Phytochemical and antibacterial investigations were carried out on the total extracts of the dried powdered combination of the fruits of M.charantia (cucurbitaceae), E. officinalis (Euphorblaceae) and rhizomes of C. longa (Zingiberaceae). These parameters were studied in comparison with the individual plant ingredients. The combination showed better antibacterial activity compared to the individual plant ingredients alone. The hypoglycemic activity of the combination was found to be higher than M.charantia alone.

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The alkaloids of stem bark of Cinchona officinalis and the marketed formulations containing the stem bark of Cinchona were estimated by spectrophotometric method using tropaeolin 'OO' for the formation of colour complex. In Cinchona stem bark, the alkaloids are bound to tannins. The method adopted for the extraction of alkaloids from the samples has the advantage of extraction of mainly the alkaloids and not the other interfering substances like tannins. The method of analysis was found to be sensitive, precise and accurate and it can be adopted for routine quality control purposes.

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The objective of this study is to formulate niosomes of pentoxifylline, characterize niosomes in terms of entrapment efficiency, particle size distribution, in vitro release and stability and investigate the bronchodilatory activity of plain and niosomal pentoxifylline in vivo in guinea pigs. Pentoxifylline was entrapped in niosomes by lipid layer hydration method using Span 60, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate. The entrapment efficiency of niosomes of pentoxifylline was determined by separating the entrapped drug from the free drug by centrifugation. The in vitro release profile of the drug from niosomes was carried out in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4). The stability of niosomes was assessed by storage at 4 plus minus 1 degree, 25 plus minus 1 degree, 37 plus minus 1 degree and 45 plus minus 1 degree for one month. The plain (20, 40 and 80mg/kg) and niosomal pentoxifylline (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to guinea pigs for evaluating bronchodilatory activity. The entrapment efficiency of niosomes of pentoxifylline was found to be 9.26 plus minus 1.93 percent giving a sustained release of drug over a period of 24h and better stability over the period of storage. The plain and niosomal pentoxifylline produced significant bronchodilatory effect in guinea pigs on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. The study indicates that pentoxifylline may be an effective bronchodilator.

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Four fractions of petroleium ether extract of the leaves of Lantana camara in different solvents showed significant antibacterial activity against some human pathogens under in vitro conditions. The MIC of the methanol fraction, containing triterpenoids, active against these pathogens was found to be comparable with those of some thereapeutically used antibiotics.

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Effects of topical and intraperitoneal administration of methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos ointment and injection was studied respectively on two types of wound models in rats, (i) the excision and (ii) the incision wound model. Both the injection and the ointment of the methanol extract of Aegle marmelos produced a significant response in both of the wound types tested. In the excision model the extract-treated wounds were found to epithelialise faster and the rate of wound contraction was higher, as compared to control wounds. The extract facilitated the healing process as evidenced by increase in the tensile strength in the incision model. The results were also compareable to those of a standard drug nitrofurazone.

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Norfloxacin and tinidazole in combination are used as antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal agents, respectively. In the treatment of bacterial infections, factors of paramount importance are to maintain the therapeutically optimum drug concentration in the plasma and eliminate the need for frequent dose administration. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to design microspheres loaded with norfloxacin and tinidazole intended for parenteral adminstration. Biodegradable, non-toxic polymers viz., bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chitosan were used to form microspheres. Microspheres were prepared using the chemical cross-linking method. Glutaraldehyde-saturated toluence (GST) was employed as the crosslinking agent. Various process parameters, like drug: polymer ratio, did not effect the mean particle size or particle size distribution to a significant extent and relatively a narrow particle size distribution was obtained. Entrapment efficiency of the albumin microspheres for both the drugs was more than the corresponding chitosan microspheres. Results of in vitro release studies indicate a biphasic release pattern characterized by a initial burst-effect followed by a slow release over a period of 12 to 24h.

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Methanol extract of roots of Cocculus hirsutus was tested for its hypoglycemic and cardiotonic effects on diabetic rats and isolated perfused frog heart respectively. The methanol extract exhibited significant hypoglycemic activity on diabetic rats and cardiotonic activity on normal and hypodynamic frog heart preparation. Activity-guided fractionation of methanol extract was carried out. Butanol fraction of methanol extract of roots of C. hirsutus was found to have significant cardiotonic activity comparable to that of ouabain. Total alkaloid fraction prepared from methanol extract showed considerable hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The TLC profile of total alkaloid fraction showed the presence of four alkaloids, whereas the TLC profile of butanol fraction showed the presence of steroids and/or triterpenoids.

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From the flowers of Couroupita guianensis Aubl, an aliphatic hydrocarbon and stigmasterol have been isolated. The structure of stigmasterol has been established on the basis of spectral data and by chemical means.

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Nimesulide-loaded calcium alginate beads were prepared. In this investigation, a 2(3) full factorial design was used to study the joint influence of three variables, the polyemer concentration (X(1), the drug concerntration (X(2) and the cross-linker (calcium chloride) concentration (X(3), on various dependent variables like per cent entrapment, sphericity, particle size and amount of drug released during the initial (t=60 min) and final stages (t=360 min) of release. A statistical model with a significant interaction term is obtained to predict the results. The drug release mechanisms from microspheres were studied using the Peppas equation.

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Tridax procumbens is a hepatoprotective agent. Overdosage of paracetamol induces hepatotoxicity. This paper reports the salubrious effect of Tridax procumbens on the paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wister rats.

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Cassia glauca stems have been shown to contain chyrosphanol,physcion, stearic acid, Beta-sitosterol and Beta-sitosterol-Beta-D.glucoside. This is the first report of isolation of these five compounds from this plant.

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A new simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method in the UV region has been developed for the simultaneous determination of mefenamic acid and paracetamol in bulk and in dosage forms. Mefenamic acid shows three absorbance maxima at 257 nm in 0.1N sodium hydroxide. Absorbance corrected for interference was used for estimation. Both these drugs obey Beer's law in the concentration ranges used in this method. The method has been validated statistically and by recovery studies.

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Two simple, accurate and economical procedures for simultaneous estimation of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide in two component tablet formulations have been developed. The methods employ program in the multicomponent mode of analysis of the instrument used and simultaneous equations using area under curve. In all glass double distilled water losartan potassium has an absorbance maxima at 205nm, hydrochlorothiazide has three absorbance maxima at 225, 272 and 315nm. Both the drugs obey the Beer's Law in the concentration ranges employed for these methods. The results of analysis have been validated statistically and by recovery studies.

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Different retardant polymers including Carbopol 934P, HydroxyPropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) (Methocel K4M) and Eudragit@ NE30D, RL30D and RS30D as release controlling materials were evaluated. The drug release medium consisted of hydrochloric acid buffer, pH-1.2, for the first two hours and phosphate buffer, pH-6.8, for the remaining period of time during the experiements. The influence of variables including polymer type, drug: polymer ratio, tablet filler type and tablet hardness on isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) release profile was discussed. From the retardant polymers investigated, Eudragit NE30D exhibited proper release characteristics. The pattern of drug release from formulation prepared from Eudragit NE30D was shown to corespond to the Higuchi equation. According to the equation, M(t)/M(oo)=k.t(n), ISDN release mechanism from Eudragit NE30D matrix tablets (40 mg) was based on non-Fickian-Diffusion process. It was also realized that, matrix preparation was a suitable method for the formulation of ISDN-CR tablets.

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Eight healthy volunteers had an oral administration of a single 100mg dose of nitrofurantoin in tablet dosage form and water-in-oil-water(w/o/w)emulsions in a crossover fashion.The bioavailability of the drug was evaluated from the urinary excretion data of the unchanged drug. The extent of absorption and the periods of maintenance of the minimum effective urine concentration (MEUC) following absorption of the drug from the Soyabean oil-w/o/w emulsion were both significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the corresponding values for the archis oil-w/o/w emulsion. Also the same values for the tablet dosage form were lowest (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the rates of absorption of the drug from the different dosage forms showed no significant differences (p < 0.05). From the results of this study, it could be suggested that oral administration of the nitrofurantoin in the form of w/o/w emulsions could improve its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Also, the nature of the oil phase of the emulsion is important in determining the extent of nitrofurantoin absorption.

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Tuberculosis is a complex socio-economic problem that impedes human development. Tuberculosis exerts a toll of eight million new sufferers and two million deaths every year. Around one third of world population harbors Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is sensitive to rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. As tuberculosis is contagious, it infects many others thereby necessitating early diagnosis and treatment. A standard 6 months treatment regimen formulated by World Health Organization (WHO), in its operational point of view is a complex procedure leading to treatment failure and resugence of drug resistant strains. To increase the patient compliance, in its recently revised Tuberculosis Treatment Guidelines for National Tuberculosis Programs, WHO encourages the use of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) tablets, which assures ingestion of all the components of tuberculosis treatment regimen. However, the major quality issue associated with FDCs is assuring the bioavailability of rifampicin. If not carefully manufactured, bioavailability of rifampicin is negatively affected which could directly lead to poor treatment outcome and may lead to drug resistance. In the light of above scenario, this review mainly focuses the potential advantages of FDC formulations with special emphasis on quality of FDC preparation to be used for tuberculosis control.

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Piroxicam (PPX) dispersions in pregelatinized starch (PGS) were prepared in different drug and carrier ratios and were characterized by X-ray diffractograms (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and dissolution studies. Bioavailability studies were conducted on PRX-PGS dispersions and PRX pure drug in healthy human subjects as per cross over randomized block design (RBD). From Time Vs blood concentration data C(max), T(max), K(a), AUC and T(1/2), were calculated. Higher dissolution rates were noted with dispersions when compatred to piroxicam as suc. PRX-PGS dispersions also gave fast absorption and higher blood levels of piroxicam when compatred to pure drug. All the absorption parameters namely C(max), percent absorbed in 1 and 2h, Ka, AUC were higher indicating faster absorption of PRX from dispersions.

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A rheological study of guar gum indicated a non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviour of its solutions. When the data was treated mathematically by the modified Newton's law, F(N)=eta G, the exponential constant N was found to increase with increasing concentration of gum. The viscosity of the solutions remained fairly constant in the pH range from 1.5 to 10.5.

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Chloroquine phosphate is a biter antimalarial drug belonging to the 4-amino quinoline class of compounds. It was treated with tannic acid and precipitated to form a poorly soluble complex. The complex was analysed and evaluated for taste and in vitro release. It was then formulted in a syrup base. When orally administered to healthy human subjects, chloroquine level comparable to marketed preparation was obtained. On the basis of the preliminary results obtained in the present study the method may be further evaluated as a technique for teste masking of bitter amine drugs.

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Two visible spectrophotometric and one HPLC method have been developed for estimation of rimapril from its capsule formulation. The developed visible spectrophotometric methods were based on formation of chloroform extractable coloured complexes of drug with nitrosonaphthol and with bromophenol blue. The formed coloured complex with nitrosonaphthol showed absorbance maximum at 445.5nm and Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 50-300mug/ml of drug while the formed coloured complex with bromophenol blue showed absorbance maximum at 414nm and Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 20-100mug/ml of rimapril. Developed HPLC method was a reverse phase chromatographic method using Inertsil C(18) column and methanol:acetate buffer::80:20 as mobile phase with detection at 230nm. Loratidine was used as internal standard for the HPLC method. Linearity was observed in concentration range of 10-300mug/ml of rimapril. Results of analysis for all the methods were validated statistically and by recovery studies.

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Several 2-aryl-5-phenyl (or unsubstituted)-1,2,4,-triazolo [3,2-b]-1,3,4-oxidiazolo-6-thiones (IIIa-f) and 2- aryl-6-phenyl-imino (or imino)-1,2,4-thiadiazolo [3, 2-b]-1 ,3, 4-oxadiazoles (IVa-f) were readily synthesized by oxidation cyclization of corresponding N-phenyl-N'-(5-aryl-1, 3, 4- oxadiazol-2-yl) thioureas (IIId-f) and N'-(5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl) thioureas (III-c) with SOCI2/pyridine and I2/EtOH. The required thioureas (IIIa-f) were prepared by reacting 2-aminooxadiazoles (Ia-c) either by Ar-N = C=S or KSCN. Twelve such compounds have been synthesised and fungitoxicity in vitro determined against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporium. Standard commercial fungicide Dithane M-45 was also tested under similar conditions for comparing the results,and results have been correlated with the structure feature of the tested compounds.

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Dispersible tablets of cyproheptadine-HCI were prepared according to three component simplex optimization technique. Disintegration time of seven batches of the tablets in distilled water was determined. A polynomial equation for computing disintegration time based on simplex design is generated. The application of the equation is demonstrated for predicting disintegration time for a extra-design check point. A contour plot of the results based on the experiment is also presented.

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Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory formulations are designed to deliver therapeutic levels of the active ingredient to the inflammed tissues without elevating serum levels after application on the skin. This route is an attractive alternative to the oral administration of NSAIDS, which is associated with high incidence of GIT complications and other systemic toxiceffects 1-3. Several brands of anti-inflammatory topical preparations including diclofenac gels are now available in the Indian market.

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The saponifiable fraction of the petroleum ether extract of the root of lxora coccinea Linn (Rubiaceae) was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced paw oedema in albino rats. The bio-assay guided fractionation of the saponifiable fraction was carried out and the active fraction was found to contain both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

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The proposed colorimetric method for estimation of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is based on the reaction between the drug and copper acetate in 3:2 chloroform : methanol mixture in presence of 0.5 percent diethylamine (DEA). The yellowish green coloured complex shows a lamda max at 350 nm and calibration curve was obtained within the range 0.4-11.0 mug/ml. The method is statistically validated and results compared favourably with those obtained by the reported method.

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This paper describes the concept of dual control over the release of a water soluble drug. It was hypothesized that the release of a water soluble drug. It was hypothesized that the release of a drug from a tablet containing only a sustaining matrix or only a rate controlling membrane would be different from a tablet containing both the matrix and the membrane. Agents used in the matrix included Eudrigits (RSPM and RLPM) and various grades of Methocel. The drug was incorporated into the matrix at various weight ratios by the coprecipitation method. Ethylcellulose dispersion (Aquacoato )was used as the model coating agent. The release profiles showed the importance of the type and concentration of the polymer in the matrix. The results also indicated the possibility of obtaining a near zero-order release by this mechanism. key words: Sustained release, Dual-control, Coprecipitation.

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Seventeen title compounds were synthesised from 4-fluoroacetophenone.Their antibacterial and antifungal activities against three pathogenic bacteria and three fungi were investigated.A few of the compounds gave promising results.

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A sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric method for the quantitative determination of four phenothiazine drugs in either pure form or in pharmaceutical formulation is proposed. The method is based on the development of a red or bluish-green coloured product with iodic acid in phosphoric acid medium. The reaction proceeds via oxidation of the phenothiazine nucleus into a semiquinonoid radical. The optimum reaction conditions and other analytical parameters are evaluated. The influence of substrates commonly employed as excipients with phenothiazine drugs has been studied. Results of analysis of pure durgs and their dosage forms by the proposed method are in good agreement with those of the official method.

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2-Amino-5-aryl substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were condensed with pbromophenacyl bromide to furnish 2,6- disubstituted imidazo [2, 1-b]-1, 3, 4-oxidiazoles. These on bromination/nitration gave 5-bromo/nitro-2,6-disubstituted imidazo[2, 1-b]-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. These compounds have been screened against antibacterial and antiamoebic activities.

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Acrylate adhesives were synthesized by suspension emulsion and solution polymerization process with a view to use them in transdermal therapeutic systems. Two of the selected copolymers of 2-Ethyl hexyl acrylate showing promising qualities were subjected to the determination of their solid content,molecular weight, UV and IR absorption charactersits, peel strength and free monomer content. Local irritation tests on human volunteers indicate their suitability as adhesives.

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Trimethyltinbenzoate-4-picoline was screened for its antifungal activities against six fungi consisting of four moulds, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor and two yeasts, Brettanomyces anomala, Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from diseased grape plants (Vitis vinifera). A. niger and A. versicolor were inhibited by the compound at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, while A. flavus and S. cerevisiae required 1 mg/ml concentration. A. fumigatus and B. anomala required a higher concentration of 2.5mg/ml for inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) for A. versicolor, A. niger, A.flavus, S.cerevisiae, A. fumigatus and B. anomala were found to be 0.4, 0.45, 0.8,0.9,2.5 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively.

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Sulphanilamide, phenobarbitone and paracetamol as active ingredients, having varying aqueous wettability, were each investigated when subjected to variations in Lactose-based powder blends for tabletting. The influence of surfactants on the consistency of such blends was determined using wet granulation process. The surfactants, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate and cetrimide (0.01 to 0.5 w/w) were incorporated into binder solutions containing 5 percent w/w PVP. The effects of the surfactants on mean granule size, granule friability as well as compact hardness and disintegration times varied; Mean granule size decreased with easily wetted powder blends, but increased with poorly wetted powder blends; while granule friability was reduced. Resultant fall in compact hardness and disintegration times were observed with increased surfactant concentration. Whereas, in the absence of surfactants, poorly wetted powder blends produced smaller and more friable granules than powder blends that are readily wetted. The effect of decreasing the wettability of the powder bed blend generally produces stronger compacts.

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Polargraphic method has been developed for the determination of carbimazole in pharmaceutical formulations based on the catalytic hydrogen evolution. Awell defined peak at a potential -1.50 V va SCE is obtained. Carbimazole can be determined in trace quantites in the range 0.195- 1.768 ug/ml.

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Acacia caesia, Sorghuma dochna, Dalbargia sissoo and Acacia ferruginea seed oils have been studied for physical and chemical characterstics, fatty acid composititon and lipid classes.

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Ten new phenyl/substitutedphenyl (carbazole-9-acetates/propionates) were synthesised and screened for their diuetic, anticonvulsant and antimicrobial activity.

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Reaction of 2-amino-4-phenyl-5-arylazothiazoles (I) with aryl cyanides in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride leads to synthesis of N-2-[4-phenyl-5-arylazo-thiazol-2-yl] aryamidines (ii). These II on oxidative cyclisation with lead tetra acetate yield 4-phenyl-5-arylazo [1,2,4]-triazolo [5,1-b]-thiazoles (IV).

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The antibacterial activity of trimethyltinbenzoate-4-picoline (an organotin compound) was determined against five bacteria isolated from diseased grape plants (Vitis vinifera, family:Vitaceae). The zones of inhibition were observed, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against bacteria that belonged to Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Klebsiella and Xanthomonas species were found to be 0.5, 0.8, 2.5, 2.5 and 2.5mg/ml respectively.

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Different plant parts (floral heads & leaves) were collected locally. Unorganised callus tissue of Helipetrum roseum Benth. raised and maintained by frequent subculturings on revised Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1 ppm of 2, 4-D and 1 percent agar/(RT) have been analysed for their seterol contents. Two sterols were present in vivo and in vitro.

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1-(N-benzotriazolyl) phenyl/substituted phenyl esters were synthesised and screened for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.

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