.0 nm (BCG), 409.0 nm (BPB) and 668.2 nm (MB). Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range employed (0-80 mcg/ml) for all the three methods. Results of analysis were validated statistically and through recovery studies.

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Cassia alata leaf extracts has been investigated against S. aureus, S, aureus coagulase positive, B. subtilis, B. cereus, B. stearothermophillus, E. coli, V. cholerae, S. typhi, S. dysenteriae and K. pneumoniae. The acetone and ethanol (95%) extract of Cassia alata showed high activity against nearly all test microorganisms. The inhibitory effects of extracts are very close and identical in magnitude and are comparable with that of standard antibiotics used.

A new simple, precise, rapid and selective reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the simultaneous determination of cefazolin and cefotaxime in injections. Microbondapak C-18 30 cm column is used as a stationary phase and 85:15:1.46 ml/L (Water:Acetonitrile:H3PO4) v/v and adjusted to pH 3.5 with triethylamine is used as a mobile phase. The flow rate is 1.5 ml/min and effluent is monitored at 254 nm. The method is linear in the concentration range of (40-200) mcg/ml for cefazolin and cefotaxime respectively.

The sulphone group present in dapsone is smoothly and quantitatively reduced at dropping mercury electrode in dimethylformamide medium in the presence of pyridinium perchlorate, yielding a diffusion controlled wave at -1.50 V vs SCE, has been made the basis of present method. The determination has been made by normal pulse and differential pulse polarography by linear calibration plots.

Simple, rapid and economical Spectrophotometric methods, requiring no prior separation, have been developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of amoxycillin and probenecid. These methods utilize spectrum mode of analysis of the recording spectrophotometer (Shimadzu 160 A). Absorption maxima of probenecid was found at 244 nm and that of amoxycillin at 247 nm. Both drugs show linearity in absorbance in the range of 0-50 μg/ml. Using derivative spectroscopy, estimation of probenecid was carried out in first order with N=6 at 272.2 nm and amoxycillin in third order with N=8 at 282 nm. For two wavelength method, absorbance difference was employed at 252.8 nm and 240.6 nm for probenecid and at 250.2 nm and 237.8 nm for amoxycillin. For both the methods the standard deviation values obtained on repeated analysis were below 1.2 and recovery of added standard drug was between 97-100.5%.

Piper betle L. shoot tip and leaf-derived Callus tissues were established on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium fortified with ∞ naphthalene acetic acid-3,6-benzylaminopurine 0.05 mg/l and solidified with 0.8% agar. The presence of diosgenin was revealed in leaf (0.003%) and shoot tip (0.013%) derived callus tissues, respectively. The study also confirmed that the potential of diosgenin can be extended to other tissues rather than only the roots.

Buccoadhesive films of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for local delivery of the drug to the oral cavity for the treatment of oral lesions were prepared by the solvent casting technique. Different bioadhesive polymers were evaluated for film formation. Propylene glycol was used as the plasticizer while the choice of solvents was based on the type of polymer chosen. The films were characterized on the basis of their physical characteristics, bioadhesive performance, release characteristics, surface ph, folding endurance and stretchability. The optimized film exhibited an in vitro adhesion time of 3.24 hours and an in vitro release of 89.98% in 3.5 hours. The buccoadhesive films were accepted well by healthy human volunteers and no irritation of buccal mucosa was reported.

Nimesulide, a highly water insoluble drug, exhibited poor dissolution pattern which perhaps is the reason for its poor absorption. Solid dispersions of nimesulide were prepared by fusion method using different carriers such as poloxamer PF-127, PEG 4000, citric acid, PVP, urea and mannitol. The ratio of drug: carrier chosen was 1:5 after initial trials with different ratios. They were evaluated for drug content, intactness of the drug in the formulations and dissolution. The drug content in the formulations varied from 76-84%. There was no interacton between the drug and the carriers as seen by their TLC. From the cumulative percent drug release data obtained by carrying out dissolution studies for a period of 3 h in 0.1 N HCl medium and the control study using 0.1% sodium lauryl sulphate, it was observed that the release rate constant of the formulations (0.289 to 561 h-1) were significantly greater than that of the drug (0.065 h-1) and the control (0.111 h-1). Poloxamer PF-127 was found to be the best carrier followed by PEG 4000 and urea.

High pressure liquid chromatographic method for quantitative determination of Bacoside-A3 the main active constituent of the saponin fraction having facilitatory effect on learning is described. A C18 column was used for the separation with acetonitri1e: water (40:60) as mobile phase. The lowest quantitation limit was 26 mg/ml. The intra-day relative standard deviations and deviation from actual concentration values are less 6% and ± 8% respectively, which showed good reproducibility and accuracy of the method.

Eight new substituted cinnoline carboxylic acids were prepared. The structure of these compounds have been confirmed by chemical and spectral analysis. The products were screened for antimicrobial activity. some of the compounds exhibited comparable antimicrobial activity with standard drugs at same concentration.